First Post!

[wyntrout]

Oh, yeah! I forgot that one! I've heard that quite a few times!

Wynn

[Bawanna]

I don't belong in this sub forum but not because I didn't try. Now this is no sh!t.

Fresh out of High School I decided I wanted to go do my patriotic duty. My first choice was to follow my dad and join the Marines. He got drafted but I wanted to go by choice.
Even then I didn't hear too good, was color blind and was a little guy which I don't think meant a whole lot. This was towards the end of Nam and things were kind of in flux. They didn't really need guys so they could be a bit choosy.
Well I failed the physical for the Marines and then the Army. They told me to try the Navy which I didn't relish as I get sea sick, don't like salt water much and not nuts about boats although the bigger the better.
A buddy wanted to do the Navy on the so called buddy program so I signed up.

I went down for the physical where they found I was color blind, got to where they put you in a little tank thing for the hearing test, I think there was about 12 or 15 of us at a time. You go in, sit at a console in the dark and push the button when you hear the tone. I know I'm weak in this area so I'm totally dialed in on listening intently for that damn tone.
I'm going along just fine when suddenly the door flies open letting in the light, destroying night vision. I was grabbed from behind in a choke hold ripping me out of my chair, tearing the head set off, drug backwards out of the chamber bounced off every hard surface we passed.
Outside amidst a gathering crowd I was thrown to the ground and pummeled by a very large navy dude overseeing the test.
We're not talking patty cake here either two severely blacken eyes, bloody nose, cracked lips, loose teeth.
I thought well I've had enough of the this so I started fighting back, not a good plan.
Anyhow after probably 10 seconds which seemed like 2 hours a couple guys pull the guy off me and tell him that he grabbed the wrong guy. Apparently the guy next to me, a long haired hippie type as I recall was playing games and just hitting the button randomly which apparently didn't set well with my dude.
So I end up with the same navy doc who was doing some of the examination stuff before patching me up, staunching the blood flow and a couple aspirin or something.

Next I'm in some commanding type persons office in my skivvy's. Super nice guy, very apologetic. Explained that I did not pass but in the event of an ongoing war or new war to come back, he would see to it that I was inducted. He also explained that this was good for me since if I was accepted I would have to go straight to the brig for striking a superior officer. I explained that I was a civilian so I didn't think that applied but he didn't see it that way. He was nice totally just covering my backside.
The dude that pummeled me was brought in and he turned out to be a nice guy too, just sick of punks playing with him and he apologized profusely for grabbing the wrong guy who incidently my buddy said got pummeled as well while I was getting fixed up.

So needless to say I already had enough of the Navy at that point. My buddy did get in and told me a 100 times how lucky I was to get my battles done in one morning and not making it in.

I tried to get into the Marines a few years later again without success and told the recruiter about my experience, he got a good chuckle out of it.

[AJBert]

Probably so Wynn.

Bawanna,
The USMC version is:
A fairy tale starts out "Once upon a time...". The sea story starts off with "Now, this is no sh!t..." (the Navy's version, at least as I've heard it, is "Now, there I was...")
Regards,
Greg

I, and many other folks I've served with, always start out, "Now, this is a no sh!tter..." If a sea story starts with either one, you know it's true!

[muggsy]

No real dramatic story. Was drafted in December 1965 had a couple days to join the branch of the service I wanted to join. If I chose none it was the Army. Now I knew even as a small child if I ever went in the service it would be the Navy. Ships and the ocean just works for me. Rice patties not so much.
So I joined the navy and pretty much got lied to. As I was told I'd be going to school to learn to be a jet mechanic. Alway was a motorhead in my younger years so I figured I'd learn a trade. Yea Right. Went to boot camp in the great lakes in January of 66 and pretty much froze my family jewels off like everybody else. It was there I learned I'd be going to Sub School in New London Conn. I thought WTF jet engines to Subs? I wasn't to thrilled about hearing this but went anyway. Some part of the way through Sub School I informed them that this was not my idea of a good time. Actually it sucked big time at best. World war II pig Boats stink and nuke boats was another two year commitment, and that was not going to happen. So they thought it would be nice that if I didn't like to be on a sub I might like to go to Keflavic Iceland and watch Russian subs for a year.
I was told there was a hot Nordic girl behind every tree. This really appealed to me a great deal. I like women, I like them so much I even married one. Only problem was when the plane landed in the land of frost and fire I quickly learn there is not a tree in Keflavic or Rekavic that is much bigger then your average tomato plant.
So I worked on unloading cargo planes. The good part out of doing this I managed to get quite a few drivers licenses,and was able to drive quite a bit of Navy equipment. Which meant I was in the cab of a nice warm truck, forklift, K loader or any number of pieces of equipment. There were other benifits to but we won't get into that as somethings are left unsaid.

Flash foward a year and being that I still had some Sub experience the navy finally decided they F'd me over enough and decided to send me to Key west Fla. aboard the USS Bushnell AS 15 (which we lovingly refered to as the Burning Bush). It was a Sub Tender and was known to catch fire quite often. Key West really appealed to me a great deal after a year a in the land of the midnight sun.
We worked hard on the ship as there was always subs that needed attending to and my duty station was on the boat deck. Where we kept and maintained the small boats. In port my watch was at the top of the gangblank where we were armed with a colt 1911. In reality all it did was make me the first target for anyone who was up to no good. I'm sure a 12 year old with a decent bolt action rifle could have picked me off with no problem from a block and a half away. It did create my love for the 1911 though that still lasts to this day. As I mentioned We did alot on that ship to keep those subs supplied with food, fuel, and repairs, and saw a few places along the way while doing it. Bottom line when my 4 years was all said and done I liked the navy. Not enough to renlist but I liked it. Things were not always great, but man I met a lot of great people and saw and did some things I never would have gotten a chance to do otherwise. Oh and before I forget, them girls that I heard were in Iceland. Well I learned they all hanged in Key west in the 60's. I'm proud to have served my country even though I did have it pretty good. Absolutely no regrets.

When 911 came along I wished I could have gone back in except this time I'm sure if they would have let me it I would have been a Sea Bee this time because of my construction background.

Anyhow being that I'm to old and they no longer want me,and I own a Harley, I joined a group of riders called the Patriot Guard riders. We bring our current warriors home to there families or to there final resting place if that is what's called for.
Still feeling that I had more to give in the way of service to the country and it vets. I learned about a new National Cemetery in my area. I joined a group of dedicated vets who perform the rifle salutes at all internments using M1 Garands in all sorts of weather conditions. I have been doing this every Thursday and sometimes more for the last 3 years. This I really enjoy doing as I'm a firm believer that every vet who ever served this great country should be layed to rest in a proper military manner. I am proud to say that no Vet who has ever been on there final mission, and been layed to rest at the Washing Crossing National Cemetery has gone with out proper military honors by the military and the Guardians of the national cemetery Honor Guard.
Sorry if I got a little long winded. It happens when I look back on my military days, and sevice to the country and it Vets and current warriors.

May god bless all who have served, and continue to serve. .....Popeye US NAVY..66-69

I never met a sewer pipe sailor who didn't b!tch. For that matter I never met a sailor who didn't b!tch. It's how you knew they were happy. Glad you were a part of this man's Navy.

[muggsy]

I don't belong in this sub forum but not because I didn't try. Now this is no sh!t.

Fresh out of High School I decided I wanted to go do my patriotic duty. My first choice was to follow my dad and join the Marines. He got drafted but I wanted to go by choice.
Even then I didn't hear too good, was color blind and was a little guy which I don't think meant a whole lot. This was towards the end of Nam and things were kind of in flux. They didn't really need guys so they could be a bit choosy.
Well I failed the physical for the Marines and then the Army. They told me to try the Navy which I didn't relish as I get sea sick, don't like salt water much and not nuts about boats although the bigger the better.
A buddy wanted to do the Navy on the so called buddy program so I signed up.

I went down for the physical where they found I was color blind, got to where they put you in a little tank thing for the hearing test, I think there was about 12 or 15 of us at a time. You go in, sit at a console in the dark and push the button when you hear the tone. I know I'm weak in this area so I'm totally dialed in on listening intently for that damn tone.
I'm going along just fine when suddenly the door flies open letting in the light, destroying night vision. I was grabbed from behind in a choke hold ripping me out of my chair, tearing the head set off, drug backwards out of the chamber bounced off every hard surface we passed.
Outside amidst a gathering crowd I was thrown to the ground and pummeled by a very large navy dude overseeing the test.
We're not talking patty cake here either two severely blacken eyes, bloody nose, cracked lips, loose teeth.
I thought well I've had enough of the this so I started fighting back, not a good plan.
Anyhow after probably 10 seconds which seemed like 2 hours a couple guys pull the guy off me and tell him that he grabbed the wrong guy. Apparently the guy next to me, a long haired hippie type as I recall was playing games and just hitting the button randomly which apparently didn't set well with my dude.
So I end up with the same navy doc who was doing some of the examination stuff before patching me up, staunching the blood flow and a couple aspirin or something.

Next I'm in some commanding type persons office in my skivvy's. Super nice guy, very apologetic. Explained that I did not pass but in the event of an ongoing war or new war to come back, he would see to it that I was inducted. He also explained that this was good for me since if I was accepted I would have to go straight to the brig for striking a superior officer. I explained that I was a civilian so I didn't think that applied but he didn't see it that way. He was nice totally just covering my backside.
The dude that pummeled me was brought in and he turned out to be a nice guy too, just sick of punks playing with him and he apologized profusely for grabbing the wrong guy who incidently my buddy said got pummeled as well while I was getting fixed up.

So needless to say I already had enough of the Navy at that point. My buddy did get in and told me a 100 times how lucky I was to get my battles done in one morning and not making it in.

I tried to get into the Marines a few years later again without success and told the recruiter about my experience, he got a good chuckle out of it.

You may not have gotten in Bawanna, but not for lack of trying. As far as I'm concerned you made it. Now we just have to change your title to Admiral.

[muggsy]

Any of you non-Naval service folks know what the difference is between a "Sea Story" and a "Fairy Tale"?
Semper Fi,
Greg

We had a saying in the navy Greg. You can always tell a Marine, but you can't tell 'em much. Semper Fi.

[Bawanna]

I really wanted to be a Marine, even thought of doing the Navy as a medic and getting attached to the Marines but about 2 seconds thought brought me back to my senses. I'm a fighter not a healer.

[Bootlegger]

Navy Combat Corpsman (89-93) Fleet Marine Force.

Now here I am 20 years later, a nurse working in a jail. Don't think I could handle the sanitary hospital setting.

(semper-fi)

[bob98366]

I'm a retired from the Navy after 26+ years duty in the Supply Corps. Had ship tours on a submarine, an aircraft carrier and an aviation capable amphibious ship which carried a whole bunch of Marines with their fun stuff. I am a Trusty Shellback, yee landlubbers. Did Japan tours twice, sailed most of the oceans and was stationed in every corner of the US. I do know the only difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale (one begins with "This is no $#!+"). Most of my sea stories are pretty tame, although on the sub we did have flooding called away while at test depth twice. Now enjoying the beautiful sunny Puget Sound area of western Washington, my favorite place to live in the US.

[Bootlegger]

Bob: I know this is a long shot but I had a friend stationed out there in 90-91 maybe longer, was also in supply, name Scott Meyers. He was Air Force before the Navy, wife and 2 boys. I have been looking for him since that time. Any chance you know him?

[jlottmc]

USMC, joined the FMF as an 1171 then two weeks later got FAP'd to the Armory, three weeks later I was doing work ups to head out on the 22'nd MEU. That's how I got my trip to Bosnia, and Norway. Damaged the left shoulder after I got back, spent the rest of my time at Cherry Pit, and left. Had the shoulder finally fixed in '08 after 7 1/2 years of bad. It was good and not so much sometimes. Still miss it, that's why I went through the academy and am trying to get into law enforcement.

[wyntrout]

The new military:



Wynn

[bob98366]

Bootlegger, sorry his name does not ring any bells.
Bob

[MikeG]

8 1/2 years in the Navy, '02 to '11. 8 DAYS sea time. My deployment uniforms were desert camo, not blue coveralls. Been south of the equator a few times, still a 'wog... Made AE1 (E-6) before I ever stepped foot on a real ship. Missed the births of both my sons, deployed six weeks after my daughter was born. Had some good times but I doubt my marriage could have survived another twelve years of that life. I know my parents' didn't (Dad's retired AF). Happily using my GI Bill benefits at The Citadel and taking care of my kids while my RN wife works the 12 hour shifts, God bless her.

I miss it sometimes, but it's not too hard to remember the BS and be happy as a veteran too. I would be on the Stennis right now if I had re-upped. She deployed in August after just getting back last March, not due home again until the end of March this year. The Navy's downsizing makes it extra rough on those who are able and choose to stay in, and especially their families. I thank God for each and every one of them.

[RevRay]

My Dad was drafted in WWII and stayed in after the war to make a career of it. So my story starts in 1946 in Ft. Benning, GA, where I was born. As an Army brat I lived mostly at Ft. Bragg, NC, with side trips to Panama for grades 3-5 and to Okinawa for grades to 9-10. My Dad retired from Active duty as a Major the year I graduated from high school.

I then went to West Point and graduated in 1969. Following that I went to Airborne school and then Berlin, Germany, before heading to Vietnam. After Nam I qualified for the Special Forces, but eventually resigned my commission after fulfilling my obligation. Just prior to leaving the Army I came to faith in Jesus Christ which is partly why I felt led get out.

I eventually went to seminary in Dallas, TX, to study for the ministry. After that I worked in corporate America for a while and then took a church up in Bangor, ME. While in Maine I joined the National Guard as a Chaplain and served 17 years there. I rose to become the State Chaplain and retired from the Guard as a full bird.

We left Maine and moved to England for three years, and now I'm pastoring a church in Rockville, CT. God and the military have been good to me my whole life. Thanks for the opportunity to share my story.