17 Years ago today

[VaBeachGuy 12]

It's hard for me to believe but today marks 17 years since I signed my enlistment contract to join the Army, I didn't actually leave for Basic Training until May 27th (1988) but it was March 17th that I signed on the dotted line.

 

It's funny because just yesterday I got a package from the Department of Defense, it was an award for serving in the military during the Cold War.

 

Time goes by so fast, it's hadr to believe.

[KIMIMELA 1]

It sure does doesn't it..? :P You were in the Army?!

[VaBeachGuy 12]

It sure does doesn't it..?  :P You were in the Army?!

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Yep I was a soldier for a few years.

 

Here's a couple pics that I posted elsewhere on the site:

 

 

[Tal 0]

Kool, We seem to be having alot of so many years today's latly. Wonder what it will be next.

[KIMIMELA 1]

nice pictures :P

[Sgt. Phaserman 0]

17 years ago, I was in Elementary school. Hopefully that doesn't make VBG feel TOO old.

 

And about getting your CWSM, That's a medal I won't have, but I have two versions of the GWAT, which makes up for it.

 

 

BTW, I know someone who retired a couple years ago and just got his GWAT and CWSM...frickin DOD is behind the times...

[Gary Phaserman 0]

VBG, not to make you feel too old, but 17 years ago, I was almost THREE!

[VaBeachGuy 12]

I believe I'm eligible for a Gulf War award because I served at the very beginning of Desert Shield, I didn't deploy but my battalion did. They deployed on September 29th, I got out on October 5th.

 

As for feeling old, that only happens when I see my nieces with children of their own.

[KIMIMELA 1]

17 years ago i would just be born

[Sgt. Phaserman 0]

I believe I'm eligible for a Gulf War award because I served at the very beginning of Desert Shield, I didn't deploy but my battalion did. They deployed on September 29th, I got out on October 5th.

 

As for feeling old, that only happens when I see my nieces with children of their own.

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Now THAT would make me feel old, too. Luckily my only niece is nowhere near old enough to have kids. and neither is my own daughter.

[VaBeachGuy 12]

Well, today marks the anniversary of the day I left for the Army. 17 years sure doesn't take long to go by does it?

 

I can remember that first weekend very well. I arrived in South Carolina at about 11:30 pm that Friday night. We didn't get to Fort Jackson until about 2:30 am because we had to wait in the airport for another flight and then had to wait for an Army bus to come get us.

 

Around 3:30 am I ate my first Army meal, Veal patties with Mashed potatos and carrots and a bowl of orange sherbet.

 

The weekend was pretty boring because it was a holiday weekend, which meant that we had to stay at the reception battalion for a couple extra days. On Monday, which was the actual holiday we were allowed to sit in the day room and watch movies. I watched Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and Top Gun, then someone was injured somehow and had to go to the Emergency room. They needed a volunteer to go with him so I went, I figured it would be a good way to see a little bit of the post.

 

Anyway, that was 17 years ago this weekend. Hard to believe.

[LordOfTheBorg 1]

wow, 17 years ago i wasn't even an embryo! I mean, 17 years ago my brother was 5!

I just have to say VBG, nice facial expressions!

 

It's The DEER IN HEADLIGHTS look!

Edit: 17, not 1

[VaBeachGuy 12]

That picture, if I recall properly was taken on Thanksgiving day 1988. Me and a few friends were going to spend the long weekend in an apartment that we had rented for a few days (you could rent the apartments by the day there). My buddy grabbed my camera so I decided to strike a pose. As you can tell it was in the evening, I was either just getting into or getting out of a cab when it was taken.

[deadmeatsecurityguy 0]

In about 2 weeks it will be 33 years since I enlisted in the Navy. 17 and needed a job. Law of unintended consequences I ended up seeing a tad more action than I intended.

[Jim Phaserman 0]

In about 2 weeks it will be 33 years since I enlisted in the Navy.  17 and needed a job.  Law of unintended consequences I ended up seeing a tad more action than I intended.

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That happens in the Military. I never invisioned ever doing anything more than perhaps sitting off the coast of Iraq for four or five months, not participating in Shock and Awe when I joined. 17 years ago...wow. I was 5. Kindergarten!

[HRH The KING 0]

I tried to join the Army.

 

My interview was going well until they asked why I wanted to join the Army.

 

I said "Because I want to defend the Germanic forces in Lower Saxony from the Prussian onslaught".

 

They rejected me!!! Can you believe it???

 

I was outraged.

 

Apparently along with "Don't Ask Don't Tell", they have another rule that says "If You Are Completely Mad, Then You Can't Join Us".

 

Ridiculous!!!!!

[Jim Phaserman 0]

I've seen people discharged for lapses in mental stability. My uncle was given a Psych Discharge in the early 80's because he had a few issues with the fact that he had actually killed someone.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named 2]

So how do you get awarded a Cold War Service Medal? I was in the Army same time as you and am probably ellgible.

[VaBeachGuy 12]

So how do you get awarded a Cold War Service Medal?  I was in the Army same time as you and am probably ellgible.

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Follow this link, it will tell you what you have to do...

 

https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/active/tagd/coldwar/

[DixonHill1989 0]

Well, congrats VBG and thanks for serving.

 

God Bless