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Posted (edited)

So, there's quite a few of us that have loved ones serving.  IIRC, Jameslaw's daughter is near the DMZ.  There are many more that I can't recall at the moment, but I'm drunk.

I've posted quite a bit about my son's service: he's now back from the ME as of late June, and is currently at Ft. Polk leading an infantry platoon,  but he's got orders for Ft. Jackson and Drill Sgt school.   His current orders have him staying at Jackson, but he's trying to get sent to Benning instead.   Drill duty sucks from what I understand.  Long hours every day.  But, Jackson and Benning are both better than living in the complete and total shithole that is Louisiana. 

Anyway, it might be fun for us all to worry/commiserate/be proud together here. 

To be clear, I never served. 

 

Edited by Gil Bang
  • Like 4
Posted

The son, in the Air Force  is on temporary assignment from his base at Lackland  to Las Vegas for  6 months on special assignment. Officially he's at Nellis, but the work is done in an office building on the strip, and he's sharing an apartment with another AF bud right off the strip.  He's living large he says.

  • Like 2
Posted

That is sooo AF, lolz.

 

Dad was Navy.  Fuck him, not the Navy...

I served in the Marines.

Son is Army, deployed to Europe and is starting joint exercises with Polish troops.  For a child of the Cold War it still bottles my mind that they are working with former Soviet allies.  Alas,  shit changes...  He's a year and a half into his commission and is considering staying a bit longer than the required 5 so he can get his Masters; but the civilian options( and income) are crying out to him on a daily basis. He did 2 (military version of)  internships with a great company tied to the national intelligence and research sectors and is virtually guaranteed a job when he wants.  You don't "re-up" as an officer, but rather resign your commission when it's time to get out.  He loves leading others and having that responsibility.  He already hates the politics and bureaucracy. They've already had some career development discussions and he says it's all he can do to keep a straight face when they ask if he's staying for a career.

Younger son is awaiting processing for Air Force.  Had some significant health issues at birth and has to "prove" with medical documentation that they no longer exist.   I get it, but it's a fucking beating too.  Air Force recruiters, maybe it's just this one; damned sure have a different sense of urgency that the Marines did.  We have let him own the process( it's his freaking life,) but more than once I've wanted to go set them straight with their passive aggressive, pain in the ass approach.

 

Have retired Army, AF, and Navy in my family.  None of us Jarheads served more than 10 years...LOL.   There is much shit talked at family get-togethers, but there's also a very deep respect for those who have served.

  • 3 months later...
Posted

Just dropped my son off at the airport in Houston. He's back from 8 months deployment in Korea and heading back to Ft Stewart. His ETS is March 2020, and he's looking forward to getting out, but man, the service has been good for him. He left Houston a stoner / gamer who blamed all his problems on everything else and has returned a dude bragging about his credit score (no pics) and with a fucking swagger. Forcing him into that was the best thing my ex and I ever did, and I wish my dad had done the same to me. 

  • Like 7
Posted
  On 11/5/2018 at 6:41 AM, Mole said:

Drill duty looked like it would suck, but it always seemed like a good ticket to promotion.

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The likely career path was either drill or recruiting, and I don't think he's got the patience to deal with high school dipshits. 

Posted

Grandfather was Marine in WWII - wounded on Iwo Jima.

Dad was Citadel graduate - Armor officer. Two tours Vietnam. 9th Cav and then back after flight school in 17th Cav. Shot down and wounded during the Cambodia incursion. Bullet through bubble on Huey. Million dollar wound.

Stationed at all the great Cav bases. Knox (Armor School) Sill / Rucker (flight) Bliss (3rd ACR) Amberg (2nd ACR)

Uncle was Citadel grad. Cold warrior with the 2nd and 3rd ACR.

Brother was armor with 1st Armor during desert storm.

Me - missed the boat.

Registered my son when he was born for Citadel class of 2028. We will see.

  • Like 3
Posted
  On 11/5/2018 at 6:35 PM, Gil Bang said:

The likely career path was either drill or recruiting, and I don't think he's got the patience to deal with high school dipshits. 

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so neither?

Posted

Seems like just yesterday Slorch and I were pm'ing about West Point stuff.

A little premature for this thread but my son's got an Army contract and though he hasn't yet been commissioned or served on active duty yet he did earn his jump wings at Benning this past summer.  Majoring in military science and psychology, junior at TAMU.  Though there's a ridiculous shit ton of fake army stupidity that goes on there there's enough real army for the guys with contracts to stay engaged.  His plan is to use the Army to send him to school for as long as they will pay.

Dad was a draftee sent to Chu Lai in '67 - not surprisingly, he didn't like it which is one of the reasons I didn't serve.

 

 

  • Hook 'Em 3
Posted

Dad served 36 in the Army. Saved him from a jail cell in Tarrant County. Retired full colonel as Deputy Commander 5th Group (SFG). Brother served in 7th Group. Both loved being airborne and always gave me shit. Got this from my Dad today. Was going to save it for VE Day and did not want to start a thread dedicated to those Devils in Baggy Pants. Dad sure loved his time with the 82nd. 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

https://www.realclearhistory.com/articles/2018/11/05/82nd_airbornes_stunning_1-day_kia_at_normandy_379.html

  • Like 2
Posted (edited)

Aforementioned son who was trying to enlist in the Air Force, felt like he was getting slow played by recruiter( the most lackadaisical and worthless fucking recruiter I have ever seen in my life) and started talking to Navy 3 weeks ago. He had some very severe physical issues when he was born and had to get clearance( proof that they no longer exist or cause an issue) from MEPs and Dept of the Navy.  He got the call today that everything has been approved.  He just has to pass the regular physical at MEPs this Friday and he will be sworn into the delayed entry program.  He has already passed that particular physical easily.

I am very excited and proud for him to be going in this direction with his life. His MOS is not guaranteed yet, but we all know the drill, as well as the recruiters knowing that we know; he ain't signing shit until it is in black and white.  Most likely, he is going nukes(IIRC, this is what Blacklab did...could be wrong) and will not ship to Basic until this coming Summer.

Still yelling for Army in the Army-Navy Game, since the Sailor and Marine in our house will have been enlisted...and one knucklehead actually attended school there.

Could post this same shit in Dad thread, but figured more people would understand here.  So proud.  Kid has been through so much.  He is such a freaking fighter, and gives no fucks about what life says he cannot do.

Big day for us.

Edited by slorch
Posted

Delayed Entry... If he swears in it don't mean squat, just an FYI. The "big one" is when you report for basic. Up to that point he can tell them to pack sand - no obligation.

Happy for you and the family, nuke power is the future! ;) 

Posted

The son was just tapped as his wing groups flight leader a month ago, and just got tapped this week to be part of the Commanders Action Group CCX. Head liaison between commanding officer (3 or 4 star general) and other inter AF and civilian authorities.  Lots of coordination, planning responsibilities.  To make general in the AF you have to have this duty posting on your resume apparently.

Lots of mixed emotions because it takes him away from his first love which is computer design/engineering/systems, but a huge tap on the shoulder for grooming his future. Not a penny more in pay however of course.  Gonna fuck up our ski season probably....

  • Like 1
Posted
  On 11/13/2018 at 10:04 PM, El Diablo said:

Delayed Entry... If he swears in it don't mean squat, just an FYI. The "big one" is when you report for basic. Up to that point he can tell them to pack sand - no obligation.

Happy for you and the family, nuke power is the future! ;) 

Expand  

Completely understand the ramifications and limitations of the situation.

Even reporting for basic don't mean shit... until you graduate.

 

Posted
  On 11/13/2018 at 10:45 PM, slorch said:

Completely understand the ramifications and limitations of the situation.

Even reporting for basic don't mean shit... until you graduate.

 

Expand  

I had a buddy that "quit" within 6 months of entry. We'd been deployed overseas, he decided it wasn't for him and simply quit. Didn't go AWOL, just wouldn't get dressed, work, etc... laid in his rack and told everyone to fuck off. They gave him a general under honorable discharge "Not suited to the needs of the Navy". Prolly had an RE4 reenlistment code but I don't think he gave a shit about that.

Posted
  On 11/13/2018 at 10:29 PM, Onboard 2.0 said:

The son was just tapped as his wing groups flight leader a month ago, and just got tapped this week to be part of the Commanders Action Group CCX. Head liaison between commanding officer (3 or 4 star general) and other inter AF and civilian authorities.  Lots of coordination, planning responsibilities.  To make general in the AF you have to have this duty posting on your resume apparently.

Lots of mixed emotions because it takes him away from his first love which is computer design/engineering/systems, but a huge tap on the shoulder for grooming his future. Not a penny more in pay however of course.  Gonna fuck up our ski season probably....

Expand  

Sorry, Dad.  His first love is quite  likely pussy.  Computer shit comes after that, if he's "normal".

  • Like 1
Posted
  On 11/13/2018 at 10:29 PM, Onboard 2.0 said:

The son was just tapped as his wing groups flight leader a month ago, and just got tapped this week to be part of the Commanders Action Group CCX. Head liaison between commanding officer (3 or 4 star general) and other inter AF and civilian authorities.  Lots of coordination, planning responsibilities.  To make general in the AF you have to have this duty posting on your resume apparently.

Lots of mixed emotions because it takes him away from his first love which is computer design/engineering/systems, but a huge tap on the shoulder for grooming his future. Not a penny more in pay however of course.  Gonna fuck up our ski season probably....

Expand  

That's a lot of tapping dat ass. Congrats!

  • Like 1
Posted
  On 11/7/2018 at 2:34 AM, InkaUtexas said:

Dad served 36 in the Army. Saved him from a jail cell in Tarrant County. Retired full colonel as Deputy Commander 5th Group (SFG). Brother served in 7th Group. Both loved being airborne and always gave me shit. Got this from my Dad today. Was going to save it for VE Day and did not want to start a thread dedicated to those Devils in Baggy Pants. Dad sure loved his time with the 82nd. 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

https://www.realclearhistory.com/articles/2018/11/05/82nd_airbornes_stunning_1-day_kia_at_normandy_379.html

Expand  

Good stuff....Thanks for sharing.

Unit I served with in the USAF is a direct descendant from teams in Operation Varsity (17th Airborne jump into Wesel, Germany March 1945) and before that, the Pathfinder units from D-Day.

  • Like 2
Posted
  On 11/14/2018 at 10:34 PM, BillyGoatHill said:

Good stuff....Thanks for sharing.

Unit I served with in the USAF is a direct descendant from teams in Operation Varsity (17th Airborne jump into Wesel, Germany March 1945) and before that, the Pathfinder units from D-Day.

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You got it. One of Dad's favorite assignments was running the development team for the initial HALO/HAHO experiments. Jumping at over 25K and traveling 20+ miles under canopy must be one hell of a sight. 

Rock steady, and gracias. 

Posted
  On 11/13/2018 at 10:29 PM, Onboard 2.0 said:

The son was just tapped as his wing groups flight leader a month ago, and just got tapped this week to be part of the Commanders Action Group CCX. Head liaison between commanding officer (3 or 4 star general) and other inter AF and civilian authorities.  Lots of coordination, planning responsibilities.  To make general in the AF you have to have this duty posting on your resume apparently.

Lots of mixed emotions because it takes him away from his first love which is computer design/engineering/systems, but a huge tap on the shoulder for grooming his future. Not a penny more in pay however of course.  Gonna fuck up our ski season probably....

Expand  

That's really good for the Air Force.  He's got support from somewhere/someone important.

Posted (edited)
  On 11/15/2018 at 4:44 AM, InkaUtexas said:

You got it. One of Dad's favorite assignments was running the development team for the initial HALO/HAHO experiments. Jumping at over 25K and traveling 20+ miles under canopy must be one hell of a sight

Rock steady, and gracias. 

Expand  

Oh yeah, great view (curvature of the earth and all that), but it is FREAKING COLD!

Did some HAHO jumps in Yuma (late February) and while temps on the ground were around 75-80, at altitude/opening (25 grand hop and pops) they were around a frosty -100. Couldn't have enough clothing items on. We had to fashion toggle extensions for our steering lines after finding out the first day you could only keep your hands above your heart for a brief amount of time as your fingers would quickly go numb and you lose dexterity. We flew the canopies just over 13 miles to the DZ and that took around 20-30 minutes under canopy. Gave you a lot of time to think about what you were hanging from. The nav routes that you flew were also the airline routes, so you had to be on the lookout. Didn't happen to me but I had some friends that had airliners fly underneath them more than once.

Edited by BillyGoatHill
  • Like 1
Posted

Youngest son enlisted in the Navy this past Friday.  I am excited for him and pleased that he has overcome some significant developmental delays in early childhood to now be able to do this.  He qualified for any enlisted billet available and got "Mass Communications Specialist" or the MC rating, if you're familiar...  I called him the new "Private Joker" and he got a kick out of it.  evidently it's a very popular, yet most often unavailable rating for newbs.

He ships Jan 8 to Great Lakes for Basic. That shit will be like Hoth.   I already told him F going to Great Lakes for graduation. We'll come see him after that at Ft Mead and do some cool shit in the Baltimore area. He'll be there until July/ August for his MOS school.

Posted
  On 11/19/2018 at 11:38 PM, slorch said:

Youngest son enlisted in the Navy this past Friday.  I am excited for him and pleased that he has overcome some significant developmental delays in early childhood to now be able to do this.  He qualified for any enlisted billet available and got "Mass Communications Specialist" or the MC rating, if you're familiar...  I called him the new "Private Joker" and he got a kick out of it.  evidently it's a very popular, yet most often unavailable rating for newbs.

He ships Jan 8 to Great Lakes for Basic. That shit will be like Hoth.   I already told him F going to Great Lakes for graduation. We'll come see him after that at Ft Mead and do some cool shit in the Baltimore area. He'll be there until July/ August for his MOS school.

Expand  

Oooohh Great Lakes..... cooooooooold as shit...  Gongrats, and you'll go to the graduation...  You know you will.  Graduation and a weekend in Chicago, even in Winter a great time.

  • 3 years later...
Posted
  On 1/6/2022 at 3:19 AM, Gil Bang said:

Necro-bump here. 

My kid transitioned from being an Infantryman with two combat tours, to Drill Sergeant, to fucking PILOT!.

He's now a Warrant Officer, and has completed "common core" at Ft. Rucker, which means he has completed flight school, flying Airbus Lakota Helos. 

He's awaiting (in the next few days) his assignment to his final airframe (Blackhawk, Apache, etc) and then will have another 3 or 4 months training on that airframe, and will move on to his next posting. 

He's come a long way from E-1 to Warrant Officer.  I'm more proud of him than I am capable of articulating. 

Expand  

Niiiiiice..

Posted
  On 1/6/2022 at 3:19 AM, Gil Bang said:

Necro-bump here. 

My kid transitioned from being an Infantryman with two combat tours, to Drill Sergeant, to fucking PILOT!.

He's now a Warrant Officer, and has completed "common core" at Ft. Rucker, which means he has completed flight school, flying Airbus Lakota Helos. 

He's awaiting (in the next few days) his assignment to his final airframe (Blackhawk, Apache, etc) and then will have another 3 or 4 months training on that airframe, and will move on to his next posting. 

He's come a long way from E-1 to Warrant Officer.  I'm more proud of him than I am capable of articulating. 

Expand  

Now he has to be called Mr. Bang, Jr.  Congrats!

Posted
  On 1/6/2022 at 3:19 AM, Gil Bang said:

Necro-bump here. 

My kid transitioned from being an Infantryman with two combat tours, to Drill Sergeant, to fucking PILOT!.

He's now a Warrant Officer, and has completed "common core" at Ft. Rucker, which means he has completed flight school, flying Airbus Lakota Helos. 

He's awaiting (in the next few days) his assignment to his final airframe (Blackhawk, Apache, etc) and then will have another 3 or 4 months training on that airframe, and will move on to his next posting. 

He's come a long way from E-1 to Warrant Officer.  I'm more proud of him than I am capable of articulating. 

Expand  

Congratulations!!!  Not an easy path for certain, and yeah, you should be damned proud!!!

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
  On 11/19/2018 at 11:38 PM, slorch said:

Youngest son enlisted in the Navy this past Friday.  I am excited for him and pleased that he has overcome some significant developmental delays in early childhood to now be able to do this.  He qualified for any enlisted billet available and got "Mass Communications Specialist" or the MC rating, if you're familiar...  I called him the new "Private Joker" and he got a kick out of it.  evidently it's a very popular, yet most often unavailable rating for newbs.

He ships Jan 8 to Great Lakes for Basic. That shit will be like Hoth.   I already told him F going to Great Lakes for graduation. We'll come see him after that at Ft Mead and do some cool shit in the Baltimore area. He'll be there until July/ August for his MOS school.

Expand  

Sounds like he's never heard "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". 

  • Hook 'Em 1
  • Haha 2
Posted
  On 1/21/2022 at 2:09 AM, Gil Bang said:

Sounds like he's never heard "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". 

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He's been in the Navy 3 years and has not set foot on a ship.  Maybe he's a smarter sailor than those on the ore hauler...

Posted

Congratulations, Bama Chick.  Those pics are salve for the soul.  Enjoy your time with your son!

Semper Fidelis!

Posted
  On 1/21/2022 at 2:13 AM, slorch said:

He's been in the Navy 3 years and has not set foot on a ship.  Maybe he's a smarter sailor than those on the ore hauler...

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My Army dad spent more of his enlistment on ships than most Navy guys, and when he wasn't on ships, he was next to them in ports, including post-WW2 Hamburg where they wanted him to jack with any ships with irregularities in the paperwork, this being a Hamburg that was more like a cartel-disputed Mexican port than whatever it is now.

He sorta kinda decided to ease back into civilian life.

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted
  On 1/21/2022 at 2:13 AM, slorch said:

He's been in the Navy 3 years and has not set foot on a ship.  Maybe he's a smarter sailor than those on the ore hauler...

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  On 1/21/2022 at 5:40 PM, RDCanecutter said:

My Army dad spent more of his enlistment on ships than most Navy guys, and when he wasn't on ships, he was next to them in ports, including post-WW2 Hamburg where they wanted him to jack with any ships with irregularities in the paperwork, this being a Hamburg that was more like a cartel-disputed Mexican port than whatever it is now.

He sorta kinda decided to ease back into civilian life.

Expand  

I was an Air Force Brat that lived on an RAF base that was leased to the US Navy.  After college I worked as a defense contractor for over 20 years and spent a lot of that time on Navy bases and ships.  More time on ships in a four year period than most sailors just 2-4 weeks at a time.

I worked on several programs that helped to remote jobs that used to be manned positions on aircraft or ships to make them remote capable so that fewer specialist had to be on the ships and they could work more without deploying.

My nephew is currently in the Marines as a helicopter engine mechanic and living in Hawaii.  He may head to Okinawa next. 

Posted
  On 1/21/2022 at 2:13 AM, slorch said:

He's been in the Navy 3 years and has not set foot on a ship.  Maybe he's a smarter sailor than those on the ore hauler...

Expand  

I know a Senior Chief with 21 years in the Navy that never set foot on a ship. He did spend a year in Antarctica, though.

Posted
  On 1/22/2022 at 4:57 AM, TexasEd said:

 

I was an Air Force Brat that lived on an RAF base that was leased to the US Navy.  After college I worked as a defense contractor for over 20 years and spent a lot of that time on Navy bases and ships.  More time on ships in a four year period than most sailors just 2-4 weeks at a time.

I worked on several programs that helped to remote jobs that used to be manned positions on aircraft or ships to make them remote capable so that fewer specialist had to be on the ships and they could work more without deploying.

My nephew is currently in the Marines as a helicopter engine mechanic and living in Hawaii.  He may head to Okinawa next. 

Expand  

I've been to okinawa.  interesting place.  

Posted

Update:  my kid has been chosen to fly Apaches.   He is now training for that; the course is 4 months long.  
Still no word on where he will be posted. 

  • Hook 'Em 4
  • Like 5
Posted
  On 1/23/2022 at 8:44 PM, Gil Bang said:
I've been to okinawa.  interesting place.  

A Japanese girl once told me “Okinawa is where we send all the ugly Japanese.” From my experience she pretty much nailed it. Good news is the banana shows were incredible!

BTW-As a former USMC attack pilot, I was in absolute awe watching Apaches do their work. Incredible platform.
  • Like 1

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