Military Service

rumdrinks · Post by **rumdrinks** » September 2, 2008 9:26 pm

Just for a change of pace and something APOLITICAL. Just wondering how many of BN'ers out there have served in the military. Not trying to point out who is more patriotic than anyone else, just curious as to how many vets or active duty BN'ers there are, what branch you were in and what years you served?

As for myself, GO NAVY, 1974-1978

Wino you know · Post by **Wino you know** » September 2, 2008 9:30 pm

I served in the U.S. NAVY from 1970-1978, and in the active reserves from 1978-1994, retiring at the rank of Chief Petty Officer. (QMC).

C-Dawg · Post by **C-Dawg** » September 2, 2008 9:30 pm

US Navy , served aboard the USS H.G.Rickover (SSN-709) as a Torpedoman's mate 1984-1987

a1aara · Post by **a1aara** » September 2, 2008 10:04 pm

I served in the U.S Army, as an MP, from 1984 to 1990.

I have worked for the Dept of Defense since Sept 1992.

Elrod · Post by **Elrod** » September 2, 2008 10:16 pm

United States Marine Corps 1982-1988

The paychecks stopped coming in 1988, but I'll always be a Marine.

cedarkey · Post by **cedarkey** » September 2, 2008 10:18 pm

SSGT USMC 1976-82

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » September 2, 2008 10:26 pm

Not a BNer, but a Parrothead through and through: Major Bill "Salty" Watkins, USN/USAF 1985-2003.

RIP Salty.

Major William R. Watkins III, 37, of Danville, Virginia, was killed in action April 7, 2003, while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Watkins was assigned to the 333rd Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

Watkins was the weapons system officer of an F-15E that went down April 7, 2003, during a combat mission in Iraq.

The pilot of the F-15E, Captain Eric B. Das, was also killed when the aircraft went down.

rumdrinks · Post by **rumdrinks** » September 2, 2008 10:30 pm

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:Not a BNer, but a Parrothead through and through: Major Bill "Salty" Watkins, USN/USAF 1985-2003.

RIP Salty.

Major William R. Watkins III, 37, of Danville, Virginia, was killed in action April 7, 2003, while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Watkins was assigned to the 333rd Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

Watkins was the weapons system officer of an F-15E that went down April 7, 2003, during a combat mission in Iraq.

The pilot of the F-15E, Captain Eric B. Das, was also killed when the aircraft went down.

Sail on Salty

Post by **SMLCHNG** » September 2, 2008 10:33 pm

I remember, Jen.

blackjack · Post by **blackjack** » September 2, 2008 10:37 pm

I'm the son of and the son of a son of a sailor...really.

Wino you know · Post by **Wino you know** » September 2, 2008 10:43 pm

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:Not a BNer, but a Parrothead through and through: Major Bill "Salty" Watkins, USN/USAF 1985-2003.

RIP Salty.

Major William R. Watkins III, 37, of Danville, Virginia, was killed in action April 7, 2003, while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Watkins was assigned to the 333rd Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

Watkins was the weapons system officer of an F-15E that went down April 7, 2003, during a combat mission in Iraq.

The pilot of the F-15E, Captain Eric B. Das, was also killed when the aircraft went down.

I also remember, Jen.
He was a superb human being who was the very definition of an American, a parrothead, a brother, and a friend.
Thanks for honoring his memory.

diverg · Post by **diverg** » September 2, 2008 10:57 pm

USN 1988-1991

creeky · Post by **creeky** » September 3, 2008 3:04 am

Me .....

Royal Australian Artillery in the Army Reserve for 10 years. First female ever in Australia to serve in Artillery and I believe to this day the only female qualified as a Command Post Operator

I was a Private, then a Gunner (gunner do this .. gunna do that

), then a lance bombadier, then a bombadier and a corporal (depending on what job I did) then I got busted back to a lance jack (one stripe)

and then I left .... I left as a lance jack - but got a final pay slip saying I was a private again - so lucky I left or I would have ended up a recruit

(and we dont see military service as a patriotic thing - its a job a person chooses to do - all jobs are important - as proud of what I did there as I do for my job now - sport is our "patriotic thing" - just different cultures

)

ejr · Post by **ejr** » September 3, 2008 7:33 am

From those of us who have not served to those of you who haved...a heartfelt THANK YOU!!!!!

pair8head · Post by **pair8head** » September 3, 2008 8:54 am

United States Navy from Jan 73 to Jan 79.
Data Systems Tech.
Commissioned the USS Spruance DD963 In 1975 and stood first watch.

big john · Post by **big john** » September 3, 2008 9:11 am

U. S. Coast Guard (the nation's oldest continuing sea-going service)
1975-1979
Radioman - USCG Base Gloucester City NJ
USCG Loran Station French Frigate Shoals, HI
USCG Group Atlantic City

Semper Paratus!

Crazy Navy Flyer · Post by **Crazy Navy Flyer** » September 3, 2008 9:17 am

National Guard, 12 years, Huey driver

US Navy, 10 years, pilot.

Retired.

cocotel · Post by **cocotel** » September 3, 2008 9:22 am

Marine Corps 1987-1996
Active duty 1987-1994
Reserve 1994-1996

VMFA-321

Semper Fidelis Pholks

Thanks to all who have served our great nation.

Joetown Parrothead · Post by **Joetown Parrothead** » September 3, 2008 9:31 am

US ARMY 78-88

463rd MP Ft. Leonard Wood
C 3/71 Nike-Herc ADA Germany
US Army Rec-Station Drill Sgt Ft. Leonard Wood
NSA- Honolulu

miphinz · Post by **miphinz** » September 3, 2008 12:52 pm

US Army Infantry 11B 75th Ranger Regiment 1992-1997