Framily Veterans

[Bill N]

I served at Minot AFB, ND, 463rd Combat Support Group around 1970, 1971. Helped maintain the 465L system and visited various LCF's as some of my equipment was in the capsule. Active duty 1967-1976.
"Why not Minot" was the cliche'. I can think of a few reasons why not, but I'll let it lie.
Thank you for your service!
Reggie

Thanks Reggie and thanks for your service.  Yes, I am familiar with the 465L system we had in the capsule.  At the entrance to the Minot Officers Club was a sign that read:  Only the Best Go North------Only the Insane Remain.  Fifteen of my 20 years were spent in North and South Dakota.  I retired in North Dakota in 1981 and built a home out on the prairie and lived there until 2003 when we moved to Missouri.  I loved it and still call it home despite being born and raised in Louisiana.....lol

Bill

[Oldgator73]

Honest question:  I served 20 years in the Air Force but I never heard of a Marine being drafted.  Did that service draft young men?  I always assumed it was a volunteer branch of the military.

I had to look it up to make sure I remembered it correctly. There were close to 43,000 men drafted into the USMC between 1966 and 1970.

[Bill N]

I had to look it up to make sure I remembered it correctly. There were close to 43,000 men drafted into the USMC between 1966 and 1970.

Thanks for the answer.  Add something new to my noggin.  Vietnam forced us into doing some drastic things, drafting Marines being one.

Bill

[TonyDtorch]

Honest question:  I served 20 years in the Air Force but I never heard of a Marine being drafted.  Did that service draft young men?  I always assumed it was a volunteer branch of the military.

Yes indeed they drafted Marines,

When I went in,  I was put in this large room full of guys... a Sargent walks in and divides the room right in half,  then he announces that everyone on the left was now in the U.S. Marines, everyone on the right was now in the U.S. Army.

  I had enlisted in the Army,  but I was over on the left side of the room,  so I raised my hand.. after being screamed at by a Gunny and told I was a worthless F-ing maggot....  I got to move over to the right side.

God bless all that served.

[regval]

  


Exactly. I had a cousin that got drafted in the Army in Mississippi and "politely" got assigned to the Marines. He served his tour and then some in Vietnam. We shared some stories...
God Bless all that served !

[DonTom]

Honest question:  I served 20 years in the Air Force but I never heard of a Marine being drafted.  Did that service draft young men?  I always assumed it was a volunteer branch of the military.

The Marines  had a draft  during the Vietnam war. In fact, I was drafted into the Marines but nobody knew it but me.

Here's the story.

When I was at the Oakland, CA Induction Center (March 1969), my group was all sitting down in chairs. Then one of the officials standing said "We need six volunteers from this group for the Marines-who Volunteers?"  I think there was two who did volunteer for the Marines, but that was all. So the guy points at four others, one of them being me, saying you four just volunteered for the US Marines--stand over there". I have no doubt he pointed at me, but the guy in the chair behind me got up first, so I just sat there.

I will always wonder what happened to that guy who went in my place.

BTW, I got drafted into the army as an 11B (Infantry), Central Highland Jungles, B-3-8, 4TH Infantry Div. But I got out  of Vietnam without as much as a scratch.

-Don-  Reno, NV

[Oldgator73]

The Marines  had a draft  during the Vietnam war. In fact, I was drafted into the Marines but nobody knew it but me.

Here's the story.

When I was at the Oakland, CA Induction Center (March 1969), my group was all sitting down in chairs. Then one of the officials standing said "We need six volunteers from this group for the Marines-who Volunteers?"  I think there was two who did volunteer for the Marines, but that was all. So the guy points at four others, one of them being me, saying you four just volunteered for the US Marines--stand over there". I have no doubt he pointed at me, but the guy in the chair behind me got up first, so I just sat there.

I will always wonder what happened to that guy who went in my place.

BTW, I got drafted into the army as an 11B (Infantry), Central Highland Jungles, B-3-8, 4TH Infantry Div. But I got out  of Vietnam without as much as a scratch.

-Don-  Reno, NV

I think just about all of us that were of draft age during the Vietnam Nam era have a story to tell. If I remember correctly all of us had to go to an induction center and endure a mass physical and take an idiotic aptitude test. Some of us were sent home to wait out our fate whether it be the dreaded "Greetings" letter from the government or the interminable wait to see if said letter actually arrives while others were taken on the spot and bused to boot camps across the country. It was a bad time. I can remember in home room in high school the names of our classmates either killed or missing in action being announced over the loudspeaker. Some of us can laugh and joke and reminisce about our experiences, some that went came home changed for life, not in a good way. I have no doubt the person that posted he was a draft dodger did so in jest and meant no harm in doing so. I'm sure he wishes he could take it back. I have noticed on this forum and other social media outlets, people rush to post a reply and then either have to delete said post or apologize because the post offended either the OP or others. It's too easy to say the first thing that pops into our heads on these forums without any thought as to how it will affect others. There is a Preview button on this forum. Please use it.

[Tom]

Folks, I've split several messages off this topic and moved them out of sight...

Posting your displeasure with a specific military conflict is not appropriate in this discussion, and detracts from the intent of recognizing folks who have actively helped defend our nation, and defended the things our country stands for. Posting such messages merely elicits responses that can only result in the discussion going downhill.

There are other places on the internet where you can post your rants, but this is not one of them.

Thanks for your cooperation and understanding.

[HueyPilotVN]

Good decision Tom

This should help to refocus the positive aspect of this thread.

[Heli_av8tor]

Infantry Medic, Bravo 1/52, 198 LIB, American Div. Chu Lia. March '70 - Feb '71.

Vietnam is part of who I am, but I have refused to let it define me.

Looking forward to a reunion with some of the guys I served with next month.

Tom

[regval]

Good decision Tom

This should help to refocus the positive aspect of this thread.

Thanks Tom.
I second Bill's sentiment.
Reggie

[KC1BUD]

Many years ago, in March 1970, when I was a young kid of 18 and 3 days I raised my hand and pledged my allegiance to our flag and country, yes I was an enlistee.
I enlisted into the U.S. Army. I became a Combat Engineer, eventually a bridge specialist.

While I was going through getting my fingerprints I was talking to a fellow enlistee from high school  and I made a statement that I knew my luck and that within 6 months I would be sitting in Vietnam. I was swore in on the 19th of March and on the 5th of September I was sitting in Vietnam.

I then was released early due to a RIF in 1972 and spent the next 1 year 2 months in the Army National guard.

I got out and was practicing to become a civilian when the oil embargo hit the country. I only had 7 months on a job where I made car parts for big cars. I knew that my job wasn't going to last so I reenlisted only this time I enlisted into the U.S. Navy in January of 1974. After Interior Communications Electrician A school I was assigned to my only ship a Knox class destroyer escort as an Icman.

On my one and only westpac we were on the task group to go after the SS Mayaguez, but I didn't personally see anything. We also pulled a crew off their sinking freighter, searched for a Soviet Sub, and participated in the fall of Saigon.

I ended my military life in 1976 with a medical discharge after catching my toe and tripping through a hatch landing on my knee. Went back to the company where I assembled engines for 20 years until medically retired in 03.

Such is life.

[kdbgoat]

He's not a veteran yet, but our eldest Grandson just reported to Parris Island for Marine Boot camp Monday morning. He is to go to Ft. Leonard Wood after Boot Camp for Military Police training. Yeah, Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop are proud of him!

[Dragginourbedaround]

He's not a veteran yet, but our eldest Grandson just reported to Parris Island for Marine Boot camp Monday morning. He is to go to Ft. Leonard Wood after Boot Camp for Military Police training. Yeah, Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop are proud of him!

You have every reason to be proud. I spent a fall and winter in Ft Leonard Wood learning to build bridges. Have lots of good memories of Leonard Wood. Also one of the coldest winters I've ever spent anywhere.

[Oldgator73]

He's not a veteran yet, but our eldest Grandson just reported to Parris Island for Marine Boot camp Monday morning. He is to go to Ft. Leonard Wood after Boot Camp for Military Police training. Yeah, Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop are proud of him!

Ft Leonard Wood has a great FamCamp and cabins on the lake. Wife and I stayed in a cabin, had a great time.

[CRRPastor]

1976-1980 US Navy- E3 Machinist Mate - C school for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.

USS Albany CG-10 - She was the Flagship for the 6th fleet- 76-78

USS Fisk DD842- Reserve "Tin Can" Destroyer in Bayonne , NJ. Military Ocean Terminal 78-80.

[Mickey G]

US Navy 1976 - 1979 Attack Squadron VA-65 Tigers CVW7
Worked as a Structural Mechanic on the Grumman A6E Intruder aboard
CV-62 USS Independance & CV-69 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

[PJ Stough]

Infantry Medic, Bravo 1/52, 198 LIB, American Div. Chu Lia. March '70 - Feb '71.

Vietnam is part of who I am, but I have refused to let it define me.

Looking forward to a reunion with some of the guys I served with next month.

Tom

Wow, we were not that far apart.  I was with D Co. 1/6 July '70 most of the time till Sept '71.  We spent part of our time as security when the road to LZ Stinson was built.  I also remember being on LZ Dottie when the ammo dump on Stinson blew up.

[Heli_av8tor]

Paul,
Sounds like we've walked common ground. Humped to Stinson many times, but never got on Dottie. I didn realize that a road to Stinson was built in '71. Thou I know one exists now as one of our guys has been back several times and shared pictures.

I'm on my way now through Iowa to attend our Company reunion in Minneapolis. I've reconnected with a number of guys I served with and have found the bonds we formed still remain.

I've seen a number of your posts and wondered what part of Iowa you are in. I'm from the IL Quad Cities.

Tom

[PJ Stough]

Paul,
Sounds like we've walked common ground. Humped to Stinson many times, but never got on Dottie. I didn realize that a road to Stinson was built in '71. Thou I know one exists now as one of our guys has been back several times and shared pictures.

I'm on my way now through Iowa to attend our Company reunion in Minneapolis. I've reconnected with a number of guys I served with and have found the bonds we formed still remain.

I've seen a number of your posts and wondered what part of Iowa you are in. I'm from the IL Quad Cities.

Tom

We stay at an RV park in Grimes during the summer, which is a suburb on the north west side of Des Moines. 

The road to Stinson was built starting in March of '71 I believe. Not sure when it was completed as I moved from company RTO to battalion RTO in May of '71.

I was in Basic with a guy who ended up in the 1/52.  His name was Arlin Stratman who was from Nebraska.

[jayc2640]

US Navy 1977-1983  Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator

VP-49
VP-30

[B737doc]

US Army 1981-1987.    Thank all for your service!!!

[Heli_av8tor]

Paul,

Here's a picture of LZ Stinson being signed over to the ARVN's in Oct 71.

Tom

[Papadude]

USAF 1976 - 1984 Airframe Repair, B-52, KC-135, F-111 & F-4  Fairchild AFB, RAF Lakenheath England, George AFB
USAFR/ART 1984 - 2006, Portland IAP, OR.

[phil-t]

Thanks to all, here and everywhere, for their service.
USAF 1970-74
Munitions Maintenance Specialist
474th TFW, Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada
6 mo. TDY to Takhli Thailand,  September 72 - February 73
DAV Life Member and volunteer DAV Driver

[Sniper]

US Army 70 to 77. I was at Ft Ord, Ft Knox, Ft Gordon, Ft Carson and Ft Stewart.  In between all of that I had tours in Germany, Korea (X2) and Viet Nam.  Medical discharge in December of 77 at the Oakland Army Depot.

As others have said, yes the Marines did get draftees.  When I was in the induction center, every fifth man was to go to the Marines.  Had one guy very diligently count so he could get in line and not be number five.  His plans were ruined when they skipped me because I was an enlistee.

[country]

Just joined the forum but I am USN retired. 1954 to 1975 Retired MCPO 3 trips to nam

[ohYew812]

Hello all.
I'm new here. I am retired US Navy, and ready to retire from federal service as well... just waiting to get a replacement hired. lol

We are looking forward to getting a new Pleasure Way Plateau XLTS or XLTD and hitting the road!

[2OLDDIGGERS]

USAF 74-80, PA ANG 82-97  Jet Mech, Turbo Prop.

[regval]

Welcome 2OLDDIGGERS, thank you for your service.

Reggie