Veterans Day 11/11, Why did you join the Military, Branch(s), Career path, Rank any unit links?

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My dad, and an Uncle were in the Navy. Another uncle was a Marine. Another was Army. They all saw action during WWII. The Marine and the Soldier both advised me to go Navy. I figured they knew what they were talking about. I was an ABH on the a Carrier for one Med tour. After that, I decided College was a better idea.
 
Drafted August 18, 1966, retired Aug. 18, 1992. Orders to RVN Jan. 3 1967. Spent most of my time East of the Mississippi at various posts, except Ft. Lewis(now joint base Lewis-McCord), and of all things I was sent to desert survival school in CA.
Retired Infantry 1SG, with permanent award of Drill Sergeant badge for excellence and dedication.
A proud achievement was 1SG of one of the first all female basic training companies instructed by male DS. That company of women out-shot every male BCT company on Ft. Jackson SC.
 
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Dad was Captain in the USAAC then USAF. Flew P51 fighter/escort.
I thought it was USAAF. The P51's were unique in their long range, they could fly escort and intercept ahead of the bombers from GB to Germany and back. Spitfire's didn't have the range. In fact the Brit's were instrumental in the development of the P51, with America neutral and behind the scenes at the time.
 
A proud achievement was 1SG of one of the first all female basic training companies instructed by male DS. That company of women out-shot every male BCT company on Ft. Jackson SC.
Yes, women (if I can use the term) are often better shots than men. I think it's because men envision shooting men and women envision shooting men!

(LOL - If anyone is offended - that's a very old concept that I'm betting @Ray-IN already knows.)
 
Didn't read all the post, just the first one.

I enlisted into the Army at the age of 27. I had successfully pursued my career path after completing college, and had 5 really great years discovering I really did not enjoy what I was doing. I desperately wanted a career change, but was reluctant to acquire any more student loan debt to pick up a new course of study.

I came from a family of military veterans. World War 2 and Korea specifically. My dad at 5 brothers and 2 sisters. All 6 men served in the military in all 4 branches (at that time). So military service was passed on to me as a duty and obligation to my country.

As a kid, I built all kinds of model sailing ships and some World War 2 ships. I thought someday I'd like to go into the Navy. My sister ended up joining the Army (WAC) and ended up marrying a Captain in the Army also.

So, when my time came, I ended up going into the Army, 6 years, mostly peace time, but was in there during the Grenada invasion.

I did basic training at Fort Dix, NJ
AIT at Fort Monmouth, NJ
First duty assignment: Fort Devens, Mass
Second duty assignment: 2nd Infantry Division (Camp Casey) Korea, I ended up in the 1/72 Armor Battalion.
And finally, Fort Belvoir, Virginia where my 2 kids were born.

1982-1988.
 
I thought it was USAAF. The P51's were unique in their long range, they could fly escort and intercept ahead of the bombers from GB to Germany and back. Spitfire's didn't have the range. In fact the Brit's were instrumental in the development of the P51, with America neutral and behind the scenes at the time.
It was originally the US Army Air Corps.

P51's were originally designed by North American Aviation in Los Angeles. The Apache Project (the original name of the Mustang) was commissioned by the BPC British Purchasing Commission but the Brits had little, if anything, to do with the actual design of the P51. The early production models were outfitted with an Allison V1710 12 cylinder engine that was normally aspirated and lacked power at high altitudes which made it unsuited for bomber escort. In mid 1942 it was suggested by Ronald Herker (a test pilot for Rolls Royce) that the RR Merlin 61 engine be outfitted in the Mustang. It was the same engine used in the Spitfire Mark series. The RR engine had a 2-stage supercharger that added needed power at high altitudes and it was the D model that changed everything. The D also had an added empennage nacelle and the now familiar bubble canopy. They also had retrofitted drop tanks that allowed extended range. The D models were outfitted with a Packard (US) made RR designed Merlin engine so while the engine design was of English origin the engine and airframe was made and manufactured in the US.

My father flew fighter escort out of RAF Bodney - 8th AF, 352nd Fighter Group and was one of few to received the Presidentil Unit Citation. The were known as "The Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney" for the distinctive blue nose of the aircraft. It was one of the most decorated of WWII air units. He also flew with many of the P51 aces including George Preddy the most decorated P51 ace who got 6 kills in one day. Over the course of the war my father recorded 3. He flew B's, C's, and D models. His former P51B currently sits somewhere at the bottom of the North Sea after he had to bail out due to fuel starvation on the return trip from the Continent. A Brit minesweeper saw him bail out and circled back to pick him up. Among various medals he received was the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.
 
On Veteran's day, I also remember my mother's brother (my uncle). Why him? Wellllllll.....

He was in the Germany army under Hitler during WWII. But, he was badly injured and taken captive by US Forces. He woke up in an allies POW camp and shortly there-after was transferred to Dayton, Ohio (from Germany) where he sat out the rest of WWII, learning English and being treated like a human.

He was returned to Germany after the war ended, he established a family, became a successful executive for Boehringer Ingelheim and eventually retired, lived a peaceful life, enjoyed playing the Mandilion in an Umm Paah German polka band at events such as weddings and business events. He enjoyed his beer. I met him only once in my life, that was 1976.
 
I thought it was USAAF. The P51's were unique in their long range, they could fly escort and intercept ahead of the bombers from GB to Germany and back. Spitfire's didn't have the range. In fact the Brit's were instrumental in the development of the P51, with America neutral and behind the scenes at the time.
USAAC = US Army Air Corps.
 
Dad was Captain in the USAAC then USAF. Flew P51 fighter/escort.
My dad was Navy UDT in Korea. Lost a finger, had a plate in his head, and shrapnel scars on the back of his legs and his back from a mortar round that went off behind him as he and his team were running for the beach after blowing up a RR tunnel. It killed one of his teammates. Tough SOB, but a good dad.
 
Didn't read all the post, just the first one.

So, when my time came, I ended up going into the Army, 6 years, mostly peace time, but was in there during the Grenada invasion.

I did basic training at Fort Dix, NJ
AIT at Fort Monmouth, NJ
First duty assignment: Fort Devens, Mass
Second duty assignment: 2nd Infantry Division (Camp Casey) Korea, I ended up in the 1/72 Armor Battalion.
And finally, Fort Belvoir, Virginia where my 2 kids were born.

1982-1988.
I was in Grenada 25/26 October 1983. I drove a RHIB and transported 5 Marine Recon guys to a little beach just south of River Antoine, dropping them off about 0500, then had to wait for them to return. They didn't come back until after dark. Never saw a soul, but I did head sporadic fire early on. Don't know what I would have done had I been spotted as there was almost no cover, and I only had a .45 with two magazines (14 rounds), and an M-16 with 2 magazines (40 rounds). You can run out of ammo pretty quick in a gunfight.
 
The United States Army Air Corps existed from 1926 to 1947:
  • 1926: The Army Air Service was renamed the Army Air Corps on July 2, 1926. The Air Corps Act of 1926 established the Office of Assistant Secretary of War for Air.
  • 1941: The Army Air Forces took over from the Army Air Corps.
  • 1947: The Army Air Corps was dissolved and the Air Force was created.
 
Truman created the DoD out of the War Department after WII. Forrestall was the Chairman but not sure who was the first actual 'Secretary of Defense.'
 

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