Wait....There is a Vets thread here?!?!?!

[SonOfOdin]

Suddenly, I am shocked. Well, now that I know this is here, I would like to expand on my intro from when I joined this site and reach out to you other vets out there. This might turn into a long post, so I apologize but I have had virtually no contact with other vets since I got out of the military last year. So I thought I would share my story of my military service and I apologize for it turning out so long.

About my service:

No, I was not a Ranger. I was not a seal, or any other elite member. I would like to say that I did heavily weigh my option of going into special forces because I was tired of being treated like a douch for being high speed in a regular unit that wanted to pretend to be high speed. During the peak of my time in the Army, I was scoring at the top for PT (above 80% each catagory) and several of the Officers in my unit that had been to SF and Ranger school told me that I was most certainly qualified mentally, and physically for the job. I came into the army having already been around military themed things and firearms my entire life, so it was natural that, imo, I made a better Soldier than someone who had never done any of those things. Growing up, I was the kid with G.I. Joes, playing war games in the woods, etc. I was a 13-Bravo, Also known as a cannon cocker, redleg, artilleryman, pull-string-go-boom (though they never talked shtick when they wanted arty support). I did boot/AIT at fort sill, Oklahoma and was stationed out of fort hood. I served under the 4ID, 1st Cav and 10th Mtn and was authorized the 1st cav & 10th Mtn combat patch. I was top in my unit and battalion for all aspects of being a soldier. I got hand picked out of the battery to move up to battalion S3 before my first deployment because I had a natural, seemingly flawless talent with a Radio and battle multitasking. That being said, I'm not a friggen fobbit. I did in fact spend a significant portion of time as an RTO, battle tracker, RAID operator, FBCB convoy tracking and co-ordinating CAS with patrols. I was also the gunner for the S3 ( a slot for a major) and was responsible for his truck, my crew served, as well as dismounting on ALL patrols he went on and keeping that SAW so close he might as well wore me on his back. I also volunteered every chance I got to fill in with the battalion commander/sergeant majors PSD team. I did not join as a full time member because I liked the aspect of having a cushy, but very stressful job, in the S3, but also being able to put myself out of the wire as much as possible. After my deployment I got selected to be the B.C.s (battery commander)/1sg driver. I worked in the orderly room making things happen and taking care of the BC's truck as well as driving him around during training. When I decided that I did not like where the Army was heading and was unsatisfied with my new chain of command at battalion (I had serious reservations about their competence to lead us in a combat roll), the BC cut me loose to work in supply. I did two rotations to JRTC at Fort Polk, my first time being all-hands on infantry training and the second time as the BC's/CP lacky. Say what you want (undoubtedly someone will try to say I was a fobbit or pen-pusher) but I took every opportunity I had to do high-speed training.

I have been out of the Army since September last year and I am going to college online through the post 9/11 GI bill. I study Business Administration and if I am not too burned out with my associates, I think I am going to delve right into a BA in IT Security. I do sometimes miss the Army greatly. I miss having the motivation to exercise every day and the rush of kicking in a door or training a new soldier. But after my unit shafted me so hard before I got out, I think I am where I belong.

How did I get shafted?

When I decided to become a civvie again, I was suppose to be on a stay back roster for the units second rotation to JRTC. I had A LOT of issues when I got back from Iraq and really needed that time to get my various health issues sorted out. But, my sergeant major, at the last second, decided that myself and a BUNCH of injured folks who had no business going (including pregnant chicks that where already growing big) HAD to go. I tryed everything I could not to go, including calling my congresswoman. They sent down a memo through the pentagon and the unit pretty much lied and forced us to go. My sergeant major was a TOTAL jerk off to everyone. I knew I was not going to have enough time to finish ACAP when I got back. In order to ETS with my honorable on time I got NO physicals (I was forced to waive them), NO dental work for CAT3 issues, no MENTAL and was rushed through the bare minimum for ACAP. And the whole time I was treated like total garbage. After being such a good soldier I watched my unit run people down who needed help until the point that many guys I went downrange with simply lost it. Their issues got so out of control they bound themselves up in the system, killed themselves, drank themselves to death, or any number of other things. Also, I never got my good conduct medal (which I freaking earned) because everyone was too lazy to write it up.

So, that is my story of an American soldier. I regret nothing and support and cherish all my brothers out there in the military right now, those who have been, and especially those who are combat vets. I felt like it was important to share my story as a validation of who I am and what I have done because I see so many fakes and gloryhawks out there now. Questions? Comments?

[Radio Relay]

Welcome, Brother!

That's quite a story. Hope all works out for you and things get straightened out. Don't hold grudges. Get on with your life, and be proud of what you did.

[SonOfOdin]

Thanks for your response. The only thing I hold a grudge about is the fact that I did not get my medal that I worked so hard to earn. I have been very quit since I have been a civvie, but my pride is so strong that I never miss an opportunity to show it.

Last year I was at a small bar in a different city for a FB game. Played national anthem on three TV's. I was wearing my ACU coat and yelled at everyone to stand up for the friggen anthem. Surprisingly, they listened...and it made me angry that I had to yell at the top of my voice for what they should have been doing.

I have been holding a grudge against the lack of patriotism I have been seeing. Even now as it gets colder I wear my field jacket and a ball cap and nobody says anything to me. They just stare.

Nobody in my family called me on veterans day, or even after. Not even a text. But I did talk to my step-dad when I was in line at applebees for a meal, which he thought was cool because it was free, but never thanked me.

I got grudges after all.

[Radio Relay]

Originally Posted by SonOfOdin

Thanks for your response. The only thing I hold a grudge about is the fact that I did not get my medal that I worked so hard to earn. I have been very quit since I have been a civvie, but my pride is so strong that I never miss an opportunity to show it.

Last year I was at a small bar in a different city for a FB game. Played national anthem on three TV's. I was wearing my ACU coat and yelled at everyone to stand up for the friggen anthem. Surprisingly, they listened...and it made me angry that I had to yell at the top of my voice for what they should have been doing.

I have been holding a grudge against the lack of patriotism I have been seeing. Even now as it gets colder I wear my field jacket and a ball cap and nobody says anything to me. They just stare.

Nobody in my family called me on veterans day, or even after. Not even a text. But I did talk to my step-dad when I was in line at applebees for a meal, which he thought was cool because it was free, but never thanked me.

I got grudges after all.

You'll find that in spite of all the lip service about honoring Veterans, the general public could give a rat's rear.

Usually, it's just other Veterans that care about Veterans. As a combat Veteran, I have worked every single Veteran's Day since I left the service, while the draft dodgers, who became government employees, get the day off. Also, on almost all of those Veterans Days nobody even acknowledged that I'd served. No biggy. I wear my ribbons, take a couple hours off without pay, and go to the memorials at the parks and cemeteries, where I stand with other Veterans and remember. We honor our own.

Never the less, those that did not serve do "respect" you. Even if they don't "say" it. It is what it is. You'll go nuts looking for anything else.

[Helpdesk9]

not everyone is like that, some still do appreciate their Veterans. Unforunately it does seem to be a dwindling number. Where I work we had a small party for the Veterans on Veteran's Day, had cake, there was an email sent out telling everyone who the Veteran's were. my boss told me later that he would have just prefered a small "thank you for your service" over the party.

No, I am not a Veteran, or a member of the Armed Forces, my stepdad is an Air Force officer (Afghanistan/Iraq, Desert Storm Vet) And his dad was a WWII Vet. I felt it was my duty to enlist after my brother was involved in a motorcycle accident, and found out that I was ineligible.

Thank you for your service.

[ta2dave76]

Heya odin, and the rest of you military guys, thanks for your service!

Also, one of the guys that does this radio show The Forgotten Promise, is a good friend of mine. If you need any help or advice, or a point in the right direction, drop jim a line.

[Jedi XD]

First off, I'm a redleg too! I'm a 13M though(currently in training to a different MOS), and I spent 5 years at Sill. Nice to see another FA guy around here.

RR, when you say you wear your ribbons to those events, do you wear your dress uniform or do you just wear the ribbon bracket on your civies?

[JayDay]

Originally Posted by SonOfOdin

Suddenly, I am shocked. Well, now that I know this is here, I would like to expand on my intro from when I joined this site and reach out to you other vets out there. This might turn into a long post, so I apologize but I have had virtually no contact with other vets since I got out of the military last year. So I thought I would share my story of my military service and I apologize for it turning out so long.

About my service:

No, I was not a Ranger. I was not a seal, or any other elite member. I would like to say that I did heavily weigh my option of going into special forces because I was tired of being treated like a douch for being high speed in a regular unit that wanted to pretend to be high speed. During the peak of my time in the Army, I was scoring at the top for PT (above 80% each catagory) and several of the Officers in my unit that had been to SF and Ranger school told me that I was most certainly qualified mentally, and physically for the job. I came into the army having already been around military themed things and firearms my entire life, so it was natural that, imo, I made a better Soldier than someone who had never done any of those things. Growing up, I was the kid with G.I. Joes, playing war games in the woods, etc. I was a 13-Bravo, Also known as a cannon cocker, redleg, artilleryman, pull-string-go-boom (though they never talked shtick when they wanted arty support). I did boot/AIT at fort sill, Oklahoma and was stationed out of fort hood. I served under the 4ID, 1st Cav and 10th Mtn and was authorized the 1st cav & 10th Mtn combat patch. I was top in my unit and battalion for all aspects of being a soldier. I got hand picked out of the battery to move up to battalion S3 before my first deployment because I had a natural, seemingly flawless talent with a Radio and battle multitasking. That being said, I'm not a friggen fobbit. I did in fact spend a significant portion of time as an RTO, battle tracker, RAID operator, FBCB convoy tracking and co-ordinating CAS with patrols. I was also the gunner for the S3 ( a slot for a major) and was responsible for his truck, my crew served, as well as dismounting on ALL patrols he went on and keeping that SAW so close he might as well wore me on his back. I also volunteered every chance I got to fill in with the battalion commander/sergeant majors PSD team. I did not join as a full time member because I liked the aspect of having a cushy, but very stressful job, in the S3, but also being able to put myself out of the wire as much as possible. After my deployment I got selected to be the B.C.s (battery commander)/1sg driver. I worked in the orderly room making things happen and taking care of the BC's truck as well as driving him around during training. When I decided that I did not like where the Army was heading and was unsatisfied with my new chain of command at battalion (I had serious reservations about their competence to lead us in a combat roll), the BC cut me loose to work in supply. I did two rotations to JRTC at Fort Polk, my first time being all-hands on infantry training and the second time as the BC's/CP lacky. Say what you want (undoubtedly someone will try to say I was a fobbit or pen-pusher) but I took every opportunity I had to do high-speed training.

I have been out of the Army since September last year and I am going to college online through the post 9/11 GI bill. I study Business Administration and if I am not too burned out with my associates, I think I am going to delve right into a BA in IT Security. I do sometimes miss the Army greatly. I miss having the motivation to exercise every day and the rush of kicking in a door or training a new soldier. But after my unit shafted me so hard before I got out, I think I am where I belong.

How did I get shafted?

When I decided to become a civvie again, I was suppose to be on a stay back roster for the units second rotation to JRTC. I had A LOT of issues when I got back from Iraq and really needed that time to get my various health issues sorted out. But, my sergeant major, at the last second, decided that myself and a BUNCH of injured folks who had no business going (including pregnant chicks that where already growing big) HAD to go. I tryed everything I could not to go, including calling my congresswoman. They sent down a memo through the pentagon and the unit pretty much lied and forced us to go. My sergeant major was a TOTAL jerk off to everyone. I knew I was not going to have enough time to finish ACAP when I got back. In order to ETS with my honorable on time I got NO physicals (I was forced to waive them), NO dental work for CAT3 issues, no MENTAL and was rushed through the bare minimum for ACAP. And the whole time I was treated like total garbage. After being such a good soldier I watched my unit run people down who needed help until the point that many guys I went downrange with simply lost it. Their issues got so out of control they bound themselves up in the system, killed themselves, drank themselves to death, or any number of other things. Also, I never got my good conduct medal (which I freaking earned) because everyone was too lazy to write it up.

So, that is my story of an American soldier. I regret nothing and support and cherish all my brothers out there in the military right now, those who have been, and especially those who are combat vets. I felt like it was important to share my story as a validation of who I am and what I have done because I see so many fakes and gloryhawks out there now. Questions? Comments?

Thank you for your service brotha. I've been out of the Navy since '95 and although I don't see the recognition I saw back then, the pride of serving is unwavering. I didn't serve to receive recognition anyway. I love this country and felt I owed the service for all my family that served before me. Enjoy a lifetime of pride and remember why you served. Nobody can take that away. BTW, I never received my Good Conduct either for the same reason.

[Radio Relay]

Originally Posted by Jedi XD

First off, I'm a redleg too! I'm a 13M though(currently in training to a different MOS), and I spent 5 years at Sill. Nice to see another FA guy around here.

RR, when you say you wear your ribbons to those events, do you wear your dress uniform or do you just wear the ribbon bracket on your civies?

I just have them on my jacket ... Actually a mini set that I got from Medals of America. => Mini Ribbons Mounted for Wear | Medals of America

I don't have any uniforms. I wouldn't fit into the ones I wore 40 years ago, anyway.

[MrStarofDavid]

Odin I'm really glad that you shared your story. Last we spoke, you had me thinking about your past. Reading this makes me understand a fraction of the life you live. I thank you for your service. I'm 22 and I never answered the call... I am indebted to all who had the courage to step foot on the battlefield. I as a civilian owe you my life because, what all you combat vets were willing to do. Die on the battle field not only for your country but for me. Theres absolutely nothing that I could do, That would thank you enough for what you all had the courage to do.

Odin your a good man... To me its an honor speaking these words to you..

And this isn't just to Odin, Its to every one who had the strength to answer the call.... Thank you. Thank you for the service you have done for our country.

I thank you Odin.