How many players have done military service?

Warhorse · Post by **Warhorse** » Mon Sep 30, 2002 7:56 pm

Originally posted by VikingNo2
18 years plus, USMC currently with CSSG-3 K-bay Hawaii, and Warhorse I deal with 1/3, 2/3, and 3/3 every day.

Ahh, old stomping grounds!! Were you there in 80-84?! My Mom was escorted on base many years ago, while on vacation there with an Army cousin of mine, she took some pics, man the base has changed alot!! Lot of good memories though, nothing like looking toward the mountain range at night, when the moon is up. Semper Fi, my friend!!

Panzer Leo · Post by **Panzer Leo** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 12:31 am

No Germans here ?

So I gotta raise the flag for the Bundeswehr here

Served as platoon leader / assistant company commander in the Luftwaffe's most fameous Fighter Regiment, the JG 71 "Richthofen"

My unit was semi-mobile light infantry with training similar to Heeres Jäger troops. It is one of a few German traditional units to honor the pioneers of airwar. As special uniform feature, the members of this unit wear a band attached on the lower arm with "Geschwader Richthofen" on it.
I have now reserve status and sometimes join my old unit for a couple of weeks to train.

Daniel Oskar · Post by **Daniel Oskar** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 7:36 am

Maj USMC(ret) '80-'01. Was a Combat Engineer in my enlisted days, made SSgt, then got commissioned. Finished as a CH-46 pilot.

Sardaukar · Post by **Sardaukar** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 3:44 pm

4 1/2 years in Finnish Army, just resigned as 1st Lt (tech) from Reserve Officer School staff.

Cheers,

M.S.

Frank W. · Post by **Frank W.** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 4:24 pm

Originally posted by Panzer Leo
No Germans here ?

So I gotta raise the flag for the Bundeswehr here

i raise the flag of the german airforce with you:

- Luftwaffensicherung Kompanie 143F (Infantry troops that protect Air Force Units and installations)
- 14./TSLW2 (Erndtebrueck - there is ( or was?) a quite big radar and a NATO command bunker)
and
- Flugabwehrraketengruppe 38 (Burbach) with
some modernized Hawk Sams

Made it only to Hauptgefreiter.

15 months at all..

retkit · Post by **retkit** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 5:25 pm

Draft of 3/94 into the Turkish army.

I used to drive BTRs around.

When u shoot a halftrack into pieces next time in the game , know that even the halftrack people have feelings...

U235 · Post by **U235** » Wed Oct 02, 2002 12:18 am

Currently serving in the Navy, June 79 to May 03 (eight months to go

). Worked mostly on Carriers (currently on a gator, or Marine Taxi). Had a lot of fun and some good memories shooting planes off the pointy end, some real classics like the F-4, A-7, F-8 and A-6. I suppose the F-14 will be a classic in a few years too. It's definately time to move on, I missed most of my young adult years, suppose that's why I enjoy SPWAW so much, take me back a bit.

CaptainBrian · Post by **CaptainBrian** » Thu Oct 03, 2002 6:04 am

I am currently a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. I am an artillery officer and serving as a Battery Commander at 29 Palms, California. Got to love having a training area 85% the size of Rhode Island!!!! Semper Fidelis...

Brian

Bernie · Post by **Bernie** » Fri Oct 04, 2002 10:46 pm

USN '74-'80 as a Gunner's Mate on a "Gator Freighter" out of Norfolk. Did a few Carib cruises and a Med. Was in Lebannon doing civillian evac by boat and helo.

Teräspantteri · Post by **Teräspantteri** » Sat Oct 05, 2002 1:21 pm

Did eleven months in field artillery. Now 2nd lieutenant in Finnish army reserves.

DoomedMantis · Post by **DoomedMantis** » Sat Oct 05, 2002 5:53 pm

2 years in the Australian Army. Got caught messing with a generals daughter though which didn't help the career much, was out in less than 6 months.

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Mon Oct 07, 2002 12:48 am

USMC. I was a squadron logistics officer (1st Lt) from 77-80. I was stationed at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in California. I'm glad to see so many non-US vets list their military service. It shows how world wide this gaming community is.

Tuomas Seijavuori · Post by **Tuomas Seijavuori** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 12:06 am

Eleven months in SavPr/PstK back in 1989. I'm a 2nd lieutenant, anti-tank platoon leader in Finnish army reserves.

Belisarius · Post by **Belisarius** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 12:31 am

Originally posted by Bernie
USN '74-'80 as a Gunner's Mate on a "Gator Freighter" out of Norfolk. Did a few Carib cruises and a Med. Was in Lebannon doing civillian evac by boat and helo.

For us non-navy buffs:

Is "gator" generic for any Navy freighter, or is it referring to LHA / LHD type ships? uhm... or LSD? :p Like those Amphibious Assault Ships ?

AmmoSgt · Post by **AmmoSgt** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 5:00 am

US Army Ordnance, Retired in '86 .. spent most my time overseas, including a couple of years with Corp Landjut with the Danes and the German 6th Panzer, and 5 years with the German III Corp, and some Time helping out down at Baden OS with the Canadian 441 Squadron, Princess Pat's and 3rd Mech Comando, as well as alot of time with V Corp, 59th Bde and SASCOM . Very varied assignments. LOL Finally ended up with my own shop in V Corp.

AbsntMndedProf · Post by **AbsntMndedProf** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 5:53 am

I'd planned to join the Navy and apply for OCS once I graduated from college, but the diagnosis of epilepsy during my Sophomore year put those plans in a cocked hat.

Eric Maietta

Bernie · Post by **Bernie** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 9:19 am

Originally posted by Belisarius

For us non-navy buffs:

Is "gator" generic for any Navy freighter, or is it referring to LHA / LHD type ships? uhm... or LSD? :p Like those Amphibious Assault Ships ?

"Gator Freighter" refers specifically to the LKA class that was decomissioned back in the early 90's.

I served on the USS El Paso (LKA-117) and I am listed by the DoD as the founder and coordinator of the USS El Paso Alumni Organization.

The LKA's (not to be confused with the WWII LKA class) were originally designated as AKA's (Attack Cargo) and the designator was changed early on to LKA designating them as amphibious warfare ships. The El Paso typically carried a Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU), all their vehicles and equipment, and enough supplies to last them 90 days in the field. She was 535' long with a 65' beam and capable of carrying 20,000 tons of cargo and reaching a max listed speed of 22 knots (though I was on board the day we hit 28 knots during engine trials). We also carried 4 LCM-8 boats, 5 LCM-6 boats, two gigs, two 70 ton booms (fore & aft), two 40 ton booms (also fore & aft) and eight 15 ton booms and could have all boats in the water and headed to the beach in just under two hours. She also had a good sized flight deck for vertical replenishment and airborne assaults. Armament (my department) consisted of four 3" / 50cal twin mounts (6+ mile radar locked range), two of which were later replaced with Basic Point Defense Missile Launcher systems (BPDMS), a pair of Phlanx guns (added after I left in '76) and each landing craft had mounts for four .50 cal. M2HB's. Interesting side note, during the time I served aboard her she also had an assigned sonar operator, though she had no sonar, nor any ASW gear (blame it on BUPERS). The class was also equipped with a dedicated, specially outfitted magazine compartment to store and transport "non-conventional" munitions (read into that whatever you wish).

Andrey · Post by **Andrey** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 11:47 am

I served in Russian Army in 1996 and 1997, repair of tank techic, I am leitenant and I am in Reserve now.

Musti · Post by **Musti** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 6:19 pm

Did my military service in 1997-98 in the Finnish army. I'm an AT-team squad/team leader. Rank is corporal( I guess). Spent 11 months firing those big recoilless things they call "musti". In the reserve now.

Big Bill · Post by **Big Bill** » Sat Oct 12, 2002 10:55 pm

USN 63-66 AO3 ( aviation ordanance) Barbers Point Hawaii