I was 17, and today is my 50th anniversary of enlisting. 14 June 68 I was sworn in the Army at Dt Dix NJ. It was the best and worst thing I ever did. My 1st assignment was in of all places, Iran. I turned 18 in Tehran, I can't belive it's been that long! Next year- Woodstock turns 50!! Holy
I've been just about everywhere else you can think of in the Middle East, plus Korea, Afghanistan and a least a couple of dozen posts in the US, including Dix.
Mad respect for the British armed forces. I'm shoulder to shoulder with you lot daily over here (along with many other NATO soldiers).One ex Royal Air Force serviceman here. Aircraft Engineer..yes I was one of those who tried to stop the aircraft flying!! 17 yrs man and boy. Took voluntary redundancy way back in 1994. Best years of my working life. Yes it is a different, slightly surreal world in the military but hard to replicate in any other form of life. The bond you form with your colleagues is irreplaceable and in 'civvy street' you fully appreciate those special moments.
And as for 'Military Humour'...…..nothing was sacred.....thankfully. Its what kept you going. ( and still does ).
My father served in the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm...going around the world when the British Navy had plenty of ships and Aircraft Carriers!!
My grandfather served in WW2, also, in the Royal Navy. Got torpedoed on a destroyer and ended up as a German POW. He spent his time at the prison camp Marlag O, which was where the true story of 'Albert RN' happened. A film was made of it.
My other grandfather served in 'Dad's Army' ..the local Home Guard during WW2.
It seems like quite a few of us have more in common than our love of music.
I bet quite a few of us could pull up a sandbag and tell many a tall story!!
95 bravo u do basic at Dix?Congrats.
I likewise was sworn in at Fort Dix but ended up stateside at Fort Riley Kansas as an MP guarding prisoners while the Viet Nam War was raging on.
As for Woodstock....I was vacationing in California at the time watching it on TV smoking a doobie!
BTW, what were your impressions of Iran?
ya if you served in wartime-in the shit or not-you still get bennies that are great! full medical-but no dental. they paid for my school and paid me to go, and when I got hurt they gave me pension, for my kids. But I went in at a time when guys were getting drafted, and many did not want to be there. The influence affected me.Mad respect for the British armed forces. I'm shoulder to shoulder with you lot daily over here (along with many other NATO soldiers).
WWII history is among my favorite personal studies. I recently enjoyed the movie Dunkirk (though it could have been better) and for Father's Day, a couple of days from now, my wife and I are going to virtually watch Darkest Hour together (via video phone we'll both press play on our respective players at the same time, then chat about the movie over facebook messenger). The defense of Britain against the Germans has always been of particular interest. Probably because of my grandfather's experience at Normandy, but also because of Iron Maiden songs like "Aces High" and other influences. I love the old film Battle of Britain. I sort of hope they remake it someday, but, if they do, I hope they do it right.
Btw, for those of you US servicemembers who served in Vietnam (maybe other conflicts too), make sure your family (assuming you like them) know where to locate your DD214 and how to send it in to the VA upon your death. My mum receives a monthly death benefit from Uncle Sam for the rest of her life. And it isn't chump change. It's like $1300 or thereabouts. That's a lot of
Time flies, eh? I was a few years behind you, going in in '72. Vietnam was still a thing, and fortunately I didn't end up there. Still, the military was looked at differently then than it is today. Not complaining, just a different time. The music was better though!
It was a different military by then. WE had all WW2 equipment or shit for weapons. (M-16) terrible rifle! I trained with M-14 had the 16 a week, but this was 1968, basic in WW 2 barracks, old wooden buildings, and same with AIT, if you were at Ft Dix then you know the big duce this mess hall, notorious for fights.
at 17 it is an experience, the 1st night in basic after a week of reception, I shit my pants!! Told the DI I was too young, cried, he says, we will send you home tomorrow, the next thing I knew I was in graduation, looking to AIT school! Had a great time ! Can't tell you how it felt to get that duty station! It was for me incredible! I certainly grew up a whole lot in two years one summer in basic and AIT the next in the best duty ever a GI could get!
