NSG Posters and the Military

[Tarantum]

Sparked by the military schools thread, I'm curious too see who on NSG has served in the military. This is not limited to citizens of the US. From what I read, Dyakovo and Grays Harbor both have served. Also I wonder, did you enjoy your time in the service? What would you say were the positives and negatives of it? Would you do it again if you had the chance, and would you recommend joining to others?

I serve as a 13P in the Michigan Army National Guard. While the military does have some negatives, I have enjoyed my last 3 years in it. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment. Not only that, it helps keep me in shape, they let me shoot rockets, pay me a decent wage, help further my education, and it has exposed me to a diverse group of people with many differing views and interests.

I understand that the military is not everyone's cup of tea, but to each his own.

Please play nice and keep politics out of this thread.

[Scarsaw]

I've been in the Canadian military for nearly 3 years now and it was the best decision of my life. Was able to do things I never thought I could do, love the comradeship and sense of community the military brings, and you meet the most interesting people from all over the nation. I would highly recommend people joining, and basic is the best weight loss program in the world XD

[The Royal Code]

I've been in both the Maine and North Carolina Army National Guard's as an 11b (infantryman). I'm currently deployed with 30th Brigade, NC guard, 1st Cavalry Division. From an infantryman's standpoint, both state's have top-notch units. Their PT and small arms qualification scores are way above the national standards for guard units. If i had to edge one above the other, the Maine Guard was probably better since it's a much smaller community, and thus less pissant NCO's.

[Lunatic Goofballs]

I served in the US Navy as an Electronic Warfare technician aboard the USS George Washington(CVN 73).

Primarily I maintained and operated ESM and ECM(ES and EA) equipment used to detect and disseminate radar systems and engage in Anti-ship Missile Defense. In other words, if someone were to try to launch a missile at my ship, it would be my job to prevent that launch until the threat could be neutralized or to prevent the missile from striking the ship if launched.

I also spent a lot of time watching a very dull screen, eating triscuits and spray cheese and setting confetti traps above the module door.

[Tarantum]

I've been in the Canadian military for nearly 3 years now and it was the best decision of my life. Was able to do things I never thought I could do, love the comradeship and sense of community the military brings, and you meet the most interesting people from all over the nation. I would highly recommend people joining, and basic is the best weight loss program in the world XD

This is definitely true! Now I was not fat by any standards when I shipped to basic, but I weighed in there at around 190lbs, and at the end I weighed myself at 168lbs, which is the lowest I've been in recent years. I leveled off at around 175lbs as I've tried to incorporate some muscle building exercises into my daily routine. Being able to pass a PT test and get promoted is a big motivator for me.

[Dyakovo]

Yes, I did serve, first as a 19K in the National Guard then as a 0331 & a 8152 in the Marines. Overall, yes I did enjoy my time served. Yes, I would do it again and yes I would recommend it to others.

[Dyakovo]

I served in the US Navy as an Electronic Warfare technician aboard the USS George Washington(CVN 73).

Lol, she hadn't even been christened yet when I was in...

[Western Mercenary Unio]

Well, I haven't yet but due to the fact that Finland has conscription, I will when I'm 18.

[Dyakovo]

Well, I haven't yet but due to the fact that Finland has conscription, I will when I'm 18.

What do you think you'll want to do?

[Tarantum]

I've been in both the Maine and North Carolina Army National Guard's as an 11b (infantryman). I'm currently deployed with 30th Brigade, NC guard, 1st Cavalry Division. From an infantryman's standpoint, both state's have top-notch units. Their PT and small arms qualification scores are way above the national standards for guard units. If i had to edge one above the other, the Maine Guard was probably better since it's a much smaller community, and thus less pissant NCO's.

Where about are you at, if I may ask? My battallion (1-182nd HIMARS, a Michigan unit, although we're attached to the 197th Fires BDE in NH) is getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan next spring or early summer. I'm wondering about the internet connectivity over there so I can keep in touch with family and friends.

[Western Mercenary Unio]

What do you think you'll want to do?

Maybe some job in the Finnish Air Force(FAF). But, as I have Strabismus, I'll probably go to the Guard Jaeger Regiment.

[Lunatic Goofballs]

I served in the US Navy as an Electronic Warfare technician aboard the USS George Washington(CVN 73).

Lol, she hadn't even been christened yet when I was in...

Do me a favor; wave your cane around and scream, "Get orfa mah lawn!!!"

[Tarantum]

Yes, I did serve, first as a 19K in the National Guard then as a 0331 & a 8152 in the Marines. Overall, yes I did enjoy my time served. Yes, I would do it again and yes I would recommend it to others.

Is there a branch that you prefer? There are several former Marines in my battery, but I've heard that some Marines don't take too kindly to prior service Army guys, much less people from the Guard.

[Kyronea]

Sparked by the military schools thread, I'm curious too see who on NSG has served in the military. This is not limited to citizens of the US. From what I read, Dyakovo and Grays Harbor both have served. Also I wonder, did you enjoy your time in the service? What would you say were the positives and negatives of it? Would you do it again if you had the chance, and would you recommend joining to others?

I serve as a 13P in the Michigan Army National Guard. While the military does have some negatives, I have enjoyed my last 3 years in it. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment. Not only that, it helps keep me in shape, they let me shoot rockets, pay me a decent wage, help further my education, and it has exposed me to a diverse group of people with many differing views and interests.

I understand that the military is not everyone's cup of tea, but to each his own.

Please play nice and keep politics out of this thread.

I started to be in the military--got all the way to Navy boot camp and was there up to 1-3 day--but mental health issues precluded my continuing.

[Dyakovo]

I served in the US Navy as an Electronic Warfare technician aboard the USS George Washington(CVN 73).

Lol, she hadn't even been christened yet when I was in...

Do me a favor; wave your cane around and scream, "Get orfa mah lawn!!!"

I'm not that old, she was commisioned the year I got out. I was discharged in March of '90, she was commissioned in November of '90...

[Dyakovo]

Yes, I did serve, first as a 19K in the National Guard then as a 0331 & a 8152 in the Marines. Overall, yes I did enjoy my time served. Yes, I would do it again and yes I would recommend it to others.

Is there a branch that you prefer? There are several former Marines in my battery, but I've heard that some Marines don't take too kindly to prior service Army guys, much less people from the Guard.

Most definitely the Marines, my NG unit was an absolute joke.

As to the bit about not taking kindly to prior service guys, I never experienced it. The general reaction I got was "Wow, so you went through boot camp twice?"

[Lunatic Goofballs]

Lol, she hadn't even been christened yet when I was in...

Do me a favor; wave your cane around and scream, "Get orfa mah lawn!!!"

I'm not that old, she was commisioned the year I got out. I was discharged in March of '90, she was commissioned in November of '90...

July 4th, 1992.

[Eofaerwic]

I have not, although I did want wish to join after university, my eyesight deteriorated over that point that I physically didn't qualify*

However, I will in my future employment be working closely with the armed forces as a civilian (civil servant) and I'm very interested in being involved with doing S2O (support to operations).



*Although I think they have or are considered changing the rules, at the time they wouldn't accept people who've had corrective surgery either and I have since chosen a different career path. Edit: Nope checked 'em the +- 7 diopters is still the blanket standard (I'm way over) and only certain types of corrective surgery allowed (which wouldn't have helped me). Ah well.

[Great Void]

Served as an Arty Spotter in Armored Brigade.

I thought it was pretty interesting, but I don't know if I would recommend it to anybody. I guess if one needs to get in shape. On the other hand, there are gyms...

I served because it was easier than going to "prison" as a conscientious objector (this happened to nearly all co's back in 1989 in Finland).

[Western Mercenary Unio]

Served as an Arty Spotter in Armored Brigade.

I thought it was pretty interesting, but I don't know if I would recommend it to anybody. I guess if one needs to get in shape. On the other hand, there are gyms...

I served because it was easier than going to "prison" as a conscientious objector (this happened to nearly all co's back in 1989 in Finland).

Yeah, thank god we don't do that anymore.

[Dyakovo]

Do me a favor; wave your cane around and scream, "Get orfa mah lawn!!!"

I'm not that old, she was commisioned the year I got out. I was discharged in March of '90, she was commissioned in November of '90...

July 4th, 1992.

Ah, okay...

I just checked and she was christened in '90 although it was July, not November...
Not sure what I was thinking of with the November of '90...

[Lunatic Goofballs]

I'm not that old, she was commisioned the year I got out. I was discharged in March of '90, she was commissioned in November of '90...

July 4th, 1992.

Ah, okay...

I just checked and she was christened in '90 although it was July, not November...
Not sure what I was thinking of with the November of '90...

That's okay. You're getting old.

[Stevid]

I'm currently gearing my fitness up to join the Royal Marines. Tis coming on very well and I'm applying quite soon...ish. I'm worried about my medical, dunno why cuz I feel perfectly healthy but i'm terrified they'll find something underlying and reject my application. I'm confident of passing the PRMC and interviews but there are little niggles that get me down like self-confidence. That's a real killer for me.

[Dyakovo]

Ah, okay...

I just checked and she was christened in '90 although it was July, not November...
Not sure what I was thinking of with the November of '90...

That's okay. You're getting old.

Bite me...



Edit: BTW I served in the MarDet on the Ike, so have some experience with Carrier life... Although certainly a different perspective than your own.

[Eofaerwic]

I'm currently gearing my fitness up to join the Royal Marines. Tis coming on very well and I'm applying quite soon...ish. I'm worried about my medical, dunno why cuz I feel perfectly healthy but i'm terrified they'll find something underlying and reject my application. I'm confident of passing the PRMC and interviews but there are little niggles that get me down like self-confidence. That's a real killer for me.

The Royal Marines are tough, good luck with that.

Remeber, one of the first tests to see if you're good enough to be in the Marines is whether you go to the Army stand at recruitment fairs when trying to join