Have any of you been in the Army, Navy, Air Forces?

Stefan Mikes said:
A story from the other side of the Iron Curtain

I registered my M.Sc. thesis at the Warsaw Technical University on the same day I was told to report at the Military Academy (now defunct) in Kraków. I was a conscript soldier with the rank of private-cadet. Luckily, InterCity trains already operated in 1987 so I reported at my unit in the evening. It was not a nice welcome; I was expected to report in the morning (although the hour was not specified in the document). Those were four hard months of service; the first month was the basic training and we had seen no woman for that month. Visits of wives, girlfriends and families were allowed afterwards, especially on the Oath Day.

That day was quite funny. We were taught to march at even pace. While marching in the front of the crowd of families, I had to look forward but I was trying to spot my wife with the corner of my eye at the same time ;) The oath itself was loathed by all of us; nobody was happy to live in a Commie country back in 1987, especially after the Solidarity revolution of 1980 and after the martial law of 1981-1983. We were expected to say, among others "I swear allegiance to the Soviet Union...." -- there was only mumbling at the moment -- followed by "and if I fail, let the austere hand of People's justice reach me" -- men could not say it because everybody was at the verge of laughter at that very moment :D Though, the happiness was great as finally we could get on the leave and spend the night with our women.

Later, we were sent to Masuria (which is the Polish lakeland in the former East Prussia) for the field training. While at the camp, I learned my daughter was born. I had the right for an instant a week's leave; I was taught the patience; instead of wasting time for travelling home from Masuria and back, I was advised to wait until the training was complete, return to Kraków with the rest of the unit, take the InterCity and join my wife and baby in Warsaw. The patience was rewarded with far longer leave than a week. I must say the most of the cadre, the commissioned officers were human; as long as you at least tried and made no trouble (and you could nicely smile), they were about to understand and help.

At the end of the four months of the Military Academy, we were to be sent to different Army units for 8 months of regular service as the members of the cadre. Most of the men were sent to remote garrisons far away from the civilisation. The "protection" was the keyword. Had you a "protection" (someone in your family at high enough position in the armed forces), you would be sent to some large city, I was lucky. A "protected" mate voluntarily gave his "protection" away for me, the father of a baby. So I spent the next eight months serving in my hometown and being able to stay with the family very often. I ended my military service as a sergeant-cadet, specialist chemical trooper.

Now, how did we feel about a potential war with the NATO? In 1987 nobody wanted to fight. We were aware how obsolete our armed forces were. Everybody had seen the "Blue Thunder" movie featuring a high-tech American helicopter. One day, I was ordered to do a training called "Organised defence against a helicopter assault by a squad using their AK-47 rifles". It all ended in laughter!

-- Citizen Cadet! -- said one of the men -- When we see the Blue Thunder, we'll rather surrender than shoot! 🤣

Any military stories to share, friends?
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6zfshdb said:
Air Force, Army & Marines, an interesting story. I enrolled in Air Force ROTC in college. I was scheduled to enter the the Air Force Academy after graduation but was immediately drafted into the Army. I never did find out exactly what happened but the Army took precedence. I took the physical and was ushered into a large room with about a hundred other Army inductees. Just before the oath was sworn, a Marine sergeant entered the room. He picked the six tallest, including me, and took us into another room where we were sworn into the Marines.

On the way to Paris Island, my left arm swelled up to the size of a football. It was due to the multi needle allergy test given during the physical. I went to the infirmary where more tests were done. Within a week, I was given a medical discharge for a wool allergy. I knew I was allergic to wool but the question was never asked. I had no idea such an allergy would prevent me from serving. In the 1960's, all military uniforms were made of wool or wool blend. There were no provisions for those who were allergic. I contacted the Air Force hoping to go back to my original plan but I did not qualify there either due to the allergy.

The Marine Corp didn't provide any documentation explaining the medical discharge and simply said to see my own doctor. Back home, I had a tough time explaining the situation to my folks, my friends and my employer. I think it hit my brother the hardest though since I had given him my beloved 1957 Chevy convertible before I left.:)

Now at 73, I still feel embarrassed and a bit guilty about not being able to serve. Although it was never said, I think there were those who considered me a draft dodger.

In any case, I wish to thank all the vets who posted here, and those everywhere for that mater, for their sacrifice, commitment and service.
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I had to jump on this because it so reminded me of a similar experience I had at the induction center in Newark, NJ. I was sitting on a folding chair in a long hallway of other "pre-oath" inductees. I got out of my chair to grab some water at the fountain and this really sketchy, big dude steals my chair and gives me the whatcha gonna do about it?.... as this is happening an NCO and a guy with a clipboard is walking down the row of seats going "Marine" and pointing about every 10, maybe 15 guys. Yup the guy who stole my seat was now a Devil Dog, lol. The irony was I signed on for another year for Aviation so I wouldn't have to spend my year "humping" around the Delta or highlands. Had I remained in that seat the guy to the right of me would have drawn the short straw. Having chatted with this guy, before Bozo stole my seat , I knew the last thing he or I were was gung-ho. Can't speak for my buddy to the right but i was still laughing when they told me to look to the right and cough :)
 
GypsyTreker said:
I had to jump on this because it so reminded me of a similar experience I had at the induction center in Newark, NJ. I was sitting on a folding chair in a long hallway of other "pre-oath" inductees. I got out of my chair to grab some water at the fountain and this really sketchy, big dude steals my chair and gives me the whatcha gonna do about it?.... as this is happening an NCO and a guy with a clipboard is walking down the row of seats going "Marine" and pointing about every 10, maybe 15 guys. Yup the guy who stole my seat was now a Devil Dog, lol. The irony was I signed on for another year for Aviation so I wouldn't have to spend my year "humping" around the Delta or highlands. Had I remained in that seat the guy to the right of me would have drawn the short straw. Having chatted with this guy, before Bozo stole my seat , I knew the last thing he or I were was gung-ho. Can't speak for my buddy to the right but i was still laughing when they told me to look to the right and cough :)
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Coincidentally, Newark was where I was inducted as well.
 
MarkB61 said:
4-1/2 years active Army, 2-1/2 Air Guard. During the Reagan/Bush years.

Spent the last 2-1/2 years of 3 in Germany under elevated threat con...after the botched Navy strike against Khadafy in '86. THAT was fun. Pulled guard posts for the entire week afterwards with empty '16s.
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We hit the beach in qui nhon vietnam with empty M-14s.....
 
Retired USAF, 15 1/2 years, from '75 to '91, flew with Special Ops, as EWO/Comm, 8SOS, Hurlburt Fld 9, FL. I could tell you all some things, but then I'd have to, you know, kill you, and I've gotten out of that business...so now I just peddle my ass around Maryland, Virginia, DC, West Virginia and do some camping, kayaking, out in the woods, with the occasional adult beverage :cool:

GRAVIORA MANENT ERGO BIBAMUS

p.s. if you're a little rusty with your Latin, "Greater danger awaits, therefore, let us drink"

p.p.s. thanks to everyone for their service
 
A day of Thanks to all service members, past and present on Veteran's Day 2020 who fought for our continued freedom. 🇺🇸

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