I'm a New Member

Golfgar4 · Nov 3, 2004

Re: I\'m a New Member

John,

Looks like you and I are the only two swabby's so far! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

You got me beat by 4 years. I was '70 - '74.

My son is now in and planning on making it a career. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The medallion that I've just started posting to the left is the medallion that he received when he completed his MAA training. It's from the U.S. Navy Law Enforcement Academy and has his badge number on it.

higgy · Nov 3, 2004

Re: I\'m a New Member

I'll stand in for the shallow waters Sempter Paratus. It was fun, it was cold, 2 deep freeze and more artic winter norths.

Ye haw, pass the heater

Henro · Nov 3, 2004

Re: I\'m a New Member

Man...I can't remember what the sempter was...it meant "always ready..." /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Still have my flat hat somewhere I think... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

In my case '65 through '69...best year was in South East Asia...well...one of the best years anyway. Couldn't wait to get out, but would do it again in a heartbeat.

They used to say that to join the Coast Guard you had to be 6' tall...that way you could walk to shore and save yourself if your ship sank... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Maybe that's why they never assigned me to a boat... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif ... 5'11"...

Never thougth I would spend a year in Nothern Thailand when I joined the USCG!

johnday · Nov 3, 2004

Re: I\'m a New Member

Garry;Your son is doing what I sometimes think I should have done. It was real strange getting out of the real Navy back then. I think most of us remember the 70's. Thank God your son won't have to put up with public opinions like we did.

Do me a favor, shake his hand and thank him for me. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Golfgar4 · Nov 4, 2004

Re: I\'m a New Member

( Thank God your son won't have to put up with public opinions like we did.
)

You've got that right! I remember walking through the airport and getting spit on because I was in uniform. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

( Do me a favor, shake his hand and thank him for me. )

Absolutely! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It's really great to see the responses he, or any serviceperson, gets these days as they walk the streets. My wife and I were taking our son and daughter-in-law to dinner one evening, and as we walked on the sidewalk towards the restaurant, I bet there were at least 3 cars that drove by and honked their horns and gave him a thumbs up! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Yeah, things have really changed. And I'm VERY glad they have. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

WVBill · Nov 4, 2004

Re: I\'m a New Member

Add another Swabby - that is if you'll count a Naval Aviator as a "Swabby". '70 - '91 (yeah - a "Lifer")

Agree, it sure is different - and much better - how service men and women are treated now.

When I was stationed at Alameda CA in 1970 I lived in an apartment near UC Berkley (hotbed of anti-war sentiment) and we were advised by our C.O. NOT to wear our uniforms to and from work. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Glad to see our service men and women are getting the recognition and gratitude they deserve.

Golfgar, shake your son's hand for me too.
And encourage him to keep planning to make the Navy a career. I speak from experience when I say that it is very comforting to know that I have a good solid pension that can't be frittered away or out-and-out stolen by some corporate board of directors. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

dummy · Nov 4, 2004

Re: I\'m a New Member

 (yeah - a "Lifer")
 Nowadays, you're called a "quitter". After 22+, I decided I wasn't having fun anymore. I think the people I left behind were just jealous!

Golfgar, your son is close to doing the right thing. I wouldn't trade my spent days for anything. Now, just sway him to "a better way of life". The US Air Force. Air travel is much better than sea or land, the food is better, "exotic foreign travel" tends to be shorter in length, etc.. One of my personal favorites to irritate the army folk I work with now, in the Air Force you check to see which accomodations accept Visa /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. No one is expected to carry their bed with them.

bczoom · Nov 4, 2004

Re: I\'m a New Member

( I wouldn't trade my spent days for anything.)

Me neither!! Would it be considered a political question if I asked "Does anyone else think that all teenagers upon graduation high school should be required to go to boot camp"? I found it turned me around and into the right direction. (at least for awhile /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

Should the subject of this thread be changed to "I'm an Old Member"

NIXON · Nov 4, 2004

Re: I\'m a New Member

I guess the military life style is a genetic thing in my family .
My dad served from '40 till '62 (army)
I served fom '67till '88 . The wife from '74till '96.
The Daughter and SIL are on active duty now and look like they may make it a career . (Usaf) I've got to say it was rewarding for the most part ,and I'd do it again .
But it is nice to know that I don't have to move again now that I'm retired /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif John

Golfgar4 · Nov 4, 2004

Re: I\'m a New Member

( I've got to say it was rewarding for the most part ,and I'd do it again .
)

I agree.

If I hadn't been married with a new daughter, I would've stayed in too. But back then, if you were in the Navy, you could pretty much guarantee that every 2 - 3 years, you were going to get shipped out somewhere else. And every other tour was sea duty. I saw too many of my shipmates who had had their families fall apart because of that. I wasn't going to take the chance, so I got out early to go back to school.

But I know I would've liked being a "lifer". I still get a little lump in the throat when I see a sailor in dress blues walking around! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif