Just wanted to know what you guys / gals served as when you were in the armed forces.

I served 2 years as a national serviceman in the military & another 13 years reservist duty (on average 1 week to over 1 month per year during call backs).

I was an armskoteman (in charge of the company armoury)

Lets hear from the rest of you all ....

I served 7 years as radio operrator in the US Marine Corps, Then served 3 years as an Artilleryman in the Army reserves, took a commission as an Artillery officer, then served 3 years in Army Intel, went back to my reserve unit for 5 years, then finnished as an Civil Affairs Officer in another reserve unit. Now i'm just a PFC.

I started shoveling coal, joined the Navy, became a Machinest Mate, got out, continued working in the boiler/engineering field, today I'm a chief engineer at a mental hospital.

I started as a Combat Engineer Vehicle crewman (M728) when I joined the National Guard while in college. I was branched armor while in ROTC and transferred to an armor battalion where I trained on M48A5 tanks. I entered active duty as an armor officer and commanded a tank platoon, tank company, headquarters company and a maintenance school. I currently work at the US Army Armor Center at Ft. Knox.

Started out back in 1980 as a IHAWK Radar crewman, reupped in 84 as an Infantryman, got off active duty in '92. Joined the National Guard in '99 as an MP, now in the Guard as a signal troop.

I began as Military Police in 1982 in active service, I spent my reserve years in an armored cav unit..

I spent six years as a machinist's mate on nuc subs before getting commissioned and spending the remainder of my time as a surface warfare officer on surface ships.

Well........like Dave ,I also was on an aircraft carrier in an engine room, but we got beyond coal by then. Hey Dave just how old are you??????? Spent 22 years in service.....probably should be a resident of Daves mental hospital.. ......After my first enlistment I was out for ten years and then went back into the reserves as a Seabee electrician. Retired a first class petty officer, could have easily made chief but was ready to give it up and reassign to CIVLAND. The engine room for two years was tough but it gave me some good life experiences and one great friend who is still my friend after all those years. Now I"m sounding almost as old as Dave..............Oh well....... ..............take care....Al

I was a high school student in 1973 when I went delayed entry program for U.S. Army Infantry. Stayed 11B until 1981 then upgraded to bigger rounds (TOW AT system crew). Also did my "fair share" as unit armorer (when the 1st shirt found out beside being able to shoot "Expert", I could read, type and chew gum at the same time) both state-side and in Korea. Last job before getting out in October 1988: TOW missile repair supervisor. Now I work as an engineer for a medical device company investigating device complaints.

I started out in artillery school on the M109 (swiss updated KAWEST) and made it to Cpl. Was then transferred to an M106 unit for two years and got back to an artillery unit where I'm now platoon sergeant in the supplies platoon (M548). In Switzerland you serve for 3.5 weeks every year until you have a certain amout of service days (which amounts to about 7 years unless you postpone a lot for educational reasons - which I did, so I have 2 more years to go...).

Cheerio!

VP-8: aircrew/aviation ordnanceman 3rd. (bb stacker and nuclear weapons). WOW all of those hours over the big pond, bored to death looking for any thing that would take the monotony out of the flight until we would land and then the maintenance cycle before the next flight. Oh well the food was great and I got to fix it, especially the PBJs' the fellows loved.

Robert

0331-Machine Gunner.
Remained a Grunt for almost 8 years, NA Rockwell in the Sabre Liner Div.(parts dept!), left and joined the PD. Retired after 28 years there.
Currently working as a Nevada State Gaming Agent. Think "Casino cop" or "Poker police".........

Was an Air Force weather officer for my 8+ active years, then a weather officer in an ANG weather flight for 10 years, then a Reserve Assistance Officer working with Civil Air Patrol out here in the Rockies for 6 1/2 years until I retired in 2007.

originally i joined the TA as part of a assault pioneer platoon quickly developed a talent in signals so was platoon scaly back (British army slang for a signaler ) then we re rolled as a infantry platoon and progressed in to instructor duties and also developed a talent for recognition so became a instructor in that field. served about 8 years i think?

Still in.... Spent 10 years as an MC/HC-130P Crew Chief and so far about 5 years as an MC-130P Flight Engineer.



Herky

Compared to you all above me, I was kind of boring. Started as a crewman on an M551 (Sheridan) eventually made TC, extended and was put on as TC of an M106 (mortar track) to finish my almost 4 years in a cavalry unit in Germany in the 70's. Damndest thing is is I enlisted to be a Veterinary (animal) specialist at Fort Hood, Texas and still don't know how I ended up in Combat Arms in Europe!

I spent my entire 22 years as a Reconnaissance Scout. Picked up several identifiers over those 22 years for Sniper, ITV Crewman, Bradley Crewman, Paratrooper, Jumpmaster, Sheridan crewmember, Drill Sergeant, and Recruiter....I'd happily give this one back
worst job I ever had in the Army. Finally retired in 2004 after a 12 month stint in Iraq dealing with angy insurgents... and locals. Currently a full time student and loving it. "Q"

My family has a strong military tradition. My father and his father were both officers in the USN. My mom's father fought in WWI in the USMC. All my uncles fought in WWII. I have a great uncle who was killed at the battle of Chattanooga with the 93rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and my Great Great Grandfather was a Sergeant in the Lexington Alarm and fought at Lexignton & Concorde.

So... when I graduated from high school with no real direction or plans, I joined the Navy. I did four years active duty as an Intelligence Specialist in the US Navy, got out, went to college, and while in school joined the Army reserve and did six years as a Cavalry Scout in an armored cav regiment. Most of my time in the Navy was spent on the USS Eisenhower in CVIC and Supplot (carrier intel center, and supplementary plot). Did two Med cruises and the Desert Shield / Storm thing. On the Ike, I was a member of the Snoopy Team and the SAS/PRP team. It was a good time to be on a carrier - I got to experience the end of the A-6 and A-7 eras, and the transition to Hornets. CVW-7 was our embarked airwing for the entire time I was on the Ike.

I served eight years in the MSARNG as an M1A1 tank crewman (19K).

I was an engineman aboard the U.S.S. Hoist. My station was in the main engine room taking care of four V-16 diesels and all of the auxiliary equipment. Back then, early 70's, an engineman was the jack-of-all-tradesman aboard ship. In "A" school we covered HVAC, diesel mechanics, hydraulics, elevators, electricity, etc. For the last 35 years I been in building maintenance and am currently the chief engineer at a couple of office buildings. My Navy training has served me very well.

I was a United States Marine.

That was long ago and far away.

Now I am not as lean, not as mean, but I am still a Marine.

Semper Fi,
Dave

Served 4 years active duty Army as a PATRIOT Operator & System Mechanic (24T2O). Transfered to Massachusetts Army National Guard for 3 years as a Combat Engineer (12B2O). While in the MA-ARNG graduated OCS with honors, but was denied my commission. I'm still a little sore about that.

Jim

I did 13 1/2 years in the Corps of Royal Engineers, all sappers are infantrymen first, combat engineers second and tradesmen of some description thirdly. My trade was painter, plasterer, drywaller, signmaker, plus a couple of other bits under the latest title of building and structual finisher. Most of the 'artisan ' tradesmen don't/didn't get a lot of trade time, I suppose I was quite lucky, I actually did quite abit over the years. In '92 I injured my back, bridging,and then in '93 because of the injury, I spent about 2 years in the squadron stores running 3 accounts, in a very very busy unit, where I was generally writing new stores demands 3-4 days a week, and thats if we weren't on exercise or ops. I can honestly say that it was my busiest period in the army, and I was lucky enough to have a busy career.

I was an Aviation Machinist's Mate for 20 years in the U.S. Navy. Worked on helicopter engines and on the CH-46D.