tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post8843531114680234892..comments2024-03-28T02:27:45.688-07:00Comments on Chant du Départ: The Army and MeOldAFSargehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-87848787423781839942015-06-13T18:52:03.323-07:002015-06-13T18:52:03.323-07:00You would've been good at it Murph.
(Hhmm, th...You would've been good at it Murph.<br /><br />(Hhmm, that could be him...)OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-36737459937953004152015-06-13T15:43:07.541-07:002015-06-13T15:43:07.541-07:00LOL. I took the ASVAB back in hjigh school in the ...LOL. I took the ASVAB back in hjigh school in the early 80's just to cut a couple of classes and I scored high enough that recruiters practically stalked me for the next couple of years with offers of nuclear technician and other boring-sounding jobs. But I wanted Combat Arms too, Helicopters (sadly, no vision waivers in the 80s), tanks, cav scouts, airborne, ect. and I wanted to go to Europe. But back then, we were at peace, Reagan was winning the Cold War, and we were withdrawing units from Europe. Recruiters and I never could seem to agree on a life filled with action and adventure that would also give me some cutting-edge skills for the civilian job market when I got out. So off to college I went instead. Sigh.<br /><br />BTW, is that Old NFO in that pic, second from the left?Murphy's Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17164780742334950772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-60509534320733670192015-06-12T11:38:33.688-07:002015-06-12T11:38:33.688-07:00I never could figure out how they could put a qual...I never could figure out how they could put a qualified pilot in the backseat and expect him (or her) to be content.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-34721656134381939212015-06-12T11:36:57.846-07:002015-06-12T11:36:57.846-07:00Heck Marcus and Snuffy, you guys may have crossed ...Heck Marcus and Snuffy, you guys may have crossed paths without knowing.<br /><br />Of course, the military is a small world.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-54084041824057174712015-06-12T02:15:44.714-07:002015-06-12T02:15:44.714-07:00I was a "GIB" before they took pilots ou...I was a "GIB" before they took pilots out and inserted (wisely) Navigators as WSO types. Most front-seaters, i.e., Aircraft Commanders (ACs) were all old Sr Majors and above long-time former single-seat fighter types who ABSOLUTELY did not believe that they needed any "help" in flying the bird. My first AC at DaNang said to me as we got off the bread-truck and walked over to the aircraft for pre-flight: "Don't touch anything in the cockpit and stay off the intercom unless I ask a question--which won't be happening " "I'm joking, of course, " he followed, "sort of." LOL!virgil xenophonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14577165785872035948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-181434715504437992015-06-11T19:55:42.226-07:002015-06-11T19:55:42.226-07:00Marcus, I ETS'd in JAN 1978, went to work at T...Marcus, I ETS'd in JAN 1978, went to work at TCA in FEB of the same year. I left TCA, and Berlin, in NOV 1987.snuffynyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12843569994073955970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-85863080186116307512015-06-11T19:10:08.915-07:002015-06-11T19:10:08.915-07:00Yup, had that happen with German.
Of course, it g...Yup, had that happen with German.<br /><br />Of course, it goes away if you don't exercise it. <em>Nicht wahr?</em><br /><br />Man, I missed those 1505s when they went away!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-31556653421644297622015-06-11T18:05:49.260-07:002015-06-11T18:05:49.260-07:00One "problem" with Monterey was that the...One "problem" with Monterey was that the place was so blasted gorgeous that it was a bit of a distraction when trying to apply yourself to the intense and demanding language program. I was one of the last AF troops to be quartered with the Army at Company C instead of the AF barracks. Living with the Army was pretty good and we AF types with our perma prest Class A's tended to frustrate the Army First Sergeant at the Friday inspections. With our 1505's and pin on insignias we passed relatively easily, while the Army troops had to worry about starching their khakis and shining their brass. <br /><br />I have to admit that the first time you dream in a language that isn't your "mother tongue" it gets your attention. Rivetjointnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-53462241412493725022015-06-11T17:55:23.378-07:002015-06-11T17:55:23.378-07:00Heh, those super-grade noncoms knew which string t...Heh, those super-grade noncoms knew which string to pull and how the system works. Doesn't matter which service.<br /><br />I still remember (with some pride) the day we Rooks were recognized. Switched from white to black name tags and were actually allowed on the sidewalk.<br /><br />Heady stuff after 8 months of walking in the gutter!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-29022321278805977752015-06-11T17:52:13.766-07:002015-06-11T17:52:13.766-07:00Man, Ft Devens has been around forever. I remember...Man, Ft Devens has been around forever. I remember driving by there as a kid. Dad always pointed it out. Still remembering his days in the Big Green Machine no doubt.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-13427055615407614152015-06-11T17:50:37.500-07:002015-06-11T17:50:37.500-07:00Dang, you Army guys are strack.Dang, you Army guys are strack.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-49751710823921208922015-06-11T17:44:54.991-07:002015-06-11T17:44:54.991-07:00Well, a year as a Rook at Norwich would prepare yo...Well, a year as a Rook at Norwich would prepare you for any service initial training. Especially back in those days. Rookdom is not for the timid, starting with right after they march you out of the hall on to the upper parade field. While we resided up there we lived literally across the street from the university. The canon muzzle was pointed in the direction of our abode. The first time we were there for the Rooks first week, we had the window open when the canon went off at 0530. Every morning thereafter for the rest of the week we slept with all windows on that side of the house closed for some lessening of the blast. Thereafter, I learned to inquire as to when that week would start so that we could keep that side of the house closed at night. Normally, at that time of the year, sleeping in the Green Mountains with the windows open was one of the perks of being up there. <br /><br />When I came in in '77, the Army was changing over to the permanent press pickle suit. I was issued cotton, so I was not cheated of breaking starch. Plus, in SF, we were issued camouflage jungle fatigues. Whenever we went anywhere, it kinda made us stand out a bit. <br /><br />Except in the woods. <br /><br />The non-standard, Presidentially authorized head gear was another give away. <br /><br />Um, and attitude. <br /><br />We didn't march much, mostly just at the change of command ceremonies for our commanders. But we could when we needed to and look sharp doing it. <br /><br />When we had to.<br /><br />As for joining? All I wanted was to join the Army, repel out of helicopters, jump out of planes, and run around in the woods. When I joined they were desperate for 05C, radio teletype operators. So I listened to the recruiter who told me that I could still be on a team as one, took a bonus, and ended up spending 4 years as an 05C. Did Basic, AIT (Ft Gordon), Jump School, and showed up at SF Company at Bragg. I had a contract that said 10th SFGA, but I was an 05C and could not go through SF training (only 11B, 12B, 91B, and 05B), so they thought that they'd have to let me out. Nope. There were open 05C positions in Signal Company, 10thSFGA, which is where I immediately received orders for. So, I got to Group, as a support guy. That's what re-enlistments are for. Second time was the charm. Along with some SGMs that pulled some strings. ;-)Marcus Erroneoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11980868853284918078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-5224463839268679112015-06-11T17:27:51.778-07:002015-06-11T17:27:51.778-07:00Snuff - Define "late 80s". I too was in ...Snuff - Define "late 80s". I too was in the city during the mid-80s (84-87), though with the folks over on Roosevelt. My brother-in-law was there working on the radar systems. Worked out well, I could go out drinking beer before my family arrived as I was with my brother-in-law, so it was a good thing I was doing. :-) I have also spent a tour or two at Ft. Devens, home of the Army's Secret Assholes, or so it was described to me. ;-) Lots of friends that spent time there. It breaks my heart to drive on post now. Such is life I suppose. Marcus Erroneoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11980868853284918078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-14589106681947052702015-06-11T17:17:45.603-07:002015-06-11T17:17:45.603-07:00During the late summer months, late July, August, ...During the late summer months, late July, August, early September you might break starch twice a day. Fortunately, that sort of thing wasn't common, but it did happen. :P And then there are "fins". You must break the arms and legs apart from crease to crease. Failure to separate the material all the way to the crease left a "fin". Fins are for the Navy, we are the Army. Marcus Erroneoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11980868853284918078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-58760869830044197142015-06-11T16:18:25.740-07:002015-06-11T16:18:25.740-07:00And it's all true!
Thanks Cajun!And it's all true!<br /><br />Thanks Cajun!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-2687466254737939592015-06-11T15:33:01.780-07:002015-06-11T15:33:01.780-07:00Nice story...LOLNice story...LOLOld NFOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16404197287935017147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-4495148979423750352015-06-11T15:05:18.485-07:002015-06-11T15:05:18.485-07:00Damn but I hate hearing that, WSF. I'm sure s...Damn but I hate hearing that, WSF. I'm sure someone made a huge profit on that deal...OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-38167950233519461182015-06-11T14:54:09.358-07:002015-06-11T14:54:09.358-07:00Aurora has become ghetto central as has East Denve...Aurora has become ghetto central as has East Denver from Colorado Blvd to Yosemite. Lots of nice looking but poorly built houses and condos have been built at Lowry with all the problems of sub prime mortgages. Further North the same thing has happened on what was Stapleton airport. East Colfax remains what it has always been, a human sewer. Well Seasoned Foolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16670165728759453075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-14962370446089063382015-06-11T13:31:10.160-07:002015-06-11T13:31:10.160-07:00Heh, I guess I'm being polite, Ron.Heh, I guess I'm being polite, Ron.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-60253804072173617032015-06-11T13:30:22.739-07:002015-06-11T13:30:22.739-07:00That would be here. Also check out The Wayback Mac...That would be <a href="https://thelexicans.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow"><b>here</b></a>. Also check out <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120319000918/http://www.neptunuslex.com/" rel="nofollow"><b>The Wayback Machine</b></a> which has a number of Lex's old posts (unfortunately not all of them, but a lot).OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-82738694732107763612015-06-11T13:25:52.245-07:002015-06-11T13:25:52.245-07:00I wonder what it would be like now, if Lowry was s...I wonder what it would be like now, if Lowry was still open.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-65395543703164185542015-06-11T13:24:52.253-07:002015-06-11T13:24:52.253-07:00That's right Ron. Too many lost, far too many....That's right Ron. Too many lost, far too many.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-24184847060374755532015-06-11T12:22:57.018-07:002015-06-11T12:22:57.018-07:00Where is this "Lexicans" site you speak ...Where is this "Lexicans" site you speak of? I still get "neptunuslex.com is almost here!"<br /><br />Thanks in advance.<br />Ron Snyderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01217389199007968254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-90285850025274358302015-06-11T12:11:48.991-07:002015-06-11T12:11:48.991-07:00A bit?A bit?Ron Snyderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01217389199007968254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-31446724264871245532015-06-11T12:09:53.006-07:002015-06-11T12:09:53.006-07:00Denver was a paradise in 1972.Denver was a paradise in 1972.Ron Snyderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01217389199007968254noreply@blogger.com