NationStates Jolt Archive

I was wondering how many people here have/are in the military?
Or have family that is/was in the military?
My dad was conscripted into the army

(I'm talking about any military force in the world. Please do not drag politics into this)

My grandfather and uncle were in the army, 2 of my cousins are Marines, my brother in law is in the army reserve (and just got back from his second time to Iraq), one of my other cousins is in the Navy, my sister spent some time in the air force, and my other sister is signing up for the Marines this summer.


Oh and my mom got drafted by accident during vietnam, so she had to go prove that she was female, then when she decided to volunteer they wouldn't take her because of health issues

and my husband tried to go into the Marines but got turned down because of chronic health issues.......

and the army recruiter still calls me every week.

I think that's all.

Virtually every man in my family has been in the military - because we have mandatory service.
Actually, "have had". I elluded the army, and now it's no longer a requirement. I should mention that all but one men in my family have hated their service time.

My father was in the U.S. Navy for 26 years.

I have Crohn's Disease and therefore cannot be in the armed forces.

Questions 3, 4, and 5 don't exculde each other.
4 and 5 both apply to me. What should I vote?

My father was in the U.S. Navy for 26 years.

I have Crohn's Disease and therefore cannot be in the armed forces.
yeah, they turned down my hubby because of Crohn's too. :(

My uncle was in the army. He apparently got court-marshalled for refusing to cut his hair. An all round nice guy.

Virtually every man in my family has been in the military - because we have mandatory service.
Actually, "have had". I elluded the army, and now it's no longer a requirement. I should mention that all but one men in my family have hated their service time.
might I inquire as to what country you are form?

might I inquire as to what country you are form?
Romania.

Questions 3, 4, and 5 don't exculde each other.
4 and 5 both apply to me. What should I vote?
i shoudl've made it multiple choice

Is there a way to change it?

Romania.
Im from Argentina, but they dropped military service in the 90's, so im safe

I spent 4 years in the US Army.

My dad was drafted for nam

My great great grandfather was a war hero in the Boer War, and my grandfather was conscripted...does this count?

My great great grandfather was a war hero in the Boer War, and my grandfather was conscripted...does this count?
Yeah

the Boer War? what side was he on?

Virtually every man in my family has been in the military - because we have mandatory service.
Actually, "have had". I elluded the army, and now it's no longer a requirement. I should mention that all but one men in my family have hated their service time.

well when people are forced to do something, they dont ussually enjoy it, hence being forced to do it

My grandfather and 3 of his brothers volunteered in WWII.

well when people are forced to do something, they dont ussually enjoy it, hence being forced to do it
Yeah, the draft sucks.

Yeah

the Boer War? what side was he on?
Afrikaaners. Which is slightly ironic, because later some in my family shifted their support towards the Empire, in retrospect of the Boer War.

Afrikaaners. Which is slightly ironic, because later some in my family shifted their support towards the Empire, in retrospect of the Boer War.
Well, if Botha could do it...
It's like the Irish Free State thing.

Yeah, the draft sucks.

indeed it does, but it is at times very necesary for the protection of the country

indeed it does, but it is at times very necesary for the protection of the country
the key words there: at times

Its not like Chile was ever gonna beat us in the 70's, draft or not

Well, if Botha could do it...
It's like the Irish Free State thing.
Sort of. :p My family mainly fought on the Afrikaaners side because of the fact that we are Afrikaaners, and at the time saw the British as a danger. Later though, some in my family were of the view that supporting the Empire would have been the better option.

the key words there: at times

It amuses me that Cyprus has a universal male draft, yet it is not at war. It does perceive Turkey as a major threat, but realistically speaking, Turkey has everything to lose and nothing to gain from an invasion. So it is redundant.

the key words there: at times

Its not like Chile was ever gonna beat us in the 70's, draft or not
I don't know about that... I would have bet on Chile in the event.

It amuses me that Cyprus has a universal male draft, yet it is not at war. It does perceive Turkey as a major threat, but realistically speaking, Turkey has everything to lose and nothing to gain from an invasion. So it is redundant.

Draft or not, i dont see Cyprus being able to whistand the Turks without foreign help

Draft or not, i dont see Cyprus being able to whistand the Turks without foreign help
The sad truth of the matter. :p They might as well save the youth the hassle, and instate a small, efficient professional army.

Grandfather commanded a Destroyer in WWII.

Other Grandfather was a bomber Ordinance Technician during the time of Korea.

Ask me again after Easter, then I call you whether I can rejoice or go hang myself.

My brother got drafted, but hasn't served yet. Heheh, with any luck, he won't have to :D and with any luck, nor will I.

My step-daughter joined the US Army because she thought that she needed to become more disciplined.

She just got out after 6 years. She liked it so much that she re-enlisted, but had to have a medical discharge (too much running in boots on hard surfaces).

I wish that I had taken my spot at the US Air Force Academy. I didn't because I would not have been able to fly (my eyes, my eyes!).

Yay military!

I wish that I had taken my spot at the US Air Force Academy. I didn't because I would not have been able to fly (my eyes, my eyes!).
But you could flap your arms really fast, right?

my grandfather from my dads side fought in world war 2 as did my great grandfather on my mothers side and my mothers uncle sliv.... no idea if they volunteered or not...

i am forever angry with my dad for selling nazi medals that uncle sliv retrieved in WWII

i am forever angry with my dad for selling nazi medals that uncle sliv retrieved in WWII

"Retrieved" is such a kinder, more positive word than "looted", isn't it?

"Retrieved" is such a kinder, more positive word than "looted", isn't it?

To the victors go the spoils, my man.

"Retrieved" is such a kinder, more positive word than "looted", isn't it?
i hate technicalities

"Retrieved" is such a kinder, more positive word than "looted", isn't it?
Maybe he meant: "was awarded".

My Dad used to be in the navy, my uncle still is. I'm pretty sure my Dad was a comms officer, thought I have know idea what my uncle does. All I know is he's been to the lebanon and afghanistan a few times each. And whatever he did he got a medal for it.

Maybe he meant: "was awarded".

"Was awarded" as a synonym for "retrieved"? Nah. I'm not sold on the idea.

My great grandfather and grandfather both fought in the Red Army in WWII. My grandfather served in Stalingrad, which he talks little about. And my great grandfather served as a Captain. I'm not quite sure if they used the same ranks back then, so I just gave equivalents.

My great grandfather and grandfather both fought in the Red Army in WWII. My grandfather served in Stalingrad, which he talks little about. And my great grandfather served as a Captain. I'm not quite sure if they used the same ranks back then, so I just gave equivalents.

Stalingrad? Damn, I'm not suprised that he doesn't talk about it.

My great grandfather and grandfather both fought in the Red Army in WWII. My grandfather served in Stalingrad, which he talks little about. And my great grandfather served as a Captain. I'm not quite sure if they used the same ranks back then, so I just gave equivalents.
The Red Army?
whoa

Stalingrad?
whoaaaa :eek:

My great grandfather and grandfather both fought in the Red Army in WWII. My grandfather served in Stalingrad, which he talks little about. And my great grandfather served as a Captain. I'm not quite sure if they used the same ranks back then, so I just gave equivalents.
My grandpa was supposed to take part in building fortifications against you guys when you entered Moldavia. He only served for a week, because Romania switched sides in August 44. He walked home, which was all the way on the other border of the country.
He was actually glad not to fight, because he was a socialist.

Both grandfathers served in the Wehrmacht (not like they had any choice in that), my father was conscripted to the Bundeswehr (late 60s when conscious objection was not a real alternative), and I became a conscious objector when I was drafted for the Bundeswehr (late 90s) and became a civil paramedic instead for 13 months, serving with the German Red Cross in my hometown.

I guess I've learned and experienced more during that time than 10 months of military service would've given me, especially since my degree of fitness was rather low (not that the civil service cared about that once I was accepted as a conscious objector) and I couldn't have done all the "exciting" stuff anyway.

I'm still glad about my choice and would do the same again. Hey, I mean: I actually saved lives instead of learning how to kill - if that's not a valid argument I really don't know what is!

Hmm, lets see:

Grandfather served in the US Navy during WWII, was medically discharged for injuries he sustained. Father is currently US Army Reserves (20+ years), served a year in Iraq. Uncle served 4 years in the regular US Army. Cousin is currently serving in the US Navy, served 5 years. Different cousin served 5 years in the regular US Army, was medically discharged. Brother is currently serving in the US Air Force, going on 3 years. I've been in the US Air Force for the past 5 1/2, and if my knee would stop acting up, perhaps I'd be able to go overseas.

My Uncle's in REME, but beyond that, not to my knowledge. Personally, I don't want to join either.

Was never in it and never will be!

My father served with the Anti-Air Forces in the German Army fro two years or so in the early Eighties. He was a conscript.

I myself would have been too, hadn't it been for us going to Australia. So they send mail to my grandma's house, who then had to convince them that I'm not in Germany anymore.

Should I come back though, they will make me do the medical examination, and if I passed, they would ask me to serve (I think it's just a year and a half now), and I would say yes, if only because of the excitement and because it'll make me more fit and confident.

That being said, despite all sorts of financial strife, at the moment it doesn't look like we'll go back any time soon.

My Uncle's in REME, but beyond that, not to my knowledge. Personally, I don't want to join either.
what is the REME?

what is the REME?

http://www.army.mod.uk/reme/

Google's your friend - it's the 2nd link from the top.

(...)
Should I come back though, they will make me do the medical examination, and if I passed, they would ask me to serve (I think it's just a year and a half now), and I would say yes, if only because of the excitement and because it'll make me more fit and confident.
(...)
Hehe, they'll introduce you to Ben Dover and make you cough :D Does "EKG" (=Eierkontrollgriff) ring a bell?
And while, theoretically, we still have "Wehrgleichheit", they only draft about 50% of all the "Wehrtauglichen".
And it's not 18 months anymore, they shortened it down to 9 months military including 2-3 months boot-camp.

Great-Great Uncle in the Sudan agianst the Mad Mullah and then the Boer

Great Grandad Served in WWI

Granddad Served in RE ( not quite sure) during the WWII

Father served in the RAF

Hehe, they'll introduce you to Ben Dover and make you cough :D Does "EKG" (=Eierkontrollgriff) ring a bell?
Meh. You see, I'd never get a serious examination like that by my own free will. So someone has to make me. :p

And while, theoretically, we still have "Wehrgleichheit", they only draft about 50% of all the "Wehrtauglichen".
And it's not 18 months anymore, they shortened it down to 9 months military including 2-3 months boot-camp.
Maybe if I ask nicely? I'm really seriously bored with my life right now. And I wanna drive a tank.

-snip-
Extended family, hey?

Someone from my grandmother's family on my mother's side was a great hero in the battle against the Turks in Vienna (apparently, he turned down a title afterwards...:confused: )

My grandmother on my father's side lost all three uncles in WWI (their parents would have been happy).

Another great grand uncle (this time on my father's father's side) got killed in WWI as well (here (http://www.volksbund.de/graebersuche/content_ergebnis_detail.asp?id=3793721&sec_id=385F06F0A300650240ABD7C3CB0D5BCEA7EF83E5) is the grave, I've never been).

My step-grandfather was in Stalingrad, got wounded and was flown out.

And although my grandmother was never in any sort of military, she got to experience war firsthand when they fled the Russians from Allenstein to Bavaria.

Two of my cousins served in Iraq. Ones in Puerto Rico and the other is coming home soon.

Someone from my grandmother's family on my mother's side was a great hero in the battle against the Turks in Vienna (apparently, he turned down a title afterwards...:confused: )
:confused: Indeed.

:confused: Indeed.
That's what they all told me, but I haven't seen any evidence. And I don't know what name I should be looking for on the web, because they changed all the time back then.

Joining the Royal Norwegian Military come August for my mandatory 13 months.

Okay, why am I the only one answering 'I was conscripted'? Did I understand it wrong, or is conscripted military service that rare nowadays?

EDIT: here we go... Norway! :)

Great grandfather fought in the Easter Rising 1916, the War of Independence (both as a member of the IRB), the Civil War.

Grandfather served in Cyprus and the Congo with UN

Uncle was a doctor in military.

Father was an Comdt. in the Engineers for 20 years serving in the Lebanon and Namibia with the UN also.

Me? No.

I was a US Marine...amazingly enough one of the most liberal in both units I was with.

I'm in the NAVY been in for 9 years onboard a DDG in peal harbor.

My grandfather served in the US Army during WWII; he fought in Africa. My father was in the US Navy for seven years. I very nearly joined the US Navy, but ended up not doing so for a variety of reasons. Not too sure about my mom's side of the family.

Extended family, hey?

Someone from my grandmother's family on my mother's side was a great hero in the battle against the Turks in Vienna (apparently, he turned down a title afterwards...:confused: )

whoa, Vienna? The siege of Vienna?(1529) or the Battle of Vienna(1683)?

My grandfather on both sides of the family served in the Kuomintang during WWII and the civil war, and I have a brother who served in the US Navy for 4 years.

Lets see. . . My grandfather served in the Army and my other grandfather was a conscientious subjector and he helped out in an insane asylum. I am not in the military, but I am in a secret society that does some spy work (which I am proud to play a part in). Oh, I am also in the Lord's Army.

My mother's maiden name was Schramm, which was, a long time ago, in Germany, a nickname for some one with a scar. I am sure that there must be an interesting story behind that.

My cousins are all involved in the same secret society as myself.

I am considering joining the American army in a few years.

My father worked for CIA (but he never tells any stories), and my 2nd cousion was in the Air Force.

Lets see...Starting from my parents generation back as far as I can remember.

My father was in the Navy for 7 years (1981-88).
Uncle in the Peacecore, don't know if that counts or not.
2 other uncles drafted for Vietnam, 1 went, 1 dodged (opposite sides ofthe family).
Every male in my grandparents' generation in my family went to WW2.

My grandfathers were in the PTO, one in Burma, the other Island Hopping.

My Grandfather in Burma got a bunch of medals, drove the first Semi across the entire Burma road (No doc, sorry). My other grandfather was in the navy, on a supply ship.

My uncle who was in Nam won't talk about it, the other Uncle went to Canada.


I plan on joining something or other, simply because I dunno what else I could do, so it'll give me some experience in whatever, and some time to figure everything out.

I'm joining the Army or Marines, I think... maybe go Ranger? Green Beret?
If I'm gonna cut my hair, I'm gonna go all the way, be a complete badass. If someone is gonna tell me my head looks like a penis, I'll kick their ass for it.

Wait... your grandfather served in the civil war? Which civil war? Surely your grandfather didn't serve in both? Different grandfather?

I'm confused.:confused:
Sorry, I meant the Civil War in China, which started before WWII, and continued after it ended.

I was wondering how many people here have/are in the military?
I had about 34 years in the US Army in one form or another, right up until I almost killed my fool self in a parachuting accident.

Sorry, I meant the Civil War in China, which started before WWII, and continued after it ended.
Ohhh alright.
I haven't heard much about the Civil War in China. Sorry for being so closed minded, for some reason I had the impression that America was the only military in the world :P

You've peaked my curiousity now.
I've never learned much about the civil war in China.

My one Grandpa was on one of the Big landing crafts and was at D-day. He cheated death there too. It was during the night, and a German bomber dropped a bomb right in the middle of the ship. It was a dud and bounced right out of the boat. If it had not been a dud, he would be dead. Anyways, the German bomber turned it's light on, and he heard the command, "fire." And he and the rest of the boat ripped the bomber to shreds in seconds.

My other Granda was a waste gunner in a B-24 and bombed Austria. He had to bail out once because the landing gear didn't work.

maybe the Royal Navy some day......

My one Grandpa was on one of the Big landing crafts and was at D-day. He cheated death there too. It was during the night, and a German bomber dropped a bomb right in the middle of the ship. It was a dud and bounced right out of the boat. If it had not been a dud, he would be dead. Anyways, the German bomber turned it's light on, and he heard the command, "fire." And he and the rest of the boat ripped the bomber to shreds in seconds.

My other Granda was a waste gunner in a B-24 and bombed Austria. He had to bail out once because the landing gear didn't work.

Sounds like those were close calls that could have lead to your nonexistance.

Man I'm having a shit time wording things tonight.

Maybe if I ask nicely? I'm really seriously bored with my life right now. And I wanna drive a tank.

I wanted to drive a tank, too - but with my T3 ranking that wasn't really an option. After all, that maintenance would've killed my back three times over...
(Oh, and your link only shows a blank page an not a picture!)

Okay, why am I the only one answering 'I was conscripted'? Did I understand it wrong, or is conscripted military service that rare nowadays?
EDIT: here we go... Norway! :)
I was conscripted as well but objected and served my community instead. So it's not like Germany doesn't have the draft.

My dad was conscripted by the US government during Vietnam. His father got drafted during WWII. My mother's father was too young to participate in any wars that Germany was in at the time (even by Nazi standards) and both me and my great-grandfather got turned down by a German military.

Infantry. I'm out now.

http://67.18.37.14/32/176/upload/p1268497.jpg

whoa, Vienna? The siege of Vienna?(1529) or the Battle of Vienna(1683)?
I wouldn't have a clue - details are sketchy, but people generally talk about Vienna as the big battle pretty much everyone from South Central Europe turned up for, so I suppose it would be Karl's battle of 1683.

I wanted to drive a tank, too - but with my T3 ranking that wasn't really an option. After all, that maintenance would've killed my back three times over...
(Oh, and your link only shows a blank page an not a picture!)
I can probably pull off a T2 (just cuz of my glasses), but who cares. It doesn't look like I'll be coming home any time soon, so thinking about it is probably the closest I'll get...

Oh, and the link is just to a war-graves foundation, and it points to a guy called "Gerhard Weltewitz" who fell in May 1918 (almost made it...).

My Dad did a compulsory stint in the Malaysian armed forces as a doctor. No wars or conflicts, just military service for the sake of it because the government said so.

Good thing we moved to Australia ... :p

(...)
Oh, and the link is just to a war-graves foundation, and it points to a guy called "Gerhard Weltewitz" who fell in May 1918 (almost made it...).
"Almost"... That war went on for another six months, that's a long time in the trenches!

6 years Royal Navy as a steward, 5 years French Foreign Legion in 2nd Parachute regiment

I was wondering how many people here have/are in the military?
Or have family that is/was in the military?
My dad was conscripted into the army

(I'm talking about any military force in the world. Please do not drag politics into this)

Grandad in Army during WWII spent most of war in Gibraltar, Uncle National Service, Sisters Farther-in-Law served in Malaysia, Dad in Army, Uncle was in the Royal Marines and was in first Gulf war, Cousin in Royal Navy mainly disaster relief so far.

Other Family abroad in Military, US and Canada (Don't have much contact).

6 years Royal Navy as a steward, 5 years French Foreign Legion in 2nd Parachute regiment

The Foreign Legion?? Hows that like?



(THis thread was more succesful than I thought it would be)

6 years Royal Navy as a steward, 5 years French Foreign Legion in 2nd Parachute regiment

Did you get a feeling that you were expendable because you are Foreign?

Infantry. I'm out now.

http://67.18.37.14/32/176/upload/p1268497.jpg
RAMBO! :D

The Foreign Legion?? Hows that like?



(THis thread was more succesful than I thought it would be)

You go to France, knock on the door of a recruiting centre and say "I'd like to join the foreign legion please." Its as simple as that really.

Did you get a feeling that you were expendable because you are Foreign?

Certainly not, we were elite soldiers and treated as such. Our loyalty was not to France or our own nations, it was to the Legion itself.

Did you get a feeling that you were expendable because you are Foreign?
The FOreign Legion is the most elite of the French forces, I dont know of any army that considers the elite expendable

whats the old saying "You can take the Legionnaire out of Ghana, but you can't take Ghana out of the Legionnaire."

Did you get a feeling that you were expendable because you are Foreign?

I think this was the attitude in the early days of the Legion, but since World War II the unit has been built up as an elite fighting force rather than an expendle pool of men.

whats the old saying "You can take the Legionnaire out of Ghana, but you can't take Ghana out of the Legionnaire."
And since it's French, sometimes you can't take the Legionnaires out of each other. :D

whats the old saying "You can take the Legionnaire out of Ghana, but you can't take Ghana out of the Legionnaire."

Thats Guiana not Ghana. Its where we went to do jungle training. Its a hell hole.

The FOreign Legion is the most elite of the French forces, I dont know of any army that considers the elite expendable

Somehting that I once heard a NCO say. Thats why there are more Foreign Legionnaire's deployed around the world than there are french troops deployed around the world.

And since it's French, sometimes you can't take the Legionnaires out of each other. :D

Try that and you would have been out. After a sound kicking from the rest of the guys. Not sure about the Greeks:D

Ollieland, did you get a kepi?

Both Grandfathers, Father, one of three uncles and two cousines (I've included police).

Grandfather on Father's side:
British Infantry, Intelligance officer based in India (pre-independance) and Jerusalem.

Grandfather on Mother's side:
British Murchant marines and the Rhodesian Police Reservists (Para-military)

Father
British Military resevist, British South Africa Police (Rhodesia), Rhodesian Military inteligance, BSAP/Britsh Army liaison officer, Zimbabwean Military reserve

Uncle
Rhodesian and Zimbabwean Airforces

Cousin #1
RAF

Cousin #2
West Yorkshire Police constabulary
Britsh Police

Ollieland, did you get a kepi?

Yes i still have my kepi blanc and my treasured green beret.

none that are currently alive but being of English-Russian decent I think its obvious I have had family in the military for both world wars and some time after

though all of that will change once I finish school:)

none that are currently alive but being of English-Russian decent I think its obvious I have had family in the military for both world wars and some time after

though all of that will change once I finish school:)
How so?

How so?

which statement are you referring to?

dad was in the air force, wanted to go to vietnam, but they wouldn't let him.

granddad on my mom's side didn't get to go because 1, he was a bit young, and 2. apparently had two brothers killed in WW2, apparently one of them was a submariner. The other grandad i didn't know too much about because he died when i was young from cancer. My great uncle who died when i was 15ish was apparently at the battle of the bulge. I'm sure i've had cousins and whatnot in now, i just don't know of them.

i was _this_ close (holds forefinger a mm apart from his thumb) from joining the air force. They took too long in getting back to me from the surgeon general. Don't know yet if i regret not joining anway.

Yes i still have my kepi blanc and my treasured green beret.
Awesome

5 years of service for a kepi, sounds liek a deal

How so?
I think he means that memebers of his family that are alive(him) will be in the military

which statement are you referring to?


This one:
... all of that will change once I finish school:)

This one:
see my avobe post

My father joined the military during vietnam, but would have been drafted if he hadn't. I put it down as 'conscripted,' because it was.

RAMBO! :D

Let me tell you I was always catching grief for wearing a hell rag in the field instead of my issue bushcap. Wearing the hell rag though was great in the bush. It never fell off your head (I’d have to tie my bush hat with paracord to my combat shirt epaulet to keep from losing it on night patrol if we got bumped); it kept your hair clean; you head warm; and kept the sweat out of your eyes. And yes there may have been a look cool factor. :)

If you read about my low opinion of officers in another thread, Eutrusca, take it to mean most regular force officers. I once got the opportunity to work with a SEAL Officer and he was a first rate professional and a pleasure to work for.

The Bruce

Thats Guiana not Ghana. Its where we went to do jungle training. Its a hell hole.

A couple buddies of mine joined the French Foreign Legion a few years back. None of them spoke French and I hope for their sake they were quick learners or the Legion would beat it into them. I was drinking one night with a bunch of guys joining the French Foreign Legion and most of them were Russian! I guess opportunities are few and far between in the Motherland. I've also heard of Gurkhas joining up...

I watched a documentary where they showed the team jungle obstacle course for the French Foreign Legion. I think the record in the French Foreign Legion was 45 minutes and a platoon of US marines took 8 hours! When you consider that Adventure Races like The Raid (called Eco-Challenge in America) started out as French Special Forces training, it should tell you that these guys are for real.

The Bruce

I assume by family member you mean immediate family? I think we all have some family member who served in the military...