45 years ago, a day I remember...

[Venturous Randy]

While dating my bride to be for a year, I started going to her church, which was a Seventh Day Adventist. Since I had been raised as a Southern Heathen, I took up her religion and noted it on my military records. This also gave me Saturday off and I attended the SDA church on base. There was only about ten of us that attended and the Pastor was, I believe, a Major. He was a really nice guy. He would always ask us if we had any problems and after being there about a month, I stayed after church and told him about my suitcase and how I never got an answer when I asked my TI about it. So, I left the church and went to chow and loafed my way back to the barracks.

When I got back to the barracks and walked upstairs, there stood my TI with my suitcase laying on my bunk. He looked at me and stated, while gritting his teeth; "Make sure that in the future that he completely understands my requests so we can make sure we get them resolved." He then went to his office. Evidently, the Major called our Squadron Commander, who was a 2nd Lieutenant and explained to him what my problem was and the 2nd Lieutenant called my TI and explained to him what my problem was. It was amazing how quick it got resolved.

Even though I now had our orders in hand, it did not matter anymore and because of this, all six of us would have to wait two more weeks at basic in a special barracks for "Personnel Awaiting Orders" for tech school.

to be continued...

RandyA

[Dragonslayer]

While dating my bride to be for a year, I started going to her church, which was a Seventh Day Adventist. Since I had been raised as a Southern Heathen, I took up her religion and noted it on my military records. This also gave me Saturday off and I attended the SDA church on base. There was only about ten of us that attended and the Pastor was, I believe, a Major. He was a really nice guy. He would always ask us if we had any problems and after being there about a month, I stayed after church and told him about my suitcase and how I never got an answer when I asked my TI about it. So, I left the church and went to chow and loafed my way back to the barracks.

When I got back to the barracks and walked upstairs, there stood my TI with my suitcase laying on my bunk. He looked at me and stated, while gritting his teeth; "Make sure that in the future that he completely understands my requests so we can make sure we get them resolved." He then went to his office. Evidently, the Major called our Squadron Commander, who was a 2nd Lieutenant and explained to him what my problem was and the 2nd Lieutenant called my TI and explained to him what my problem was. It was amazing how quick it got resolved.

Even though I now had our orders in hand, it did not matter anymore and because of this, all six of us would have to wait two more weeks at basic in a special barracks for "Personnel Awaiting Orders" for tech school.

to be continued...

RandyA

But, was it a boy or a girl? Enquiring minds want to know.

[Venturous Randy]

After figuring out how well it worked going thru the SDA pastor, the Major, I sat down with him and told him how I was going to have a delay for two weeks and how I had a situation with my SDA girlfriend. He was able to get me leave for several days and plane tickets back home to TN and then back to TX. This allowed me to come home and get married.

From basic, I went to Rantoul, IL, Chanute AFB, and spent about five months. I remember when I left TX it was in the 70's and when I got to IL, it must have been zero with snow blowing sideways. Being in the AF, we did not ride buses or trains, we flew, so it was a quick change in weather. One thought I had was if it is that cold in March, at least it should not be too hot in August. Boy, was I wrong.

One of my strong memories from there was the day I filled out my dream sheet, which was going to be my base for permanent duty. I requested Seymour Johnson AFB, which was in Goldsboro, NC, 50 miles from where my wife was, in New Bern, NC, who was living with her parents. The day I was informed that my orders were in, I remember walking to the office with great intrepidation, knowing I could be going anywhere. I must say that it was with great relief when I opened the packet and it was Goldsboro.

Two weeks after getting to SJAFB, my son was born. He turned out to be a good man and also rides an 86 Venture. I also have a grandson, who has an 83 Venture.

Like I say, sometimes things happen for a reason.

I would love to hear some of the stories that some of our other troops went thru.

RandyA

[Carbon_One]

I'm enjoying reading you guys experience's which confirms what some friends have told me over the years of theirs. Like Lewis I was dismissed the day I went in for the draft physical (hearing loss) thus missed having to go thru the Vietnam era war. As many have said some gave some , some gave all with their lives serving our country. I attended The Wall in DC a couple years ago and reading the names of fellow high school students who gave their lives there brought tears to my eyes. I for one certainly appreciate everyone who have served or are serving in any capacity in our military forces.

Larry

[etcswjoe]

While dating my bride to be for a year, I started going to her church, which was a Seventh Day Adventist. Since I had been raised as a Southern Heathen, I took up her religion and noted it on my military records. This also gave me Saturday off and I attended the SDA church on base. There was only about ten of us that attended and the Pastor was, I believe, a Major. He was a really nice guy. He would always ask us if we had any problems and after being there about a month, I stayed after church and told him about my suitcase and how I never got an answer when I asked my TI about it. So, I left the church and went to chow and loafed my way back to the barracks.

When I got back to the barracks and walked upstairs, there stood my TI with my suitcase laying on my bunk. He looked at me and stated, while gritting his teeth; "Make sure that in the future that he completely understands my requests so we can make sure we get them resolved." He then went to his office. Evidently, the Major called our Squadron Commander, who was a 2nd Lieutenant and explained to him what my problem was and the 2nd Lieutenant called my TI and explained to him what my problem was. It was amazing how quick it got resolved.

Even though I now had our orders in hand, it did not matter anymore and because of this, all six of us would have to wait two more weeks at basic in a special barracks for "Personnel Awaiting Orders" for tech school.

to be continued...

RandyA

 

Suitecase??? We were not allowed to bring anything except ourselves.

[etcswjoe]

From basic, I went to Rantoul, IL, Chanute AFB

RandyA

 

I went to Weather Equipment Maintenance School at Chanute boy was it cold, It was interesting being a sailor on an Air Force base.

[etcswjoe]

There was 4 inches of snow on the ground when I reported to MEPS in Nashville, TN. We took a bus to the airport and flew to Orlando, Fl for Navy Basic Training. My company commander was and Electrician's Mate 1st Class (E-6) and I learned a whole bunch of new words the first day there (most of them cannot be repeated here...lol). My mother said I would be out within 6 months and my sister said they would kick me out before the year was out. 33 years later, They finally told me to go home.

 

 

...and you are still working for the Navy.

[Prairiehammer]

A hot Aug day, (25 Aug)

 

I too enlisted on 25AUG72. Because I opted for a Delayed Enlistment, I didn't actually go in until 25OCT72.

Basic was at Ft. Polk, LA (Bravo-4-2).

[Venturous Randy]

Suitecase??? We were not allowed to bring anything except ourselves.

 

After about a month, we were allowed an off day and I went to the Alamo and some other places. I don't remember wearing my uniform. Another memory I have is walking into the Alamo and on the wall was a picture of Davy Crockett's birthplace, which is about 15 miles from my house. Boy, was I homesick then.

RandyA

[cowpuc]

After figuring out how well it worked going thru the SDA pastor, the Major, I sat down with him and told him how I was going to have a delay for two weeks and how I had a situation with my SDA girlfriend. He was able to get me leave for several days and plane tickets back home to TN and then back to TX. This allowed me to come home and get married.

From basic, I went to Rantoul, IL, Chanute AFB, and spent about five months. I remember when I left TX it was in the 70's and when I got to IL, it must have been zero with snow blowing sideways. Being in the AF, we did not ride buses or trains, we flew, so it was a quick change in weather. One thought I had was if it is that cold in March, at least it should not be too hot in August. Boy, was I wrong.

One of my strong memories from there was the day I filled out my dream sheet, which was going to be my base for permanent duty. I requested Seymour Johnson AFB, which was in Goldsboro, NC, 50 miles from where my wife was, in New Bern, NC, who was living with her parents. The day I was informed that my orders were in, I remember walking to the office with great intrepidation, knowing I could be going anywhere. I must say that it was with great relief when I opened the packet and it was Goldsboro.

Two weeks after getting to SJAFB, my son was born. He turned out to be a good man and also rides an 86 Venture. I also have a grandson, who has an 83 Venture.

Like I say, sometimes things happen for a reason.

I would love to hear some of the stories that some of our other troops went thru.

RandyA

 

I bet that Pastor Major told you time and again,, have no fear - with God on your side all will work out and now looking back, IT DID!! A "good man" for a son who rides an 86 Venture, a GRANDSON who also rides a Venture AND them having a "good man" patriot patriarch who is still able to ride with them - dont get much better than that.. The military may have its faults Randy but I gotta say, some of the best people I know are those who, like yourself, served!!

I too would love to hear others stories!!

 

 

After about a month, we were allowed an off day and I went to the Alamo and some other places. I don't remember wearing my uniform. Another memory I have is walking into the Alamo and on the wall was a picture of Davy Crockett's birthplace, which is about 15 miles from my house. Boy, was I homesick then.

RandyA

 

I cant even imagine the homesickness all you guys and girls who served/are serving went thru.. I read somewhere of the numbers of "kids" under 18 who snuck into the military during WW2, being an "adult" and having those emotions kick in - can you imagine what those kids went thru...

The Alamo (and San Antonio) are on our bucket list for touring, now we will think of you when we finally make it down there!!

[frodotoo]

I remember induction day in 1973, filling out the paperwork, got down to the signature line and the recruiter made a smart ass remark about how we were signing our life away at that point. So I started thinking, well maybe I'll just write some one else's name. And just like that I put thought to action and wrote a different last name. How embarrassing, he made me fill out the form over since I couldn't cross anything out.

 

Standing in front of the mirror in boot camp watching the guy in front of me getting his grizz. Admiring my long hair curling about my shoulders, and then it was my turn and the barber made a point of it to cut it off and then drop it in my lap. Then getting yelled at by the Seabee Senior Chief company commander for having long sideburns. I didn't realize I could have asked for a shave as well (NOT!)

[Venturous Randy]

 

 

 

I cant even imagine the homesickness all you guys and girls who served/are serving went thru.. I read somewhere of the numbers of "kids" under 18 who snuck into the military during WW2, being an "adult" and having those emotions kick in - can you imagine what those kids went thru...

The Alamo (and San Antonio) are on our bucket list for touring, now we will think of you when we finally make it down there!!

 

My dad joined the Navy at 16 and was in Times Square when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He was at Quadal Canal when it ended.

I remember looking at my grandson when he was 16 and could not imagine him going into the military at that age.

RandyA

[Yammer Dan]

I had been married 4 months when I went. I think thoughts of her helped me thru it.

[Mike G in SC]

There was 4 inches of snow on the ground when I reported to MEPS in Nashville, TN. We took a bus to the airport and flew to Orlando, Fl for Navy Basic Training. My company commander was and Electrician's Mate 1st Class (E-6) and I learned a whole bunch of new words the first day there (most of them cannot be repeated here...lol). My mother said I would be out within 6 months and my sister said they would kick me out before the year was out. 33 years later, They finally told me to go home.

 

ETCSWJoe,,,, and he still works for the Navy?

 

Yeah, kind of,, Steve is now a teacher, in uniform,,,, heading the NROTC at one of the largest high schools in Columbia, SC. Oh,,, and we made him new president of our STAR chapter.

Thanks, Steve Anderjack.