Posted on Dec 1, 2014
If America needs you again, would you be willing to return to active duty one grade lower?
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If you read Once an Eagle, you know the hero was up and down in permanent and temporary ranks based on the needs of the military...but you might not know that one of my personal heroes, Gen. Andrew Goodpaster (SACEUR) took a downgrade to 3- star rank to command his beloved West Point. If we had full mobilization or even partial mobilization, what about you?
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Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 146
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The answer is no, I would not come in as a lower rank...sorry I earned all of this.
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I would return to service today if they would take me, disabiliity and all. I even tried to reenlist during Desert Storm in hopes of keeping my oldest son from having to go. I was however, too old at the time. When his mother told him what I was trying to do, he was furious with me. He wanted to go. In retrospect, I saw I was wrong for trying to protect him and not allowing him to be his own man and serve as I had. Still, I would go back in a minute. Even at my age, I feel I could be of use in some capactity.
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Sure but it would be interesting to see old school integrate with new school. If it comes to needing me getting in the fight we're in big trouble. Hopefully they would make me an 90 day wonder butter bar and give me a platoon of scouts.
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SPC David S.
President has no bearing on my decision. Its more motivated in other troopers asses on the line. If I'm back in I would bet there would be some real greenhorns. I can see it all now. Me as a LT with a busted up platoon completely surrounded and about to be over ran. A scared private asking me what the hell we're going to do. As I calmly empty my canteen I look him dead in the eyes and tell him, "Go asked top for some grid squares, we're gonna need them."
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I'd go if they asked me to...or ordered me to I suppose. But I'd be in for hell on the home front. Probably a divorce would be in the makings.
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PO3 (Join to see)
I think the problem in my home would be that my wife would see me as leaving her with 4 kids under 10 years old to care for by herself while I gallivanted off to have fun and kill commies (or whomever the enemy may be). She'd see it as me getting a fun "adventure" vacation!
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Well, the spirit is willing but the body might not stand up to it at 82! Â I thought long and hard before discharge.Â
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I'd answer the call. I wouldn't be particularly happy about it, but I'd answer the call.
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@53 yrs young, not sure how effective I would be, However, if the Call to Arms needed my presence, I would serve again, even if it was to help in training others. Whatever it would take.
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CW3 Eddy Vleugels
It's certainly an interesting question; off the cuff, I would say NO. I think the last 10 years since my retirement I have gained much experience and would hope to be able to retain my grade or even come in at a higher grade. That's just how I feel, but in reality I would think it would probably be the same grade. I wouldn't mind sporting some CW5 rank...lol...I often wonder if i could have achieved that rank had I stayed in. We'll never know.
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MSgt Scott Gaston
Given a choice possibly; however I had almost 9 years time in grade as a MSGT when I retired. I realize that was 19 years ago, but I did go back to the Middle East (Bagram, K-2, and As Sayliyah) for 44 months as a Logistics and Transportation Contractor...I guess I would given the trade off that I didn't have to run my fat old A$$ to the bunker anymore! I'd sign a waiver that stated it was God's will if they actually hit me after missing the last 26 times...Getting too old for that!!!
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I would be willing to come back as whatever rank they would give me. As long as I could put on a uniform again I wouldn't care what job or what rank.
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