What’s your favorite story from active-duty?

2018-05-01T17:17:03-04:00

After being all over the world, what stories stick with you the most?
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Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made May 1 at 2018 5:18 PM

2018-05-01T17:18:19-04:00

Drinking beer in Germany.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 2 at 2018 7:50 AM

2018-05-02T07:50:34-04:00

Shaking hands with a 3-star General after bringing all the officers to attention in the TOC. Very outstanding officer.

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made May 2 at 2018 11:14 AM

2018-05-02T11:14:20-04:00

Running into an officer in Turkey who's uncle lived on the same lake as I did in Northern Minnesota as a kid. I knew his uncle indirectly as the guy who had the only float plane on the lake.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made May 4 at 2018 11:20 AM

2018-05-04T11:20:58-04:00

Weh I was a commander downrange in a bare base buildup. I was the first to arrive and caught people at airports and terminals and no one knew what we were doing except building up a base. No one complained, they just did their job. However, the highlight was when I was able to get everyone together for a morning status update and was given the green light by Hq to tell folks why we were there. The pride blew up all over thier faces. It was an amazing moment that I willnever forget.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2018 5:33 PM

2018-05-05T17:33:05-04:00

Soldering in the 82nd. ABN Inf. Division, in the open country side.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made May 6 at 2018 8:40 PM

2018-05-06T20:40:29-04:00

Receiving my award from the CINCUNC on the ROC, along with my MUC (I). The next one was receiving appreciation in Hawaii from the USARPAC CDR following Hurricane Iniki and after the Mid-Planning Conference. I also remember negotiating peace at Panmunjom with the nKPA in the quansan huts straddling the MDL in the JSA at the DMZ, where nKPA are equipped with AK-47s and we only carry a 9mm.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made May 7 at 2018 10:11 AM

2018-05-07T10:11:31-04:00

Being on the space shuttle recovery team when I was stationed at Edwards.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made May 7 at 2018 2:59 PM

2018-05-07T14:59:25-04:00

Seeing Ft. Benning in my rear view mirror.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made May 8 at 2018 3:27 AM

2018-05-08T03:27:20-04:00

chuckles - my favorite story from active duty was whatever current "No shit, there I was" story was being circulated - but to get on with my favorite story - and its a little racy - back when I was gunner in 1-9 Cav, we were doing our gunnery exercises in the back 40 at Ft Hood, now - if anyone was an 11M and gone through gunnery, you know that there is a "jump net" that basically allows the trainers and everyone else that is on the jump net, to hear what commands are being given etc etc, well one particular driver was unaware that the jump net broadcasts to everyone on the net, and he decided that a little "me" time was in order in between his rotations - long story short - most of the Company gathered around his track and when he raised his hatch received a standing ovation of his performance on the net.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2018 7:59 PM

2018-05-08T19:59:54-04:00

Working IN foot hills of Hindu KUSH mountains, Kashmir Pakistani controlled and North western Frontier Pakistan. Then meeting GW Bush, his wife, Condi Rice and President of Pakistan.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made May 9 at 2018 3:09 PM

2018-05-09T15:09:51-04:00

Navy Federal Credit Union: I was a Squad Leader; and, I was marching my squad members along a sidewalk on base. Along came a Soldier; with a Massive chest of medals! I just Stared at that massive chest of medals; until I looked up! To my chagrin, a General was smiling down upon me. FINALLY, I saluted the General. I will Never forget that General for as long as I LIVE!

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made May 9 at 2018 7:34 PM

2018-05-09T19:34:10-04:00

A Paratrooper's Confession

Long before I joined the United States Army, I knew the paratrooper symbolized the 'soldier's soldier' and the elite of the Army. I had long respected and admired the man who wore the spit-shined jump boots and sported the silver wings of the paratrooper, but that had been the extent. My joining the Army in 1960 seemed to be the right thing to do because there was more to do in life than making a living just in one place.

Upon completing four years of service in 1964 I was assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina; the "Home of the Airborne." Because of my job specialty, I was assigned to a Signal outfit and during the subsequent four years I was continuously exposed to the Airborne way of life but did not avail myself of the opportunity to join this group. I had frequently imagined how the descent of a jump and the pride of being part of the elite would feel. I can truthfully say that being frightened was not the reason for my delaying Airborne school attendance. I had done many things in my boyhood and teen years that I consider just as dangerous and exhilarating as jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

After two tours in the Dominican Republic (with Fort Bragg being home base) and a tour in Germany and Vietnam, I again returned and was assigned to an Airborne unit slot. Shortly after my return, however, my mother passed away and I went on emergency leave to attend her funeral.

Later, while back at my job, I sensed a change of heart but was unable to ascertain why. In June of 1973, I attended Basic Airborne School at Fort Bragg, hoping to earn my wings.
The revelation came to me on the day that my jump wings were pinned to my chest, eleven months after my mother's passing. I then knew the real reason why I had refrained from becoming a paratrooper until now; it had been my mother!

First, I want to clarify--my mother had never indicated a concerned, deep fear for me on whatever tasks I did while in the Army, and second, she had never conveyed anything to me other than a mother's natural, "please be careful" attitude. In short, I was never hassled by her in connection with my duties. I can only narrow it down to this: I did not want to cause any additional or excessive worry where she would always be uncertain as to my well-being.

Had I not brought enough anxiety to her during my younger years? Moreover, letters to each other were the primary means of our communication, for my visits home averaged once every two to three years. I felt that she would constantly be on an edge, worrying about whether I had made a safe jump or not.
All along, I had thought the subtle pressures from my commander and peers were the reason why I finally decided to attend jump school.

Ironically, and sad to say, I was actually waiting for the time when Mom would not have to worry about me again.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made May 10 at 2018 10:38 AM

2018-05-10T10:38:16-04:00

Celebrating July 4th with some Royal Marines in Hong Kong.

Response by SMSgt Roy Dowdy made May 11 at 2018 7:17 PM

2018-05-11T19:17:22-04:00

Serving as Flight Engineer on the C-141 that airlifted the last American Hostage, Terry Anderson out of Damascus, Syria in December 1991 following six years of captivity by Hezbollah militants.

Response by CPT Don Kemp made May 12 at 2018 8:38 PM

2018-05-12T20:38:31-04:00

We were serving as Umpires for Reforger ‘80. Each LT had a jeep and driver and about 50 mapsheets. One particular LT was directionally challenged. We were all gathered at EENT when he called - he said he was in the right place and no one else was around. (He was the only one missing)
Toward the end of the exercise, we had camped in a German barn with all the vehicles parked around. This particular LT and his driver were packed and ready to go.....and then fell sound asleep. Some of my enterprising colleagues jacked up the rear end of his jeep and then yelled “Let’s Go” and ran around the corner. We were peeking to see the LT’s jeep start up, the engine roared, and nothing happened. The driver threw it into reverse, and nothing happened.
The German kids were laughing and pointing by then or they would still be there.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2018 1:51 AM

2018-05-13T01:51:41-04:00

Going to pathways. I went to Australia, Thailand and Japan. Good places for training, and a good place to visit, cause of that, it changed my view in the world.

Response by SGT Tim Tobin made May 15 at 2018 9:02 PM

2018-05-15T21:02:10-04:00

Believe it or not my best experience exposed me to a lot of history. I was in a small post in the mountains of Germany and a couple of guys and me went to Belgium just to look around. As we crested a hill in the middle of nowhere, there was a Garrison sized American flag blowing in the wind apparently in the middle of a forest. It turned out to be a huge cemetery to honor the troops that died during the Battle of the bulge. It included a large memorial in granite that had the whole battle carved in stone. It was breath taking. Also I was in a moutainus area that had many temnants of WW II.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2018 9:41 AM

2018-05-22T09:41:42-04:00

There was a time I was fighting with my mom so I stopped talking to her for awhile. Apparently she had contacted my unit and spoke to an NCO who I deployed with. Me and him worked together on an OP where I got to know him a little better. He had went on leave to see the birth of his kid. He told me he talked to my mom and told me "call your mom". a year a 2 later we went on another deployment and he stepped on a mine, becoming a KIA. and from then I always remember to call my mom.

Response by SPC David S. made May 23 at 2018 10:39 AM

2018-05-23T10:39:13-04:00

Really all from my father's service but meeting three U.S. Presidents and living on Ft. Monroe - Good times.

Response by SFC David Pope, MBA made May 23 at 2018 10:53 PM

2018-05-23T22:53:23-04:00

I would tell you, but it is still classified! Funny as Hell, but still classified!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2018 3:51 PM

2018-05-24T15:51:06-04:00

My roommate was running late for work. He was in fact running. As he started through a door he cradhed into non other than General Curtis LeMay. My roomie said "Sorry Sir I am late for work. General LeMay said then son you better be on your way.

Response by SFC Denver Druesedow made May 24 at 2018 7:39 PM

2018-05-24T19:39:09-04:00

A four star Air Force General was touring the Special Forces Operational Base with the Group Commander. He was asking everyone about their job. We had a buck sergeant reply that his job was a Gopher Piolet. The General asked him again what his job was with a puzzled expression on his face. the Sergeant replied I'm a Gopher piolet Sir, I go for this and go for that, and pile it here and plie there Sir. The Colonel turned bright red and the General laughed.

Response by SSG Rick Miller made May 30 at 2018 1:55 PM

2018-05-30T13:55:25-04:00

We were doing an airlift of a Launcher Zero Length in Germany, external on a Chinook. The sling let go, and that bad boy came crashing down. Broke the warhead off the missle, torqued swing bolts and all. CW3 maintenance officer said, and I quote, "You fuckers are going to have to pay for that LZL and missle." Completely deadpan. Funniest thing I ever saw.