Posted on Sep 18, 2013
Where were you during 9/11? What has changed in 20 years?
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This question is geared toward those who were in the service when this happened, (Old Guy/Gals I know...)however all responses are welcome.
History (Major)
Terrorism
Osama Bin Laden
Al Qaeda
Experience
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 654
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I was in Korea, I got woken up about a recall but no time or location was mention, I assumed the CQ made a mistake and called the wrong unit. Then my NCO called told me there was no formation until 0800 and I had better turn on the TV any channel.
Saw the towers collapse me and my roommate look at each other realize the shit was on now. We each drink one beer from the fridge knowing it would likely be our last chance for a month or two.
I walk down the block to buy a phone card in an attempt to call home. Got yelled at by an LT who thought the post was on lock down(it was not), bought the phone card was unable to get through to home.
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3 am at the MPRC at Schofield Barracks, some nugget from the TOC told us what was going on, we pullled out of the field a couple hours later. Ate chow at the Company, cleaned out gear and were released at night. We were at FPCON Delta, but everybody came on post for PT, the lines were miles long and cars were parked everywhere outside the gates because the MPs were searching every car.
We were not prepared, DIV had no idea what to do. The other BDE was doing EIB and they were guarding the hospital and housing areas the night of the 11th.
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I was in JRTC training for a tour in Kosovo...I was in "guard" in a tower at the time and the SOG came by and told us to stop anyone without a "green card" from coming into the base. I pointed out we only had blanks...and was told that "they don't know that" lol
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I was serving on my first ship. In the Navy, usually a young enlisted service member will report to his/her first ship, and then spend a few months working for the supply department in the galley serving mashed potatoes with an ice cream scoop, scrubbing pots/pans in the scullery, swabbing the deck on the mess decks, etc.
In my case, the Captain requested that I work in the Wardroom and serve the officers three meals a day.
As much as I wanted to be working on my guns and learning about armory, my job was to always ensure the Captain's coffee mug was full and the officers' living quarters were clean, so I treated the job as professionally as any other (with internal protest of course).
On 11 Sep 01, shortly after serving breakfast, we watched the events in real time from within that same Wardroom. My Captain said to me:
“Gunner, go get changed and head to the armory... ...looks like we’re going to be busy for a few years... ...I'll pour my own damn coffee from now on!”
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I am going to make you feel very old. But I was in elementary school, but I do remember it. I mostly remember not understanding what was going on, but they didn't tell us anything at school until I came home.
My dad has been a firefighter for almost his whole life. I remember him sitting me down and trying to put in a kids terms. I just remember him saying that the fireman have a thing called a TPASS alarm, so when you stop moving it emits high beeps to alert people you haven't moved for like a minute. I just remember hearing those and even as a kid being shocked. I may have not understood but I wanted to help and join the army. Haven't looked back since.
My dad has been a firefighter for almost his whole life. I remember him sitting me down and trying to put in a kids terms. I just remember him saying that the fireman have a thing called a TPASS alarm, so when you stop moving it emits high beeps to alert people you haven't moved for like a minute. I just remember hearing those and even as a kid being shocked. I may have not understood but I wanted to help and join the army. Haven't looked back since.
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I am an old guy as stated above so I will reserve my comments to say.
THANK YOU for all those who joined since 9-11. You joined during a time of war and knew what you may be getting into. So again I say thank you for your service regardless of branch or in the Reserves/National Guard. You have all proven you worth beyond any generation.
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I was getting ready for school, my mom was pretty scared so she let us kids stay home. that's the day I decided to join the Army.
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Cpl Adam Campbell
I was on a desert training mission (Highland Thunder) in 29 Palms, California. We were put on lock-down with threat of deployment immediately.
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SSG Michael H.
I was in USMC Boot Camp on laundry duty. We were listening to the news of it on the radio. I was at the half way point.
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I was dead tired from a night of staff duty. Anticipating being relieved when we saw the news. Needless to say we were all shocked when we saw what happened. Also we had to work the next staff duty shift due to the post being shut down. This started months of QRF, gate guard etc. But it was all worth it to ensure the saftey of the post.
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I had only been at Ft. Knox 2 weeks and had just returned home from Staff Duty. I showered, changed and sat down to catch the morning news with my wife when the first tower was hit. It took me 3 days until I was allowed to get back on base because the MP at the gate said I was not " mission essential" At the time I was a SSG in charge of wheeled vehicle maintenance for all the basic training units equipment.
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Sitting in a hospital with my newborn baby girl at that time. then got the phone call that my father are on a flight from New York to LA. I glad to hear that me father was ok but still had to call my mother to tell here that I had just join the Army, and she was a grandmother all in the same day.
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