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And now something of a more personal nature, because of the day.. I remember...
The smell of the gas in that damned concrete building during basic. Made me sick as a dog.
Naming my M16 Vlad Tepes in Basic Training, and being SO DAMNED PROUD when I got it I just HAD to call home and tell my dad.
While in AIT, that time I climbed up Redrocks while in Colorado and looked down on the amphitheater there. It was awesome, it was gorgeous, it started snowing and I almost slipped a couple times getting down. Had to call my mom that night and ask her if she'd felt anything 'funny' that day because I almost died. And I thought it was funny.
AIT - going to the enlisted ball with my dearest friend Richard. We looked SMOKING in that 80's shiny clothes way (still got the photo) and I remember he almost didn't go with me because his friends were hassling him because he couldn't find someone 'right' to go with. He was black you see. I always felt very honored that he decided to come with me, and be seen in public, despite what others thought. To this day, if I got the call I'd be there for that man.
I remember watching the young marine dance on top of the pool table in the common room to the voice of Joan Jett singing 'I love Rock and Roll'. And man, the young marine guys blushed so easilly too!
Remember getting kicked out of bars because I was way too young (wonder if the Rush and the Gold Rush are still alive and kicking in the Aurora/Denver area of CO?) And of course, cannot forget Colfax Ave and the EVERY Friday night showing of Rocky Horror. It was a religion for us, almost.
Being so proud to wear my uniform home for the first time, and show my family I'd made it. And even prouder to wear my uniform to my great-grandfather's funeral, because he'd served too. I felt a link to him, and to my Dad, that I still can't describe.
Remember Germany, what it felt like to walk into a church that was built in the 11th century, when my entire country was only 200 years old.
The Wall, and Fulda Gap. Oh man, that one post that had a chain necklace around it - but WOE to the person who touched it. They had their weapons trained on us, and we had ours trained on them.
The 'demonstration'riot outside the Airbase. And guarding the side gate with an M16 and live rounds, waiting for the demonstrators/rioters to show up where I was. Only a few people actually tried to walk around, but it was still scary as hell for me. Not that I would get hurt, but that I would actually have to use my weapon to hurt or kill someone.
The bombing of the club I had gone dancing in. And oh yea, the riot at the Eagle's Nest, the old enlisted club on Wiesbaden Air Base. I swear I had nothing to do with that one. It was my friends at 29th S & S. My Sgt Major finally coming to me and saying 'I'd been looking for the person responsible, and all the time you were in my company.' (oops) And then he made the mistake of saying it was what I had on that caused the actions. And I had to set him to rights, respectfully of course. "No Sgt Major, it doesn't matter if I was wearing a black leather mini skirt. No one has the right to touch me without my permission. Doesn't matter what I wear or don't wear. If I say no, I MEAN NO. (And to this day, if you try to sandwich me in between two people? I'm gonna pop someone.)
Chernobyl - who can forget the winds that blew over Europe, and of course eventually Germany as well? And you ask why I say I have mutant children?
The wonderful time I had during an exchange program, for a week picking grapes for a local winery and learning how it was made. And my army buddy Theresa Donnelly and I, going to the little shop there in Wiesbaden and getting pleasantly plastered with the locals. They didn't know a bit of english, we sure didn't know german yet - but we sang and held arms, and hugged until it was blue-o-clock in the morning. I still know the song 'bottle of wine' thanks to her, and yes I can still sing it. *wink*
Walking in the underground tunnels between the buildings in the Wiesbaden Hospital complex. Very very cool.
Getting a 4 day pass and hitching a ride on a C130 that touched down on our base to drop off marines - hanging out with the crew of the plane and going to Spain. They put Lt bars on me, and I went to the Rota Spain officer's club, had my first drink of Jose Caballero (man I misspelled that one) got a motel room, walked the beaches, got a ride to see Portugal, all on less than 20 bucks total american and german money. And no, didn't have to sleep with someone to do it. Called my mom up at 3 AM and said "hey mom guess what?" What? "I'm drunk." Oh that's nice dear. "Hey mom guess what?" What? "I'M IN SPAAAAAAAAIIIIN!"
Taking a train down to Kitzigen (did I spell that right?) and was minding my business talking to an AF dependant, when some lady with a thick German accent (ok, no duh, I was stationed there right?) ask me if I was in the Army. When I said yes, she started yelling and calling me a murderer and a baby killer (say WHAT? I was an ILLUSTRATOR) and telling me to get the hell out of her country. My reply? I didn't want to be there, they'd requested I come over to her country and help defend it.. "Oh, and hey, do you speak russian?" No "Then you better thank your lucky stars lady, because without us here you would be." I was kind of a brat back then.
Finding out I was pregnant (and yes, my baby's father was enlisted also), and not calling home or talking to anyone about it for weeks... avoiding my mother until she finally called the CQ and confronted me on the phone. "What is it? Either it's drugs or your pregnant." "Mom, I don't do drugs." "Then you're pregnant, fine we can handle that."
Re-enlisting at Ft Hood, my son in my arms and we both raised our hands when they had me speak the oath. Gods, wish I could find that picture.
Thinking (and to this day I still think that) 1st LT's make really good Spc 4's. But give me a Warrent Officer ANY TIME.
As a single parent, being separated from my oldest son for 14 months, and being freaking PISSED because I had my will made out, and was training in full MOPP gear in Texas in the summer to go to Saudi and Kuwait; and they kept pushing my company back a few weeks here, a month there to send over Reservists and National Guardsmen who were only qualifying with weapons once or 2ce a year - and using stupid 22 conversion kits on their M16's. Still the stupidest mistake I think the army makes today. Hello, send over the people who train year round for this and use the Reservists and National Guard to cover back home for the Regular guys.
My boyfriend, one of the 1LT's of 2AD and I trading insignia one day on our way home, just so we could see what it was like. (shhhh, we were baaad doobies)
Moving in and bunking with my friends Mark and Eric after I gave up my place when my son got sent home during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Between the 3 of us, we could afford a nice 3 bdroom place where our CO SGM and his family lived. We were all E4's, Mark was in 3 Corps HHC G1, I was the 3 Corps HHC G2 Illustrator, and Eric was in 3 Corps HHC G3. Between the three of us? We knew EVERYTHING going on. Not to mention that I was into sharp pointy things, Mark was quietly geeky and freaking into very big and bad high powered weapons (got my valentines prezzie WPP-S from him) and Eric? Eric was just A-1 god-almighty HUGE and psychotic. There used to be a joke going around that if someone broke into our place? If I didn't stab 'em, and Kevin didn't shoot 'em? Eric would just rip them apart.
Sleeping under my desk, just in case they needed me to write, or type, or illustrate something for one of those midnight meetings that used to come from out of nowhere. And they did come out of nowhere too. I slept there A LOT.
My last two weeks working for G-2 before end of enlistment, and finally having an affair with that handsome Major in my chain of command that had been flirting with me for months. Yea, bad me, bad bad me. (and yes, am saying this with a smile on my face)
Having a civilian roomie who worked for the newspapers, and finding out from her that just about an ENTIRE company of reservists from LA deserted and went home en mass because they did not like the training. Just so happens that a brother-in-law of one of the reservists was at the bus stop when the guys arrived home, and he worked for one of the local newspapers. So yea, it went out over the wires rather quickly. AND I was able to get this information to my Col, LTC BLAIR, and from him to Gen Graves before the Gen had a news conf that afternoon. Turns out the Gen knew, but had no clue that the papers had gotten ahold of the information already. *BIG KUDOS POINTS FOR ME THERE*
Thanksgiving day - motorpool guard duty. Hoo-freaking-rah.
Calling home, and trying to sound cheerful when telling my mom and my son 'no, can't tell you when I'm leaving, but it will be soon, I love you take care.' Then calling back a week to ten days later and saying 'no, we've been delayed, can't tell you when I'm leaving, or where I'm going, but I love you and take care.' And I did this for MONTHS.
The song "Under Pressure" by Bowie and Queen. Still a favorite today. Kevin and I used to sing it EVERY night when getting out of work on the way home. And playing 'Disposable Heros' by Metallica WAY TOO LOUD every time the chain of command or the politicians in charge did something I thought was massively stupid, wasteful or fucked up. ... I played that song a lot sometimes.
Getting wasted with my army buddies and singing arm in arm to "Blaze of Glory" by Jon Bon Jovi. And believing it too. And yes, Lee Greenwood. Of COURSE Lee Greenwood.
I could go on, but my hands are tired of typing, and my memory needs a break.
***
I spent 6 years active. Two in the reserves. To this day I am glad I did it, and yea, I'd do it all again. But what sucks? My oldest son (just 18) wants to go in now, either the Army or Marines. And yes, it continues a tradition started back during WW1 for my family, a tradition that I am proud to be part of. But God help me I don't want my baby going in the military now.
Doesn't matter what the politicians say, or who's right or wrong. I will always support the military, even if I don't agree who's in charge of them. Like the bumper sticker and the song says 'All gave some, some gave all.' And I am honored, very, very honored to have been a very small part of a very great and proud family.
Happy Veteran's Day, people.
The smell of the gas in that damned concrete building during basic. Made me sick as a dog.
Naming my M16 Vlad Tepes in Basic Training, and being SO DAMNED PROUD when I got it I just HAD to call home and tell my dad.
While in AIT, that time I climbed up Redrocks while in Colorado and looked down on the amphitheater there. It was awesome, it was gorgeous, it started snowing and I almost slipped a couple times getting down. Had to call my mom that night and ask her if she'd felt anything 'funny' that day because I almost died. And I thought it was funny.
AIT - going to the enlisted ball with my dearest friend Richard. We looked SMOKING in that 80's shiny clothes way (still got the photo) and I remember he almost didn't go with me because his friends were hassling him because he couldn't find someone 'right' to go with. He was black you see. I always felt very honored that he decided to come with me, and be seen in public, despite what others thought. To this day, if I got the call I'd be there for that man.
I remember watching the young marine dance on top of the pool table in the common room to the voice of Joan Jett singing 'I love Rock and Roll'. And man, the young marine guys blushed so easilly too!
Remember getting kicked out of bars because I was way too young (wonder if the Rush and the Gold Rush are still alive and kicking in the Aurora/Denver area of CO?) And of course, cannot forget Colfax Ave and the EVERY Friday night showing of Rocky Horror. It was a religion for us, almost.
Being so proud to wear my uniform home for the first time, and show my family I'd made it. And even prouder to wear my uniform to my great-grandfather's funeral, because he'd served too. I felt a link to him, and to my Dad, that I still can't describe.
Remember Germany, what it felt like to walk into a church that was built in the 11th century, when my entire country was only 200 years old.
The Wall, and Fulda Gap. Oh man, that one post that had a chain necklace around it - but WOE to the person who touched it. They had their weapons trained on us, and we had ours trained on them.
The 'demonstration'
The bombing of the club I had gone dancing in. And oh yea, the riot at the Eagle's Nest, the old enlisted club on Wiesbaden Air Base. I swear I had nothing to do with that one. It was my friends at 29th S & S. My Sgt Major finally coming to me and saying 'I'd been looking for the person responsible, and all the time you were in my company.' (oops) And then he made the mistake of saying it was what I had on that caused the actions. And I had to set him to rights, respectfully of course. "No Sgt Major, it doesn't matter if I was wearing a black leather mini skirt. No one has the right to touch me without my permission. Doesn't matter what I wear or don't wear. If I say no, I MEAN NO. (And to this day, if you try to sandwich me in between two people? I'm gonna pop someone.)
Chernobyl - who can forget the winds that blew over Europe, and of course eventually Germany as well? And you ask why I say I have mutant children?
The wonderful time I had during an exchange program, for a week picking grapes for a local winery and learning how it was made. And my army buddy Theresa Donnelly and I, going to the little shop there in Wiesbaden and getting pleasantly plastered with the locals. They didn't know a bit of english, we sure didn't know german yet - but we sang and held arms, and hugged until it was blue-o-clock in the morning. I still know the song 'bottle of wine' thanks to her, and yes I can still sing it. *wink*
Walking in the underground tunnels between the buildings in the Wiesbaden Hospital complex. Very very cool.
Getting a 4 day pass and hitching a ride on a C130 that touched down on our base to drop off marines - hanging out with the crew of the plane and going to Spain. They put Lt bars on me, and I went to the Rota Spain officer's club, had my first drink of Jose Caballero (man I misspelled that one) got a motel room, walked the beaches, got a ride to see Portugal, all on less than 20 bucks total american and german money. And no, didn't have to sleep with someone to do it. Called my mom up at 3 AM and said "hey mom guess what?" What? "I'm drunk." Oh that's nice dear. "Hey mom guess what?" What? "I'M IN SPAAAAAAAAIIIIN!"
Taking a train down to Kitzigen (did I spell that right?) and was minding my business talking to an AF dependant, when some lady with a thick German accent (ok, no duh, I was stationed there right?) ask me if I was in the Army. When I said yes, she started yelling and calling me a murderer and a baby killer (say WHAT? I was an ILLUSTRATOR) and telling me to get the hell out of her country. My reply? I didn't want to be there, they'd requested I come over to her country and help defend it.. "Oh, and hey, do you speak russian?" No "Then you better thank your lucky stars lady, because without us here you would be." I was kind of a brat back then.
Finding out I was pregnant (and yes, my baby's father was enlisted also), and not calling home or talking to anyone about it for weeks... avoiding my mother until she finally called the CQ and confronted me on the phone. "What is it? Either it's drugs or your pregnant." "Mom, I don't do drugs." "Then you're pregnant, fine we can handle that."
Re-enlisting at Ft Hood, my son in my arms and we both raised our hands when they had me speak the oath. Gods, wish I could find that picture.
Thinking (and to this day I still think that) 1st LT's make really good Spc 4's. But give me a Warrent Officer ANY TIME.
As a single parent, being separated from my oldest son for 14 months, and being freaking PISSED because I had my will made out, and was training in full MOPP gear in Texas in the summer to go to Saudi and Kuwait; and they kept pushing my company back a few weeks here, a month there to send over Reservists and National Guardsmen who were only qualifying with weapons once or 2ce a year - and using stupid 22 conversion kits on their M16's. Still the stupidest mistake I think the army makes today. Hello, send over the people who train year round for this and use the Reservists and National Guard to cover back home for the Regular guys.
My boyfriend, one of the 1LT's of 2AD and I trading insignia one day on our way home, just so we could see what it was like. (shhhh, we were baaad doobies)
Moving in and bunking with my friends Mark and Eric after I gave up my place when my son got sent home during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Between the 3 of us, we could afford a nice 3 bdroom place where our CO SGM and his family lived. We were all E4's, Mark was in 3 Corps HHC G1, I was the 3 Corps HHC G2 Illustrator, and Eric was in 3 Corps HHC G3. Between the three of us? We knew EVERYTHING going on. Not to mention that I was into sharp pointy things, Mark was quietly geeky and freaking into very big and bad high powered weapons (got my valentines prezzie WPP-S from him) and Eric? Eric was just A-1 god-almighty HUGE and psychotic. There used to be a joke going around that if someone broke into our place? If I didn't stab 'em, and Kevin didn't shoot 'em? Eric would just rip them apart.
Sleeping under my desk, just in case they needed me to write, or type, or illustrate something for one of those midnight meetings that used to come from out of nowhere. And they did come out of nowhere too. I slept there A LOT.
My last two weeks working for G-2 before end of enlistment, and finally having an affair with that handsome Major in my chain of command that had been flirting with me for months. Yea, bad me, bad bad me. (and yes, am saying this with a smile on my face)
Having a civilian roomie who worked for the newspapers, and finding out from her that just about an ENTIRE company of reservists from LA deserted and went home en mass because they did not like the training. Just so happens that a brother-in-law of one of the reservists was at the bus stop when the guys arrived home, and he worked for one of the local newspapers. So yea, it went out over the wires rather quickly. AND I was able to get this information to my Col, LTC BLAIR, and from him to Gen Graves before the Gen had a news conf that afternoon. Turns out the Gen knew, but had no clue that the papers had gotten ahold of the information already. *BIG KUDOS POINTS FOR ME THERE*
Thanksgiving day - motorpool guard duty. Hoo-freaking-rah.
Calling home, and trying to sound cheerful when telling my mom and my son 'no, can't tell you when I'm leaving, but it will be soon, I love you take care.' Then calling back a week to ten days later and saying 'no, we've been delayed, can't tell you when I'm leaving, or where I'm going, but I love you and take care.' And I did this for MONTHS.
The song "Under Pressure" by Bowie and Queen. Still a favorite today. Kevin and I used to sing it EVERY night when getting out of work on the way home. And playing 'Disposable Heros' by Metallica WAY TOO LOUD every time the chain of command or the politicians in charge did something I thought was massively stupid, wasteful or fucked up. ... I played that song a lot sometimes.
Getting wasted with my army buddies and singing arm in arm to "Blaze of Glory" by Jon Bon Jovi. And believing it too. And yes, Lee Greenwood. Of COURSE Lee Greenwood.
I could go on, but my hands are tired of typing, and my memory needs a break.
***
I spent 6 years active. Two in the reserves. To this day I am glad I did it, and yea, I'd do it all again. But what sucks? My oldest son (just 18) wants to go in now, either the Army or Marines. And yes, it continues a tradition started back during WW1 for my family, a tradition that I am proud to be part of. But God help me I don't want my baby going in the military now.
Doesn't matter what the politicians say, or who's right or wrong. I will always support the military, even if I don't agree who's in charge of them. Like the bumper sticker and the song says 'All gave some, some gave all.' And I am honored, very, very honored to have been a very small part of a very great and proud family.
Happy Veteran's Day, people.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-11-11 08:20 pm (UTC)From:Your stories, though I was never in, I was a military wife, ring true. Thanks for them.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-12 01:13 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2006-11-11 10:54 pm (UTC)From:Happy Veteran's Day babe! and that's the first time I ever said that.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-12 01:15 pm (UTC)From:BTW, Have a Peaceful WW2 Rememberance Sunday, and I pray for all our sakes that there is not a #III.
*hugs* And yes, that's the first time I've ever said that too.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-12 12:25 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2006-11-12 01:16 pm (UTC)From:AND CONGRATULATIONS DAN!!!!!! *WHOOOOO!
no subject
Date: 2006-11-12 02:50 am (UTC)From:Thanks for sharing. :)
no subject
Date: 2006-11-12 01:16 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2006-11-12 01:25 pm (UTC)From:Thank you for showing me that most soldiers are really human after all. :)
OOC now because I'm too lazy to change accounts. *g*
Date: 2006-11-12 01:30 pm (UTC)From:We're human Pat, sometimes too much so. I made so many stupid mistakes back then.. and wow. I still can't believe I survived some of them.
*hugs*
Re: OOC now because I'm too lazy to change accounts. *g*
Date: 2006-11-12 01:37 pm (UTC)From:I'm glad you survived too. *Hugs back*
*g*
Date: 2006-11-12 01:44 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2006-11-13 03:05 pm (UTC)From:Thank you for sharing your memories. I thank you for what you have done. though... this post makes me wistful...
Hugs
no subject
Date: 2006-11-13 03:40 pm (UTC)From:And yea, like someone told me, my memories aren't all that 'gunpowder and camo' but those are the times that I recall from back then. Don't want to forget 'em either.
You were in Rota too! The beaches were soooo outstanding!