It was 20 years ago today...
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It was 20 years ago today...
I know this may be of little interest to anyone beyond myself...but it was 20 years ago today (20 October) that I entered active duty in the USAF.
I was 18 years old, hadn't a clue but luckily was smart enough to know I could make productive use of at least the first four years after high school in the Air Force.
I completed my first enlistment, spending two years in the UK and a year and a half in Idaho, then went on to college and came back as a commissioned officer.
By shere chance I am also currently stationed at the same place where I came onto active service two decades ago, so, to commemorate the occasion, I drove out to the barracks where I completed basic training, raised a fine scotch blend in a glass I got upon completing parachute training with the Slovak Special Forces in 1994, and said a toast and a prayer for my fellow members of 3704th Basic Military Training Squadron, Flight 515.
God bless each and every one of us!
Now it is 20 years down the road, I have seen and done more than I could have even imagined as an 18 year old, and I am still ready for more. And it beats packing groceries at the local supermarket!
Cheers!
I was 18 years old, hadn't a clue but luckily was smart enough to know I could make productive use of at least the first four years after high school in the Air Force.
I completed my first enlistment, spending two years in the UK and a year and a half in Idaho, then went on to college and came back as a commissioned officer.
By shere chance I am also currently stationed at the same place where I came onto active service two decades ago, so, to commemorate the occasion, I drove out to the barracks where I completed basic training, raised a fine scotch blend in a glass I got upon completing parachute training with the Slovak Special Forces in 1994, and said a toast and a prayer for my fellow members of 3704th Basic Military Training Squadron, Flight 515.
God bless each and every one of us!
Now it is 20 years down the road, I have seen and done more than I could have even imagined as an 18 year old, and I am still ready for more. And it beats packing groceries at the local supermarket!
Cheers!
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Nice sentiments, Major, and my congrats too. Oh to be 38 again, or 48, or 58 ...
But there are compensations; I can stop chasing dreams and accept what there is.
[ 21 October 2001: Message edited by: fobotcso ]
But there are compensations; I can stop chasing dreams and accept what there is.
[ 21 October 2001: Message edited by: fobotcso ]
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Yep, I was worked for the 366 TFW DCM but was assigned to the 390 ECS (EF-111s) back in 84-85. Great assignment, loved the area and the job, would easily go back if given the chance.
Cheers! M2
Cheers! M2
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"...you dont look a day over 35"
Damn right, which I attribute to the clean living as seen below. Only the best Cuban cigars and German beer to stay young!
By the way, this pic is from my last night in Sarajevo (Oct 98). I was feeling no pain!
Damn right, which I attribute to the clean living as seen below. Only the best Cuban cigars and German beer to stay young!
By the way, this pic is from my last night in Sarajevo (Oct 98). I was feeling no pain!
Avoid imitations
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MMM,
My congratulations, I only managed 18 years before I'd had enough!
You don't look too well in your picture though. My version shows a white rectangle with a red band-aid on it!
ShyT
My congratulations, I only managed 18 years before I'd had enough!
You don't look too well in your picture though. My version shows a white rectangle with a red band-aid on it!
ShyT
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Yeah..can't figure that one out...sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Unfortunately this BB requires a URL for an image, you can't just load one up from the computer. You'll just have to take my word on how well I look!
Cheers!
Unfortunately this BB requires a URL for an image, you can't just load one up from the computer. You'll just have to take my word on how well I look!
Cheers!
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MajorMadMax -
Congrats on the twenty!
I too, went through the 3704th. @ good old Lackland AFB many decades ago when they still had the WW-2 wooden barracks on the north side of Loop-12. Got out of basic and went across Loop-12 to OCS on the south side of the road. Thence into a school there behind barbed wire for six more months. Finally got out of Lackland after almost a full year. Then off to Offutt AFB and you can see from my signature line what I did there.
Grew up on a ranch just north of SAT. Guess that is what got me into the USAF.
I only did five and out, Vietnam was heating up big time then. Liked flying in the EC-135As, but it was very exciting when the General from the back wanted/did the landing showing us how he used to land B-17s in WW-2.
Enjoy civy-side, I have.
dAAvid -
Congrats on the twenty!
I too, went through the 3704th. @ good old Lackland AFB many decades ago when they still had the WW-2 wooden barracks on the north side of Loop-12. Got out of basic and went across Loop-12 to OCS on the south side of the road. Thence into a school there behind barbed wire for six more months. Finally got out of Lackland after almost a full year. Then off to Offutt AFB and you can see from my signature line what I did there.
Grew up on a ranch just north of SAT. Guess that is what got me into the USAF.
I only did five and out, Vietnam was heating up big time then. Liked flying in the EC-135As, but it was very exciting when the General from the back wanted/did the landing showing us how he used to land B-17s in WW-2.
Enjoy civy-side, I have.
dAAvid -
MM,
Too much time on your hands these days then?
Too much time on your hands these days then?
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Ham Phisted -
Yep, life has throttled back a bit, and I am not complaining. Let me know when you when you want to do lunch again. Remember, Thursdays there is a belly dancer at the Greek Place!
Cheers!
Yep, life has throttled back a bit, and I am not complaining. Let me know when you when you want to do lunch again. Remember, Thursdays there is a belly dancer at the Greek Place!
Cheers!