You may leave the service....

[River Rat]

But the service never leaves you.

Occasionally, I venture back to the many bases I have visited or
stationed, where I'm greeted by an imposing security guard who looks
carefully at my identification card, hands it back and says, "Have a
good day.

Every time I go back to any Base it feels good to be called by my
previous rank, but odd to be in civilian clothes, walking among the
servicemen and servicewomen going about their duties as I once did,
many years ago.

The military is a comfort zone for anyone who has ever worn the
uniform. It's a place where you know the rules and know they are
enforced -- a place where everybody is busy, but not too busy to take
care of business.

Because there exists behind the gates of every military facility an
institutional understanding of respect, order, uniformity,
accountability and dedication that becomes part of your marrow and
never, ever leaves you.

Personally, I miss the fact that you always knew where you stood in
the military, and who you were dealing with.
That's because you could read somebody's uniform from 20 feet away
and know the score.

Service personnel wear their careers on their sleeves, so to speak..
When you approach each other, you can read their name tag, examine
their rank and, if they are in dress uniform, read their ribbons and
know where they've served.
I miss all those little things you take for granted when you're in
the ranks, like breaking starch on a set of fatigues fresh from the
laundry and standing in a perfectly straight line military formation
that looks like a mirror as it stretches to the endless horizon.

I miss the sight of troops marching in the early morning mist, the
sound of boot heels thumping in unison on the tarmac, the bark of
drill instructors and the sing-song answers from the squads as they
pass by in review.

To romanticize military service is to be far removed from its
reality, because it's very serious business -- especially in times of
war.

But I miss the salutes I'd throw at officers and the crisp returns as
we criss-crossed with a "by your leave sir".

I miss the smell of jet fuel hanging heavily on the night air and the
sound of engines roaring down runways and disappearing into the
clouds.
I even miss the hurry-up-and-wait mentality that enlisted men gripe
about constantly, a masterful invention that bonded people more than
they'll ever know or admit.

I miss people taking off their hats when they enter a building,
speaking directly and clearly to others and never showing disrespect
for rank, race, religion or gender.

Mostly, I miss being a small cog in a machine so complex it
constantly circumnavigates the Earth and so simple it feeds everyone
on time, three times a day, on the ground, in the air or at sea.

Mostly, I don't know anyone who has served who regrets it, and
doesn't feel a sense of pride when they pass through those gates and
re-enter the world they left behind with their youth.



Face it folks - regardless if you had one tour or a career, it shaped
your life.

[TheHarleyMan2]

I hear ya River Rat! I been in 21 years and it doesn't seem that long ago I was in Basic. I miss my early years in the Army that is for sure. Things have changed a great deal and I am still "OLD ARMY"!

I DO NOT like today's Army as things have changed drastically!! Like taking away the discipline for those that need it bad in basic , PT is a joke and always had been , (they are coming out with a new one this year that is supposed to be better suited for combat roles), units don't ruck march anymore or do obstacle courses, because someone may get injured or they don't have a medic on stand by! Don't get to shoot off all kinds of ammo during weapons ranges, because the unit doesn't have the money to spend for enough ammo to use! Going to the "Field today for 2-3 weeks" includes working from 6am-1700 everyday out at the range, or field and going back to the hotel at night! Yeah, that is right hotel!!! What happened to staying out in the field in tents, etc? No more healthy Army chow cooked by Army cooks, everything is catered crap that would starve a cock roach or make a belly goat puke!

Yeah there is way more "TODAYS NEW ARMY" info I could put out, but I don't think T-Net has enough space for me to write it all!

[Hogman]

I love to go back and look around. I have returned 20 years later and not recognize anything.

[TerryC]

I hold a 100% disabled card, service connected. Haven't tried it out yet at any base or camp yet. I think you've talked me into trying. Good read! TTC

[jharhed]

You absolutely couldn't have said it better RR, the things that one couldn't comprehend being missed while serving, those are the things held closest. Being and working with fellow service members cannot be compared to a civilian gig, jmho.

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

good afternoon. I served in the Naval air during WW-2 as a bombsight mech and master horizontal bombardier..

After, when I took my oral examination for USAF Pilot flight training, one of the Generals point blank asked me "Why do you want to join the USAF"?

I was stopped for a bit, then simply answered " frankly Sir, I have no idea, except that it seems like returning home". He smiled, as did the other members of the board, so it must have been the correct answer, as I went on for flight training..

Don Jose de La Mancha

[CaptainRobin]

You can take the boy outta the Army, but you can never take the Army outta the boy. Kinda sums me up after 20 years in the Combat Engineers.

TerryC, I hold a retired DD Form 2, and I'm SC disabled. We use the medical facility, commissary and PX. It's like coming home when I drive through the gate check point. I say go for it. You might be surprised how it makes you feel.
Robin

[Jason in Enid]

19 years and counting. One deployment behind me, the in front of me just vanished. I can't wait to get the hell out of here. When this contract ends in 2014, I'm gonna be one happy fellow!