Tell your stange but true military stories

[Beans]

Thinking back about some of the strange events that happened while I was in the Army.

Promotion Board

My first assignment after training was with HHB, 9th Divison Artillery Ft. Lewis Wa, 1975 - 78. Back then promotions where not automatic, every one had to go to promotion boards. So I was recommend and promoted to E4 , official orders, rank pinned on by the Battery Commander, everthing was great except for one thing, I never went to a promotion board for E4. Well that was soon fixed. I was told I had to go to the E4 board that was being held the next day. I showed up for the board in my dress greens with Specialist Rank on and I was the only one going in front of the promotion board that day. The promotion board consisted of one person, the DivArty XO (05). Good news I passed the board and got to stay an E4.

 

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[TerryC]

I was on bridge security south of Hué when the Tét offensive of '68 started (Jan. 28th). We were moved back to Phu Bai, base. I was sitting at the general's hootch with another Marine. We saw several rockets light up from the village (south of the wire). We stood up, turned left, and began to run to the bunker across the street. One of the rockets hit to my right about 15 feet, knocking me down. I was dazed. The heavyset Marine got to the bunker before I did and got STUCK in the door. The bunker was built by viets and had a VERY thin door! I just crawled right OVER his butt! I took a small amount of shrapnel and lost my right ear drum. Had 3 drums put on since but to no avail. Did not report it. I was a TOUGH Marine and still walking so.... Now, 100% disabled, PTSD, depression, bad back, almost no hearing, etc etc. But I would do it all again, if asked. God Bless America! TTC

 

[FreedomUIC]

Had a SSG that was a pain in the arse. Found his name in the Army Times for promotion to E-7. Tossed a huge party for everyone in his platoon, booze, food and tons of fun. That was the nicest he ever was to anyone. He had be an E-6 since Christ hung on the cross and only had two more
years for mandatory seperation unless he made E-7. On top of being a pain he was also an alcholic and reeked of booze most every day. Turns
out he never verified his service number with the one posted. IT WAS SOMEBODY ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He got demoted to the Com Shack and had to leave the Army with 19 years in - No Retirement. I am certain the CO had something to do with it.

 

[TerryC]

Had a SSG that was a pain in the arse. Found his name in the Army Times for promotion to E-7. Tossed a huge party for everyone in his platoon, booze, food and tons of fun. That was the nicest he ever was to anyone. He had be an E-6 since Christ hung on the cross and only had two more
years for mandatory seperation unless he made E-7. On top of being a pain he was also an alcholic and reeked of booze most every day. Turns
out he never verified his service number with the one posted. IT WAS SOMEBODY ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He got demoted to the Com Shack and had to leave the Army with 19 years in - No Retirement. I am certain the CO had something to do with it.

Hey Freedom. I made sgt E-5, in 27 months. I was also just turned 20 years old. I made sgt in Vietnam but didn't know it till the "pinning" formation back in the states. The Colonel said, at that moment, I was the youngest Sgt in the Marine Corps. He also asked me where were my "Khakis". I was standing formation in my utlilities (work uniform). I told him they were still in a seabag in Vietnam, rotten away from mold. He said he would accept that. I'll bet you I probably was the first Marine ever to get promoted to Sgt in utilities, too! I just finished 19 months in Vietnam. I just wanted to get my hands on a "round-eyed" girl at that moment! TTC

 

[FreedomUIC]

Hey Freedom. I made sgt E-5, in 27 months. I was also just turned 20 years old. I made sgt in Vietnam but didn't know it till the "pinning" formation back in the states. The Colonel said, at that moment, I was the youngest Sgt in the Marine Corps. He also asked me where were my "Khakis". I was standing formation in my utlilities (work uniform). I told him they were still in a seabag in Vietnam, rotten away from mold. He said he would accept that. I'll bet you I probably was the first Marine ever to get promoted to Sgt in utilities, too! I just finished 19 months in Vietnam. I just wanted to get my hands on a "round-eyed" girl at that moment! TTC

If I haven't already said it let me say it know. Thanks and if we ever meet up, first round is on me...

 

[TerryC]

If I haven't already said it let me say it know. Thanks and if we ever meet up, first round is on me...

Ok, you're ON, Freedom! I'll have a sodawater, though. Career cop... booze... no future in off duty guns and booze, and since I wasn't going to give up the gun... well, a man's gotta prioritize! Tnx, I'll call you 42nd. TTC

 

[birdman]

I have a somewhat funny story.We had a sgt that had horrible halitosis and would stink up the whole joint just by breathing. We had had enough so we drew straws to see who would tell him that his breath was demonic. I drew the short straw... Well I says Sgt Church I need to talk to ya. I told him that he had the worst breath anyone ever had smelled and he said oh yea,I forgot to brush today. I said negative dude this has been going on for months and he has not taken any hints.
Well the next day he showed up chewing 5 sticks of gum and his breath smelled like shitamon instead of cinnamon.

 

[Beans]

Since Ft. Bragg is the home of the 82nd Airborne Division and 18th Airborne Corp I got used to the flight patterns of the C-130s flying around. One morning I heard the sound of these C-130s and went outside to look. I saw six C-130s flying in a direction I have never seen before (over my house). This was strang and noticed some of my neighbors were not home, kind of like twilight zone. As it turns out they and the C-130s were on there way to Granada. So the next day I went to my unit and..... hey were is everyone. Turns out they went to Granada also. The acting First Sergeant said I was not called because at the time I re-enlisted the Commanding General (3 star) had a policy that any one who re-enlisted could go to college for 6 months and not have to go to work. So I went home and went to school.

 

[TerryC]

I asked to do another tour in Vietnam. The Marine Corps re-up was 6 months. After that tour, I tried to do another but the XO told me he wanted me walking out of country.... not carried out. So, just a 19 month tour. TTC

 

[AC1955]

Bless each and every one of you! Thank you for your service!

Anita (Proud Mom of a US Marine)

 

[feidzd]

This was strang and noticed some of my neighbors were not home, kind of like twilight zone. As it turns out they and the C-130s were on there way to Granada.

 

[FreedomUIC]

This was strang and noticed some of my neighbors were not home, kind of like twilight zone. As it turns out they and the C-130s were on there way to Granada.

Fort Lewis by any chance......

 

[Beans]

Fort Lewis by any chance......

Ft. Bragg NC.

 

[FreedomUIC]

Ft. Bragg NC.

The 82nd Airborne Signal Battalion took the 29th Signal Battalion's spot. We were sitting on them stinking C-130's for 14 hours and they wouldn't let us off. Finally a Bottle Cap Colonel came on the plane and
announced that the 82nd Signal went in to support the 2/75th Ranger battalion for communications. We were then released to get back on the Duece and a halfs for the 25 minute ride back to Fort Lewis from McChord AFB in WA.

Fun Times, I believe it was in 83 if memory serves me correctly.