Those who said "I will support and defend ..."

[redskins5]

1982 - 1994 Missile technician SSBN 634 Stonewall Jackson Blue and gold crews.

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[Dudley]

I did 13 years in the Coast Guard, 8 years in the ARNG. Retired as an E-6 in 2015. Machinery Technician, Truck Driver, Cook.

The Coast Guard's service is often overlooked. Wikipedia has a very thorough article on the "harms way" they were in especially during WW2, Korea, Vietnam.
Thank you for serving!

 

[Dudley]

1982 - 1994 Missile technician SSBN 634 Stonewall Jackson Blue and gold crews.

Worked around things that go "bang" big time!

 

[boe757]

I have noticed several, especially in the age thread, that said they took the pledge to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, both foreign and domestic." I thought it would, with the Fourth coming up and Memorial Day just past, be good to hear from any who want to say they took this pledge and how they served. I will start: Drafted May of 1968 and joined immediately after given the chance. I was trained in Stock Control and Accounting and served in the US Army until December 21, 1970. I served 6 months in Germany with "Reforger" and 1.5 years in Vietnam with 1/505 infantry 82nd Airborne near Saigon and 1st Logistical Command after this near DaNang from mid-1969 to end of 1970. To any fellow Vietnam veterans I say, "welcome home." BTW, I still hold to that pledge.

Don't forget there was an incentive: JAIL in Leavenworth, KS - I attended the same places as you but started in 1967

 

[cgmav22]

I have noticed several, especially in the age thread, that said they took the pledge to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, both foreign and domestic." I thought it would, with the Fourth coming up and Memorial Day just past, be good to hear from any who want to say they took this pledge and how they served. I will start: Drafted May of 1968 and joined immediately after given the chance. I was trained in Stock Control and Accounting and served in the US Army until December 21, 1970. I served 6 months in Germany with "Reforger" and 1.5 years in Vietnam with 1/505 infantry 82nd Airborne near Saigon and 1st Logistical Command after this near DaNang from mid-1969 to end of 1970. To any fellow Vietnam veterans I say, "welcome home." BTW, I still hold to that pledge.

US ARMY 1991 TO 1998 Started in Artillery and finished up as a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Warfare Specialist. Was a SGT when I got out. Still hold to the Pledge.

 

[dale]

I have noticed several, especially in the age thread, that said they took the pledge to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, both foreign and domestic." I thought it would, with the Fourth coming up and Memorial Day just past, be good to hear from any who want to say they took this pledge and how they served. I will start: Drafted May of 1968 and joined immediately after given the chance. I was trained in Stock Control and Accounting and served in the US Army until December 21, 1970. I served 6 months in Germany with "Reforger" and 1.5 years in Vietnam with 1/505 infantry 82nd Airborne near Saigon and 1st Logistical Command after this near DaNang from mid-1969 to end of 1970. To any fellow Vietnam veterans I say, "welcome home." BTW, I still hold to that pledge.

21 years in the Navy. 16 years in Fleet Air Recon Squadron Four, over 5000 flight hours in EC-130 G/Q Retired Aviation Electronics Tech Senior Chief.

 

[Scott Asheville]

17.5 years, 4 as a paratrooper right out of high school. Then a stint in the Guard as recon (Rat Patrol) during college. Then 13 years in USAF as a C-130 navigator (too much fun to get paid).

This next part is not meant as a political statement of any kind...

I'm one of the retirees who owes Ronald Reagan a huge debt. During the big 90s RIF after we won the Cold War, it was R.R. who refused to separate service members with 15+ years without offering a reduced retirement. That's what I took. The generals and politicians wanted to throw us all under the bus for budget reasons. It took a president with character and spine to do the right thing.

To this day I wish we had 100% conscription. Military service is a character building experience that I think all Americans would benefit from. I've met so many aimless youth over my life, and I'm always thinking "just two years in the service would give you a lot of clarity".

 

[Bad Actor]

17.5 years, 4 as a paratrooper right out of high school. Then a stint in the Guard as recon (Rat Patrol) during college. Then 13 years in USAF as a C-130 navigator (too much fun to get paid).

This next part is not meant as a political statement of any kind...

I'm one of the retirees who owes Ronald Reagan a huge debt. During the big 90s RIF after we won the Cold War, it was R.R. who refused to separate service members with 15+ years without offering a reduced retirement. That's what I took. The generals and politicians wanted to throw us all under the bus for budget reasons. It took a president with character and spine to do the right thing.

To this day I wish we had 100% conscription. Military service is a character building experience that I think all Americans would benefit from. I've met so many aimless youth over my life, and I'm always thinking "just two years in the service would give you a lot of clarity".

Reagan was awesome. Big raise right after taking office. He also loved and respected the military. Big factor in retiring when I did was I had no respect for my then Commander in Chief.

 

[Dudley]

17.5 years, 4 as a paratrooper right out of high school. Then a stint in the Guard as recon (Rat Patrol) during college. Then 13 years in USAF as a C-130 navigator (too much fun to get paid).
To this day I wish we had 100% conscription. Military service is a character building experience that I think all Americans would benefit from. I've met so many aimless youth over my life, and I'm always thinking "just two years in the service would give you a lot of clarity".

Interesting "blend"!
And I agree, having a drill sergeant in your face - oh wait; can they still do that? - to teach you if you do NOT march together in unison and do your part no matter the background of the one next to you, lives could be lost - true even in my tasks in a motor pool because we did NOT want a deuce-and-a-half to break down, including when I was in it, between the rear and a firebase in Vietnam - was a REAL wake up call of how life should be lived ... my actions have consequences, and stupid actions can bring the death of someone. I must say in the aimlessness of too many, I think of that IRT the ground crew and those in the hangers every time I get on a plane to fly somewhere which I try to do any more as LITTLE as possible.

 

[Dudley]

I am simply humbled by so many responses. This is amazing for it shows you, even if you did not join, learned its importance.
While I want to respond to all of your posts as the starter of this thread let me say in advance for anyone I miss due to starting tomorrow being at home nurse for my bride of 50 years due to her knee replacement surgery ... thank you!
BTW, I now really enjoy the fellowship I have with fellow "pledge" takers by being involved as the Chaplain of a Veterans Honor Guard that is usually in action at least once, if not more, a week. I encourage you to think of being involved with MAYBE a Korean or many Vietnam or Kosovo or Iraq/Afghanistan or other vets. Many do not require you have been truly boots on the ground in a combat area for they know you could have been. There is an unexplainable in human words bond among us, and it involves ... The Pledge.

 

[noticon75]

Thank you all who put you life on the line for all of us. Joined Sept 1988 separated September 1994 as an EO3 in the USN Seabees. Still to this day I tear up when I hear Taps.

 

[Billy]

1-1/2 years in Africa (63-64). 1 year in Nam, & 1 other S.E. Asia country (64-65)

 

[vabchusa]

USN Oct 64-Nov 85. Was on many classes of ships from Diesel subs, fast frigates, destroyers, cruisers (conventional and nuclear) and carriers. Two tours with Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club, two Med cruises and a North Atlantic. Forward deployed in Italy for 2 years. Also on ground support team for Skylab and testing for Aegis missiles and a tour of instructor duty.

 

[magickman03]

I have noticed several, especially in the age thread, that said they took the pledge to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, both foreign and domestic." I thought it would, with the Fourth coming up and Memorial Day just past, be good to hear from any who want to say they took this pledge and how they served. I will start: Drafted May of 1968 and joined immediately after given the chance. I was trained in Stock Control and Accounting and served in the US Army until December 21, 1970. I served 6 months in Germany with "Reforger" and 1.5 years in Vietnam with 1/505 infantry 82nd Airborne near Saigon and 1st Logistical Command after this near DaNang from mid-1969 to end of 1970. To any fellow Vietnam veterans I say, "welcome home." BTW, I still hold to that pledge.

20 years in the US Navy, 1983-2003. Aviation Structural Mechanic Environmental Systems. I worked on the ejection seats, a/c and pressurization systems on A-4's, F-14's F-18's and P-3's. I also was there when they were testing the F-35 and worked on that a little bit. I was stationed at Miramar when Top Gun was filmed. Was on the USS John F Kennedy for Desert Shield/ Desert Storm.

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