Who gets "homesick" for the military?

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11 years 11 months ago #14907 by Sharkey
I can't even imagine how many times I've imagined myself back up in a C130 or a Chinook or just out in the field (rocking my old 60 or blowin shit up :) ) since I got out of the Army waaaay back in '85. So much of my life has been spent at 1000 miles per hours until the past 11 or so years (when I met my wife and moved out of the fast lane) and now I find myself getting homesick a lot more often for it.

Heck, I even tried to get back in just before my 46th birthday and was all set to go til they told me I was too damn deaf.

I work right beside a Military Airport and reserve unit and now it's gotta be 20 times a week that I look outside when I hear the C130s revving or the Blackhawks doing training flights that that old feeling hits me and I'm back up in the air and on my way somewhere.

I never get homesick for a State Police Uniform or any of the other stuff I've done but I sure do get that old urge when I see the birds flying and imagine myself up there with em - getting those old nervous, excited, scared and just 1000% "on edge and ready" feelings again.

Maybe it's worse for me now that I know I'm too old and too deaf to be allowed back in. Dunno. I just know it hits me all the time and just wonderin who else gets it I spose so I don't feel so odd about it.

Do you guys get that?

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11 years 11 months ago #14910 by 13fcolt
I want back in BAD. I had my reasons for getting out in the first place, and at the time they were good enough, but I aint to proud to say it was a mistake. I did speak to a recruiter a while back and found out that the age cap is dropping lower and lower. I was also told by some of my buddies that they are cracking down hard on joes with profiles. Not just the malingering dirt bags, but squared away guys that really are injured are getting pressed to ets if they can't get them out sooner.
With all the cuts in the VA, this is a bad time to get drummed out on a medical discharge.

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11 years 11 months ago #15565 by Libertarian623
I hear ya. I miss it, then remember what it was like, remember myself saying I'm to old for this shit, and I am going to find a nice peaceful job when I get back to the world. Remember those times guys. Well I'm back and I did. I try to hangout with vet buddies when I can , just not that many around. Busy myself training the next gen of warriors. We have our memories, and will always respond to the call if needed. (Shoot em in the face sir) I miss saying that when saluting, and meaning it.

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11 years 11 months ago #15567 by Moby
I was never in a combat unit being in the Coast Guard but I miss SAR and Maritime LE. I had a blast in mother natures worst storms and got great satisfaction seeing the look of relief on the faces of those we rescued. It was a real feeling of accomplishment.

Busting drug runners was a blast as well.

Semper Paratus!

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11 years 11 months ago #15571 by Redscout02
Oh yes I do, and I stay my 20 plus 1 day, I would have stayed longer but I wasn't going to make E-7 and was at the limit for tig and tis so I retired wishing I had made better scores on the test like others did and been a little less better at being in the field, and not good at making friends that sat on the boards that got you promoted. But that's the way it goes

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11 years 11 months ago #15574 by LebbenB
I don't miss much about the army. I stay pretty active with the local Wounded Warrior chapter and I usually shoot out at the post POW range, so I get to be around Soldiers and do some hip pocket mentoring.

But every time I see a Vomit Comet or C17 fly over, I die a little inside. Because I'll never be in the back of one of those things, rigged up and giving jump commands, ever again. :(

I encourage all of the vets on here to re-connect with their service, not just with other vets of your era, but with the younger ones as well. Most are pretty eager to talk to you and tell you their stories.

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11 years 11 months ago #15575 by VTIT
Yeah I miss it too. I wasn't in as long as some of you guys though. While I was in I switched MOS 3 times (54E, 11C, 11B). I think that is why I didn't get rank (either that or because I was/am such a dub). The best time was as an 11B. I didn't have to stick around the brass too much and spent most of the time in the field. I still keep in touch with some of the guys I was in with even after all these years.

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11 years 11 months ago #15579 by Sharkey
I hope you guys were all able to cash in on stock tips. :thumbs:


I was watching C130s doing training today.

I always think of this one kid that sat across from me one trip.

We were on our way to Camp Ripley Minnesota for ski and snow shoe training and this one kid was sitting DIRECTLY across from me. He was just a horribly pimply faced, skinny guy with big ears from Utah and I just KNEW he was gonna be a heaver.

Well, of course we were doing the good old 300 foot drops every once in a while and I could hear guys around me popping into their steal pots and just KNEW I didn't want to even look up for a second but I just had to.

I pulled my arctic hood back for a sec and right there in front of me was that kid with a little chunky dribble still dangling from his chin, his face all red, zits all swollen and he looked like his entire face was gonna pop with that helpless "oh gosh I'm gonna die" look on his face, and I just went OOOOOOHHHHHHh NOOOO I am not EVER gonna look up again... No how, now way am I gonna even lift my head again or I'm gonna be losin it myself...lol

That's one flight I'll never forget. Thank God I finally fell asleep cuz if I looked and saw him bustin again or even so much as a SINGLE pimple burst, I was afraid I'd lose it myself and NOTHIN makes me puke cep seein other guys doin it right in front of me.... :laugh:

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11 years 11 months ago #15581 by Siscowet
Camp Ripley is a great place to Bow hunt deer as well. I dated a gal a long time ago that was from Little Falls just up the road and worked at one of the bars just outside the camp.

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11 years 11 months ago - 11 years 11 months ago #15582 by Sharkey
There was a place called "The Canteen" just outside of the base and within walking distance. It was quite a joint... :laugh:
Last edit: 11 years 11 months ago by Sharkey.

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