Did you serve in the Armed Forces?

[mitch768292]

We all know that Jayman was a Marine and we appreciate that he has shared some of that personal history with us. How about the other veterans in this Forum?

Tell us about your experiences and your view of military service, especially for gay men.


I was not in the service, something that I have regretted. A couple of months before I graduated from college I went downtown to talk to the Navy recruiters about OCS. They told me I would have to go to another recruiting office about 70 miles away because that office could sign up officer candidates but the small local office where I lived could only recruit enlisted men.

That night I told my roommate, a straight fraternity brother, about it. He had served in the Navy before coming to college. I was not out at that time. My roommate, I learned years later, knew I was gay at the time.
He sat me down, like a big brother would, and talked to me for a long time about why I absolutely should not join the Navy. He gave reasons like, "Oh you have to go out to sea for months at a time," "It sucks, there is nothing to do," blah, blah, blah.

He talked me out of it. I did not realize until years later that he was trying to talk me out of it because I was gay. Not that he had a problem with me being gay, but I honestly think he was trying to protect me.

Well, that is as close as I can come to telling a story about the military. Hopefully you will have something more interesting to tell.

 

[i2ina69]

I was in the Army back in the mid 80's. The most exciting thing to happen to me was I got a bad speraned knee after a sgt jumped on me. No not that kind of jump.lol just fooling around. I did my time and got out.

 

[tucsonjayce]

In the Service

Yes I was in the service and I even provided service for some service members!

I started out in 1978 as a Midshipman at Kings Point (USMMA) (2 years). Then 2 years in the AZARNG (Field Artillery), then I got my commission. I did one year of duty in the USAR (I was a forward observer for a tank battalion) and then three years active duty (Transportation Corps - Actually I was in the Army's navy). Then back to USAR for two years (still TC - and still Army's navy). Then onto DCARNG in trucks. Another year or two inactive reserve till I resigned my commission. I ended up as a Captain (Lieutenant for you naval types).

I loved the service and the people I served with. There's more to the story but I'm not going to into that right now.

Would love to hear from others and maybe trade some "war" stories (I just missed Grenada as I was in training and I wasn't sent to Panama).

Yours,

Jayce

 

[Reubenjames]

I joined the army at 18, and did my basic training at Pirbright in 1976. I then joined the QA's ( Queen Alexandra's Royal army nursing corps ) in 1977 and did my 3 years S R N state registered nurse training. I then went on to do a further 1 1/2 years to get my R M N registered mental nurse cert. I then did six months post qualification, I had to do this or i woulld have had to pay for my training.
In the six months post qualification time i did my A&E cert and my ITU cert.
I then left the army with the rank of captain.
I now work for the NHS as a senior nurse manager.
I have nursed all over England, also in Germany and Ireland for the army.
I also served in the Falklands.
RJ

PS.
state registered nurse title has now been changed to RGN registered general nurse. Or as we boys say reistered gay nurse LOL.

 

[scorpio]

I did for 2 years and a half. The best years of my life even though there are days i hated. I left it cos i wanted to come here in the States.

I actually didn't want to join the army in the first place but back in 1997, all French guys had to join the army for 10 months once they hit 18 years old. So i didn't have a choice and went. After my 10 months, i loved it so much that i asked for an extension of 20 months.

I made tons of great friends that i wish i would still talk to now. Once i moved here, i lost contact with all of them and i regret that.

 

[Markymark]

First two years of College, (73-74) I was ROTC (army) Trained out of UC Davis. I took a temp job to help with tuition in the Spring of 74. First day at work, a dish sterilizer overheated several plates. One of them exploded in my face, sending several shards of clear glaze porcelain into my left eye. Two different Opthamalogists operated a total of five times to save the eye, but the process to clear me for continued service was halted when they said I would never regain more than 35-40% vision. I believe that when I left the Cadet Commanders office was the only time I ever cried so hard. I had set my heart on serving my country. Losing that opportunity changed my life forever.

 

[tampa24]

I joined the army at 18, and did my basic training at Pirbright in 1976. I then joined the QA's ( Queen Alexandra's Royal army nursing corps ) in 1977 and did my 3 years S R N state registered nurse training. I then went on to do a further 1 1/2 years to get my R M N registered mental nurse cert. I then did six months post qualification, I had to do this or i woulld have had to pay for my training.
In the six months post qualification time i did my A&E cert and my ITU cert.
I then left the army with the rank of captain.
I now work for the NHS as a senior nurse manager.
I have nursed all over England, also in Germany and Ireland for the army.
I also served in the Falklands.
RJ

PS.
state registered nurse title has now been changed to RGN registered general nurse. Or as we boys say reistered gay nurse LOL.

Hey RJ,

Does RMN mean that you're mental?! That might be an asset in your line of work.

As we say here often in the States: You don't have to be crazy to work here... But it helps!

 

[tampa24]

First two years of College, (73-74) I was ROTC (army) Trained out of UC Davis. I took a temp job to help with tuition in the Spring of 74. First day at work, a dish sterilizer overheated several plates. One of them exploded in my face, sending several shards of clear glaze porcelain into my left eye. Two different Opthamalogists operated a total of five times to save the eye, but the process to clear me for continued service was halted when they said I would never regain more than 35-40% vision. I believe that when I left the Cadet Commanders office was the only time I ever cried so hard. I had set my heart on serving my country. Losing that opportunity changed my life forever.

I'm sorry you had to give up that dream but it was meant to be that way M&M. For such a life altering event could not have been pure coincidence. You have alot to be proud with what you've done with your life since then.

 

[Markymark]

I joined the army at 18, and did my basic training at Pirbright in 1976. I then joined the QA's ( Queen Alexandra's Royal army nursing corps ) in 1977 and did my 3 years S R N state registered nurse training. I then went on to do a further 1 1/2 years to get my R M N registered mental nurse cert. I then did six months post qualification, I had to do this or i woulld have had to pay for my training.
In the six months post qualification time i did my A&E cert and my ITU cert.
I then left the army with the rank of captain.
I now work for the NHS as a senior nurse manager.
I have nursed all over England, also in Germany and Ireland for the army.
I also served in the Falklands.
RJ

PS.
state registered nurse title has now been changed to RGN registered general nurse. Or as we boys say reistered gay nurse LOL.

Like so many others in this forum, you continue to amaze me! Thank you RJ foryour service. And thanks too for sharing!

With Admiration, We Are,

 

[gwr19569424]

I enlisted in the Army in Los Angeles in June 1976 and went to Ft. Sill, OK for basic training. After that I went to train in my MOS (Military Occupation Skill) in AIT (Advanced Individual Training) as a missile repair man, still at Ft. Sill, OK. I was shipped over to Korea after training and was over there for 1 year. I was over there during the time that Elvis Presley died. I returned to the states and went back to Ft. Sill, OK and was there until I went to Ft. Lee, VA for POL (Petroleum, Oils, & Lubricants) training for 8 weeks.. After my training at Ft. Lee, VA, I took an opportunity to go to Ft. Lewis, WA. While I was there, I took a couple of courses in Clerical and became a company clerk for the 501st Combat Aviation Battalion until I discharged from the Army in August 1980. It was an experience, but I served my country for four years and reached the rank of SP4 (Specialist Fourth Class) same as an E4. I could have moved with my company, but they were going to relocated over to Ansbak (not sure of the spelling), Germany with their parent company and I didn't want to have to re-enlist for another 4 years. I never regretted the time I served. I learned alot and was able to travel to a foreign country.

 

[Reubenjames]

Hey RJ,

Does RMN mean that you're mental?! That might be an asset in your line of work.

As we say here often in the States: You don't have to be crazy to work here... But it helps!

Hi Tampa.
Yes i think i must be mental? to do the job i do. But it dose have its compensation's, if i work what they call here weekend nights ( Thursday, Friday, Saturday.) then i get my own security guard, Friday night i had one who looked like CJ and had a very interesting bulge in his pants. LOL
RJ.

 

[Bryce3d18]

Yes, I served in the USAF, was discharged in 1990 for being gay. I was stationed at Avon Park Bombing Range from '84 to '86. Then stationed at Kadena AB (Okinawa) from '86 to '90.

 

[tampa24]

Hi Tampa.
Yes i think i must be mental? to do the job i do. But it dose have its compensation's, if i work what they call here weekend nights ( Thursday, Friday, Saturday.) then i get my own security guard, Friday night i had one who looked like CJ and had a very interesting bulge in his pants. LOL
RJ.

Gosh bro, having your own cute security guard ought to put a little bounce in your step! LOL

 

[denver0102]

I have never been in the service but many friends of mine are. I am so greatful for every verterans service to our country. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for each and every one of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

[canada]

I have never been in the service but many friends of mine are. I am so greatful for every verterans service to our country. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for each and every one of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Denver, I couldn't say it any better. Last night I was at a local bar (not a gay bar) and a Marine was in by himself having some drinks. He was heading in 2 weeks to Afghanistan for an extended tour in a very dangerous area. I had to buy him several drinks just to show my appreciation. He had already spent a year fighting in Iraq. We can not thank our military (current & veterans) enough.