SA Friday Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 (edited) Well, I survived 20 years of this crazyness. If that isn't an accomplishment, nothing is. I entered active duty military service on 30 Sep 88, and I remember that day like it happened yesterday. Some of the stuff in between is a bit fuzzy, but that's the way it goes. I've been to 21 countries, most of the U.S., Deployed in the Operation Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom twice. I lost track of the other operations and training exercises years ago. I spent ten of those years working Air Cargo and Passanger Services and the last ten working Air Force Office of Special Investigations. When I entered the AF, they were still wearing fatigues. I'll be retiring soon after two uniform changes since then. They still haven't gotten it right.... Maybe someday the AF will put an actual combat fighter on the uniform board.... When I entered the AF, Ronald Regan was President. We were spun up for war with the USSR. I'll be retiring under either McKain or Obama. We are spun up over fricken everything.... I think I liked it better when I joined. Leadership comes from the top, first. When I think back, I doubt anyone could have told me I would have ended up in any of the places I ended up at and believed them. "Son, 5 years from now, you will be in Greenland investigating a death." Ya right dude. Lay off the dope. You really can't tell where life will take you, all you can do is try to influence the foreseeable future. I wish I could do it all over again knowing what I know now. Man, would that be a ride. Edited to add: I'm gonna mosy on out back now and smoke me a big ole Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 to celebrate. Damn I wish I could have some single malt with it. Edited September 30, 2008 by SA Friday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoofy Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Damn I wish I could have some single malt with it. Thanks for your service. There is a bottle waiting for you as soon as you return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EZ Bagger Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Think of it as being like those who elope. We'll do a formal ceremony after the honeymoon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPatterson Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Thanks for staying with it because it is something the average person doesn't even think about. I was in Biloxi, MS when President Kennedy ordered the Cuban blockade and I was in Germany when he got killed. Defcon 1 was pretty dicey inside the 5K zone. I landed in Thailand the day Johnson announced he was sending troops to Thailand to support the war. I guess he started to micromanage after someone pointed out there were already 50,000 people in country at 4 different Air Force bases. When I returned I got spit at even though I was in a blue uniform instead of a green one. Things were not a lot better the second time over there under Nixon and things really went to hell in Iran under Carter. I don't want this to get political but if we had the same draft that Israel does then maybe we could get some leaders that understand the military. This is a different time zone as I retired with 23 in January 81. Thanks again for your service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RV man Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Congrats and thank you for your service. Also, thank you for paving the way for those who come behind you. I put my son on a plane headed for his first tour of the sandbox today. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gameplayer Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Spent 10 years in the USAF. Other than Desert Shield/Storm and a short tour in the ROK, most of those years were spent at Bergstrom and MacDill. I kick myself for separating everyday. Congrats and thank you for your service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupie Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 congratulations, thanks for your service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ima45dv8 Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Tip o' the hat to you, Sean. Your service is appreciated more than you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 I still have 3'ish years to go till I hit that magic number. But I have some "single malt". So I'll have a sip or two for you tonight. Stay safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eerw Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 20 years...now ain't that something... congratulations.. first round is on me when you get home.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wfwsorge Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Thanks for your service Sean. Congrats on 20 years. Stay safe, see ya soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
combat tupperware Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Congrats on making it to twenty. Thank you for the service you are doing for this country. Rick 1C671 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-JQ- Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Nice Job SA! Thanks for staying with it. Been looking through that Mark 4?! They give you a gold watch at 20 years right... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-ManBart Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Congrats Glad you've stuck with it....we know it wasn't for the money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcarter Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan W Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Nice accomplishment - Thank you for your service Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abs Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Nice accomplishment - Thank you for your service Sean, thank you for your service for OUR country. I still say you are too damn young to have 20 years in the bag!! Take care, see you when you get back. abs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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