Thanks for your service sir. peace time service is just as important as wartime service, because one never knows when the balloon will go up, and that war might just be more intense than the one currently going on.
After Nam, I was sent with a tank unit on the German Border opposite the Fulda Gap, where we were slated to halt any Warsaw Pact invasion in that sector. The strategy was to attrite the expected innumerable waves of Soviet armor, while steadily withdrawing to successive phase lines. They figured we would be combat ineffective or ANNIHILATED within 72 hours. We spent more time in the field than in barracks. It was combat without the shooting.
After Germany, I was assigned to the School Brigade at Ft. Knox as a tank gunnery instructor, instructing newly commissioned armor officer students from the US and foreign countries. Best job that I ever had. Once I was checked out on the course syllabus, if I didn’t have a class to teach I was off duty, except for COQ or other special duty. Some weeks I only worked three days a week. 3 days a week off was not uncommon.
The Army offered me a TEN THOUSAND dollar (1971 dollars) variable re-enlistment bonus to re-up. I almost did, but not trusting the Army, decided not to.
Figured that I could wind up in Alaska.
Between times when I was traveling to give classes on the Sheridan I spent much time in the field. Never had to spend time at the border though, I went back state side before my units rotation came up.
I will always remember my time in Germany as both amazing and sad. As you probably know, Germany was a popular place to send soldiers leaving Nam. It was the military’s way of detoxing soldiers who returned from battle before their tour was up.
I met more guys who had emotional, alcohol, and drug problems than anything.
I was in a 2 man room, my mate was a spec 4. I remember spending my 2nd week there holding him in may arms as he related the incident where his best friend literally lost his head in front of him.
I joined at 17, I was maybe 17 1/2, and this guy was 24. I had no words, and no clue as to what to do. I just held him as he cried like a baby.
There was a brotherhood about them that no one could penetrate, but for some reason I was allowed to be close enough to hear them talk about their time in Nam. One of the barrack rooms had 5 beds, and these guys would get together to do drugs and drink their troubled minds away. I would sit in there and listen to them recall their moments of pain, sorrow, and glory without ever saying anything.
I was like their little brother I guess. I would watch a couple of them shoot up in the room, it was their only way to escape.
I remember watching a staff Sergeant and a Buck get into a fight during a game of craps, and the Buck stabbed the staff sergeant in the thigh over 50 cents. They were best friends. Go figure.
Talk about troubled men, these guys gave me a full education of what Vietnam meant to them. They were proud of their time there, and hated it all at the same time.
I never needed to read about the things that happened, nor have I any need to watch a movie, although a few I did see tried their best to show what I heard. I had the chance to get a first hand account straight from those who gave their all. I often wonder if any of them ever truly came back yet. Or how many eventually committed suicide, died of drug over dose, or died from kidney failure due to drinking.
To tell the truth, I remember feeling glad I missed it, and guilty I did all at the same time.
Thanks for your service brother.
Came back in 69 and was offered an early out 3 months before 4 year enlistment was up. Took it, already had serious problems with authority. Removing my tie got me started on the way home with arsehole MP’s
Sometime think what would have happened if I stayed in. Probably another RVN tour. No bonus offered, guess they had enough of my kind to finish whatever.
Post separation paperwork had me listed as an E-6, always wonder if I had been promoted just as I said sayonara.