SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!!
My draft number was high but Jimmy Carter helped put me out of work so I enlisted anyway. The Viet Nam Era ended in May of 1975 but I enlisted in March of 1975. Props the Command Sgt Major for doing his patriotic and civic duty!
That is a lot of jumping.
SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!!
January 1969 for me. Got out in less than 2 years.
Command Sergeant Major Mellinger was a legend in Iraq. As General Petraeus’s CSM, he was entitled to a security detail, and traveling to most locations by chopper, if he wanted to. Instead, Mellinger traveled by himself, in his HUMVEE, with only his body armor, his weapon and his skills as a soldier. And he did survive 27 roadside bombing attempts.
One more thing: Mellinger was always accessible to the press, and he invited any reporter to travel with him across Iraq, in his HUMVEE. Michael Yon was the only journalist who took him up on the offer and CSM Mellinger figures prominently in some of his best posts from the war zone.
Being “the last draftee” on active duty is the least of CSM Mellinger’s achievements.
Here's to you Sar-Major, good luck on your retirement and thank you for your selfless devotion and years of dedicated service to your Country
I was already "in" (had volunteered for the USAF in 62) and stationed in Hawaii when I volunteered (yes, again) for duty in Nam in 1965.
In spite of a few hairy situations during my 18 months (yes, believe it or not, never learned what I was told in boot never to volunteer for nuttin', I extended my tour for 6 months) I don't regret any of those decisions and as I worked in Covert Intel, I'm convinced I did some good while over there.
The bad part was when I came home. Things by then (mid 67) were pretty bad with the Anti-War kooks and though I thought I'd made it back without any "baggage" it wasn't until some 30 years later that I realized I had had a pretty bad case of PTSD for all those years and never recognized it.
A OK now and wish to wish all my Freepers (especially all my Vet bros and those who are presently serving and their family members) a great and enjoyable 4th.
From our Founding Fathers to the present so many have given so much so we could enjoy the lifestyle we do in the Greatest and most Exceptional country on Earth.
Let us not forget any and let us pray for the safe return for all our Brave Warriors serving in harms way.
God Bless them, God Bless all my fellow Freepers and God Bless America!!!
PS: The reason ALL 4th of July's are special to me is that is the day I returned from Nam and landed at Travis AFB, CA., on a big, beautiful "Freedom Bird!"