Cold War Certificate (Are you a Cold War Veteran?)

U.S. Army ^ | Jan 29, 2005 | gobucks

[gobucks]

Figured that a few Cold War vets should know about this.

*snip* Is this for real?

* Yes. In the 1998 National Defense Authorization Act, the Secretary of Defense approved awarding Cold War Recognition Certificates to all members of the armed forces and qualified federal government civilian personnel who faithfully and honorably served the United States any time during the Cold War era, Sept. 2, 1945, through Dec. 26, 1991.

* Applicants must certify that their service was "faithful and honorable", and they must supply a copy of a supporting document which proves that they served during the Cold War era. The certificate may be awarded posthumously to those whose relatives apply on their behalf.

* There is no charge for a Cold War Recognition Certificate. Note that no medal has been authorized or issued for Cold War Recognition.

* The program is scheduled to run for 10 years, so there is plenty of time to send in your request and supporting document.

[dljordan]

US Navy 68-70

[Cornpone]

Appears legit to me. I just filled out my application on line. Its really easy as long as you can print the form.

[mystery-ak]

I sent it to my hubby's address...he's away on Army business...a seminar..titled Army Retention....bet he comes home tomorrow mad..LOL

[Cornpone]

I can understand that...towards the end of my career they classified the attrition rate because we were losing so many people under Clinton's philosophy of do the impossible with nothing. We cut the force to less than half of what it was when I joined and the ops tempo increased by two and a half times. I had to have my XXXXXX talk to my wife and convince her it wasn't a good idea to call my commanding XXXXX and accuse him of trying to kill me with stupidity.

[FrankR]

USAF 1964-1968

[mystery-ak]

When Mike left for Iraq they had 23 pilots....one KIA...returned home and 13 of them retired...their wives had had enough....they now have nine with 6 more in flight school, they are still understrengthed. I just don't understand these wives...unless they are using their wives as an excuse.

[Cornpone]

Its a tough call. When I joined I was told the average time on station over a career for someone with my specialty was 19 months. I averaged less than 16. My last 10 years in we moved 8 times...and that was my second marriage. The RIF wasn't managed very well and it took a terrible toll on families, especially the children. My son never attended the same school two years in row. Its tough to keep coming home to your wife under those conditions.

[mystery-ak]

It's tough and it didn't help being extended 3 times, with each extension promised to be the last. Mike's CO, a major, came home and retired too...Mike was very upset over it, he would have followed him to hell and back(well actually he did....LOL) but his wife threatened divorce and this was his 2nd marriage too..and now he has a new CO he can't stand....oh, well..

[Cornpone]

Everybody's situation is different I guess. I retired when I could because I felt like I had already stolen my son's life from my first marriage and I wasn't going to do that with my daughter from the second.

But, here's another story. I have a good friend I made early in my career who decided to get out after he made Captain and his commitment was up but he stayed in the reserves. He was called up during Desert Storm and spent a year in Kuwait and Iraq for that. He was called up again in 2002 and went and put in some infrastructure before Operation Iraqi Freedom. Guess where he is now? Afghanistan.

He could have retired too before his last call up. He flew in from the Midwest on business and we had dinner together one night about three weeks before he had to report for training and deployment. His wife was begging him to retire but he just couldn't do it. He just felt like he couldn't let his young reserve unit guys go alone when he had so much experience to offer. I'm sure this will be his last tour and I know he will put his papers in when he gets back but this guy is a hero. He is the best we have to offer. I just hope his wife is still there when he gets home.

[DarthDilbert]

US Army (1986-1994)

[Cornpone]

SCANG/USAF ('76-'96)

[bad company]

These are Hawk missiles. That's what I did when I was in the army.

Ripple two!

[CholeraJoe]

Any of ya'll Cold War vets too? ;-)

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Served with SAC in Bombers (B-1B, B-52), Tankers (KC 135, KC-10) and Missiles (Minuteman 3 and Peacekeeper)

I've touched a nuclear weapon with my bare hand. It's seductive and erotic, like touching a beautiful woman's thigh, but disappointing like when her mother walks into the room.

[snippy_about_it]

...like when her mother walks into the room.

LOL.

[USCG SimTech]

1971-1991 USCG Active
1991-present Gen. Dyn. contractor teachin' USCG Cadets

Still doin' it for G, C, & F 'til the day I die, so help me G.

[Professional Engineer]

Ripple two!

I soooo jealous!

[Professional Engineer]

It's seductive and erotic, like touching a beautiful woman's thigh, but disappointing like when her mother walks into the room.

Wow, you've got a way with words. Are you sure you're a physician, and not some kind of starving artist?

[kms61]

National Guard is included too. My dad has one for service in the NG.

[bad company]

I soooo jealous!

When our unit went to Crete for a live fire, the other Fire control operators junction box failed so I was the one that got to push the button and fire a missile. The other guy picked a fight with me later that night he was so mad.

[PFCMongo]

There is an on-going e-petition for a Cold War Service Medal at http://www.petitiononline.com/pfcmongo/petition.html .

Please, everyone sign and circulate this petition if correct for you to do so.

This 100% Permanent-total Service-connected Disabled American Veteran thanks you for your service. Semper Fidelis.

PFC USMC Infantry-Scout/Sniper W Africa-S America-Mediterranean-Iran Hostage Crisis Alert 1976-80

Also served PFC NY Army NG Heavy Vehicle Recovery '82-'83 - Spec4 ID Army NG Combat Engineer '85-'86 - SSGT WA Air NG Ground Equipment Technician NATO W Germany-Bahamas Interdiction '86-'89 - SSGT USAFR Active C-141B Loadmaster Aircrew ConUS-Pacific Rim '89-'90.