Thanks...
Now, how's bout a beer? You buying?
Posted on 03/29/2007 3:05:36 PM PDT by Rodney King
One of 10 draftees still in Army retires by By The Associated Press Print Story Email Story FORT BLISS, Texas -- Robert Rangel was a college student trying to "fly below the radar" when his draft number came up in 1967.
"I got caught," he said with a wide smile.
Caught, as it turns out, for 40 years.
Chief Warrant Officer Rangel was one of just 10 draftees still in the Army when he retired Wednesday, according to Fort Bliss officials. It was unclear whether the other draftees have served as long as Rangel; the draft ended in 1973.
Rangel, of El Paso, said the prospect of being drafted was terrifying after watching numerous friends "coming home in coffins."
But he opted to stay well beyond the required two-year hitch because "I started enjoying my job and the people I worked with."
He's been deployed to nine combat zones, from Vietnam to the Persian Gulf. Maj. Gen. Robert Lennox, the Fort Bliss commanding general, described Rangel as the "foremost expert" on air defense systems at the West Texas post, the current home of the Air Defense Artillery Center.
Michael Zaborowski, a retired lieutenant colonel who has known Rangel for more than a decade, said he has long been impressed by his dedication. "I did 20 years and I thought that was a lot," he said.
Rangel retired a few months before his 62nd birthday, when he would have been forced to do so under Army regulations.
His mother, who attended his retirement ceremony, was relieved the day had finally come. "That was a long time that I worried," Adelina Rangel said softly.
Rangel's years in the Army included more than 200 parachute jumps with a special forces unit in Vietnam and Cambodia, time in battle zones, a firsthand view of the crumbling of the Berlin Wall and a tour in the first Gulf War.
Now his priority is to take care of his mom and tackle some projects.
Tops on the list is restoring a 1964 Plymouth Sport Fury. He parked it in his mom's barn when he went off to basic training.
Well I wasnt privy to every word but when I heard the General say "they are needed to put a tent up for me" the SMA just flipped, "are you f'ng kidding me sir, these mean have been doing flips the last 20 hours and have 20 more to go......"
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/pay/bl05warrantsalary.htm
They don't do too bad.
Well, the Warrant Officers I know think they are God, so I guess he would be Chief God.
(Just kidding, WO's)
wow. No idea you could make that much $$$ if you were not an admiral.
LOL, ya beat me!
Now, how's bout a beer? You buying?
Actually those charts are a little outdated too.
You don't get much pay in the lower ranks, but you do pretty well when (if) you move up.
I bet it started right up, too!
Well for commisioned officers ... 4 year degree requirement for all branches.
Warrant officers need 60 hours credit or something like that as of the 90's (last time I looked into it).
Higher level enlisteds in leadership positions are called Non-commisioned officers.
The commision is like a contract from the government granting the rank and detailing broad duties. Warrants are similar but more for technical skills.
Helicopter pilots are generally warrant officers in the army. Almost all helo pilots in the Marines are commissioned officers however.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warrant_Officer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commissioned_officer
Warrants apparently derive from English Naval Rank.
I'm sorry, instead of "title" I meant ranks but couldn't think of it when I posted.
It is about to rain here, big booming thunder some 56 miles south of Big D...
Yep, that cow is about to do it to that flat rock!
Ciao...
You obviously didn't serve back then,
Kiss my lily white butt,RA '71-'79..Dip Stick...!
That's the first thing I noticed.
When I was in the Marine Corps, Warrant Officers were generally addressed as either "Gunner" or "Mister". They were definitely called "sir".
When I was in the Army, I don't recall ever hearing anyone call a Warrant Officer "sir".
Heh...they were still teaching vacuum tube theory at NAS Memphis in 1974 when I went through there..
"An officer in a free uniform."
An officer who doesn't need a tailor...
cannot afford a tailor,
badly tailored officer, etc. etc.
"An Army Pilot"
"A soldier allowed into the Officer's Club."
A man who knows too much to be an officer, but not enough to be a Master Sergeant."
"An expert on something that embarrasses the rest of the Army."
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