outragous prices lol

I was 17 when I enlisted in 74. Ours didn't care about the family either. I finally had to quit in 08. Halloween. What a release date.

I never served in the military and when asked to do re-enacting I felt very uncomfortable about it and chose not to. When I go to my military vehicle club meets I used to wear WWII uniform clothing that did not have any unit patches or rank on them and again because I felt uncomfortable about displaying the uniform and rank I did not earn. I earned sergeant stripes at work not the military. I wear blue jeans and a T-shirt to my MV meets now. There are some that could care less and portray themselves as all kinds of service members. I just couldn't. I know of a CHP officer who wears an Eagle Globe and Anchor pin on his uniform and he never served in any branch let alone the USMC. He did some law enforcement training with them and he felt that earned him the right to display the EGA. In conversation he will lead one on that he was in the Marine Corps. He is a poser!!! I felt that way then and I feel that way now more than ever because of my son, Jeff. Jeff earned that EGA and the right to call himself a United States Marine!!! I wish I would have served. I kick myself for not going in but instead of raising my right hand and saying I do, I slipped a ring on my finger and said I do! That didn't work out so hot :lol: In fact, I tried to enlist 10 years ago and went through all the testing and paperwork but the end result was they said I was too old! I was 40 at the time.

Now that my son Jeff is a US Marine MP I will live out my military life vicariously through him ;)

My gun club used to have a shoot every year for trophies. When we gathered I noticed everyone there was in full uniform of some sort except me, and I was the only serving member past or present. Strange...

Bill, I understand and appreciate your feelings. You have spent your life in uniform, however, and I do feel you have earned the right. Our law enforcement jobs can be just as fatal as military! If my nightmares are any indications, just as hard mentally, also!

On another note When re-enacting, I muse that the canvas "dog tent" I sleep in is no different than the ones I slept in in the Army (2 shelter halves.) The large crackers in the MREs taste about the same as the hard tack we eat e-enacting, too. It all feels "familiar"

What a thread. I kind-a see real feelings here. I never thought much about reenactors. History buffs, want-a-be's, could also be right.
I was a ROTC 2nd LT. USA COE, Jan. 1972
Discharged Capt. 1980. Have my uniform still. why, don't know, I can't get in it.
I still remember the "Jimmy Carter Build Up". No wait, that was four years later.

I was a civi with the COE at the St. Louis base for my first couple years out of school. Was a fun experience working on the rivers. Was on the dredge boat Potter on the Mississippi in the summer of 98 iirc.