Ain't this the truth well said I say.......

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

My lip got me in hot water as well. Though my fist got me in worse trouble. But that didn't stop them from giving me battlefield promotions. And being newly married, we needed the money. Plus we got an extra $65 a month for combat pay. Oh, and free postage.

Anyone who thinks military life was easy back then needs to re-think. Away from you family. Missing birthdays, Thanksgivings, Christmas's, anniversaries. Low pay. People yelling at you in uniform. And the pleasure of lead passing around you. The good side is it was a hell of an awakening. You learned what you were made of in the first five seconds. I wouldn't have changed it.

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[RASelkirk]

Unfortunately for us (and US), Mr. Gowdy is stepping down after his term finishes...

Russ

[BruceHMX]

Not sure how they do it now. After 20 in the Army I retired and went to work for the USMC as a civilian. Now granted I have a nice office job but I just cannot get it in my head sharing some of the places I have been with a tranny(in the military that is). Though that is my bag as women got me in enough trouble LOL. In the Artillery it is a rough bunch at least they were and hopefully still are for the life of me can't see a tranny being male or female in the field, humping projos, powder cans and digging in trails/foxholes. I came from 4 generations of Army and artillerymen it's in the blood so to speak. We adapted to the Army never did it adapt to me or my ancestors. I loved it and miss it daily but I don't miss wet, cold and miserable field conditions or hot arid times in some desert. Plus this country as I am sure all of the rest have a hard enough time taking care of our veterans and active duty folks medically. Why would anyone approve adding on to this mess show with taking care of a tranny? Just my opinion.

[CINDERS]

Jim a 20 Star General now that would be something to see just imagine how big your collars would be on your uniform Jim to hold all those stars!

I was going to be 2nd gen in the services had the pen in my hand 3 times to sign the dotted line then thought of my undeniable open hostility/adversity to authority and the law being probably dishonorably discharged after the first week and did not want to smear my dads name or my brothers, one went O/S for 4 years my brother did 20 but passed away 7 days before his discharge.
So I went in to construction after trying other jobs and after 36 years in that game can say I did not travel the world but I did travel allot of this state red hot, freezing cold (Wheatbelt gets minuses at times) & isolated, had some hair raising do's as a dogman walking steel as we were allowed to in those days with no fall arrest system then operating cranes for un-thankful bosses who should have utilzed a larger crane than I was operating, missed allot of family time really never saw my son grow up.
The days of going behind a shed and having a punch up at smoko or lunch time then going back to work are long gone now you say the wrong thing your in front of HR looking at the gate and yes we have transgenders in the trade nothing can be said or inferred because of HR rules but the undertone is there with the crews especially when the hard yards start happening.

But I as always recognize those that have served and continue to serve in the Armed services as there is no position in the world where you are asked to put it all on the line when the brown muck hits the fan for your sacrifice and continuing sacrifice you have my eternal thanks.

[browningautorifle]

The days of going behind a shed and having a punch up at smoko or lunch time then going back to work are long gone

You got that right...as for the other, lack of respect for authority you say you have, I still had lots of those and they worked out fine in the end. You chose well though and all worked out in the end for you. Not everyone has to be military to have done civil duty. You can see the trophy of your accomplishments standing around the world. Mine...well, one of them died of cancer just a couple of days ago, 6 years younger than I... Lots still around.

[CINDERS]

Truly said BAR I drive over bridges that I built, Buildings I stood the concrete panels to construct, Steel work and so on your right on there as those structures will still be there long after I am flashed & ashed....