# Military People. Please step forward. Poll **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 7, 2008, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162 "2008-12-07T20:50:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/21 "2008-12-08T06:49:49Z")
USN, 10 years service, left active duty as a Lieutenant. Promoted to Lieutenant Commander in USNR. Served in the submarine force on board [USS Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN 631)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Ulysses_S._Grant_(SSBN-631)) and [USS San Juan (SSN 751)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_San_Juan_(SSN-751)). ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/22 "2008-12-08T07:05:30Z")
USAF, Airman First Class, Spring 2007 to Present. Not much to say about what I do in the military, but at the moment I intend to make a career out of it (Step 1 of my plan for World Domination: Make Staff Sergeant before the end of my first six years, a goal my squadron First Shirt says is entirely doable, provided I study my military stuff instead of goofing off and partying like everybody else does) ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/23 "2008-12-08T07:22:37Z")
Israeli Defense Forces, NAHAL Infantry Brigade, 1993-1996 (March 93 rules!). Riflesman 08. Currently a reservist of the 417th Brigade, the Rift Brigade (or as I call it, the Venetian Brigade, due to its [patch](http://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%97%D7%98%D7%99%D7%91%D7%AA_%D7%94%D7%91%D7%A7%D7%A2%D7%94)). Currently serving as an Operations Sergeant. My rank is a _Rav-Samal_. Israeli enlisted ranks don’t really translate well, but you can think of its as a mid-range sergeant. ---
**Author:** ![Drake\_Tungsten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@Drake\_Tungsten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drake_Tungsten)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/24 "2008-12-08T11:56:18Z")
Sergeant, US Army. 4th Infantry Division. Sitting in Baghdad. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/25 "2008-12-08T12:26:13Z")
I am not a veteran myself, but: I was an Air Force brat. (France, Tennessee) I was an Army wife: (Ft. Wainwright AK, 1977-1979; Ft. Campbell KY 1979-1981, my husband was a Rakkasan, 3rd of the 187th) Currently, I am an Air Force mom: my son is at Croughton AFB in England. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/26 "2008-12-08T14:55:23Z")
USN, 1993-1998. Left as an E-5, Operations Specialist Second Class. Duty stations included Sigonella, Sicily and the USS Monterey. I also deployed to South America on a UNITAS cruise while TAD to COMSOLANT staff. ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/27 "2008-12-08T15:35:44Z")
USAF 1997-2001 Communications, Computer Systems Operator. ---
**Author:** ![rhythmonly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee59a6/32.png) [@rhythmonly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhythmonly)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/28 "2008-12-08T16:05:04Z")
USN, 1989 to 1993. Gunner’s Mate in the gulf for Operations Earnest Will and Desert Shield. Cross-rated to Surface Sonar tech; last duty station was Yokosuka, Japan. ---
**Author:** ![masterofnone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@masterofnone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/masterofnone)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/29 "2008-12-08T16:15:28Z")
US Army 1989 to 1991. Stinger missile gunner/teamchief. I feel we are under-represented here as compared to in real life. ---
**Author:** ![Myself](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8491ac/32.png) [@Myself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myself)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/30 "2008-12-08T17:18:32Z")
Specialist 5, air traffic controller HHC 8th INF DIV Bad Kreuznach Army Air Field, FROG Jan 69 - Jan 72 VFR only, supervised a crew of four Volunteered over a 4F classification my doctor got for me, thinking he was doing me a favor. ---
**Author:** ![Aguecheek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Aguecheek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aguecheek)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/31 "2008-12-08T17:41:06Z")
Corporal, Algonquin Regiment Canadian Armed Forces Reserves (Infantry) 89-93 ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/32 "2008-12-08T17:45:09Z")
US Navy 1981-1986. I made it to E-4, and was a DP (Data Processing Technician). My rate no longer exists, it’s been combined with several other rates into a new one (Information Technician, I believe, or something similar). My husband (who is not a Doper) was also in the Navy, rising from E-1 in 1976 to O-4 when he retired in 2002. So I’m a Navy Spouse as well as a veteran. My son (who occasionally lurks on these boards) is also in the Navy. He has been in for 4 years, is an E-4, and is a Hospital Corpsman. He works as a field medic for the Marine Corps. My dad, brother, sister-in-law, 2 uncles and 2 nephews have also served. We are a military family. ---
**Author:** ![hdc\_bst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9f8e36/32.png) [@hdc\_bst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hdc_bst)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/33 "2008-12-08T17:48:23Z")
US Army Reserves, 2003-Present, SSG ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/34 "2008-12-08T18:02:48Z")
> [@masterofnone](#): > > US Army 1989 to 1991. Stinger missile gunner/teamchief. > > I feel we are under-represented here as compared to in real life. Hey, two Stinger guys is more than I’d expect! (LAAD is Low Altitude Air Defense, Stinger missiles.) I spent the first few months of 1989 at Fort Bliss. ---
**Author:** ![drillrod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@drillrod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drillrod)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/35 "2008-12-08T18:57:30Z")
US Army, 1988-Present, SFC ---
**Author:** ![masterofnone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@masterofnone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/masterofnone)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/36 "2008-12-08T21:20:04Z")
> [@UncleBill](#): > > Hey, two Stinger guys is more than I’d expect! (LAAD is Low Altitude Air Defense, Stinger missiles.) I spent the first few months of 1989 at Fort Bliss. Holy crap - Never expected to see another one of us here! LAAD must be the USMC’s term, as I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before. (or else I’m getting old and forgetful, but we’ll just blame it on the different services.) Our batallions were designated as ADA (Air Defense Artillery). You went through Fort Bliss a little before me - I was there at the end of '89. Whoever named that place had a twisted sense of humor. Fort Shithole must have been taken already. I still occasionally find myself shaking the scorpions out of my boots before putting them on. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/37 "2008-12-08T21:55:19Z")
US Navy, 1983-1989, final rank = E5. Data Systems Technician (a rate that was converted into ET’s and FC’s sometime in the 90’s, I think). Two WestPAC’s, _USS Ranger_. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/38 "2008-12-08T22:13:41Z")
US Army Reserve, 2d half of the 1980s. Basic at Ft. McClellan, AIT at Ft. Sam Houston as MOS 91Q, Pharmacy Specialist. PFC E-3, status was changed to Individual Ready Reserve (nondrilling) early in original duty term, due to moves and staffing changes (they were quite accommodating at the time). Was almost activated for Desert Storm, got as far as being notified to stand by, otherwise my service record makes GWBush’s look almost heroic. As to the presence on the Dope, I’d be surprised if it’s much higher or lower than average – we may be more visible because subjects wherein something about the military, or security policy, or weapons and aircraft is brought up are likelier to call our attention and elicit a response. ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/39 "2008-12-08T22:27:10Z")
Wow, lots of Air Force. Me: USAF, 1991-1996, SSgt, Computer Operations (AFSC: 491X1, then 3C0X1). ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162/40 "2008-12-08T22:30:47Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > USAF, Airman First Class, Spring 2007 to Present. Not much to say about what I do in the military, but at the moment I intend to make a career out of it (Step 1 of my plan for World Domination: Make Staff Sergeant before the end of my first six years, a goal my squadron First Shirt says is entirely doable, provided I study my military stuff instead of goofing off and partying like everybody else does) You can make SSgt your first time – I did. Make sure you get 5s on your EPRs and get SrA BTZ. It helps a lot. Since you signed up for 6, you’ll be able to test a few times before your 1st term is up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-people-please-step-forward-poll/476162.md?page=3)