Military Veterans

[Paul B]

I got drafted in 1969 and went right to Viet Nam. I was in the high country on the Cambodian border where 150 of us got attacked by 400 NVA. and we almost got over run. Spent one year in the Jungle.
I was in the First Air Cav. Sgt, COMMO Chief
I was also in 2 helicopter crashes. PTSD.
I got into fish long before I was in the Army when I was born, or a little after. :D I couldn't bring my tanks to Nam and no one took care of them. :confused:

I just love this hobby and want to thank all your Veterans for your service. :cool:

 

[sfin52]

I remember roughing it on an air mattress for a year until we got our tax return back and bought a bedroom set. Tapping into that memory stream. Best worst memories

We did as well. Than my dad took pitty on us and brought us a bed after about 3 months. Kitchen table was a card table with a couple of folding chairs. TV stand was two milk crates but we had a nice couch.

My inlaws came down and walked into our apartment and my mother inlaw said this is no good. Took Heather shopping I came home and the house was redone.
Thanks for bringing up those memories.

 

[Auflyfish]

I remember roughing it on an air mattress for a year until we got our tax return back and bought a bedroom set. Tapping into that memory stream. Best worst memories

I did the same thing in my apartment hahahaha, finally had the bright idea of letting another buddy move In to the spare bedroom and was finally able to split the rent. My saved half of bah went to getting furniture that I still have years later lol

 

[bday1335]

Thank you all for your service!

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

25 yrs Army
Have always loved fish and saltwater systems. Never had the money to do it. Met a guy while serving that had a simple softy reef tank while on tour in Iraq in 2004 and he encouraged me to start one. My wife helped me set up a 55 gallon one and it took off after that. It has been a challenge to keep a decent tank while serving but after I was done 4 years ago, I got into it seriously. Had a recent bacterial outbreak and lost all my Torches and Euphyllias. Had about 50 total. I almost broke down my tank when my LFS all volunteered their time and cleaned out my tank and brought it back to life. Starting over again.

I only kept freshwater when I was in because I knew I wouldn't be able to manage salt. Sorry your tank crashed but that's really awesome of your LFS to come through. Good luck on your rebound!

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

13 hrs USAF and kept fish the whole time...
Luke AFB Phx & Nellis LV NV ...Osan & Kunsan ROK
LOVED the Korean people!!!!

Osan was like a palace to me when I was in ROK! I was up in area 1 at Camp Stanley ;Vomit. The Korean people are really awesome though. I learned how to snowboard out there.

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

Nine years in the Army as a 35F (MI). I deployed twice and went to South Korea for their exercises 6 times. I had freshwater tanks the whole time, but never dared to spend money on salt water because of the constant TDYs and moves. Now that I'm medically retired I finally have a home that I know I'll be in for at least a decade. I've started my RSR 525XL and I'm so excited to see it flourish.
I think the discipline and patience I learned in the Army are paying off, as I've cycled my tank and QT'd my first set of fish. I also research everything until I'm certain of a decision and then make a plan before doing something. I think it'll pay off in the long run.
I think that tank really helps me relax and focus, which is great when you struggle with intrusive thoughts. It's really helped me out.

I totally get where you're coming from relating to the intrusive thoughts. I spend more time than I care to admit staring into my tank for that very reason.

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

I remember roughing it on an air mattress for a year until we got our tax return back and bought a bedroom set. Tapping into that memory stream. Best worst memories

My first apartment as a married E-1 had cinderblock walls and reminded one of a jail cell lol. Good times.

 

[drbark]

I’ve seen recruits that lasted less than that

lol good point.

 

[Jamesrup0411]

4 years Navy (Aviation Boatswains mate Handler "ABH3" stationed on board USS Nimitz CVN 68 which was ported in washington state. 2010-14. Made yellow shirt on the flight deck and worked in Fly1. Absolutely loved it. Started reefing before the military and took a break while I was active duty. Got out honorably and picked up a decent job and started reefing again now for about 3-4 years. Definitely something I want to do for the rest of my life.

I was right to the Nimitz, was ported at Coronado island at that time though.
aviation boatswains mate equipment ABE2
Waist cats 03-07 Reagan cvn76, no one worked like the flight deck did.

 

[drbark]

I totally get where you're coming from relating to the intrusive thoughts. I spend more time than I care to admit staring into my tank for that very reason.

Hmmm. I thought I was the only one. Glad we have this thread. After a tour, my wife told me that I was starring at my tank for 4 hrs straight. I didn't even remember it.

 

[drbark]

I got drafted in 1969 and went right to Viet Nam. I was in the high country on the Cambodian border where 150 of us got attacked by 400 NVA. and we almost got over run. Spent one year in the Jungle.
I was in the First Air Cav. Sgt, COMMO Chief
I was also in 2 helicopter crashes. PTSD.
I got into fish long before I was in the Army when I was born, or a little after. :D I couldn't bring my tanks to Nam and no one took care of them. :confused:

I just love this hobby and want to thank all your Veterans for your service. :cool:

did not know you were a Vietnam Vet. I've read your posts for years. Much respect.

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

I got drafted in 1969 and went right to Viet Nam. I was in the high country on the Cambodian border where 150 of us got attacked by 400 NVA. and we almost got over run. Spent one year in the Jungle.
I was in the First Air Cav. Sgt, COMMO Chief
I was also in 2 helicopter crashes. PTSD.
I got into fish long before I was in the Army when I was born, or a little after. :D I couldn't bring my tanks to Nam and no one took care of them. :confused:

I just love this hobby and want to thank all your Veterans for your service. :cool:

Thank you for your service! Both of my grandfathers served in Vietnam. Military service is a family tradition for me.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I have been reefing since before the military, but it surely helps to relax now.

11 years in the Marine Corps. 2nd Recon for me the entire time, so you know I am nuts lol.

Reefing keeps me sane at this point. Hard to go from 1000mph to a halt.

 

[Specific Ocean]

Cam

I have been reefing since before the military, but it surely helps to relax now.

11 years in the Marine Corps. 2nd Recon for me the entire time, so you know I am nuts lol.

Reefing keeps me sane at this point. Hard to go from 1000mph to a halt

camp lejeune. Where hopes and dreams come to die

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Cam


camp lejeune. Where hopes and dreams come to die

Nah. I was raised at Lejuene. Loved every minute of basic and all moments after. Dad is a Marine Colonel, so I knew well ahead of time what to expect.

 

[Specific Ocean]

Nah. I was raised at Lejuene. Loved every minute of basic and all moments after. Dad is a Marine Colonel, so I knew well ahead of time what to expect.

Haha I came from the city in California. Did all my training in San Diego. My first and only duty station was CamLej. Rude awakening. But the beaches there were nice. But of course the officers had the better side of the beach

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

Hmmm. I thought I was the only one. Glad we have this thread. After a tour, my wife told me that I was starring at my tank for 4 hrs straight. I didn't even remember it.

Definitely not the only one. Reefing is a healthier coping mechanism than many other options. Sometimes the thoughts become a bit much, I got your six dude.

 

[fade2black]

Haha I came from the city in California. Did all my training in San Diego. My first and only duty station was CamLej. Rude awakening. But the beaches there were nice. But of course the officers had the better side of the beach

Spent almost all of my time in Lejeune. 2/4 and 2/6 in 2dMarDiv. Last 6 months before EAS were in 2nd FSSG. Hated every second I was there. lol

 

[Specific Ocean]

Definitely not the only one. Reefing is a healthier coping mechanism than many other options. Sometimes the thoughts become a bit much, I got your six dude.

+1 on the coping mechanism

my service dog Rusty (GSD), his tasks can only go so far. But building this tank has alleviated A LOT of stressors