Military Veterans

[Paul B]

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

I am glad I am the same age as your two Grand Fathers :rolleyes:

 

[DWill]

Thanks for your service? Pilot or aircrew?

Pilot

 

[Straasha]

I have been in the Air Force for almost 26 years and will be retiring this summer. I have been in communications/cyber the entire time. I had freshwater aquariums as a child and early in my career. Unfortunately, the last 4 homes I have lived in were not suited for an aquarium. My current home does have a perfect spot. We move into the home in Nov 2019 started the reef aquarium right when COVID hit. I was working from home most of the time so I was able to nurture it from the beginning. As leaders in the AF, we have been taught that the greatest thing you can do is to create an environment for your people to grow. I have applied that same philosophy to the reef and it has been doing well.

 

[Specific Ocean]

I have been in the Air Force for almost 26 years and will be retiring this summer. I have been in communications/cyber the entire time. I had freshwater aquariums as a child and early in my career. Unfortunately, the last 4 homes I have lived in were not suited for an aquarium. My current home does have a perfect spot. We move into the home in Nov 2019 started the reef aquarium right when COVID hit. I was working from home most of the time so I was able to nurture it from the beginning. As leaders in the AF, we have been taught that the greatest thing you can do is to create an environment for your people to grow. I have applied that same philosophy to the reef and it has been doing well.

thank you for your service. Wise words

 

[BaysEndReef]

I was in the Army for 10 years. I was a squad leader in the Infantry (11B) and a MP (31B). I deployed in 2007 to Ramadi, Iraq and in 2012 to the Pech River Valley, Afghanistan. I am a Purple Heart recipient and medically retired.

The most important thing I took away from my service that transferred over to reefing was "hurry up and wait". The patience it takes to have a successful reef tank is extremely important.

Thank you all for your service and securing the freedoms which we take advantage of daily! Without all of you, we would not be where we are today!

Happy Reefing!
SGT Gill, Anthony

 

[Galiant50]

Currently active duty Air Force. Munition Systems/AMMO. IYAAYAS. Got into reefing because I wanted something to involve my kids in and teach them some fun responsibility. They love fish. Currently setting up my first reef tank, a 75gal mixed reef.

 

[G Santana]

1st Bn 10th Special forces Bad Toelz Germany

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

yes they are. We’re thinking of getting another. Probably a sable

Those are beautiful dogs. I would get another but I’m currently at capacity with my two mastiffs. Here’s Athena at work.

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

3 yrs active duty HHC 1st Cavalry Div Ft Hood motor pool. Tried national guard for a yr , couldn't stand the standing around not fixing anything and went inactive quard..wow its been 22 yrs already

I spent some time in the Hood as well. 3/8 CAV. It wasn't that awesome lol.

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

I have been in the Air Force for almost 26 years and will be retiring this summer. I have been in communications/cyber the entire time. I had freshwater aquariums as a child and early in my career. Unfortunately, the last 4 homes I have lived in were not suited for an aquarium. My current home does have a perfect spot. We move into the home in Nov 2019 started the reef aquarium right when COVID hit. I was working from home most of the time so I was able to nurture it from the beginning. As leaders in the AF, we have been taught that the greatest thing you can do is to create an environment for your people to grow. I have applied that same philosophy to the reef and it has been doing well.

Congrats on your retirement! I appreciate your take on leadership and its application to reefing. Very respectable.

 

[Garf]

I could win the prize for the shortest service on here I’m sure. Joined the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, Aug87. Completed Military Basic Training, passed out, and went home for Christmas leave. Returned to barracks Jan for trade training (Aircraft Technicial). First night back they had a fire drill. In my sleepy stupor, I fell down the concrete fire escape to the floor below. Broke my ankle and bust up both knees. After a further 3 months mending myself and making the CO cups of tea, got medically discharged.
Was never interested in Aquariums until I met the wife who was/is, some 20 years ago.

 

[Paul B]

Post some pictures of what you Patriots were doing. :cool: Many people don't have any idea

 

[lynn.reef.nerd]

7 years here and 8 years for my husband. Both Medics for US Army!

 

[Billdogg]

Army, 12B (Combat Engineer) for me. 3 years, 78-81. Stationed at Fort Lost in the Woods, Mo - Bco 5th Engineers, and then went to the 42nd Engineers Berlin Brigade to finish up my time. It was a great choice for me. I didn't have a clue who I was or what I wanted to be/do when I grew up. Got out with a Honorable, spent a few years as a mechanic and then got the VA to send me to school. I've been a Radiologic Technologist ever since 34 years and counting.

I've had tanks all my life, including a tank at FLW stocked with things I caught in the Big Piney. It did wonders to distract otherwise prying eyes during inspections. Started my saltwater obsession in 1988 and have had at least 2 or 3 tanks ever since.

 

[Brewski262]

Pictures as requested. Avaition Boatswains Mate Handler. I'm the yellow shirt. @Paul B

 

[Specific Ocean]

This was at Fort Bragg, NC. This was a 2 week field op. The field op the got my medically retired lol

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

Here’s me enjoying a snack in Afghanistan. I was a medic in a scout unit running recon missions 2012. I’m the only one who noticed the camera.

 

[Cigarman]

So I was browsing the threads and found one where a bunch of people thought it was for military vets. So I thought I'd start a thread. Are there any other military vets here? How long did you serve and what branch? What got you into reefing? Is there anything about your military experience that makes reefing special?

I served 11 years as a medic in the Army. I went to Afghanistan twice and S Korea once. I got into reefing because it has been a lifelong dream of mine. I was medically retired from the Army and my first reef tank was essentially a retirement gift. Now it keeps me busy as I'm always learning and reading on how to be a better reefer.

20 yrs AF. Russian linguist. Spent 10 yrs overseas. 5 yrs Misawa Japan 5 yrs RAF Chicksands England. In between did 2 3yr tours at NSA(No Such Agency) 3 1yr schools at Defense Language Institute, Monterey Ca. Also was an instructor at Goodfellow AFB San Angelo, Tx.

 

[Weasel1960]

1st Bn 10th Special forces Bad Toelz Germany

How many remember that uniform...I do, old fashioned starches.

Thank you all for your service.

28+ Army and Army Reserve in Engineer Construction related fields. Deployed to Kosovo in 2001, retired in 2006. Had aquariums in late 80s then life got busy. Planning my new one and only build now, present to myself for time served...just now getting my military retirement checks.

Wondering if you all would like to start a Reefers club for military?

 

[Paul B]

How many remember that uniform...I do, old fashioned starches.

I do.
I had a uniform like that in Nam.


90% of the time, I wore this. I was the COMMO Chief for a 105 field artillery battery and we fired these 6 at a time for most of the day 7 days a week. :cool:




We washed our clothes in an ammo can with another ammo can under it with burning helicopter fuel in it.