What Did You Do In The Military?

[BarSnackz]

Good evening R2R community!
Figured I'd start this thread to see what the veterans in this community did in the military for work and what they're doing now! This is not to exclude those that did not serve - but to be more of a conversation of what different jobs were like and how other branches/jobs pictured them to be verses how they really were. I'm looking at you - Water Support Technician (USMC MOS 1171) . (:

I'll start: I was a Tactical Air Defense Controller (7236) in the USMC for 6 years. I never really cared for the job and it was kind of useless in this day in age without the need for invading a country to set up a radar and command and control tents to gain air superiority as other branches pretty much have that locked down mobility from the air with their E-2 Hawkeye's. I really appreciate what the military did do for me, though; as far as qualifications and my clearance - these days I work as a Tactical Air Traffic Controller contractor. Maybe one day I'll go back in as a reservist when I finally decide to get rid of the beard.

Whatcha got!
Thank you for your service!

 

[ImGoingCoastal]

Still serving, Informations Systems Technician in the Coast Guard. 2.5 years away from retiring. Earned my degree using VA tuition assistance. Getting a boat load of certs too. Plus a security clearance... I figure I'll be pretty marketable as I transition to the civilian world. Though, I'll likely go back to work for the govt as a contractor or GS.

 

[BarSnackz]

Still serving, Informations Systems Technician in the Coast Guard. 2.5 years away from retiring. Earned my degree using VA tuition assistance. Getting a boat load of certs too. Plus a security clearance... I figure I'll be pretty marketable as I transition to the civilian world. Though, I'll likely go back to work for the govt as a contractor or GS.

If you ever want to talk about certs that work best for a contractor in the IT field - PM me! I dabble in the IT field in my job but have my resume posted everywhere and can give you some salary expectations with certain certs and what not! and depending on where you are I may be able to point you into employment since we have ranges all over the country!
Thank you for your service!

 

[Phil D.]

Retired US Navy Electronics Technician. Currently working at an FAA Avionics repair facility and loving it. My Micro-Miniature soldering training really helps out.

 

[BarSnackz]

Retired US Navy Electronics Technician. Currently working at an FAA Avionics repair facility and loving it. My Micro-Miniature soldering training really helps out.

That's so awesome!
Had to edit my post to add into your skill. Micro-miniture soldering... just looked it up. That looks insane! My patience is very thin. I don't think I could ever do something like that. props.
Thanks for your service!

 

[skip0211]

Army veteran... Vietnam 69-70. The Delta and Cambodia..

Thanks to everyone that has served in the past and those serving now..

Skip

 

[BarSnackz]

Army veteran... Vietnam 69-70. The Delta and Cambodia..

Thanks to everyone that has served in the past and those serving now..

Skip

Thank you for your service!

 

[stanleo]

US Army mechanized infantry for 6 years. I was a Bradley tank gunner for most of it. Stationed in Ft Hood twice and Schweinfurt, Germany for two years. Best time of my life but that was during Don’t ask, Don’t tell so I discharged so I could come out and be me. No regrets. Now I’m a husband to a great guy, raising our nephew and I work as a server in a fine restaurant. Gives me time to do the stuff I love doing.

 

[Acro Junky]

Thank you all for your service.

 

[TheOne]

I was a Boatswain's Mate stationed at Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, VA from 94-97. It's hard to believe that was 25 years ago. :cool: I currently work for Toyota and I think their structured work ethic and values similar to the military contribute alot to my success.

 

[BarSnackz]

US Army mechanized infantry for 6 years. I was a Bradley tank gunner for most of it. Stationed in Ft Hood twice and Schweinfurt, Germany for two years. Best time of my life but that was during Don’t ask, Don’t tell so I discharged so I could come out and be me. No regrets. Now I’m a husband to a great guy, raising our nephew and I work as a server in a fine restaurant. Gives me time to do the stuff I love doing.

I can't imagine being in a tank - I think I would get too claustrophobic. But that is awesome that you got out and were able to do what you actually wanted to do! I'm very happy for you. And you know, now you probably have more time to take care of your tank now that there is no more duty and BS like that!
Thank you for your service!

 

[BarSnackz]

I was a Boatswain's Mate stationed at Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, VA from 94-97. It's hard to believe that was 25 years ago. :cool: I currently work for Toyota and I think their structured work ethic and values similar to the military contribute alot to my success.

I used to go up there once a year to do my rifle qual. Awesome ranges! Time flies, I blinked and my son is now 6! But that's awesome that you work for Toyota! They're built to last and it's because of the awesome people like you!
Thank you for your service!

Thank you all for your service.

Thank you for your support!

 

[brownjoshua475]

Army veteran served 9yrs deployed to Iraq in '08-'09 and Afghanistan in '11-'12 my mos was 13b field artillery served most of my time 25thID at ft.wainwright,AK and then at 2ndID at Ft. Lewis, WA

 

[BarSnackz]

Army veteran served 9yrs deployed to Iraq in '08-'09 and Afghanistan in '11-'12 my mos was 13b field artillery served most of my time 25thID at ft.wainwright,AK and then at 2ndID at Ft. Lewis, WA

Danggg! How are your ears? That seems like such an awesome job - being able to shot modern cannons at the bad guys! I wish I could have been around some of those in person so see how they work. Youtube video don't do them justice!
Thank you for your service!

 

[brownjoshua475]

Danggg! How are your ears? That seems like such an awesome job - being able to shot modern cannons at the bad guys! I wish I could have been around some of those in person so see how they work. Youtube video don't do them justice!
Thank you for your service!

Ya my first deployment we didnt have an artillery mission so we played infantry clearing houses and stuff. My second tour we shot the cannons all the time. We shot the triple 7 howitzers with 1.55mm rounds

 

[Schwen]

Just recently got out of the USMC as a sergeant October of 2019. Did just shy of 9 years. Reason for leaving was USMC HSST me to be a drill instructor and knowing the nature of that job and being newly married that wasn't in my best interest. Denied my orders and was told I could finish my contract however I would be promotion ineligible my remaining time in. Was MOS:6092 Intermediate Airframes Mechanic with AMOS of 6043 Aviation Welder, 6033 Nondestructive Inspection Technician, 6018 Quality Assurance Representative. Was lucky enough to be station on Camp Pendleton, CA my entire time minus being deployed to Afghanistan 2013, Japan 2015, and Kuwait 2017. Primarily I worked with Hueys and Cobras and the Osprey. I love every minute of it and would do it all again. Got great skills from it also. Currently I am working as a contractor for the Navy as a corrosion control specialist with the F-18s. Attached is the going away gift my Marines made me. It is a panel from a Cobra attach helicopter with our squadron logo.

 

[BarSnackz]

Ya my first deployment we didnt have an artillery mission so we played infantry clearing houses and stuff. My second tour we shot the cannons all the time. We shot the triple 7 howitzers with 1.55mm rounds

Life goals man. You were in the 'ish'. I wish I could have been there to see all that in action!

 

[naterealbig]

Ex Navy Nuke dropping in for a salute to everyone here who has defended our country! Thank you for your service, and God bless you.

Born in Atlanta, grew up in Kissimmee, flunked out of collage (round 1, biology major) my first 6 months, and ended up back at home paying off all the money i owed on forfeited scholarships....

Shortly after: Boot Camp in Great Lakes in Mar 01, 2 years in Nuclear Power School in Goose Creek, and assignment as a nuclear trained Electricians Mate (EM3) in board the USS Tennessee (SSBN 734); an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Submarine out of Kings Bay, GA.

Got out in 08 as EM2 after several patrols, moved to Tampa and was working on my Mechanical Engineering degree by mid-09. Graduated with BSME in 2014. Worked for Pepsi for a few years, and now working for Medical Device production facility in Lakeland Florida.

Hoo Rah

 

[BarSnackz]

Just recently got out of the USMC as a sergeant October of 2019. Did just shy of 9 years. Reason for leaving was USMC HSST me to be a drill instructor and knowing the nature of that job and being newly married that wasn't in my best interest. Denied my orders and was told I could finish my contract however I would be promotion ineligible my remaining time in. Was MOS:6092 Intermediate Airframes Mechanic with AMOS of 6043 Aviation Welder, 6033 Nondestructive Inspection Technician, 6018 Quality Assurance Representative. Was lucky enough to be station on Camp Pendleton, CA my entire time minus being deployed to Afghanistan 2013, Japan 2015, and Kuwait 2017. Primarily I worked with Hueys and Cobras and the Osprey. I love every minute of it and would do it all again. Got great skills from it also. Currently I am working as a contractor for the Navy as a corrosion control specialist with the F-18s. Attached is the going away gift my Marines made me. It is a panel from a Cobra attach helicopter with our squadron logo.

Semper Fi! Funny how reenlistment works like that. Good thing you didn't go DI - I've heard some stories about their MOS school. I couldn't imagine writing an essay with every letter being a different color - haha! But that is so awesome, I kind of always wanted to be an aircraft mechanic deep down in my heart. I'm pretty sure that the base I work at now is where they teach the boots how to work on the f-18's. Funny, unclass thing I heard at work the other day - two Navy pilots were talking about how they had loaned some jets to the USMC and were saying when they got them back they realized how they twisted the 'mainframe' or whatever it's called. USMC pulling them G's going 'Go hard or go home' haha
Thank you for your service!

 

[BarSnackz]

Ex Navy Nuke dropping in for a salute to everyone here who has defended our country! Thank you for your service, and God bless you.

Born in Atlanta, grew up in Kissimmee, flunked out of collage (round 1, biology major) my first 6 months, and ended up back at home paying off all the money i owed on forfeited scholarships....

Shortly after: Boot Camp in Great Lakes in Mar 01, 2 years in Nuclear Power School in Goose Creek, and assignment as a nuclear trained Electricians Mate (EM3) in board the USS Tennessee (SSBN 734); an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Submarine out of Kings Bay, GA.

Got out in 08 as EM2 after several patrols, moved to Tampa and was working on my Mechanical Engineering degree by mid-09. Graduated with BSME in 2014. Worked for Pepsi for a few years, and now working for Medical Device production facility in Lakeland Florida.

Hoo Rah

Your story is one for the books. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, and try again. You made something great from a rough start and that is something to be praised.
Thank you for your Service!