I was wondering how many of you gals and guys have ever served in the military service; I myself am retired US Navy. I did 20 years as an Information System Technician a, and have been to Asia, Europe, & the Middle East so it is true join the Navy as see the world.
So what service and what job did you do? Also why did you get out?
U.S. Army, Warrant Officer, 1964 to 1969,
bobbi
Quote from: ErickaM on June 14, 2007, 07:43:06 PM
I was wondering how many of you gals and guys have ever served in the military service? Also why did you get out?
US Air Force 1969-73, special electronic technician (nuclear tests monitoring). Why I left? You got to be kidding... Life for one, GI Bill for another, and get away from the military for the last. We parted company (discharge) with the agreement neither of us see each other again. They were so happy they waived the inactive service and gave me my full discharge when I left. That's a long story...
--Susan--
Former USAF SGT. Security Police, Law Enforcement Specialist, Military Working Dog Handler.
Rashelle
OOPS! Forgot to mention I'm TS, good reason for getting out and not staying in. Besides I eventually got real tired of incompetent Lt's.
Rashelle
Well yes, the military is not the most TG friendly place in the world, not friendly hell right up hostile. Didn't you enjoy some part of your service, a little? I know that some of the Senior Enlisted and Officers can take their position a little to extremes; well you know what they say, authority not abused is authority not used, lol.
USAF, Medical Corp, 8yr active, 4 yr reserve.. Had enough, and really got tired of "group think". + the first Mr. Bush's Mideast Adventure soured me.
Canadian Army, 30 years, Master Warrant Officer, Canadian Airborne Regiment for 6 of those years.
Steph
US Air Force, Medic, 1969-1973. Enlisted due to very low draft number and decided I would rather serve in the Air Force than the Army during the Viet Nam war. Left because I was not interested in making it a career. Used the GI Bill to earn a degree in Accounting.
Maya
U.S. Navy Corpsman 1993-1998
Drafted during VietNam. Turned down OCS as that was a direct route to the front lines. Sargeant in the Army, Company Clerk. Came down on orders for Siagon just before the Tet offensive, but I was on special duty teaching Vietnamese how to run printing presses so I was exempt. Came down on orders again for Vietnam, but again I was on special duty to West Point this time so I was exempt.
Turned down commision to either Warrant Officer or 1st Lieutenant when they tried to convince me to "re up".
Sarah L.
USMC 6 years, USN 14 years. Retired (high year tenure) Jan '95. When I transitioned, I got all my medical through the base medical facility at Whidbey Island Naval Station.
Karen Lyn
2 years around 1981 to 1982 for the U.S. Army
3rd mechanized infantry in Bamberg, Germany, West Germany. We wuz unwanted in the East.
Carried an M60 machine gun like that miserable Hambo Rambo, but used it properly.
Drove an old style APC for 2 weeks before being replaced for not knowing what I wuz doing.
Slept my best on guard duty.
Hung a life sized Pink Panther out of the Barracks window with a hangman's noose just for evening formation.
Had a panic attack because I sensed that I was in a place of restless souls while doing maneuvers.
Qualified for a German Drivers License on the written exam. Only me and one other smart guy did that. However, it turns out that being smart in itself doesn't qualify one to drive a motor vehicle if one has never driven before. Could not pass driving test.
Drank the bestest and most finest bier in the whole entire universe.
Resented authority and hated "the man" the whole time.
Wormed my way all the way up to the fantastic height of PFC.
Did not belong there because my soul is beautiful and the military is dreary.
Ain't never pointed a loaded weapon at nobody & never will.
Forgot to say - left due to severe depression, (honorable discharge). Looking back, I can say it was GID based depression. Too much manliness for my sweet heart to handle.
USMC a few years, served in the first persian gulf war. Discharged for Homosexuality! Oh My not sure it such words are allowed on this board! (just joking of course!)
Myles
US Naval Academy grad. 20 years as a naval Engineering Duty Officer. Retired as a Commander in 1980. Been a Navy contractor ever since. Transitioned on the job with no problem from the company or from the Navy clients.
Robyn
U S Army-1971 to 1974 Pharmacy specialist.
Left because the time was up. ;D
Gennee
Never......
US Army for about a month in 1998. I realized it was the wrong path for me shortly after entering and I got out on a medical discharge. My feet would get in pain just from standing for long periods of time. The doctor said I had Plantar Fasciitis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantar_fasciitis). According to heelspurs.com, women are 6 times more likely to get this than men. :P While waiting to get out, I got a pass to be able to go to the front of the meal lines. ;D
I do miss some things such as the espirit de corps. The feeling of belonging to a tight knit group. Doing building entries and working with the K-9's.
Rashelle
23 years AF.
But it is time for this girl to make her exodus from the same, before I lose what's left of my sanity.
Seriously though, it's been a good career, from which many blessing flowed.
There are many more good memories relative to it, than the bad.
US Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant 1992-1998
At the time I was burned out and wanted to have a life. I am glad I got out and figured things out. I do miss the field at times.
US Navy 1968-1972 Aviation Electronics Technician on A-7s and member of special weapons loading team. Petty Officer 2 at time of discharge.
Beverly
US Army.....3 years....Combat Specialist (how sad)
:) Ericka,
USAF 1968-72. Lost exemption (divinity student)
at age 23. This was before the lottery, and they
were drafting the oldest first. In August I checked
with the draft board and they said that I should
expect to be drafted by November. Not being sure
that we were right in being in Vietnam, but not
being a true conscientious objector, I talked with
recruiters. Enlisted under Admin. in the AF, and
took procurement training after basic. Served as
a paper-pusher for one of the missile programs --
the only time I ever saw one of the missiles was
watching a test launch from 50 miles away.
Got out because I didn't see any future for myself
in the military. Used the GI Bill to get a master's
in the education field.
The best thing about my 3+ yrs on the west coast
(I'm from the Midwest) was participating in an inter-
denominational "folk" group (mostly civilian) which
sang in many, many different churches. During
this time I taught myself how to play guitar.
Thanks :) for the question!
:icon_chick: Sandra
I'm shocked by this thread....so many people who were in the forces and are now T.....
I personally can't relate to it as I knew my origins from the start but I have admiration for people who can do something like that....which is extreamely brave....
Quote from: BeverlyAnn on June 19, 2007, 11:00:13 AM
US Navy 1968-1972 Aviation Electronics Technician on A-7s and member of special weapons loading team. Petty Officer 2 at time of discharge.
Beverly
A-7s, huh?
We had those for a while, here.
Quote from: BeverlyAnn on June 19, 2007, 11:00:13 AM
US Navy 1968-1972 Aviation Electronics Technician on A-7s and member of special weapons loading team. Petty Officer 2 at time of discharge.
Beverly
A wonder those A7's could get off the deck. Most of the electronics was full of vacuum tubes back then. :) I was an AT myself and worked on the ARC27 UHF radio and the ARN6 direction finder and hated messing with tubes.
Karen Lyn
Quote from: Berliegh on June 23, 2007, 03:42:26 AM
I'm shocked by this thread....so many people who were in the forces and are now T.....
I personally can't relate to it as I knew my origins from the start but I have admiration for people who can do something like that....which is extreamely brave....
I think in some cases, we didn't know any better. Some of us were trying to live the way we were expected to and some could not understand why were were different and what made us different. In my case, if I had understood my nature, I would have gone to college. As it was, I thought that 2 years in the army would get me out of my mother's house and I wouldn't have to think about not fitting in because the military has everyone conforming to a specific look and lifestyle. I just didn't know myself enough to be confident in the world.
Oh I knew I was TS when I went into the military just didn't know what I could do about it and also didn't think I'd live long enough to do anything about being TS. Rashelle
Quote from: KarenLyn on June 23, 2007, 12:06:47 PM
Quote from: BeverlyAnn on June 19, 2007, 11:00:13 AM
US Navy 1968-1972 Aviation Electronics Technician on A-7s and member of special weapons loading team. Petty Officer 2 at time of discharge.
Beverly
A wonder those A7's could get off the deck. Most of the electronics was full of vacuum tubes back then. :) I was an AT myself and worked on the ARC27 UHF radio and the ARN6 direction finder and hated messing with tubes.
Karen Lyn
LOL The A-7
Corvair Corsair was full of that modern wonder, transistorized electronics like the ARC-51. I hated that ARC-27 and I actually hurt my back carrying one. I can't remember the designation of the Nav computer but it did still have vacuum tubes, servos and gears.
You should have seen the duty officer's face the day the squadron base radio wouldn't work and I bounced the carbon mike off the deck a couple of times to loosen up the carbon pack inside it. Worked fine after that.
Beverly
I was in the regular Army for six years and made it to Kuwait in 1991. I just got back fro Iraq in Nov with the Army National Guard.
i Can't get my head around it.......so many people lived in denial......
Quote from: Erika on June 24, 2007, 04:29:02 PM
I was in the regular Army for six years and made it to Kuwait in 1991. I just got back fro Iraq in Nov with the Army National Guard.
Where at in Iraq I jsut spent 12 monts in Kirkuk, it is up in the northern provences. This was my 2nd time in Iraq (as a contractor).
It wasn't living in denial it was existing in SUPPRESSION.
Rashelle
I really wouldn't consider it living in denial; it was more of not knowing who I am. Also there is a little thing called service to country, I have almost quite literally seen the world thanks to the US Navy and also if it wasn't for my time in the Navy I would have never meet my wife, so I don't think it was all that bad.
I spent four years and twelve days in the US Navy.
My ship, the USS Topeka and I are shown below.
Sorry the quality is poor, but the picture is from 1960. Yeah, I'm that ancient! (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi71.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi125%2FBlogger-Sandi%2FEmots%2Fblush.gif&hash=b61cbda670b6859789e0aea00f294d45e09375cf)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi71.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi125%2FBlogger-Sandi%2FMisc%2FNavy.jpg&hash=d7b7be39acc5c8e78201a5967997c0d8e25394aa)
That's a nice picture. :)Posted on: June 27, 2007, 10:37:06 PM
Quote from: BeverlyAnn on June 24, 2007, 07:53:42 AM
Quote from: KarenLyn on June 23, 2007, 12:06:47 PM
Quote from: BeverlyAnn on June 19, 2007, 11:00:13 AM
US Navy 1968-1972 Aviation Electronics Technician on A-7s and member of special weapons loading team. Petty Officer 2 at time of discharge.
Beverly
A wonder those A7's could get off the deck. Most of the electronics was full of vacuum tubes back then. :) I was an AT myself and worked on the ARC27 UHF radio and the ARN6 direction finder and hated messing with tubes.
Karen Lyn
LOL The A-7 Corvair Corsair was full of that modern wonder, transistorized electronics like the ARC-51. I hated that ARC-27 and I actually hurt my back carrying one. I can't remember the designation of the Nav computer but it did still have vacuum tubes, servos and gears.
You should have seen the duty officer's face the day the squadron base radio wouldn't work and I bounced the carbon mike off the deck a couple of times to loosen up the carbon pack inside it. Worked fine after that.
Beverly
:D :D :D :D :D :D
[laughing and shaking her head]
I've...executed a few successful 'maintenance actions' using this tried and proven method.
"Corvair"! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I thought that the F8U was an interesting aircraft.
Quote from: Rashelle on June 26, 2007, 02:45:43 PM
It wasn't living in denial it was existing in SUPPRESSION.
Rashelle
Maybe in a country like America there was more propagander and pressure towards young people to join the forces. It's still happening today....
I personally couldn't live or cope with that type of lifestyle and I wouldn't be any good at it anyway. I would be petrified at the thought. You are all so brave...
Quote from: Sandi on June 27, 2007, 10:22:07 PM
I spent four years and twelve days in the US Navy.
My ship, the USS Topeka and I are shown below.
Sorry the quality is poor, but the picture is from 1960. Yeah, I'm that ancient!
That is a wonderful picture Sandi true memorabilia, and while this is probably not appropriate a striking picture of your former self. Oh and yes you're not ancient, you're seasoned.
Chat later.
Steph
Quote from: Berliegh on June 28, 2007, 04:51:57 AM
Quote from: Rashelle on June 26, 2007, 02:45:43 PM
It wasn't living in denial it was existing in SUPPRESSION.
Rashelle
Maybe in a country like America there was more propagander and pressure towards young people to join the forces. It's still happening today....
I personally couldn't live or cope with that type of lifestyle and I wouldn't be any good at it anyway. I would be petrified at the thought. You are all so brave...
I definitely could not cope. I had one bad depression while I was in there.
Quote from: StephThat is a wonderful picture Sandi true memorabilia, and while this is probably not appropriate a striking picture of your former self.
Well who I was in the past, is part of who I am today. Actually I find it more striking now that at the time it was taken. I used to think I was a skinny rather ugly guy. Now it appears that I was rather cute with my long vanished dimples.
Quote from: Berliegh on June 25, 2007, 02:55:05 PM
i Can't get my head around it.......so many people lived in denial......
Gender specialists call it "The Male Protest" -- it's VERY common, and it also happens in other paramilitary organizations like law enforcement and firefighting. There are four other trans-women in my town who I either knew while on active duty or were in units I dealt with.
Me?
USMC Air Wing (Aviation Ordnance), 1975 - 1979
Army National Guard (Active Duty - AGR), 1985 - 2002. Unit Clerk, Supply Sergeant, Military Broadcaster.
I know that if the effluvia ever impacts the rotating impeller, I have some t-sisters and t-brothers I can look to for backup, and I will be watching their sixes, too.
Karen
Quote from: Karen on June 29, 2007, 08:05:58 PM
Me?
USMC Air Wing (Aviation Ordnance), 1975 - 1979
Army National Guard (Active Duty - AGR), 1985 - 2002. Unit Clerk, Supply Sergeant, Military Broadcaster.
I know that if the effluvia ever impacts the rotating impeller, I have some t-sisters and t-brothers I can look to for backup, and I will be watching their sixes, too.
Karen
Hi Karen,
Were you asked to leave the military because of your insistence on using language like this? :D ;D
Quote from: RebeccaFog on June 29, 2007, 08:34:46 PM
Quote from: Karen on June 29, 2007, 08:05:58 PM
Me?
USMC Air Wing (Aviation Ordnance), 1975 - 1979
Army National Guard (Active Duty - AGR), 1985 - 2002. Unit Clerk, Supply Sergeant, Military Broadcaster.
I know that if the effluvia ever impacts the rotating impeller, I have some t-sisters and t-brothers I can look to for backup, and I will be watching their sixes, too.
Karen
Hi Karen,
Were you asked to leave the military because of your insistence on using language like this? :D ;D
She and I both.
In addition to an occasionally fiery personality, that is a distinguishing characteristic."You don't talk like the average mechanic", I was told one time.
Quote from: Rhonda on June 29, 2007, 11:08:49 PM
Quote from: RebeccaFog on June 29, 2007, 08:34:46 PM
Quote from: Karen on June 29, 2007, 08:05:58 PM
Me?
USMC Air Wing (Aviation Ordnance), 1975 - 1979
Army National Guard (Active Duty - AGR), 1985 - 2002. Unit Clerk, Supply Sergeant, Military Broadcaster.
I know that if the effluvia ever impacts the rotating impeller, I have some t-sisters and t-brothers I can look to for backup, and I will be watching their sixes, too.
Karen
Hi Karen,
Were you asked to leave the military because of your insistence on using language like this? :D ;D
She and I both.
In addition to an occasionally fiery personality, that is a distinguishing characteristic.
"You don't talk like the average mechanic", I was told one time.
I got lectured for having a copy of Karl Marx's "Communist Manifesto"
Quote from: RebeccaFog on June 29, 2007, 11:49:15 PM
Quote from: Rhonda on June 29, 2007, 11:08:49 PM
Quote from: RebeccaFog on June 29, 2007, 08:34:46 PM
Quote from: Karen on June 29, 2007, 08:05:58 PM
Me?
USMC Air Wing (Aviation Ordnance), 1975 - 1979
Army National Guard (Active Duty - AGR), 1985 - 2002. Unit Clerk, Supply Sergeant, Military Broadcaster.
I know that if the effluvia ever impacts the rotating impeller, I have some t-sisters and t-brothers I can look to for backup, and I will be watching their sixes, too.
Karen
Hi Karen,
Were you asked to leave the military because of your insistence on using language like this? :D ;D
She and I both.
In addition to an occasionally fiery personality, that is a distinguishing characteristic.
"You don't talk like the average mechanic", I was told one time.
I got lectured for having a copy of Karl Marx's "Communist Manifesto"
I wonder if I will ever get 'lectured' for having a copy of "Allure" magazine on my desk. ;)
In the Air Wing we performed aerial [******] utilizing rotating pastries... If that's what you mean.
Not surprisingly, intelligent people gravitated to the Air Wing. But they do so wherever there's a concentration of technology.
I once told a senior NCO who was contemplating a course of action to "Render thyself unconscious". The look on his face as he worked it out to 'knock yerself out' was priceless...
Karen
u.s.m.c. 1989 to 1993 i was in cuba,desert storm and desert shild and also went on a west pac on a LST i was in the infantry 1/1
gween
One year Navy Hospital Corpsman. Came out to the navy after a night of suicidal thoughts. would have gotten a dishonorable if not for an unpleasant incident on base one night a month before my discharge. However as part of a deal all records were to be destroyed of the incident. >< Would still serve if I could, but only as a medic, and only for as long as this fool's war drags on.
Oh, and I had an idea of who I was when enlisting, but hoped to be cured of it during basic. Didn't work. Volunteered for Iraq 7 times at the height of my depression, hoped to die in action to spare my family the pain of my transition and to help my sister and brother with college. Glad I'm out despite my desire to serve, the military is to dreary and doesn't like idealistic people.
Quote from: Berliegh on June 28, 2007, 04:51:57 AM
Quote from: Rashelle on June 26, 2007, 02:45:43 PM
It wasn't living in denial it was existing in SUPPRESSION.
Rashelle
Maybe in a country like America there was more propagander and pressure towards young people to join the forces. It's still happening today....
I personally couldn't live or cope with that type of lifestyle and I wouldn't be any good at it anyway. I would be petrified at the thought. You are all so brave...
Hmmnnn... not quite sure I like the term 'propaganda' automatically linked to one's desire to serve their country... :-\ But thank you for calling us brave - not sure that's always true either. :-X
Personally, I volunteered in 1981 - a time when there was little hype about joining, and the military was still unpopular from the Vietnam war. It was simply something I'd always wanted to do.
The number of former military here doesn't surprise me at all however. As noted earlier, joining the military (or other 'macho' pursuits) is very common amoung future MTFs, who are either fighting it, or not really aware.
For FTMs however, it's a natural... I wasn't intimidated by doing a "mans job", or being in a largely male environment. In fact, it felt very natural to me. It was nice to be treated like 'one of the guys', and exist in a world where I was called Sarge, not ma'am, or 'lady', or "hey you, girl..."! ;D
Oh - to answer the question... 10 years, Army. Communication Section Sergeant, E-7. Was forced out due to a Medical Discharge for asthma. While it was true I had asthma (developed just after completing Training), I'd never failed a PT test. What is really was, was a homophobic Commanding Officer, and my young naivete in not being very closeted. Oh well...
Scott
Airborne Infantry. Currently Active, going on 5 years. Reup'ed last month for financial stability. Gonna be in until 2012 unless something unforeseeable happens.
I dressed a little in highschool so I knew something was there but I was unfamiliar with what it was and what it meant. I am an Army brat and it just made since to join up even if there was a war on. 4th Generation Army with a Medal of Honor recipient in the Civil War.
~Vanessa
U.S.M.C. 1974 (just after High School) to 1978 (End of 4 year enlistment). My MOS (Military Occupational Speciality) was in Ground Radio Repair.
The Marines are a great organization - taught me a lot about discipline and getting the job done. I never saw combat. I made it through ok during my enlistment (got out as an E-5 Sgt) but decided that a career in the military wasn't for me (not good at giving orders, and I never was really as strong or tough as the other guys).
After the military, I worked a few years of low paying electronic technician jobs, until I was able to get hired in at an auto campany (Chrysler) as an electronic technician, and have been doing ok at this job ever since (23+ years now).
In retrospect the years I was in (age 19 - 23) were the years I was in the best physical shape of my life and reasonably mentally healthy, and was therefore the best able to perform and carry out what was required of me. It turned out to be a good decision to get out when I did. In my mid-thirties to my mid-forties (approx) I went through an episode of depression (took me a long time to figure out what was wrong with me) that while I managed to stay employed in my civilian job would have made it impossible for me to live or work in a military job / environment.
I'll always love the Marine Corps, and have the utmost respect for my fellow Marines (those who served and fought in wars past, and those who serve and fight today).
Quote from: Wendy Kahr on August 09, 2007, 08:35:29 AM
U.S.M.C. 1974 (just after High School) to 1978 (End of 4 year enlistment). My MOS (Military Occupational Speciality) was in Ground Radio Repair.
Did you go to the ground electronics school in 29 Palms? If you did, we may well have been there at the same time! Semper Fi
Karen Lyn
I always knew, the gender i was born in was wrong since I was a kid. Not that I went into service then known about it. I enlisted when they state we will go into war in middle east again. However, that night when i sign the paper work came home find it over.. we not going to war..
I serve 6 years in US Army as Medical specialist.
Ive always thought about going into the Military. It somehow seems appealing to me. Protecting your country and freedom and such.
Quote from: greg-unknown on August 29, 2007, 08:56:25 PM
Ive always thought about going into the Military. It somehow seems appealing to me. Protecting your country and freedom and such.
It can be a calling, for sure. For many, I know it's mainly about the benefits (college assistance, VA loans, cash bonuses, etc), and I don't have a hard time with those at all - the people who choose to serve their country deserve all that and more. So it's good that the extra benefits are there, but..........
That said, I like to think & hope that there's still the more ultraistic ideas of serving one's country, patriotism, etc in the decision to go into the military. I'm kind of old fashioned that way, but I've always felt that service to ones country, community, etc is a great thing, and the military is a very honourable way to do that. (We won't get into current politics, etc please...)
Anyway, the military certainly isn't for everyone, and for Transfolks who are aware of who they are, it probably isn't really a good place at all right now. But still, it's good to know that there are people who still believe that serving ones country, etc can be a good thing.
Scott
Quote from: Mallard500 on August 30, 2007, 04:09:01 AM
Quote from: greg-unknown on August 29, 2007, 08:56:25 PM
Ive always thought about going into the Military. It somehow seems appealing to me. Protecting your country and freedom and such.
It can be a calling, for sure. For many, I know it's mainly about the benefits (college assistance, VA loans, cash bonuses, etc), and I don't have a hard time with those at all - the people who choose to serve their country deserve all that and more. So it's good that the extra benefits are there, but..........
That said, I like to think & hope that there's still the more ultraistic ideas of serving one's country, patriotism, etc in the decision to go into the military. I'm kind of old fashioned that way, but I've always felt that service to ones country, community, etc is a great thing, and the military is a very honourable way to do that. (We won't get into current politics, etc please...)
Anyway, the military certainly isn't for everyone, and for Transfolks who are aware of who they are, it probably isn't really a good place at all right now. But still, it's good to know that there are people who still believe that serving ones country, etc can be a good thing.
Scott
Thanks, I dont actually know that much about the Military right now or its benefits, Ive always just thought of it as protecting your freedom and helping other people. I would never join the American military, but I cant really anyways because Im Canadian. As I said before I dont really know that much about it. But being in the Army or being a Marine just seems appealing to me and seems like something Id like to do when I get older. But Im still not sure about anything these days.
I'm a lifelong civilian. But I worked in the Defense Department for some years with military officers as my supervisors (and the experience opened my eyes to how many lesbians are serving in the military, it reminded me how much I like being around lesbians). The month after leaving and switching to a non-Defense job, I came out to myself.
One of my transsexual friends served in the Army in Vietnam. She was "blanketed" by her fellow soldiers. Anyone else ever get that treatment?
Quote from: Hypatia on September 01, 2007, 05:38:34 PM
I'm a lifelong civilian. But I worked in the Defense Department for some years with military officers as my supervisors (and the experience opened my eyes to how many lesbians are serving in the military, it reminded me how much I like being around lesbians). The month after leaving and switching to a non-Defense job, I came out to myself.
One of my transsexual friends served in the Army in Vietnam. She was "blanketed" by her fellow soldiers. Anyone else ever get that treatment?
I've never participated in a "blanket party" though there was a guy in my platoon who was on the receiving end. He had this thing about bathing so he didn't bother. He had crabs and passed them on to the other bunks near him. Needless to say the guys who caught them were Not impressed. The blanket party didn't changed anything but our platoon sargeant had the other infected troops take him to the showers and got him nice and clean.
Quote from: KarenLyn on September 03, 2007, 01:22:39 AM
Quote from: Hypatia on September 01, 2007, 05:38:34 PM
I'm a lifelong civilian. But I worked in the Defense Department for some years with military officers as my supervisors (and the experience opened my eyes to how many lesbians are serving in the military, it reminded me how much I like being around lesbians). The month after leaving and switching to a non-Defense job, I came out to myself.
One of my transsexual friends served in the Army in Vietnam. She was "blanketed" by her fellow soldiers. Anyone else ever get that treatment?
I've never participated in a "blanket party" though there was a guy in my platoon who was on the receiving end. He had this thing about bathing so he didn't bother. He had crabs and passed them on to the other bunks near him. Needless to say the guys who caught them were Not impressed. The blanket party didn't changed anything but our platoon sargeant had the other infected troops take him to the showers and got him nice and clean.
I too have participated in a blanket party, it was back in '85 when I was in School following Boot Camp and we had a guy that didn't like taking baths or washing is dirty clothing & we had a room inspection and his locker was the first one the inspector stuck his head in and I thought that man would pass out. Needless to say we failed the inspection, so a few nights later this young sailor discovered just how to bath, wash his uniforms & nurse bruised ribs. There are a few things to say about active peer motivational skills, the military should have never gotten rid of some of the old ways. >:D
It might be an 'American' Phenomena as the Transsexuals I know in the U.K have never been in the forces...
In the U.S.A it might be more expected or forced to a certain extent....
USMC 95-99 extended to 2001, TOS Contract to 2011
Spent most of my time TAD'd to 5th Force Recon, 3rd SRIG out of Okinawa.
Quote from: Skye on September 10, 2007, 05:51:34 PM
USMC 95-99 extended to 2001, TOS Contract to 2011
Spent most of my time TAD'd to 5th Force Recon, 3rd SRIG out of Okinawa.
What does that mean in English?
Prior post means that she served in the USMC special forces unit, 5th Force Recon, SRIG(Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Intelligence Group). Myself was USMC MP 86-91, MOS:5811 school trained, don't regret it, boring tough outfit, kings and queens of mind games.
It gave me a backbone, USMC E4
Semper Fi, do or die.
Lucia
When that little alert pops up that the post you are replying to has been inactive for 30 days, you might want to listen to it ;) Responding to a seven year old comment is quite a bit late to the party.
I was a crew chief in the USAF from 2009-2011. I was only in for two years because of a medical discharge for depression. Oh well. I gave it a shot. At least I got to keep my GI bill benefits, which got me back into school.
Also... lol @ the revival of this topic after so many years.
There is also another huge thread about vets here. I don't remember the starter but Devlyn sent me to it about 18 months ago and it use to be pretty active.
I didn't even know this thread was here when I started the Roll Call (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,96755.0.html) thread. Thanks to all for your service.
Hugs, Devlyn
1980 - 1992 US Army
Sgt. E-5 Germany, Korea, Saudi Ariaba
Glad I went, Happier after I left.
Jamie
1970 - 1973 British Army - RE Sapper -Combat Engineer, then Potential Officer Cadet attached Parachute Regiment, then Royal Military Academy Sandhurst until outed as TS. Why would anyone want to jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane??
JudithLynn