I served, way back in the 1960s, but that was not a popular time to be an Army guy. I rose to the rank of Spec 6. However because I served a total of only 20 months (enlisted reserve) I do not qualify for any benefits. I’m not even technically a veteran. Still, I salute those who are.
We had a friend who served in Vietnam back in 1962 before it blew up into the war it became later and it was apparently a very different thing at that time.
It was a weird deal, Bob. I started at my reserve unit before I went to active and was already PFC when I hit basic. I was a squad leader and lead in AIT and they promoted me again to Sp 3 (tank gunner) when my 6 months active was up. After 2 years of meetings and summer camps I was Sp 5 and in two more years (tank commander) of meetings and summer camp. I made Sp 6 (senior company clerk in an Armor Co.) about 3 months before my 6 year (but only 20 months worth of actual duty days) was up.
We had a guy come to Battalion as an E-3 and a few months later was an E-5. He was a paper pusher and basically gave himself the promotions. Meanwhile me and a lot of other guys were way over time-in-grade because Battalion would siphon off most of the available promotions and we’d be left with nearly nothing. I hated Battalion. When I was chivvied into representing my company in the soldier-of-the-month competition I was happy to beat all the Battalion slobs, but when they sent me to Group as a representative of Battalion I didn’t care if I won or not.
I’m grateful to all who served–especially my sister, who served in the Air Force for 25 years.
Deb, I’m grateful to those who serve, too. They make a lot of sacrifices on our behalf.
I served, way back in the 1960s, but that was not a popular time to be an Army guy. I rose to the rank of Spec 6. However because I served a total of only 20 months (enlisted reserve) I do not qualify for any benefits. I’m not even technically a veteran. Still, I salute those who are.
We had a friend who served in Vietnam back in 1962 before it blew up into the war it became later and it was apparently a very different thing at that time.
Rick, you served your country in my book. Thank you!
Jeff, we have several friends who served in Vietnam. Their experience changed them…some radically.
Rick, you made Spec 6 in 20 months? That’s either incredible or ridiculous. They did away with any of the Specialist ranks over five when I was in.
It was a weird deal, Bob. I started at my reserve unit before I went to active and was already PFC when I hit basic. I was a squad leader and lead in AIT and they promoted me again to Sp 3 (tank gunner) when my 6 months active was up. After 2 years of meetings and summer camps I was Sp 5 and in two more years (tank commander) of meetings and summer camp. I made Sp 6 (senior company clerk in an Armor Co.) about 3 months before my 6 year (but only 20 months worth of actual duty days) was up.
… after two years I was Sp 4, then 5…
We had a guy come to Battalion as an E-3 and a few months later was an E-5. He was a paper pusher and basically gave himself the promotions. Meanwhile me and a lot of other guys were way over time-in-grade because Battalion would siphon off most of the available promotions and we’d be left with nearly nothing. I hated Battalion. When I was chivvied into representing my company in the soldier-of-the-month competition I was happy to beat all the Battalion slobs, but when they sent me to Group as a representative of Battalion I didn’t care if I won or not.