My Military Days (daze?)
Photo when I was assigned to the USAMU
Aaron's Index
MILITARY SERVICE
I was in the Army for almost eight years. Why did I get out? Well, to be polite, I just got tired of "jumping through the hoops". I don't regret enlisting though. I had a lot of fun, got to see a lot of exciting places, and met some great people.
I spent my first two years (July of 91 to July of 93) stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. My first unit was HHD 93rd MP BN and the second was the 284th MP CO. Both units were under the 18th MP Brigade. Sadly, the 93rd MP BN was deactivated. Being stationed in Germany was awesome though. I had a great time. Who wouldn't? I got to visit historical places such as Berlin, Stuttgart, Nurnberg, Heidelberg, Berchesgarden, and others too numerous to mention. Some of the countries I visited while in Europe were Austria, Holland (ah, Amsterdam), and Austria (Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart). Anyhow, in July of '93 I PCS'ed (permanent change of station, for you non-military types) to the "Home of the AIRBORNE," Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While at Fort Bragg, I was with the 65th MP Co. (Airborne).
While at Fort Bragg, I graduated
as the distinguished honor graduate (top in my class) from the
Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC). I was also sent to
Fort Benning for a couple weeks for airborne training. I don't
have many "jumps" under my belt, only 17, but most of
them were night jumps with combat equipment. Also, while I was at
Fort Bragg, my unit was deployed to Cuba (Guantanamo Bay) for Cuban refugee control.
That was one hell of a time. After that assignment
I got picked up for the Army Shooting team.
So, the last three years of my (active duty)
military career (from Jan '96 to Aug '98) was with the Army
Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning. There, I was a Shooter and Instructor for the
Service Pistol team. 
That was a great job. Imagine getting paid to do whatever your favorite hobby is! That's exactly what I did. Shooting is a sport, and the army was my sponsor (kind of like how NASCAR drivers have sponsors). It was great while it lasted, but damn, I had to move on. The Army Marksmanship Unit was a great place to work, but it had it downside too. Mostly, I wanted more out of life and I knew I could be happier and make more money as a civilian. I certainly didn't want to get married while I was in the service either. I just wanted more freedom and a better lifestyle!
The
National Guard was great. Besides my State commitments, I also helped with
the Guard Bureau teaching advanced national guard schools such as SAIROC (Small
Arms Instructor Range Operations Course) and MMTC (Master Marksman Trainer
Course). These are great courses for national guard soldiers
anywhere. If you are in the guard, ask about getting into one of these
schools. Click on this link for more information: PEC - Marksmanship Training Center,
located at Camp Robinson, North Little Rock, Arkansas. I hated to leave the
National Guard, but my life just started to get to busy to continue. Family first!
That's the brief details of my military time... lots of stories to tell about those days!
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Last updated: 27 Feb 2008.