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How many of us here have served in the military . I myself am a retired Navy veteran . If you have prior service please indicate which branch you served and how many years . I was an aviation ordnance-man . I served on 4 ships ( USS John F Kennedy twice , USS Nimitz and USS Stenis)and 3 squadrons ( VF-32 , VA-75 and VF-14).
I was in the Army from 1968 thru 1974 and served in VietNam in 1969 with the 3rd Brigade,82nd Airborne,2/505th ,Echo company RECON and very proud to have done so.ALL THE WAY ,AIRBORNE.And ladies,thank you for your service,it was a team effort.After Nam ,I was sent to Fort Benning to help train the OCS candidates and the Rangers.
Well, I never personal severed. I was that age between Vietnam and what ever was next, even though I did have a 4H draft card (4 Holding). I was never called up. But my father was a Army lifer. I was born on an Army base, lived on army bases, even visited my dad inside the missile silos in the 60’s! We moved every 12-18 months and had a terrible childhood because of it. But my father did our country proud as he signed up in 1940 and retired in 1965. I won’t go into his service, but it was distinguished. My mother was in the Marines during WWII serving in the states. Now they are both gone and are buried together in Arlington. So today I thank them deeply for their service as I do to all the others.
I don’t want to cheapen the service of those that did serve, but I want to say thank you for your service. Many grew up with a much more normal life because you didn’t. I came of age right at the end of the Vietnam War. I was so afraid of the consequences of service at that time that I broke a multi generational family string of males serving our country. One that may never start back. For that, I am ashamed!
Lisa-I too never served myself but had family who did. I wrote about it on the site here my first yerar back in 2015 https://www.crossdresserheaven.com/the-sacrifice-of-the-few-to-protect-the-freedom-of-the-many/
Those like us who grew up in military families sacrificed much it’s true-I wrote in detail about that in the article). I was eight when my dad retired so I got some of both sides- the life of an Air Force brat as well as a more “normal” civilian life after that-(though normal in my case included my oldest brother breaking his neck and becoming a lifetime quadriplegic at age 16 (I was 7 at that time)-an event that drastically changed the course of our entire family’s lives).
While it was certainly stressful with the moves and separations(and the worries dad might not come home one day), there were so many offsetting benefits. Living overseas and getting a broader worldwide perspective was invaluable. And despite the frequent moves, the military community can be a lifesaver-we often/usually took care of our own. And the sacrifices of both our serving family members as well as the family left behind are what allows the rest of the free world to have the freedom they enjoy.
My alma mater-Virginia Tech-has a motto that says simply “Ut prosim”-“That I may Serve”.
Thanks to ALL who served!
Cyn
I’m a Vietnam veteran. I was about to be drafted so I went ahead and joined the Army. At that time most were drafted with few who actually joined voluntarily and I think that put me on a path of service that most wouldn’t believe. I was very lucky. I salute all my brother military members who have served…. thank you for your service.
My branch of the services is not mentioned. I served in the Royal Navy for 12 years. Yes, there is a distinction between Navy & Royal Navy.
Thank you all for service. I was too young for Vietnam, but there was a guy up street that served. each time he came home a banner was put up on house, usually promoted. Luckily he survived. My dad was Navy during Korea, grandfather was Infintry in WW II. Bless you all who served
Hugs GingerI enlisted in the Marine Corps and served 4 years from 1968 to 1972 and was in Viet Nam in 1969 and 1970.
Semper Fi marine
I was in the Army. Military Police Corps. Grafenwoher Germany, West Point, Panama, Ft Devens Mass, Darmstadt Germany. I was deployed back to Panama for the invasion. I worked on the SOUTHCOM commanders protective detail.
Spent 5 years with Navy, 2000-2005, first as an electrician’s mate, then as a torpedo’s mate for the last 2 years. Served onboard the guided missile destroyer USS The Sullivans which was homeported at the same base as the carrier John F. Kennedy.
While an additional response of “no service” would not prove this out, the responses would be interesting. A study some years ago showed that prevalence of crossdressers in military is three times as great as it is in the general population. I have demographic research based on interviews with nearly 200 crossdressers looking to join a crossdresser support group. I compared results to other survey data. One of many conclusions was that applicants with military or law enforcement backgrounds is surprisingly high.
I have used my demographics to develop an 11-question multiple choice quiz which I give to university classes and other groups interested in such things. I compare results to what one might expect from random guessing. When designing the questionnaire I expected most respondents to ace the quiz. I discovered, however, that random guessing often produces more accurate results than perceptions of even those well educated in gender topics. One of my questions centers on this topic.
As time has advanced and awareness and acceptance of the transgender population has increased, I figured scores would improve. But the reverse is true. Why? We tend to draw personal conclusions from personal observations.
As just one example, many may be unaware of the prevalence of crossdressers in our midst unless we attend a drag show or see a TV show centering on this topic. So someone might reason, for instance, “performers in drag shows crossdress; most performers in drag shows are gay; therefore most crossdressers perform in drag shows and are gay.”
Or see if this fits closer to home: “A MtoF crossdresser usually uses the women’s restroom when dressed. Someone using a ladies’ room must believe they are a lady. To use a lady’s room one must identify as a woman.” Ergo: some legislation mandates that one should use the restroom for the sex with which they identify. A male who identifies as a male but dresses as a female must use the men’s room when dressed as a female.
I now realize that my primary goal in asking such questions should not be to educate folks on what is the most accurate answer, but on helping folks realize how easily our conclusions are influenced by perceptions based on limited personal observations, which can easily lead to false conclusions. It is critical to be well informed of the facts before offering an opinion which can often cause more harm than good, even lead to legislation which can be harmful to many in our community.
Of hundreds who have taken my quiz, encompassing all sections of the population, including transgender people and professors of gender topics, no one has ever aced the quiz. Even those of us in the community know far less than we think we do. Personal experience and conclusions drawn therefrom is often a poor barometer for generalizing and projecting to broader populations. We can all benefit by keeping an open mind and recognizing how different we truly are, yet how we ALL serve positive purposes, ALL deserve positive recognition and acceptance for who we are and our right to be who we are, and ALL have unique roles places in a society which can only benefit by synergizing our differences into something greater than any ONE of us can realize on our own.
Indeed, we thank ALL those who have served for their service, guarding our freedom to do and be who we wish, helping make the world a far better place.
it’s my experience that many of us who grew up knowing we were “different” go into the military to make us “man up” and get rid of these urges…
it doesn’t work…
and any members wishing to join our international military veterans group on this site are invited to do so. I encourage you to do so.
the group picture is the ship I was on…
I was in the Army for 5 years. I was an Attack Helicopter Pilot. So macho, if my fellow soldiers could see me now, LOL.
Hugs, Liara
I retired from the Army after serving from 1977 to 2001. My primary Military Occupational Specialty was 31A, Military Police Officer, and my Functional Area was 48H, Northeast Asia Foreign Area Officer.
US Army 1974-1994, retired, Military Police and Recruiter, 4 years in Frankfurt, Germany, 2 years in Fulda, Germany, 2 years in Arizona, 10 years in NY
Thank you to all who served – I am proud to know you and share this part of myself with you
XOXO
SuzanneI was in college during the Viet Nam conflict (such a euphemism!), so I had a 2S deferment. I was kicked out of college for “academic non-performance” and with my medical history (arthritis since childhood) I was assigned to the 1Y category. I got back into college about a year later and eventually graduated, but I was called to take a physical shortly after I re-enrolled. The physical confirmed things for the Army and I was assigned to the 4F category.
US Army 1968-1970 was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation as a result of completing 4 years of ROTC. Because I served in South Vietnam, I did not have reserve duty. Being someone who was definitely against being court martialed, I did not dress while on active duty.
Mary Priscilla
In the USAF late 60’s to 73, a little under 4 yrs active duty, the rest inactive reserve (I got an early out to return to college). My service code was Communications Analyst, but perhaps cryptologist would have been a little closer. Spent all the time in Alaska having married while in the service, so it was easier to extend my active time in an accompanied tour rather than move another time. Made E5 just before getting out – but still had cleaning latrine duty about a month later as everyone in my section had made at least E5 and above.
Hugs ChloeC
I was Marine Corp 1982-1995
Desert storm
Infantry
Army national guard 1995 2004
RetiredI was in the seminary – I had two brothers in vietnam, one in country, one in a submarine, my draft # was 35– I got kicked out of seminary. My Mother told me to go to Canada. I did in 1970, followed a girl back to the states, crossing border-so. long story short. ended up in the Army- hated every minute of it —until Sgt Johnny Johnson took me aside and said, “Ann, you ain’t gonna win until you beat them at their own game, WETSU”. A light bulb went off. So simple. As an aside, after I got out of the service I went back to college and realized all you got to do is go to class, sit up front and ask questions—you’ll get an A!. So got sent to Germany, I knew how to type….this was 1971 pre computers. Sent to hospital and became ‘radar o’reilly’ in HQ. traded liquor ration for rent on the economy. Came home went to college on good GI bill and lived happily ever after!
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Hi Holly. Yes, love is far better than war and love is possible because those who have served make it possible whether they were involuntary draftees or joined for country and careers. We stand on the Wall so others can sleep and make love in peace.
Holly
People like me protected your freedom of speech
And you have a right to your opinion-
Hi Holly.
We are all entitled to our own opinions and thank you for expressing yours. We could debate the merits of military service all day but this isn’t a place for that. There is way too much division in the world today and we do need more love than hate. I hope the moderators don’t delete your post or ban you from CDH and we can let it go agreeing to disagree.
Hope you have a great day dear.
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