How many Vets are here at the POI Factory

I joined the USN reserves in January 1964 of my senior year of HS, two months after turning 17. I began my two years of active duty in October with five months of Engineering Aid school. Afterward I joined a Mobile Construction Battalion serving in Okinawa and Vietnam. This time in the SeaBees prepared me well for a career designing highways for a state DOT which I started at age 30.

When folks thank me for my service, I jokingly reply that I was too young to know any better, but it really did work out well for me.

Army Jan 1960 - Sept 1968

A/2C, US Air Force - 1960-1964. Amarillo AFB, TX, Wurtsmith AFB, Oscoda, Mich., Goose Bay AFB, Goose Bay, Labrador.

Ensign USNR 02 August 1965 and shortly thereafter headed to Vietnam. Remained in the Reserves until January 1978.

PO1 USN - London 70-73, Iceland 73-75, Skaggs Island, CA 75-77, and Guam 77-79. Had a great time in all four locations, but got a better job offer with the civilian side of Uncle Sam. Retired with 42 yrs of federal service. Thank you all for your service and sacrifice!

I am not, but I am thankful to all who served.

USN 68-73
USCG 73-78

GARY HAYMAN
Retired Major USAF (Regular Service) 1955-1976, 21 yrs

ASSIGNMENTS

Office of Special Investigations (OSI) 1955-1963
  Bolling AFB, Washington DC (55)
  OSI School, Washington D.C. (55-56)
  Bolling AFB, Washington D.C. (56)
  Misawa AFB, Japan (56-58)
  US Federal Building, Chicago IL (58-60)
  Suitland Hall, Suitland MD (60)
  State Department Foreign Service Institute, French Language
Training Arlington VA (60)
  Dreux AFB, Detachment Commander Dreux France (60-61)
  Paris France (61-63)

The University of St. Thomas, St. Paul MN (1963-1967)
  Professor of Aerospace Studies USAF

Air University, AFIT, Education w/Industry Program (1967-1968)
North American Rockwell, Space Division, Apollo Program, Downey CA

Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO) El Segundo CA (1968-1970)
  Titan III Space Booster Program

HQ Air Force Systems Command Andrews AFB MD (1970-1976)
  Director of Laboratories Division
  MinuteMan III Division

Air Force Vietnam Era Vet, I thank all the Vets for their service.

- USNA Annapolis MD 1977-81, Commissioned USMC
- Quantico VA, NAS Pensacola FL, MCAS El Toro CA 1981-82
- Inter-service transfer back to USN 1983
- NAS Pensacola FL, Navy Flight School, NFO (RIO) Wings 1984
- NAS Miramar CA, F14 Fighter Squadrons 1985-89
--- VF-124 1985, deployed for Indian Ocean WESTPAC with VF-111 aboard USS Carl Vinson CVN-70 (NAS Alameda CA, Bering Sea, Cubi Point PI, Pusan South Korea, Singapore, Diego Garcia, Gulf of Oman, Mombasa Kenya, Perth Western Australia, Pearl Harbor HI) 1986-87, VF-126 1988
- NAS Pensacola FL, VT-10 NFO Flight Instructor 1990-92
- Separated from military service with 30% RIF cutbacks after Gulf War ended 1992

Thanks to all Vets and active duty in all branches, for your service to our great country. Shameless plug: WWII, Korea, and Vietnam Vets - if you ever have the opportunity to go on an Honor Flight to Washington DC, do NOT pass it up! Not a single Vet who has been on one regrets it. It is the people of this country's way of saying thank you for what you did in a way that you may never have been, and in a way you will never forget. God Bless you and God Bless America!

RD2 USN 59-62. Tech school, then 40+ years in the defense industry primarily working on Navy systems.

I saw this under active forum topics and had to come by. Not a veteran myself but have worked at the veterans hospitals. Thank you all for the services you've graciously given.

You guys have probably the most interesting stories!

USN 4/70-11/79. FTM2. USS Columbus CG12 and DDG4 USS Lawrence.

USN 9/17/62 - 2/1/1966 (3 years, 4 months, and 2 weeks):

9/62 - 12/62 Boot camp, Great Lakes Naval Training Center, north of Chicago
1963 - Naval Air Station, Jacksonville FL; Millington (Memphis) TN for electronics school
6/1964 - 12/1964 Vietnam service aboard the USS Kearsarge (CVS-33), an anti-submarine aircraft carrier. Fixed ARN-52s, which are navigation devices similar to today's GPS's.
1964 - 2/1966 - Imperial Beach, CA, HS-6 (Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6) electronics lab fixing the ARN-52's.
Left as an AT3 (Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd class). There's a reason that I didn't make 2nd class but it's a long story that only someone who was scheduled to get out toward the end of 1965, but didn't, would understand.

I loved every minute of my service.

Phil

Spent my AF time at the then Winston-Salem Radar Station (Now Union Cross Park) in the early 1960s during the Cuban Crisis.

RT

USAF 1960-1964
Then worked for a defense contractor to the USAF on the Alaskan DEWLine.

USN 1958-1978 ETCM(SS) Retired

Two years of Air Force ROTC (1966- 1967) but drafted into the marines before I could get my commission.

I was a marine for just a week in January of 1968 before getting a medical discharge due to a wool allergy. It seemed like a trivial thing at the time but I just couldn't wear a wool uniform without having a severe reaction.

Later tried the AF reserves and the Coast Guard but neither would accept me for the same reason.

Always felt guilty about not being able to serve but god bless all those who did!

,,,when I started this topic that we had so many talented and amazing people who belong to the POI Factory community. Some of you have impressive resumes, but all of you have shown that you really care about our beloved country and you have served her well! As for being a veteran bdhfsz6, I would consider you as a vet. You tried, in more ways than one to join the military. Not just one, but four. That’s totally amazing. So don’t feel guilty. You can’t help it if you’re allergic to wool. Even though you can’t officially say you are a veteran, deep down inside, you really are. My hat is off to you sir!

USAF 1969-1976 flew F-4 and F-105 Based in Thailand, Germany, + USA
National Guard 1977-1982 flew F-105

RAInf 1982 2001
locations : nope-ed still

4 years Naval Reserve (1964-1968) while getting a degree in electrical engineering, then OCS and 3 years active duty (late 1968 - 1971). Having been a licensed ham since age 14 and holding 2nd class FCC commercial radiotelephone license caught the attention of the Navy as duty billets were a perfect match for those skills, not to mention having an EE degree..

1st tour of duty as Electronics Maintenance and Electronics Warfare Officer aboard a newly modernized DDG homeported out of Long Bearch Naval Station that deployed in company with carrier task force to sunny southeast Asia during the Vietnam conflict.

Lots of new generation equipment aboard ship with usual shortage of spare/repair parts typical with new generation systems.

2nd tour to Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force Command in San Diego as staff Electronics Maintenace Officer to provide support for (many ancient) auxilary fleet ships to keep electronic systems running.

Aux fleet ships provide virtually everything that Navy combat ships need e.g. fuel, food, ordnance, spare parts, mail and other supplies.

Marine 1966-1969 Vietnam Vet

Twenty five years, 1969 to 1995, including a 2 year tour in the US.

Drafted in 1969. No choice (never thought about going to Canada) Made the best of it. RLTW!

for the kind words.

Enlisted 1966. Served aboard the USS Sennet, SS408, USS Sea Owl, SS405 and the USS Tigrone, SS419. All diesel electric boats. All east coast boats. Left service in 1972.

United States Marines for 22 yrs, started in 1976!

1974 to 1985

jonzim Did you ever serve with Richard Bleil? He was in SONAR I believe.

me

Sorry, no.

Army Air Defense Command
Nike Missile Base Chicago area
1967-1973