Recruit Training Command, San Diego, California

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  • Thomas, I agree, we spend more money on aid to foreign countries then we do on our country! You would think that this government would have learned the lesson from Nam - you can not defeat an enemy that you can not identify! How do you defeat the terrorists? They do not walk around in a uniform or a warning label! The latest was the Boston marathon.

  • Gentleman, not to be a "know it all," but A LOT of the vets on the street are "skitso's" which makes dealing with them a challenge. The idea of housing them, at different locals than what they are accustomed to can be a problem. We tried it in Tucson, we had a shelter set up for about 20 of them and more than half stayed for a week or so and we found them back on the streets.Your idea would be wonderful, but saddled with problems.It would work well with families who are on the streets because of the economy, loss of work and housing. Another problem...we pump more aid to other countries and fail to recognize the "Human Carnage," here on our streets. God would answer my prayers if this worked out. Just an FYI 3 million children go to bed hungry every night here in the US. Something is wrong here!!! 

    PROBLEMS.IT
  • Jim, I am with you on that.  With all the bases that are closing, those barracks would be perfect for the homeless vet.  They could have everything they need, showers, they could even start up the mess hall again.  In San Diego when I was there they would have a stand down, all the vets would get showers, hair cuts, clean clothes and any kind of help we could get down there. Lot of Vet Volunteers. 

     

  • Terry,you said that two word phrase that irks me to this day! "Homeless Vets"!

    What really gets my goat is all the empty housing on closed bases that is left to rot when it could be used to house every single vet out there that needs a roof! Just take Almeda for an example. Take a little aerial tour with the "bird's eye view" on Bing maps. All those barracks and houses that once housed Navy personnel, could be housing them again as vets! Where are those brainiacs when the answer to a problem resolves another problem! (what to do with those units on those closed bases)

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  • Terry, I commend you for your service with the Marines and look up to you for tackling your health issues. I was an SK2 assigned to the 7th Marines Expeditionary mapping perimenters of DaNang in 1961. Of course since discharge have entered the ministry. I have committed my ministry to the homeless military and the comfort of those in the VA's and VA care facilities. There is a place in my heart for the VietNam vets as my brothers.This does not mean I leave the others out, how can one? My wife is a nurse and administrator.RN, BSN, MSN, MBA. There are times we go together to the VA and visit.190,000 on the streets today, would not it be wonderful to cut that in half each year.

  • 1969.  I was out in the field in Viet Nam on a two company platoon sweep ub the Khe Sahn Valley when my senior company (1/4/3) came by and punched me in the arm.  Said when the first choppper came in because I was going to my own company since I made HM2.  He was the only one that ever slugged me but I respected him and didn't mind a bit.  Had to hop onto the chopper (CH-46) while they were hovering because all the C-4 couldn't cut the jungle down low enough. Quite a hop. They were throwing out the mail and a few rations and water while they were there while the second chopper was circling with the mini gun out the door. I had several reservists with our company and one even was assigned to the USS Bennington (Carrier) that was in dry dock being modernized.  They went out after the work was all done to shake it down and then in to the maintenance dock for more work to top it off.  Then they decommisioned her. There was a Corpsman aboard her who wanted to trade orders with me to go back to VIet Nam for some unfinished business.  He didn't fit in the stateside Navy and had several Courts Marshalls pending and they wouldn' let him go.  I wanted to get aboard a carrier since my dad was on one during the second WW.  It was sunk off Leyte Gulf off hte Phillipines  (USS Gambier Bay, CVE)  The reservist who tried to set it up was with me at USNH Camp Pendleton and when I came back from Viet Nam was my best Man at my wedding in ND.

    I knew two Marines that were drafted that were with me in Viet Nam and they were the most squared away Marines in the entire company.

    Got a 10 day early out to attend school.  Became a Registered Nurse specializing in CardioVascular surgery and applied for a Commission in the Navy Nurse Corps.  No Paid Billets, one billet available in Washington state, non paid, no benefits, no officers quarters. Once a month drills, 2 weeks in the summer, non paid.  Could not afford that so I stopped the process.  At least I thought I did...Even looked into the Army Nurse Corps but that is why I went into the Navy in the first place to avoid the army.  (LOL) 

    I agree about the "Foreign Aid" issue.  We are just trying to buy influence and most of the money finds its way into corrupt politicians and groups that would like to see us destroyed.  Look at Afghanistan, we know all the money goes to Kharzi and his corrupt brother by the truck load. That is not the only country.

    When I went to the VA for benefits for incurable Multiple Myeloma it took me 7 months to get through the process, but I called once a week and sometimes twice a week to tweek the system.  It helped when I got a hold of someone who know what was happening and could actually do things to advance the process while we were on the phone together.  I think I talked to three people during those 7 months but they really moved things.  Most had no clue. I

    would not have known anything except Iwas having a stem cell recovery at City of Hope and there was a retired with MM having stem cells taken also and he told me that MM qualified for VA benefits and he was fighting to get them since he was a blue water sailor and argued that the wind didn't stop at the shoreline. After my stem cell 'transplant' I recovered enough to apply and was brought up to date. There was not any arguement from Social Security when I applied.

    I am on Decadron today so very talkative.  Information is important to those with medical problems determined to have been associated with active duty stations.They won't tell you and you  have to research it. VA has a website and look there first for the listing for covered conditions.  I think there are 14 now.

    Terry

  • I too got the early out but only three months. we had a reservist boot camp two buildings down.  Seems like they did not do near what we had to do.. Of course if I had kept my mouth shut some times it would have meant a few less marching parties..  Giggling at attention was frowned upon, even if the CC had his fly unzipped.  Ah well, went from 135 lbs to 128 and had a 36 inch chest. Lots of "give me 20!".. Now they can't even tack on a crow.  Man I hit third I thought my arm was going to fall off, then E5 and Man everyone wanted a crack at me.  My arm was black, blue and purple with a little yellow mixed in.  Not sure what would have happened if I made first..

     

  • Daniel, I vaguely remember hearing of a Navy draftee, but it is news that they received only shore duty. Of course that shore duty could have been in an unfriendly place like Vietnam! If stateside shore duty and only two years of active to serve, take me, take me! How could one get so lucky!!!

    I did get even with the recruiter in a round about way. I lucked into a six month early out, so only served 3 1/2 years active duty. That cost me qualifying for a good conduct medal, but six months of freedom was worth more at the time.

  • Thomas, I agree. It burns me up to see foreign aid money going to countries that would turn on us in a New York minute. 

  • I actually served with a Navy Draftee when I was stationed in D.C. They were far and few between. Only one I ever ran into. The Navy and Marines had a few draftees in 65 and 66. Don't know if  the guy was pulling my leg, but he said the Navy draftees all got shore duty, didn't send them to sea for some reason.             Bob, a recruiter lied to you, say it isn't so, ha !

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RTC San Diego Company 788 1968

I would like to re-connect with any recruits from co. 788 from Nov. 12, 1968- Jan 30 1969 I still have my "ANCHOR" and all the names of my company mates. We were an outstanding group of sailors and I'd like to share comments about the rest of your Naval service                                                          THAT'S  COMPANY 788                                                          Nov 68- Jan 69                                                          RTC San…

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