Posted on 05/21/2004 1:24:18 PM PDT by COBOL2Java
For all you Zoomies out there, please don't take umbrage, because I loved working with you guys.
What's the difference between being in the Air Force and being on welfare?
When you're on welfare, you have to go get your check.
During alerts and ORI's, it would crack me up to see you guys bitching about having to work 12 hour shifts. Of course, deep down inside, I was jealous. For me, it meant up to 4 days being stuck down in the wing CP, because only my battery commander and I had TS clearances.
At the time, Hahn was an F-4 base. One of my favorite stunts was to ask a fighter jock for assistance on aircraft recognition. I'd tell them that my platoon would normally score 95% on their aircraft recognition test, but for some reason, they always misidentified the F-4. FYI, the F-4 was probably the most recognizable aircraft in the Air Force, owing to its upturned wing tips.
Serving with the Air Force was a great motivational tool. We gave poor soldiers a choice: they could change their ways for the better, and continue to enjoy made to order omelets for breakfast, or: they could be shipped out to the 1st Infantry Division. Worked like a charm!
Finally, I recall Hahn having one of the first women to serve as Base Commander. Alas, I don't remember her name, but I do remember a verbal altercation between her and the Army Liasion Officer. She caught the ALO hatless one fine day, and sternly asked him, "Major, how am I supposed to distinguish you from the real pilots on this base?"
The Major replied, "Two ways, Colonel. First, I have a military haircut. Second, my boots are shined!" With that, he saluted, did an about face, and went on his way.
Finally, during her first ORI as Base Commander, she was miffed that I (a 1LT) would be called to the "Eagles Nest" whenever there was a NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) input, even though her staff included a CPT as her full time Base Preparedness Officer. The Wing Commander was brief: he preferred my guidance to that of his officer.
Background: several weeks before my first ORI, I received NBC training at Vilseck, as one of my extra duties was NBC officer. During the first day of the exercise, an NBC input was delivered while I was briefing the Wing Cdr on our positions. After being advised that Ramstein had been "hit" by a Sarin attack, the CPT recommended Alarm Red, which meant that everybody outside had to put on their protective equipment.
At the time, I was a brash 2LT, and spoke up. The Colonels looked at me rather incredulously, and I said: Colonel, I recommend that you go to Alarm Yellow (no masks) for the following reasons: 1. Ramstein is 60 miles east of us. 2. The winds are westerly. 3. It's raining like hell outside, and Sarin is a nonpersistant nerve agent!
The Wing Cdr says, I like your idea! Behind him, I could see one of the evaluators (a Belgique LTC) nodding in agreement. From that day on, I was called up on every future input.
One last reason for enjoying my tour so much: Friday afternoons, hanging out at Eduard Kroth's winery in Zell-Merl. We'd talk cars, among other things, as Eduard and I sampled his vintages for several hours, starting with his Kabinett, and finishing with his Trockenbeerenauslese. He had a vintage of Eiswein that was so small, he typed the labels by hand!
Had I not been a "grunt" on a Zoomie base, I doubt I would have ever enjoyed the pleasures of living on the Mosel River.
Sorry! My beer goggles were fogged up and I missed the ;-)
LOL!!!! I understand completely. :-)
I received a medical discharge from the Army because of high blood pressure. On my last day, my 2nd Lt. said to me "Hey, join the Navy! They'll take anybody!"
Sometimes I wish I'd taken her up on that suggestion...
Thanks for understanding!
; )
OK OK ...........enough shots at the AF.
LOL.. You must know by now that we of Zoomie extraction are held to a much higher standard and therefore are destined to suffer the disparagement of the ASVABS-challenged.
I always loved being asked if I drove for Greyhound or Trailways.
I read poorly when I am sober. You type fast and I am a slow reader. Type slower next time.
At least they didn't think we were doormen.
I always liked a nice pair of properly faded dungarees myself but they don't wear them anymore. So instead of stenciling names on the uniforms they have embroidered patches sewn on. Great deal for the Navy Exchange Uniform Shops. Other than that mostly correct.
I went back into the reserves a couple of years ago, and now they wear what are basically Dickies pants. Iron-on crows and stencils are verboten.
I still have a ton of bellbottoms somewhere. I should sell them to a trendy retro clothes shop :)
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