523 replies to this topic

[Ghoti_Styx]

No, armor isn't quite as far as you can get from being a paratrooper.  I served on ships that sank on purpose.

I've always been a military buff -- planes, tanks, and subs, mainly.  If I hadn't gone for the nuclear field (and subs), I probably would have joined the Army and gone into tanks.

[wookieman]

19K, Gunner thru the M1A1(HA) was in Germany for 3yrs and enjoyed my time there. Had many visits to Grafonwehr (sp?) and even a couple to Hohenfels, liked most of them. My most interesting observations during this time were that Germany still has alot of left over bunker, pillboxes, etc. from WW2 scattered all over the place. Was still there when the Wall came down and it was an interesting time.

Also, for another historical piece to add, I served onboard the USS New Jersey (BB-62) for 3yrs when she was recommissioned in 1982. Got to see Pres. Reagan up close and personnel as he did a unit 'inspection' before proceeding onboard and giving his speech. Worked in the 16" turrets in many areas and transferred of the service as my next choice of assignment was the USS Iowa.

[Hehahi]

USMC
0351 Assaltman originally.
0352 Anti-Tank Missleman by assignment.
Usually carried one of the two platoon M60 machineguns because no one else would.

It was a long time ago, though. I still recall, with much pain, my first "hump" in the fleet. Loadout was the standard pack, belt and rifle... added to that was a "training aid" fake Dragon tube over each shoulder. That was a looong 20 miles to walk.

After that, the pig (M60 machinegun) didn't seem such a bad thing to haul around.

[The_Chieftain]

I always tended to volunteer to carry the M60/M240. Yeah, it was heavier than the rifle, but when the real energetic stuff started, the guys with the rifles were doing 3-5 second rushes, diving around/under/into cover and then getting up and sprinting as hard as they could, while I would just lie down, rest the MG on the bipod, and proceed to lighten my ammunition load.

[Reichsadler]

I'm very surprised by the number of ex or current military personel who play this game. You guys know there are games out there that are better at simulating real tanks right?

This may also explain why so much of this game's community take the game so seriously. Win rate is life.

I'm in the last category, I have some interest in tanks, however I'm mostly none of the above and yes I play other MMO's. I've played WoW and SWTOR. I enjoy other games, so when Guild Wars 2 and Diablo 3 is out, WoT will get very little playtime.

[Axius]

US Marines from 1987-1992
2131 - Artillery repair. I worked on M198,M105 (both towed arty) and M114, M109 Self propelled. I was with MSSG-24 for a good chunck of time while I served. Best memory (other than the people I knew) was driving an M60 tank for about 30 minutes... I had a smile on my face for the next week.

[BTDT]

11B, 9 years AD with 6 years @ 3rd Bn 75th RGR RGT.... and 4th SBCT, so I know a meager portion of mechanized/Motorized/LPC-borne Infantry methods.

Medically retired, now.

[Anthraxicus]

My Dad flew on a B-17 as Nav, my Step Dad flew Thuds and then was transfered stateside to train for the same airframe. Arthritis got me DQed for the Military, much to my regret.
The movie "Patton" is my all time favorite movie. Irwin Rommel was a mad genius working for a crazed drug addicted megalomaniac. (Thank Goodness for drugs, just sayin'!) & Stalin was a fool if you consider what he did to his General Staff just prior to WWll.

The AMX 12t et al remind me of the mindset behind the French Foreign Legion, i.e. they're expendable.

After killing my 1st Sherman, I can see why the Germans called them "Tommy Cookers." Boy do I pity the poor slobs who had to ride those mobile funeral pyres, God bless 'em all. Which also leads me to believe that Detroit needs to remember that this is no longer WWll, and we can't win the day with halfassed crap in this era, nope.

And after playing this game for the last month I can quite understand why Gen. Patton was a cranky bastard who spoke his mind too much at exactly the wrong time.

Edited by Anthraxicus, May 09 2012 - 20:45.

[Akuzimo]

Not military:  But I do know more about tanks than most people (aside from them being big and noisy - I prefer to call them overbearing and intimidating).

However, if I am ever drafted (if that ever comes in the US again) or must join for any particular reason, tanks is where I'll be heading.

[dingofire121094]

non millitary although decidely a millitary history buff. Closest thing to a parachute landing was falling out of a tree into a thorn bush. Also to its perfectly normal to be bothered by the takeoffs not equaling landing in most cases if your jumping out of a plane it means 1. something went terribly wring and 2 your shit out of luck in the middle of no where.

[dingofire121094]

Ghoti_Styx, on Apr 24 2012 - 21:34, said:

No, armor isn't quite as far as you can get from being a paratrooper.  I served on ships that sank on purpose.

I've always been a military buff -- planes, tanks, and subs, mainly.  If I hadn't gone for the nuclear field (and subs), I probably would have joined the Army and gone into tanks.

You mean CHASE Cut holes and sinkem

[dingofire121094]

never mind see that you were in the subs.

[Tin_Kopfsky]

Grandfather was a WWII spook...too many kids to get into the 'shoot-em-up'.

Dad is a retired Kaserne God, tank gunner originally (lol...with one eye...they were desperate in '52), then maintenance.

Father-in-law retired as CWO4....turbines.

Older brother was an Army Techie...CB(N)W stuff.

Younger brother was in the First Gulf War as a Supply Weanie....got West of Kuwait City...and hasn't been able to eat chicken since.

Sister married an MP.

Nephew just got out of the USMC, pointy end of the spear...got to eat a lot of sand.

Son is signing up to be a squid.

Wife is a wall-papered Military Historian....in the 'Historiography' vein for the most part....WWI and WWII of particular interest...and.....her particular interest with Female participation and social aspects.

Me?  I'm qualified as a 'researcher'....which means I get to memorize all the cool stuff to counter the left-leaning afore-mentioned wife.

Edited by Tin_Kopfsky, May 14 2012 - 03:50.

[KilljoyCutter]

Never could have served, too many medical issues (bad knee, fairly badly nearsighted, hypoglycemic, isomniac).

HIstory minor, military history buff.

[Zakeer]

19K Served on the M60A3 and M1A1

[HatsuneMiku]

US Marines 1999~2005

I was a motor T mech but my last unit was an AAV company

Had lots of fun with surf qual

Edited by HatsuneMiku, May 16 2012 - 00:05.

[Tank_Frank]

Air Force, Radio Relay.  Much more sane than the other choices. But you do have to have a brain and use it.

[ACRay]

19K Active Duty

I'm on an A2 SEP Ver 2 now, but here's my favorite pic... My M1A1 in Korea:

http://sphotos.xx.fb...4_8196226_n.jpg

Edited by ACRay, May 19 2012 - 01:36.

[jimmyvoid]

I was Commo for the first tour 1984-88, RATRIG opp and our Equp was mounted in an old 113.
Re-up'ed in 1988-92, and was placed with a scout platoon as a radio Opp in 11ACR.. did that entire tour in Germany, seen action in Iraq..
Re-Up'ed in 1992-till-96, and finished my time at Ft Hood, with 1st Cav 13th Sig Bn , but buy that time most if not all the old Armored Divisions had deactivated and the Army became less fun..

I went in as an E-1 and 12 years latter was an E-6. Wish now I had finished my 20..

Edited by jimmyvoid, Jun 02 2012 - 03:30.

[jacorin]

Australian Army...Combat Engineers...22yrs ret as Cpl