In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Dumb question re WANNABAEES

losmolosmo Member Posts: 13 ✭✭
edited November 2009 in US Military Veteran Forum
First of all I am NOT a Wannabee. I am glad I was not with you guys
being shot at. BUT, I WAS on board ship home ported in Norfolk from early 62 thru 66 where I couldnt play golf at Gitmo on the hill cause of being shot at. Or so I was told. Question is: AM I A VET? I have always been truthful about my service and would never insult you guys by lying as some of the folks you seem to have mentioned.
Remember, not EVERYONE was stationed there. GO NAVY
.
Interesting Info. When Discharged in 66 and in San Francisco I had never even HEARD of a Hippy or Vietnam.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • woodshermitwoodshermit Member Posts: 2,589
    edited November -1
    So, you were in the military during the 60s and never heard of Vietnam? Absolutely impossible.

    Sorry, I just had to say it.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • losmolosmo Member Posts: 13 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Believe it...I was 19 years old and spent 3 months out of france,
    2 months in naples, once a month is San Juan, lived on board ship
    and had no interest in Newspapers and did not watch TV. I guess I
    was not in the mainstream.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • usmcdeltatangousmcdeltatango Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    There existed a number of people that never served in country. They were issued the Nam service ribbon anyway. We referred to it as a firewatch ribbon.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • m.j.ryanm.j.ryan Member Posts: 91 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    You are what is called a "Viet Nam Era" veteran. Just because you were not "in country" does not lessen that fact that you served.
    Mike in Michigan
    Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club
    USS Ranger CVA-61
    1967-68-69
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Old GunnyOld Gunny Member Posts: 193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    For USMC Delta Tango- you are right about the "firewatch ribbon" Here's a few questions to ask some barroom blowhard that might be a 'Nam Wannabe- (1) What was the best type of mosquito dope to use on patrols? The answer is NONE- Charlie could smell it and you would have given away your position (2) What was the toilet paper ration like? The answer is- small squares about the size of rifle bore cleaning patches, absolutely worthless for cleaning your "porthole"
    (3) What was the best position for taking a leak? Answer is- either on your knees, or else sideways in the fetal position- if you stood up to piss, the sound of the stream hitting the ground could give away your position, plus when you are upright, you offer a possible bigger sight picture to the enemy then when you are "on the deck" (4) What color were the NVA tracer rounds? Answer- green, ours were red- don't ask why this, I don't know why, just was. (5) Where did you wear your second dogtag? Answer- laced into the top area of your jungle boots- Why? OK, grim reaper time here- if the upper part of your sorry G.I. was blown away, there went your dogtags around the neck chain, with your head and chest group. So graves registration came up with the second location, assuming your boots were still on your dead body's feet- if not, then your were VSF'd. (6) What are:
    Willie Peters? answer- white phos parachute flares. poophooks? answer- Chinook choppers (7)Final "checkie-checkie question" What part did the Jodies play in the 'Nam Conflict? Answer- they were the half-assed draft-dodgers back home who were bangin' your gal while you were "In Country" and a Jody is lower than whilepoop.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ChinstrapChinstrap Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey Gunny, how about when asking the WANNABEES where they were "in country" and their reply is, "AHHHH....I don't remember...ahhhh..it's been too long ago...ahhh...I forgot right at this time..." etc. I remember "Hill 6", "Hill 10", "Hill 287", Horse-shoe River, the leper colonly, the Phantom at the west end of Dong Ha airport besides a few other obscene places :0) (Monkey Mt., Marble Mt. and the MSR Road)
    Sound familiar?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Old GunnyOld Gunny Member Posts: 193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Reply To "Chinstrap" Semper Fi Gyrene. Best read on your log-in comes from my favorite (only favorite really) Eddie Murphy movie- about 15 years ago- "Trading Places" with SNL star Dan "Elwood" Aykroyd- early scene in Phila. (birthplace of our beloved Corps 10/Nov. Tun's Tavern for those of you who are non one of "God's Chosen Children" but are still reading this)- When Eddie tries to hustle some hot chick in the park near the rich guys private club, two beat cops on Patrol hear his scam on being a 'Nam Vet, grab him up by the armpits and ask him what unit? His reply "I was Agent Orange, etc-- here's another Gunny's Quiz for screening out the Wannabees from the Seabees (Swabies actually) etc; What color was agent orange? To a Wannabee, he'd most likely give you a funny look, as if to suggest- what kinda dumbassed question is that- Answer is: The containers were Orange (the actual defoliant was a shade of Purple) and put many a Vet. into the hospital, later a body bag. The purpose was to strip away the heavy jungle foilage so that Charlie would have fewer hiding places- didn't do much for the tunnels Charlie had all over I Corp however- when you come to think about it, the last war we fought on foreign soil where it was mano a mano, rifleman against rifleman, without mustard gas, agent orange, auto weapons fire, etc. might have been the Spanish-American War, with Teddy Roosevelt and his "Rough Riders" Don't know this for sure, so for all you possibles out there reading this Blog- please feel free to give me your opinion(s) on this. Lock and Load..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VinhlongVet71VinhlongVet71 Member Posts: 4,605
    edited November -1
    You've hit the nail right on the head Gunny. I guess the wannabees feel so inadequate that they have to make up these lies to make themselves feel important, not knowing that they are in ear shot of one of 'us'. My military career ran from 1970-73. At the tender age of 18, I found myself in RVN assigned to the 13th CAB of the 1st Aviation Brigade, HQ'd down in the delta outside a little province called Vinhlong. I was only there for about 8 months. The unit stood down and I got a 4 month drop. Boy was I glad. Go ahead and * me with questions, I won't mind. I wanted to share with all ya'll about a wannabe I ran across during my subsequent career with Fulton County Georgia. I worked in a large water reclamation plant, (known to most as a sewage plant). There were approximately 100 employees in the plant. Only a token few of my good friends knew that I was a Vietnam vetran. Along came this new guy (who was probably about 5 or 6 yrs older than me). He immediately tried to endear himself with everyone by telling everybody that he was a RVN vetran. I had heard alot of his stories, and since I encountered him most every day at some point I just played it cool and responded to his 'stories' with a nod of my head and said 'Yeah?' or 'Cool'. Here's a couple of his stories: Once he was on patrol and was bushwhacked by three Vietcong. Of course he promptly dispatched all three, including the sniper in the tree (that he didn't see at first). There were many stories like this that I could tell were fabrications but I was beginning to find this entertaining,,,,so I said nothing about my history. Time went by and I walked into the lunchroom one day and he was in there telling more stories,, I could almost smell the gunpowder. This time he was a helicopter pilot. Him and his crew were destroying some hard core vietcong that were 'dug in' in the jungle. I placed my box of fried chicken on the table and then said explicatively, I needed to wash my hands before eating. I exited the room before choking back hysterical laughter. I composed myself and re-entered the room where the story was continuing. It had progressed to the point where they were landing AND TAKING PRISIONERS! I nearly sprayed everybody in there with a mouthful of coca-cola. At this point, I started asking questions. Q: Last week you were a sergeant on patrol in an infantry unit, Today you are a helicopter pilot. A: I put in for a transfer and got it. Q: What kind of helicopter were you flying? A: Just like one of these you see flying around here. THE HUEYS! he exclaimed. (He didn't know what a UH-1 was) Q: Yeah? What model Huey? A: It was a new one. (I nearly lost it) Q: What sort of armament did it have? A: A .50 cal.(mounted under the front nose) This is when I told him that I had been a 67N crewing on a UH-1C slick. I told him that he probably had never been within 12,000 miles of Vietnam. I told him to bring in the Silver Star that he had often bragged about,,,we all wanted to see it. Everybody in the room agreed and encouraged him to bring it in. He turned as white as the background on this post. He left work 'sick' that day right after lunch and never returned. From then on he was referred to as the "GENERAL", and only when we were talking about a**holes.

    quote:Originally posted by Old Gunny
    For USMC Delta Tango- you are right about the "firewatch ribbon" Here's a few questions to ask some barroom blowhard that might be a 'Nam Wannabe- (1) What was the best type of mosquito dope to use on patrols? The answer is NONE- Charlie could smell it and you would have given away your position (2) What was the toilet paper ration like? The answer is- small squares about the size of rifle bore cleaning patches, absolutely worthless for cleaning your "porthole"
    (3) What was the best position for taking a leak? Answer is- either on your knees, or else sideways in the fetal position- if you stood up to piss, the sound of the stream hitting the ground could give away your position, plus when you are upright, you offer a possible bigger sight picture to the enemy then when you are "on the deck" (4) What color were the NVA tracer rounds? Answer- green, ours were red- don't ask why this, I don't know why, just was. (5) Where did you wear your second dogtag? Answer- laced into the top area of your jungle boots- Why? OK, grim reaper time here- if the upper part of your sorry G.I. was blown away, there went your dogtags around the neck chain, with your head and chest group. So graves registration came up with the second location, assuming your boots were still on your dead body's feet- if not, then your were VSF'd. (6) What are:
    Willie Peters? answer- white phos parachute flares. poophooks? answer- Chinook choppers (7)Final "checkie-checkie question" What part did the Jodies play in the 'Nam Conflict? Answer- they were the half-assed draft-dodgers back home who were bangin' your gal while you were "In Country" and a Jody is lower than whilepoop.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • doozerdoozer Member Posts: 23 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    It seems as if everyone I run into were snipers, tunnel rats, or rangers. After my stent in lovely S.E. Asia I made it for awhile working. Then the scars and holes finally caught up. But since I was put out medicialy after 17 years The VA and even SSI said I was a wreck, the Government says SORRY you did not put in the 20 so you have to wait to draw concurrent pay. There went the "OLE" green weeny again
    What the (*&^&^%$ if I was 20 my rear would be in the middle east. I may be worn out but I can still hear the drums of war and the blood flows. You hear these scum bags talking the talk but I don't see them walking the walk. I for one knows what it is to take long walks in the woods
    crapped out E-7
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • woodshermitwoodshermit Member Posts: 2,589
    edited November -1
    Yes, but, the point of this thread is that someone was in the military during the 60's and never heard about VN. It just doesn't add up.

    Personally, I've heard so much crap about VN that, unless the talker admits to being a clerk, personnel specialist, or cook, I hardly listen to them.

    Again, how anyone could claim to be in the military during the 60's, 70's and not be aware that there was a war going on just baffles me. They probably never heard of the Kennedy assasination, either.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • doozerdoozer Member Posts: 23 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have one now that can't really recall where he was in VN and after trans. to good "ole" deutsch-land he can't pronounce the name of the place he was stationed but he has a chest full of medals as his wife tells it. Some time I just want to go crap in his bed and piss in his boots
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VinhlongVet71VinhlongVet71 Member Posts: 4,605
    edited November -1
    Thats about the best one I've heard. An RVN vet that can't remember his duty station. WOW At least the fake that I encountered could parot Saigon.







































    quote:Originally posted by doozer
    I have one now that can't really recall where he was in VN and after trans. to good "ole" deutsch-land he can't pronounce the name of the place he was stationed but he has a chest full of medals as his wife tells it. Some time I just want to go crap in his bed and piss in his boots
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • roboatroboat Member Posts: 11 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Old Gunny
    ...(4) What color were the NVA tracer rounds? Answer- green, ours were red- don't ask why this, I don't know why, just was ...

    Hi Gunny, justa note: I saw mostly red tracers coming in during 67-68 in III Corps. More green towards mid-68.
    Thanks for your service.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GREASYGREASY Member Posts: 19 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    GUYS: I got one for you,years ago this guy was telling me "now wait for it" he was a truck driver on the HO CHI MINH TRAIL,now Ive heared some B.S. before but this one took the cake. I asked him what army he was with and I thought maybe I should be shooting this idiot.I got a thought,these guy are the draft dodgers that went to CANADA and FORD pardened them so they felt guilty so they make up these stories to cover their shame? How knows ,just a thought I get them once in a while. The lying S.O.Bs.[:(!]
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 70-10170-101 Member Posts: 1,006 ✭
    edited November -1
    Everyone who served in the military has different memories and opinions. I've meet three people over the years who I severed with in Vietnam and Germany and they all had different recollections of people, places and events that accrued 40 years ago.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 70-10170-101 Member Posts: 1,006 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by GREASY
    GUYS: I got one for you,years ago this guy was telling me "now wait for it" he was a truck driver on the HO CHI MINH TRAIL,now Ive heared some B.S. before but this one took the cake. I asked him what army he was with and I thought maybe I should be shooting this idiot.I got a thought,these guy are the draft dodgers that went to CANADA and FORD pardoned them so they felt guilty so they make up these stories to cover their shame? How knows ,just a thought I get them once in a while. The lying S.O.Bs.[:(!]



    I believe it was President Carter who pardoned the Vietnam era draft dodgers, not President Ford.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • WaltherP-38WaltherP-38 Member Posts: 76 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I served in the US Army, Oct 1964-1967.I actually enlisted for 3 yrs.The army recruter never told me about the war in Vietnam.Went to Ft.Leonardwood,MO for basic training,AIT at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in MD. Got sent to Germany for 2 1/2 yrs. Even tho' I served,I still feel guilty about not serving in Nam,alot of my graduating class of '64 did,many came home,many didn't.So thank you all for serving in SE Asia,the "unpopular war".
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • robbnscrobbnsc Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I can not believe that anyone did not know about RVN in 1964! After the Tonkin Resolution in August, almost everybody got extended and were then invited to the RVN in the 1/8th, 4th Inf Div where I was.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steamingutpilesteamingutpile Member Posts: 65 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    When I got home and to my new duty station aboard AS 18 USS Orion I was talkin to some boot. I was telling them I'd just got back from LSB Nha Be RVN. When a 1st class boatswainmate came up and said to me what was directly in front of the maingate. My answer was the Greendoor laundry and whorehouse. End of conversation.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.