TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I’m usually careful around Sgt. Majors, but I slipped up one night. I was working on a Univac 1105 in the data center in DaNang, and we wore tennis shoes in the center and left our jungle boots in the clean room. We had a multi holer latrine next to the center with a raised walkway to the DC. One morning about 2AM I was sitting about two holes down from the Brigade Sgt. Major, reading the Stars and Stripes when he said: “hey soldier, something wrong with your feet?” I was short at the time, and without any thought said: “Sarge (an insult in itself), don’t you have something better to do at 2AM then F... with me about my shoes?” Big mistake. He had me burn sh*t for several days (a nasty job where you pour diesel fuel into the half drums and stir it while it burns), and even though I was an E5 at the time, I didn’t say another word except “yes, Sargent Major” and felt glad to keep my rank (for some reason the NCO board gave me hard stripes). But being short - about to get out of both the Army and VietNam, I had to have some revenge, so the next night I stole his desk fan - a very rare commodity. I took off the base, painted it red, and clamped it to the end of my bunk. The Sgt. Major tore the entire compound up, inspected every hooch, but never figured it out. Payback is sweet.

Btw, did you know there are no more Spec 5s? Now everyone goes from Spec 4 to buck Sargent.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

No more spec 5s huh, that probably makes things easier. If you were doing something that the Spec rank was for our CO put out the word that any stripes one grade above or equal grade followed the orders of the Spec in change because it was his field. We had one staff sgt who really got pissed when the company CO or First Sgt would tell him to follow my orders because they put me in charge, not him. That happened twice during alerts when our platoon leader and Platoon Sgt were both on duty at HQ and I got made acting platoon leader. When the guy asked what specialty I had that he didn't the First Sgt said "Brains, on a bad day he is twice as smart as you. And I said he is in charge."

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

When I was a SP4 instructor at APG, we would routinely tell lieutenants to wake up in class because we were carrying out the orders of the Major who ran the school and using his authority. We did do it respectfully.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Sort of like teaching officers to shoot a 45.
Many could not hit the broad side of a barn and you had to "Respectfully" tell them so.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Yes, I know that.
But I never was sp5, went from E4 to Sgt directly and got a squad to command.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

[/quote=Architect1776]

I have fought in every battle
of every war for more then 200 years.

[/quote]

I can agree with most of your post, but this bit... Not so much!

Not present at Goose Green, or Mount Tumbledown in the Falklands - in fact the US would not even allow us access to satellite photos, for fear of upsetting South American trading partners...

Also, where were you during the Battle of Britain, El Alamein, Stalingrad, to name just a few?

Not trying to start a fight here, just pointing out some facts...

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I can agree with most of your post, but this bit... Not so much!

Not present at Goose Green, or Mount Tumbledown in the Falklands - in fact the US would not even allow us access to satellite photos, for fear of upsetting South American trading partners...

Also, where were you during the Battle of Britain, El Alamein, Stalingrad, to name just a few?

Not trying to start a fight here, just pointing out some facts...[/quote]

The flag was doing covert protection of convoys.
The flag was supplying all your food and war materials in all those situations you mention.
We do not want to be involved in your conflicts and prefer to stay as neutral as possible.
you could have stopped Hitler very easily at the beginning but your lame foreign policy of appeasement allowed Hitler to gain territory and power until it was too late.
Learn history.
We were the arsenal of all the allies and source of food ans materials for the duration.
Where were you at Midway?
Where were you on Saipan?
What about Tarawa, Philippines, Guadal Canal.
Who flew the "Hump"?
Who kicked Hitler out of N. Africa, Sicily and Southern Europe?
You struggled to just maintain parity with Hitler in Africa and only his stupidity allowed you to survive.
Learn history and quit undermining a happy post and trying to drag it into the Attic with your hatred for the greatest nation that has ever existed and the beautiful flag that represents it.

machia Loc: NJ

My respect for the flag has made me turn off all professional sports.
🇺🇸

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think Pres. G.W. Bush signed the document (Presidential Directive?) circa 2008 approving veterans and active duty personnel in civilian clothes the right to salute the flag. I have not yet had the opportunity to exercise that right, but have some misgivings about doing so. The only proof I have of being a veteran is my DD214. While saluting I can imagine someone next or near to me who does not know about the recent change making a scene about it. I am 78 yrs old and do not need to be involved in such confrontations. However, if such were to happen it would most likely occur at a professional sporting event which I have no intention of attending. TV viewing is fine with me.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Doesn’t worry me at all. I often photograph HS wrestling matches where my son (who teaches graphics and photography) is also a coach, and of course, there is always the National Anthem and The Flag before the start of the event. I always salute - I have earned that right, and no one has ever questioned it, but if they did, I would courteously explain and if still doubted, I’d pull out my cellphone and pull up the act for them to read. Doesn’t need to be a confrontation (I am 74), just an education if ever needed.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Why? What's to fear?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind