Jumping into Normandy

[fm2176]

A former Soldier of mine is going to be jumping into Normandy on the 65th anniversary of D-Day. He left for the 82nd Airborne Division a couple of months after I came to Baton Rouge. Some guys have all the luck...

Also, its funny how quickly things change when you leave a work environment. My last unit is all shaken up now, with Soldiers getting court-martialed, others going to Iraq for the first time, and still others finally leaving The Old Guard after five or more years. In the short five months I have been here, most of the leadership has changed, and many old faces are gone or soon will be.

[Shinysides]

Wow, what an honor. What unit are you with fm?

[sycld]

My step-grandfather served in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. He's in his late 90's.

I don't know much about the invasion aside from what I've seen in some old black and white movies that just showed the people storming the beach and the paratroopers into the French villages. But anyway, he was in some artillery squadron, so he didn't see any of the intense action, thanks to the Germans running out of gasoline.

[fm2176]

Wow, what an honor. What unit are you with fm?

To say the least, he is extremely lucky and told me he is the only one in his troop and possibly squadron (damned transformational Cavalry squadron in Infantry brigade structure) that is tasked with jumping. While in France he will get a weeks worth of tours of battlefields and the local area.

The Army had other plans with me, and now I am tasked with "providing the strength", aka recruiting. Got two-and-a-half years left before it's back to the Infantry, though these new hours are great. A few people kill themselves in Houston and we are forced to work 9-5 Monday-Thursday and 9-3 Friday with no working Saturdays unless someone is joining. By forced, I mean Sergeants Major and senior officers calling stations and demanding a personal explanation by leadership if someone answers the phone. This job should be easy for me as I love the Army and everything it offers. That said, I am also of the opinion that if someone needs to be talked into joining, I don't want them serving. I'll explain benefits and my personal experiences, answer questions, but I draw the line at "selling" the Army. So, I've yet to really start putting people in. Everyone that wants to join is disqualified due to law, medical, education or can't pass the ASVAB. Many of those who don't want to join now will be trying to join in a few years after getting a few criminal charges or working a dead end job. So, the bulk of my day is comprised of making phone calls, visiting high schools and going to Chamber of Commerce meetings and other social events.

My step-grandfather served in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. He's in his late 90's.

I don't know much about the invasion aside from what I've seen in some old black and white movies that just showed the people storming the beach and the paratroopers into the French villages. But anyway, he was in some artillery squadron, so he didn't see any of the intense action, thanks to the Germans running out of gasoline.

You should appreciate him now while he's still here, my grandfathers both died well before I was born. It took a special breed to fight back then, just as it does for any conflict.

[Infected7]

I feel sorry for those that can't pass the ASVAB. The only thing keeping me from enlisting (again) is I just couldn't stomach going through MEPS again. One of the most tedious and annoying procedures I've ever had to endure.

I can't imagine being able to jump on Normandy though. That would probably make any experienced jumper have some butterflies.

[fm2176]

MEPS is tedious, I went through twice. Looking back, though, it was a drop in the bucket and has allowed me to accomplish things I didn't think would be possible eight years ago.

From what I understand, the jump itself is a great honor. After the jump, it becomes a big party with locals thrusting wine on you as soon as you land.