The Christy Collection

Military Stories and Articles

Service Reflections of 1st Lt David G. Poedel, U.S. Air Force (1971-1990)

Service Reflections of 1st Lt David G. Poedel, U.S. Air Force (1971-1990)

In June 1971 I planned to enlist in the Navy Reserve as a Personnelman, which was guaranteed because I was a Navy Sea Cadet and did US Navy Reserve Boot Camp in 1968 and did a 2 week cruise on the USS Lexington (CVT-16). A complication for my future is that I decided I wanted to become a Hospital Corpsman. That meant Class A School, then Fleet Marine training and then 2 years active duty. Well, I was 6’3″ and weighed 136lbs.. Me hauling a Marine out of a firefight was laughable with my physique and I had my first existential crisis.I. The only logical thing to do (given my age and the fact that my draft lottery #32) enlistin the Air Force for 4 years and by the grace of God and my big mouth, I bypassed Air Force BMT and did the briefest amount of medical training the Air Force offered: Medical Helper. It was pretty amazing Drill Sergeant, I don?t intend to be disrespectful, but I already know this stuff; in fact I taught it in my Navy Sea Cadet unit?. His response: Would you like to become an assistant drill Airman or some such thing (I got a 100% on the test)? No Sergeant, I enlisted to become a medic. A year or so later I found out that the Air Force took my entire BMT Flight and made them all Security Policemen. My evidence was a Security Clearance form with the AFSC for Security Police. Thank you, Jesus, for giving me my assertive and fearless mouth and mind to seldom take for an answer.

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Service Reflections of SMSgt John Ridlehoover, U.S. Air Force (1957-1983)

Service Reflections of SMSgt John Ridlehoover, U.S. Air Force (1957-1983)

When I graduated from high school, I knew I did not want to go to work at the main source of employment in my then, hometown. Namely one of the 5 or more “Cotton Mills” that employed a large percent of the population of the town. I had an uncle who had gone to West Point for a period of time, did not graduate, but did go into the Army as a 2nd Lt. He would come home on leave in a nice car from places like Texas and other locations and I said to myself “The military will be my ticket out of here”.
Plus the draft was still in effect. I did not think I wanted to get drafted into the army, so I enlisted in the Air Force. When I enlisted I did not necessarily do so with the intention of making a career of it but after Tech School, I was sent to Scotland where I met my future wife. After my tour there, I had five years invested so I thought why not just stay for the long haul!

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Understanding Military Job Codes

Understanding Military Job Codes

As the world’s largest employer, the United States Department of Defense has a complex system of military job codes to help manage employment in various military branches. However, each branch’s job code functions differently. Military Occupational Specialty Codes The United States Army and United States Marine Corps, the MOS code, or military occupational specialty code, is used to identify specific military jobs. This system is distinct from the standard occupational classification (SOC)...

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