Were you "Old Army" or "Old Marines"? - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Were you "Old Army" or "Old Marines"? (Page 1 of 3)

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:19:06 PM EDT

At least compared to these "kids" nowadays.

Let's say 1975 to maybe pre-Panama invasion (late 80's). The late Post-Vietnam era, with equipment and uniforms to match.

(see sigline for dates)

19 of my 20 jumps were in a steel pot, the final in a Kevlar. There were units that had Kevlars earlier, but mainly RDF types (remember that term?).

As a grunt I carried an M16A1 my whole 4 years; mine was a Hydromatic. As a mortar maggot we also had 1911A1 .45's for gunners and AG's, no Beretta M9's. Those old .45's would rattle if you shook them! Prior to my 81mm days I was Four-Deuce (4.2" mortars, or 107mm). Our dataplates were dated 1954. M60 was the GPMG; 240's were co-ax guns on tanks only. We had old rattley Ithaca 12 gauges for guard duty.

I was stationed for 3 of my 4 years in Panama. We were issued the old OD green slant pocket jungle fatigues and OD jungle boots. You could wear BDU's in garrison but in the field jungles only. Rarely did you wear BDU's in garrison either 'cause they were so damn hot in the tropics. Lightweight BDU's didn't come out until the last few months before I PCS'd at the end of '86. We wore BDU soft caps (when not wearing maroon berets) which looked kinda weird with OD jungle fatigues. Only Rangers wore the OD patrol caps, which actually would have matched better.

Hummers hadn't hit the scene yet. It was "quarter tons" (jeeps) and Gamma-Goats, deuce-and-a-halfs and 5-tons.

The "Vincent" was some new-fangled commo scrambling thingy we had on our vehicle mounted radios.

PRC-77's. 'Nuff said there....

You could actually see a Huey flying every now and then, but Blackhawks were indeed the mainstay. Did fly in a Huey once though. It's a blast sitting looking right out the door!

How about you Jarheads (hey, at least I capitalized it!)? Any of you wear the "Jungle Cammies" (ERDL's?). Preceded the BDU's when the Army and USMC adopted them. Only ones in the Army I ever saw wear them were the cadre at the Jungle Operations Training Center (JOTC).

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:26:10 PM EDT

[#1]

I worked on C130's that had APN-59 search/weather radar in the early/mid 80's. That is to say, TUBES and transistors the size of dimes. IC? WTF is that? I was issued a M16A2 right before Seps, but I never got to fire it. I did get to clean it before they would stamp my paperwork.

Woodland poplin cammies, jeeps, F4's, etc... I ate C rations in boot camp (I still have my John Wayne on my key chain). Howzat?

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:29:20 PM EDT

[#2]

I got in in 89. I remember a lot of old equipment.

The new stuff they get today is so much better, it's light years ahead of the shit we had back then.

Well, except for the uniform camo pattern in the Army.

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:30:55 PM EDT

[#3]

1911s, Pigs, Cochran boots, spit shining, A2s were the new thing, still used M151 "Jeeps". Flak Jackets were as good as you got for protection, heck I have better stuff to protect me as a civilian nowadays.

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:34:05 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
I worked on C130's that had APN-59 search/weather radar in the early/mid 80's. That is to say, TUBES and transistors the size of dimes. IC? WTF is that? I was issued a M16A2 right before Seps, but I never got to fire it. I did get to clean it before they would stamp my paperwork.

Woodland poplin cammies, jeeps, F4's, etc... I ate C rations in boot camp (I still have my John Wayne on my key chain). Howzat?

C-rats were the thing until about 6 months into my enlistment, i.e. early '84. Then we got MRE's.

Most of the early ones would gag a maggot. The choices they have now in MRE's is mindboggling compared to what we had.

Kinda funny: when we first started getting MRE's everyone was calling them "LRRP's". Eventually someone who knew told us "You dumbasses, those ain't LRRP's. Those are the new MRE's".

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:34:39 PM EDT

[#5]

I went in 84. Started with a jeep license and ended up with a Hummer. Got a brand new M16 A2 in boot camp, and they told us we were the 1st recruits to get them. I remember taking it out of the Colt box, and unpacking it.

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:34:58 PM EDT

[#6]

1988

Woodland BDU's and M16A2s

M-60's were still around

M249 was still new-ish, so was the AT-4.

No more ICT, it was "Basic Warrior Training" or "BWT". The DIs affectionately called it "Buckwheat Training". Now it's "The Crucible".

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:36:07 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
1911s, Pigs, Cochran boots, spit shining, A2s were the new thing, still used M151 "Jeeps". Flak Jackets were as good as you got for protection, heck I have better stuff to protect me as a civilian nowadays.

You were in my BN in Panama. We've PM'd before. Bravo Co., right? Crazy-ass 1SG Lamica, right?

I was HHC 2/187th, BN mortars.

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:37:16 PM EDT

[#8]

USMC - '78-'88

Steel pot, not kevlar
.45 1911, not M9
M16A1, not A2, A3, M4
Jeep, not Humvee
C-Rats, not MRE
I knew Alice but never met Molle

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:37:49 PM EDT

[#9]

Not quite old Corps by any stretch of the imagination, but when I came into the Corps the first time back in 97 we had the analog cammies that required too many hours of ironing as well as boots that required polishing. I can remember the strange methods used to keep our cammies looking squared away, same goes for boots. When I deployed in 2003 for the invasion we wore the 3-color desert cammies with the 70's style wide collars and tan jungle boots.

My step-dad was old Corps, and my best friend's dad was stationed in Panama for a while as well as Cuba in the Corps. I have seen their pictures with the old OD green uniforms, and was told stories of them not having to get name tapes for their uniforms. The pocket had the EGA as well as USMC and that was all that was required.

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:39:48 PM EDT

[#10]

In 83 it was Vietnam era gear for the most part. By the time I eas'd in 87 we had lots of new toys and tons still i coming in the pipeline.
It was why we prosecuted Gulf War 1 with such decisive overwhelming force. Thank You to My CIC President Reagan.

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:40:43 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
USMC - '78-'88

Steel pot, not kevlar
.45 1911, not M9
M16A1, not A2, A3, M4
Jeep, not Humvee
C-Rats, not MRE
I knew Alice but never met Molle

Ahhh! How the hell did I forget Sweet Alice? That bitch is in my attic right now. You know, one them love/hate/hate relationships.

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:44:05 PM EDT

[#12]

I wore fatigues, khakis and corcorans. BDUs were just coming in as I was getting out. I wore Class Bs (dress green pants and that mint green shirt) to avoid buying them before being retired. I guess that makes me old school.

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:45:23 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
In 83 it was Vietnam era gear for the most part. By the time I eas'd in 87 we had lots of new toys and tons still i coming in the pipeline.
It was why we prosecuted Gulf War 1 with such decisive overwhelming force. Thank You to My CIC President Reagan.

Ditto on Vietnam era gear.(Old Air Force checking in) - My bag had a Steel Pot, OD Green old style flack vest, and, M-16 (no forward assist), and we wore OD greens.

How about that old web gear?

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:45:50 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
I wore fatigues, khakis and corcorans. BDUs were just coming in as I was getting out. I wore Class Bs (dress green pants and that mint green shirt) to avoid buying them before being retired. I guess that makes me old school.

If you were in the Army and you wore khakis, you're "old school".

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:49:45 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
I went in 84. Started with a jeep license and ended up with a Hummer. Got a brand new M16 A2 in boot camp, and they told us we were the 1st recruits to get them. I remember taking it out of the Colt box, and unpacking it.

We were the second recruits to get the M16 A2's. USMC San Diego. Looked brand new to me.

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:50:18 PM EDT

[#16]

Yep, sad to say I guess you'd say I was "old" Army too!

I was in during the 1970's and pilots were still being issued S & W Model 10's as sidearms. M2 Carbines and M3 grease guns were still common. I was a maverick. I carried a 1911 and a CAR-15. Flight suits were the old two-piece nomex type and patches were all sewn on.

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:50:23 PM EDT

[#17]

Not as old as some of you guys,I was in '96-'98 army 11B.We had the ALICE "Y" suspender load carrying setup with the now old woodland BDUs,M16A2 with no optics,M60s that were wearing out fast.when I got to my unit we got the load bearing vest,goretex rain suit(replacing that smelly plastic crap),goretex sleeping bag(bye bye mummy bags),and the M240B came in(the pigs were past their prime).The week I got out the M16A2s were swapped out for brand new M4 carbines.Does the army still issue the shelter half pup tent?Thank God Basic was the only place we had to use that pain in the ass bullshit!I remember it well when I arrived at my duty station-"Hey guys,do you use the shelter half in the 101st?These were a pain in the ass to pack and setup in basic.""Hell no,throw that shit in the bottom of your wall locker until you ETS,we use poncho hooches.""Cool!"

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:53:52 PM EDT

[#18]

Before I shipped out for the Basic Training my dad told me a story, as a warning, about talking with old timers in the Army. Everybody in the military is convinced that they had it harder than anybody else, that troops were tougher back in their day. I went to Basic in 92, and indeed there were plenty of "old timers" who told me how tough things were back in the old days (mid to late eighties). My dad remembered "old timers" when he was in basic telling him how much tougher it was in the mid sixties as opposed to the late sixties, and the real old timers talking about how tough it was in the brown shoe Army.

In 1993 when I got to Permanent Party I was issued an M16A1, we had M60's, most of our vehicles were HMMWV, but we had a few CUCV's around, our deuces were from the late sixties. I was in a Signal Unit, and the gear that counted was state of the art, our commo equipment.

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:55:58 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

Quoted:
1911s, Pigs, Cochran boots, spit shining, A2s were the new thing, still used M151 "Jeeps". Flak Jackets were as good as you got for protection, heck I have better stuff to protect me as a civilian nowadays.

You were in my BN in Panama. We've PM'd before. Bravo Co., right? Crazy-ass 1SG Lamica, right?

I was HHC 2/187th, BN mortars.

Wasn't me, I did my time in Germany and Ft Puke LA.

I still wonder if I should have stayed in, I was offered Patrol duty at Garmisch Germany as a re-up enticement. My Col pulled some strings to get that offered. I could have done 18 months at a ski resort pretty easily.

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:56:46 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
Yep, sad to say I guess you'd say I was "old" Army too!

I was in during the 1970's and pilots were still being issued S & W Model 10's as sidearms. M2 Carbines and M3 grease guns were still common. I was a maverick. I carried a 1911 and a CAR-15. Flight suits were the old two-piece nomex type and patches were all sewn on.

No shit? M2 Carbines as late as the 70's? Wow...

Now I do remember the grease guns. Tankers and recovery vehicle crews were issued those at Ft. Knox after I left Panama. Talking 1987.

Posted: 11/9/2010 4:59:56 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:

Quoted:
1911s, Pigs, Cochran boots, spit shining, A2s were the new thing, still used M151 "Jeeps". Flak Jackets were as good as you got for protection, heck I have better stuff to protect me as a civilian nowadays.

You were in my BN in Panama. We've PM'd before. Bravo Co., right? Crazy-ass 1SG Lamica, right?

I was HHC 2/187th, BN mortars.

Wasn't me, I did my time in Germany and Ft Puke LA.

I still wonder if I should have stayed in, I was offered Patrol duty at Garmisch Germany as a re-up enticement. My Col pulled some strings to get that offered. I could have done 18 months at a ski resort pretty easily.

Sorry, there was another dude with a similar screen name a few years back here that I corresponded with via PM. Mea Culpa!

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:00:22 PM EDT

[#22]

Good Ole cotton OD green fatigues.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:00:53 PM EDT

[#23]

In 1975 I watched a First Sergeant beat an E-4 (who was holding a hostage at knifepoint) with a steel bunk adapter until (and a little past) unconscious. He was very old school. The E-4 never thought the First Shirt would close the distance between them while he had a knife. He was wrong.

He was one tough SOB.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:01:07 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yep, sad to say I guess you'd say I was "old" Army too!

I was in during the 1970's and pilots were still being issued S & W Model 10's as sidearms. M2 Carbines and M3 grease guns were still common. I was a maverick. I carried a 1911 and a CAR-15. Flight suits were the old two-piece nomex type and patches were all sewn on.

No shit? M2 Carbines as late as the 70's? Wow...

Now I do remember the grease guns. Tankers and recovery vehicle crews were issued those at Ft. Knox after I left Panama. Talking 1987.

I saw SF guys with M3's in 1994. I am also pretty sure that quite a few tank crews had them when they went into Iraq in 2003.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:02:58 PM EDT

[#25]

heh, if you can pull out your old military drivers license, and it says 151 on it... And remember wearing an "H" harness.. I saw grease guns in 1990/1991 in at least one tank.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:03:07 PM EDT

[#26]

That's me on the right.

Steel pots and M16-A1s.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:06:00 PM EDT

[#27]

Fatigues, baseball caps, polished black boots, and M-14's greeted me in 1967, along with an RA (Regular Army) service number.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:06:14 PM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Yep, sad to say I guess you'd say I was "old" Army too!

I was in during the 1970's and pilots were still being issued S & W Model 10's as sidearms. M2 Carbines and M3 grease guns were still common. I was a maverick. I carried a 1911 and a CAR-15. Flight suits were the old two-piece nomex type and patches were all sewn on.

No shit? M2 Carbines as late as the 70's? Wow...

Now I do remember the grease guns. Tankers and recovery vehicle crews were issued those at Ft. Knox after I left Panama. Talking 1987.

Yep, the the short barreled M2 would fit behind the seat of a Cobra real well and CAR's were somewhat hard to come by. I had one for a while, but wasn't impressed with the cartridge's takedown capability. Was glad to finally get into the CAR-15.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:07:49 PM EDT

[#29]

Marines 83-86 went thru Parris Island and had M16A1 issued. Went to Camp Geiger, ITS, had issued brand new M16A2 but still had the old steel pots and flak jackets with the fiber glass inserts. WW2 canteens and my mess kit that I still have was dated 1944. Had both C rations and MREs.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:10:12 PM EDT

[#30]

Curiosity question: any of you "old timers" have an A1 clone in the collection? I mean the 20" version, not a carbine.

I've had one on and off for years. For old times sake.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:10:48 PM EDT

[#31]

"Old" Army

1957-1960 Signal Corps, Instructor, Ft. Monmouth, NJ

(M1 Garand and Steel Pot)

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:13:05 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:
Marines 83-86 went thru Parris Island and had M16A1 issued. Went to Camp Geiger, ITS, had issued brand new M16A2 but still had the old steel pots and flak jackets with the fiber glass inserts. WW2 canteens and my mess kit that I still have was dated 1944. Had both C rations and MREs.

IIRC the M16A2 was issued to the USMC before the Army. That has to be a weapon-issue first; usually the Marines get stuff after the Army. Maybe due to the USMC being majorly involved in the M16A2's development?

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:15:03 PM EDT

[#33]

Old Army for me too. 534th Mp Company at Ft. Clayton, Panama Building 205 next to signal then the 1,2,3 club.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:16:27 PM EDT

[#34]

'82-90

In 1982...

BDUs were new.
M16A2s were new.
MREs were new.
UH60 was still new.
M151s, M113s and M60 Tanks were out and HMMWVs, Bradleys and M1s were in.
Beer truck on base still visited the barracks.
Still had the M60
M249 was new.
Still had the Dragon as primary Antiarmor.
Nude pin-up girl calendars in the barracks were still OK.
"Blood Wings" were still permitted at Air Assault School. (Class 51-83 here)
Still had a few PRC-25s floating around, PRC-77 made permanent scars in the back of my neck.
Encryption was not standard fare yet, still had to carry CEOI manuals around for commo.
It was ok to ask if a soldier was queer, and kick them out if they were.
OPFOR was the commies.
The PX was still a good place to shop.
"Googles, Sun, Wind, Dust" were the only sunglasses issued.
Boots still had to be spit-shined.
"Smoke 'em if ya got 'em"

All in all, I enjoyed it.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:16:42 PM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
"Old" Army

1957-1960 Signal Corps, Instructor, Ft. Monmouth, NJ

(M1 Garand)

Oh man, that's REALLY "Old Army"!

(just kidding, my day's coming!

)

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:17:42 PM EDT

[#36]

No steel pot for me. These were taken in 1994 when I was recalled to active duty as part of a mobilization exercise. My actual service was 88-93

It must have been bring your camera to the range day.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:18:43 PM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
Curiosity question: any of you "old timers" have an A1 clone in the collection? I mean the 20" version, not a carbine.

I've had one on and off for years. For old times sake.

Of course. SP1.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:20:24 PM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:
Old Army for me too. 534th Mp Company at Ft. Clayton, Panama Building 205 next to signal then the 1,2,3 club.

Holy shit! The 1-2-3 Club! Got in a fight there one night. Some douchebag grab my (ex)wife's ass on her way back from the restroom. Freakin' nailed him! MP's came, heard the story, and asked her if she wanted to press charges!

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:21:14 PM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:

Quoted:
"Old" Army

1957-1960 Signal Corps, Instructor, Ft. Monmouth, NJ

(M1 Garand)

Oh man, that's REALLY "Old Army"!

You bet your ass it is!

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:23:04 PM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:

Quoted:
"Old" Army

1957-1960 Signal Corps, Instructor, Ft. Monmouth, NJ

(M1 Garand)

Oh man, that's REALLY "Old Army"!

You bet your ass it is!

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:23:57 PM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:

Quoted:
"Old" Army

1957-1960 Signal Corps, Instructor, Ft. Monmouth, NJ

(M1 Garand)

Oh man, that's REALLY "Old Army"!

You bet your ass it is!

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:25:35 PM EDT

[#42]

I was in the Army from 81-87. I guess that's a little older Army.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:27:08 PM EDT

[#43]

OLD ARMY here........steel pot, ALICE gear, M16A1 and M60. M16A2's were being issued when my hitch was ending.
BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE in the AR-R-R-ARMY

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:28:40 PM EDT

[#44]

Basic in Aug 84 .

When I joined I told the recruiter I wanted to be on M1 tanks, hes was all , oh yeah thats what we got

I get to KNox to find out im in M60A3 s

Once I got to Germany about 6 months in we got M1 IPs

I loved shooting the grease gun in basic though

Spent 3 years in the 3rd Armored Div.

My platoon won a NATO tank shoooting competition . The Canadian Army Trophy

Never got to see an M1A1 up close and personal

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:29:48 PM EDT

[#45]

Old Army - 84 - 87 Light Inf.

Harmony Church Baby !

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:30:15 PM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:

Quoted:

I wore fatigues, khakis and corcorans. BDUs were just coming in as I was getting out. I wore Class Bs (dress green pants and that mint green shirt) to avoid buying them before being retired. I guess that makes me old school.

If you were in the Army and you wore khakis, you're "old school".

No kidding, that's almost brown-boot Army!

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:32:09 PM EDT

[#47]

1975. graduation day from Infantry AIT. Ft. Polk. I was 17 years old.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:34:42 PM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:

No kidding, that's almost brown-boot Army!

Oh shit! I forgot about that! One day the word came down "Henceforth all boots will be black." They gave us the dye and we went to work.

Boy! Did they look shitty!

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:35:10 PM EDT

[#49]

Quoted:
1975. graduation day from Infantry AIT. Ft. Polk. I was 17 years old.http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd44/ncmike57/2Cav75/scan0011.jpg?t=1289356145

I knew that was Ft Polk as soon as I saw the Barracks. North fort side or South fort? Looks like North fort to me.

Posted: 11/9/2010 5:35:56 PM EDT

[#50]

I was in 82 to 85.

We still used 20 round mags and Gamma Goats.

When I went in we where issued BDU's and OD Green Field Jackets.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Were you "Old Army" or "Old Marines"? (Page 1 of 3)

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