Charter Members: Year 1

Branch:  Army (Infantry, Air Cav, Aviation) & Alabama State Defense Force

When: Army: 1974–1996. ASDF: 2005–2007.

Units: USACDEC - 3/17th Inf, 7th Inf Div. - 4/10th Inf, 193rd Inf Bde - 7/17th, 6th ACCB - 2/17th, 101st Abn Div, - 4th CAS, 11th ACR – 1/223d Avn, ATB – 1st MI Bn (AE), 205th MI Bde
Where: United States, Germany, Panama, & Saudi Arabia
Current Status: Retired Army. Active Alabama State Defense Force
Current Residence: Ozark, Alabama

Favorite thing about serving
Protecting my country and my fellow Americans, and now serving my state.
Why did you join VAJoe ?
For the fellowship with other members and to obtain information and answers.

Favorite thing about VAJoe
Meeting and sharing ideals with fellow Guardsman across the nation.
Question you would like to be asked
How can State Defense Forces improve their standards? Answer: There should be uniform training for programs in the states. It could mirror the training offered in the Army, NCOES, ECT.

Branch:  Army & Ohio Army National Guard

When: Army: 1972-1988. National Guard: 1996-2001.

Units: 1 reagion Aradcom// 6th Reagion Aradcom/ 2d Inf Div// 1st Inf Div(FWD)/ 9th INF Div/ 32ADCOM/ 2d Armor Div/31 ADA Bge/ C- 207th Cav

Where: Texas 3 tours/Cai1l/Wa1/Md 1/Korea 1 tour/FRG 2.4 tourd
Current Status: Retired

Current Residence: Sedro Woolley, Washington

Favorite thing about serving
Everything
Why did you join VAJoe ?
For camaraderie.

Favorite thing about VAJoe
Interacting with different members.

Branch:  Marine Corps

Units: MPs on and patient at USNH Guam, MPs Okinawa, III MAF, 3/3 in Rvn, Ontos in Pendleton

Where: Pendleton, Guam, Vietnam, Okinawa

Current Status: Retired, 100% P&T

Current Residence: Rural Oregon

Favorite thing about serving
One thing I remember is going to the Crimea in the former Soviet Union in 1989, on the Black Sea. We did the first American ascent of The Falcon. We were the first non-Soviets to be allowed into that area since WWII.
Why did you join VAJoe ?
Looking for discussion about the military with people who have served.
Favorite thing about VAJoe
Contributing to some of the topics in the forum.

Branch: Army

When: 1968–1970

Where: basic Ft. Leonard Wood , Ft Gordon (AIT) West Point, N.Y. Viet Nam then Ft. McPherson Ga.

Current Status: Retired, 100% service disabled (agent orange)
Current Residence: Waynesville, Georgia

Favorite thing about serving
I enjoyed serving in the military, had bad times, but mostly good.

Why did you join VAJoe ?
I joined VA Joe, because it has some of the best people on the internet, also a lot of the questions and answers help me out. 
Favorite thing about VAJoe
Contributing to some of the topics in the forum.
Question you would like to be asked
What can we do to stop the VA from messing up so many vets' lives by taking so long to give them a answer to their claims?

Affiliation: Military spouse

Current Residence: Harrison, Arkansas

Why did you join VAJoe ?
I joined VAJoe to find other wives in the same situation I was in. Having someone to exchange information with and answer questions that I had. 
Favorite thing about VAJoe
My favorite thing about being a member is the camaraderie that I have found here. It is great to have people that understand you and that can answer questions and offer support. I also really like the fact that the site is monitored so it stays clean and protected from abusers.

Question you would like to be asked
Should the military family get some form of formal recognition for tier sacrifice? Answer: Yes. Without the support of the family the soldier wouldn't be able to do his job nearly as effectively as he can. I think that the family takes a backseat without recognition way too often. Yes, we wives deserve medals, too! LOL.

Branch: State Defense Force

Current Status: South Carolina State Guard
Current Residence: South Carolina

Why did you join VAJoe ?
The forum administrator (MichaelAGates) invited me. 
Favorite thing about VAJoe
The SDF pages in the forum. ... I am learning a lot about being a soldier.
Question you would like to be asked
How can I become a better SDF officer?

Affiliation: Girlfriend of a senior airman

Current Residence: At home in Texas

Why did you join VAJoe ?
I thought that it would be a good way for me to stay informed while my boyfriend is deployed. 
Favorite thing about VAJoe
It's nice to know I'm not the only girlfriend out there, it's nice to have them to talk to!

Question you would like to be asked
How does it feel being a military girlfriend? Answer: I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with, but I know that it is making me that much stronger. Being a military girlfriend is amazing. I'm so happy I found my airman!

Photo
March 17, 2007. miss_my_AF_stud and her airman at her cousin's wedding.