SF baby in 84
 

I was one of 3 guys who went straight through training (Basic/ AIT {D-9-2 ITB Ft Benning) - Jumpschool -SFQC) to 5th SFG(A) at Ft Bragg. Then changed flashes three times without leaving the same team. Old 5th Group flash (Vietnam stripes) to current 5th Group Flash, then to 3rd Group Flash.

I retired without ever serving in a conventional unit

I joined in 1983. Basic Training, AIT 11B, Jump School, Q-Course. Active duty four year enlistment.

Like some of the others I went into SF on 1st enlistment. A bit different I went basic then Helicopter school ( I enlisted for that) then got kicked out for "lack of military development" (looooong story but I am so glad how it worked out). Then went to Inf AIT at Ft Ord (request) then took the Airborne Briefing and signed up on the spot. Went down and took the SF test and paperwork caught up with me at Airborne School. Went to 6th Group after training group and was about to ETS but decided it was kind of like training to be a brain surgeon and never doing an operation, so called Mrs. A and went to Vn after extending for 10 months. Hit Nha Trang and volunteered for SOG. Survived in spite of it all thanks to some really great NCOs (and in spite of some seriously bad Officers in SOG).

My only regrets.... getting married and not staying in.

Commissioned 1969 with 4 year obligation. IOBC, Ranger School, then Abn School. Short time w/82nd then to VN for 26 months. After which I asked for SF and went directly to the 5th as ODA commander of HALO team, with a candy stripe, under the guidence of sorely missed George Petrie. Then SFOC, without any committment requirement, and returned to the Team. Did go vol-indef later to extend my 4 yr obligation, but ended going civilian short time later.

Tip of the Beret to Richard, for his path and personal success during those years.