I retired from RA Active Duty in '98 and was a 45K Armament Repairer for 22 yrs. I joined at the end of Cambodian Year Zero and things were too peaceful for me
. I mainly supported INF, CAV, and AR units OCONUS and loved every minute of it. 1 tour each in Bamberg, Schweinfurt, Vilseck, GE; and 1 in Cairo, EG. My CONUS time was spent instructing at Weapons Dept, APG, MD. Last tour was on a Tech Assistance Fielding Team for M1A1 Tanks in Egypt. Yes, they have the latest generation of 555 of our latest M1A1s (built in their own co-production factory, no less, 120mm guns too...scary stuff). We helped them move, shoot, communicate, and maintain their newly fielded stuff. Challenges were many, obstacles always, but I enjoyed it. I didn't make the 8 list and my RCP was 22 yrs, so no choice but retirement
. A few months later after I was out, the Army changed the RCP to 24 yrs
I love anything that goes bang as well as fixing it when it doesn't. I had great pride and joy supporting the Combat Arms units and made many good friends with members of them. Now I maintain combat simulators such as EST2000, M1A1/M2A2 Conduct Of Fire Trainers, and LAV-25 Combat Vehicle Training System. These simulators allow me to still interface with the people, equipment, and tactics, but I really miss the real thing. All but war is a simulation,
45K40, Cold Warrior: 1976-1998