Travel: Been anywhere fun (where they weren't shooting at you)?

[California Major]

Been anywhere fun and exciting while serving in the Guard?

In 16 years, my Engineer unit has been to Germany to play OPFOR Engineers. We went to Honduras and Panama to build schools and roads. And last year I participated in a staff ride to Israel.

Of course these trips involved military duty, but they always included some down-time to see the local sights and experiences.

How about you?

[FSU_CJ]

Well let’s see.... I've been to Spain, France, Italy, Albania, Tunisia, Israel, Greece, Turkey, Slovenia, Japan, Liberia and Bosnia. One of the benefits of military service is world travel.

[VTguard]

With my Guard unit, I've been to Germany and Italy. The Germany trip was to fight you pesky OPFOR guys. (I was OPFOR at Fort Irwin, CA before that while I was on Active Duty). The trip to Italy was for 30 days and I trained with the Southern European Task Force (SETAF). I had some time off and was able to travel around various parts of Northern Italy and explore the public transportation system extensively. Lots of fun!

[Samber]

Not in the guard yet, but I'm trying. I've been to one fun place while I was in the Air Force. Got sent to Saudi Arabia during the first gulf war. That was a big culture shock! Expecially being female and seeing the way they treat females over there.

[braverifle]

Been in S Korea a great place . Ft lewis wa ,Ft dix NJ, Ft Bliss TX, Ft Ord Ca when it was open and Camp Hunter Ligget and Roberts.. Also went to CFB Wainwright in Albert to train whith our neighbors to the north

[nimrod]

I have been to bosina,germany,hungry and cuba.I did dont like Gtmo.I her vigrinia is going to kosovo soon.I would like to go ,anyone have any info

[nimrod]

I here virginia national guard will soon be deploying to kosovo.I would like to go with them . anyone have any info

[soljah50]

Ireland->Budaphest->Kuwait->Iraq(OIF2) second wave-------->Germany->Alaska->Hawaii->
Phillipines-->Japan---> Korea--> It was the best experience of my life seeing all those countries.

[Mogami]

Hi, when I was in the Navy my ship made a port vist to a south american country. I am a chess fanatic and I always carried a board where ever I went.
I also had a number of noards and sets of pieces bought from USCF to give to people to teach them chess (I was kind of like the Johnny Appleseed of chess)
To continue, I like to drink beer when I play so I was happy to find a little bar with an outside patio and tables. I set up my board and before long had a few locals over and was playing chess. The neighborhood was rather economically depressed and the people appeared to me to be slightly ragged and hungrey looking. around noon I had 5 or 6 tables worth of people playing (I was buying them beer)
There was a Kentucky Fried Chicken a few block away so I went over and bought around $600 worht of chicken and stuff and we set up a party on the patio.
They pushed the old jukebox out to the patio and we had a wild chess party going on.

When it was time to go I learned I had spent the day playing chess and drinking beer on the patio of the local cat house. :eek:

[CW5 Vitt]

Been anywhere fun and exciting while serving in the Guard?

In 16 years, my Engineer unit has been to Germany to play OPFOR Engineers. We went to Honduras and Panama to build schools and roads. And last year I participated in a staff ride to Israel.

Of course these trips involved military duty, but they always included some down-time to see the local sights and experiences.

How about you?

Probably the most rewarding visit continues to be Kazakhstan. We have a Partnership for Peace with this former Soviet Bloc country. The country is very beautiful, the women are gorgeous and us crazy Americans are very welcome!:)

Chief

[cure077]

When I was active I spent 3 years in Germany. Best time of my life. I really separates you from your peers that you lived in a foreign country. I would recommend it to anyone.

[California Major]

I'm hoping for a tour to the Ukraine, I hear its a great tour!


Probably the most rewarding visit continues to be Kazakhstan. We have a Partnership for Peace with this former Soviet Bloc country. The country is very beautiful, the women are gorgeous and us crazy Americans are very welcome!:)

Chief

[louis.quinones]

On my staff ride in WOCS; we went to Andersonville National Park and saw the Civil War Prison Camp. After seeing the TNT movie on the bus ride and seeing the actual site; it brought alot of perspective to us all.

From my Marine Service, was in Okinawa for a year and did some exercises in Korea and Hawaii. Saw Alaska as well.

From the Army besides the combat zones; stationed in Heidelberg, Germany and obviously saw some Europe e.g. Paris, France and The Alps in Austria. When I did PSD in Germany, I was on the house vice traveling team so didnt do all the fun traveling stuff the other MPs did. They went all over Europe to recon sites and protect General McKiernan. Now he is the Top Man in Afghanistan. It was good to work for him.

Civilian employment travels have been to Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Cartegena in Colombia and Buenos Aires, Argentina and also London, England.

On vacation, enjoyed the Bahamas, Puerto Rico (my roots), Mexico and Canada.

Been all over the states :) and stationed at various bases such as Quantico, VA and Fort Campbell, KY

P.S. Just got my overseas orders today Yea!!!

[Phantom]

This year, Benning, Lewis, Irwin, Idaho, Germany, Puerto Rico 2xs, and will be in Africa later this year. Enough frequent flyer miles to get upgraded to first class last month!! I love the way the other half live!!! :D

[milrtime]

Navy: Stationed in Long Beach, CA. San Diego, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver (BC), Nanose (BC), Pearl Harbor, Philipines, Pusan, Sasabo Japan, Phuket Thailand, India, Bahrain, Kuwait (89), Perth and Brisbane Australia, good ol Diego Garcia, (shell back and golden shellback). Changed homeport to Yokosuka Japan, Toyko, Kobe, all while on active duty.
Reserves: Norfolk, Little Creek, Suda Bay Crete, Camp Lajune (I know spelling), San Diego, Minneapolis, Tulsa.
Recalled from reserves: Fallon, NV (2001-2003), Kuwait (2007-2008 everyones favorite over there -- Customs BN Tango, KNB and Camp Arifjan), R&R Qatar.
Now looking into MN Guards as a 63B. So who knows from here.
Oh, family trip to Germany and Austria.
QM2 Miller
That E-5 for non Navy and Marine folk. :D

[louis.quinones]

QM2 Miller
That E-5 for non Navy and Marine folk. :D

Even when I was a Marine, I didnt know that much about swabbie enlisted rank (even thought we were taught it in boot) when it came to all the rates. just know if you were a petty officer whatever by the bird and how many stripes you had lol

[wibadger10]

I wasn't in the Guard yet, but I got to go to Europe to visit my sister who was stationed at the SHAPE base in Belgium. I was able to visit Paris, Brussels, Omaha Beach and the American cemetery (which was one of the coolest, most humbling places I've ever been), Gold Beach, and Amsterdam. I hope I'm able to go back to see more.

[milrtime]

Even when I was a Marine, I didnt know that much about swabbie enlisted rank (even thought we were taught it in boot) when it came to all the rates. just know if you were a petty officer whatever by the bird and how many stripes you had lol


No problem sir. Think we were taught the Marine rank as well, but I can read the rank insignia up to SSG then all hay breaks loose. You know don't want to call a Gunny by any other rank.
v/r

[49thadband]

No big deal in terms of location, but the procedure itself was pretty neat. Found out from fellow guard member about the annual trip the 136th Tactical Air Wing would take from Dallas.(136th was Air Guard unit based in Dallas)

Procedure was to type up "Permissive TDY" orders. We typed up orders, and this would put our name on the manifest, and guarantee a space coming back. Worked like a charm, stayed at one of the smaller Outrigger hotels, had a blast.

Did the same thing two years later, same procedure only this time the Colonel stood up in front of the crowd before we took off and announced that he couldn't guarantee a return flight. Evidently somebody had discovered this unit making this trip and directed him to go through the MAC system.

Of course I took the chance and went anyway, got back no problem. I wasn't going to waste a drive from Austin to Dallas.

The travel itself was pretty interesting I thought. One of the two trips, we stopped in California to refuel and had to stay the night. I got to stay in a cushy Air Force room for $5 or something like that.

[LT_77]

When I was active I spent 3 years in Germany. Best time of my life. I really separates you from your peers that you lived in a foreign country. I would recommend it to anyone.


+1 I was stationed there from 96 to 01. Amazing...:cool: Of course all I have now are the good memories, so easy to forget all the long/cold/wet/muddy/snowy rotations to Graf and CMTC every year :eek:

Traveling made it worth it though. The "wow" factor of Europe supersedes anything I've seen in the USA to date.

I'm from Hawaii, so obviously done that...actually liked Puerto Rico better in terms of tropical places to visit.

[Acc0rd]

Not yet military, but have been to many places in Europe and North America. Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, England, Netherlands, Austria, Slovenia, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

First time I ever went to europe I went with my friend who was dating a military daugher and her family got moved to Germany, ever since then I was hooked! I highly reccommend traveling world wide, it really opens your eyes about the differences between the USA and other nations, the good and bad. And it gets you away from mommy and teaches you how to really live on your own, another good point for a young man! And heck, the women overseas love foreigners, just dont constantly push your country on them and youll have date after date, ask them about theirs alot!! :D did me tons of good...:p

[Mildawg]

Okinawa baby. Oki freakin awa. Beach patrol in the summer, can't find many better MP spots than that ;) Plus the culture and history in japan is just awesome. Not to mention that you're within walking distance from an airbase (or on it) and within easy flying distance from mainland, china, korea, australia, guam, phillipenes (if they're not bombing us atm) and so much else. A LOT of great food and awesome people. Loved it.