Lindsley, Thomas (MG)., 1SG

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.

Joining the Military

A strong since of traditionalism and patriotism I suppose. What does an 18 year old kid know anyway? There was a war on, and controversy over the campaign at home. Regardless, I 'went to war' as a feeling of what I was supposed to do. Fortunately, I got lucky picking Cavalry Armor as a career path. I got lucky because I liked it, and after a while, I got very good at it. Thus, a career was born.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
When I was about 8 years old, my parents purchased for me a remote controlled tank. It was awesome. It was approx 1 1/2 inches long and about12 inches wide. It could shoot shells that burst the house flour in a great pattern (though messy). "I thought that was

My Military Service Path

the berries."

After a few years, I grew comfortable with the tank and became quite proficient at it. Working my way through that basic tank positions - Loader, driver, gunner and Ultimately, Tank Commander. Working my way through all of these positions, including that of Platoon Sergeant for a tank platoon. Awesome, me leading a team of 14 men, "I thought that was the berries."

I had the opportunity to attend the Master Gunner School in Fort Knox, Ky. This position is designed to mold an experienced and well trained tank commander into a technologically superior and an "I know it all about thank gunnery" soldier to assist his commander (at all levels) on How-to train their soldiers in Tank Platoons.

Several years in this excellent way of tanking and got the job as Master Gunner I was placed in the United States Army Europe (USAREUR) Master Gunner. This prestigious position put me the position to serve in ways I had never intended. "I thought this was the berries".

After working with the Opposing Forces in the National Training center for a couple years, I was assigned directly to the position of First Sergeant of C Troop 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fulda Germany. Here it was! The mecca for the the Tanker or Scout Leader. Eight tanks, 12 Bradley Fighting Vehicles a Mortar Section and some of the damned best Cavalrymen in this mans army. I loved it, and you guessed it "I thought this was the berries".

Overall, having raised our 3 children in this exciting, evolving and changing career, this mission I've been on has not just been a job. It was an expression of what I am, for the best years of our lives.

Cynthia and I thank you for reading this.

It was that toy, along with the TV movie series, "Combat" with Vic Morrow that influenced me to join the Army and be a Tanker and Cavalryman.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?

My Military Operations

Not officially. While stationed in South Korea in 1973, our tank crew was shot at by machine gun fire from the north side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Not allowed to return fire, we just backed the tank to a covered position. The picture attached was taken shortly before the attack. No one was injured, it was just swept away into the ledgers full of border incidents not reported to the public.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Without a doubt it would be the year that I had the pleasure to serve as First Sergeant of Cold Steel Troop in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?

My Most Meaningful Awards

Absolutely, it would be The Order of St. George. God Bless St. George, He's saved my bacon on more than a few occasions.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
In 1976 while at Fort Carson, I was a Buck Sergeant assigned to a tank battalion and slotted as the Red Eye Section Sergeant. That meant that I was responsible for 16 Men and 7 Jeep trucks to get around. The Red Eye section was the Air Defense for the battalion at the area within 4 miles. It was an up close and personal weapon.

My First Sergeant was 1SG George S. Simmons. He was truly intimidating man that carried a swagger stick around daily. He was the most unique 1SG I've ever seen or heard of. A real nail biter and ass chewer he was.

Well, his ass chewings and 1 on 1 counseling sessions made a very hard soldier and Leader. Awesomely tough, but tempered with fairness. The men hated to love him, and I suppose I did too. However, it is 1SG George Simmons that mad me a Leader of Men.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Long story short. One of my troopers reports through his SGT that he had lost his weapon, am M-1911-A1 .45 caliber, automatic pistol.

Good News: He knew exactly where it was.

Bad News: It had fallen in the shitter and was about 3 feet below the surface.

After donning his chemical protective suit, and 100 mph taping him up, we lowered him into that hole with a stick and a coat hanger.

EVERYONE got a picture except me. When he came out, well let your imagination take it from here.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?

My Post-Military Career

I went into the Financial Services Career. The manager was Janet and she was sure to make me feel good about the career, and it amazed me as to what she was asking me to consider doing. Helping Lutheran Families to plan their financial future and to help with health, and life insurance needs over the course of time.

I loved it. I had complete flexibility with my time, I could set my own hours, and the money was good.

In 2005 I became quite sick with Liver disease. Over the next 5 years, I became so sick that as of May, I was not expected to make Thanksgiving 2010. In June I received a lifesaving transplant. Life is back to mostly normal now and God has again, blessed us with a new future.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?

My Military Associations

Blackhorse Association and The American Legion.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?

Personal Influence Of Military Service

I do my best to approach life by recognizing that God is my Lord, and Savior. Practice my faith and recognize his great gift of life on earth, and life with him in heaven.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?

My Advice on Military Service

Keep the faith, be true to the Cav by remembering from where you came. Lean forward in every mission and prevail.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and the US Army

TWS and the US Army.

*J*