Photo In Uniform |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USA Retired
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Current/Last Rank
Sergeant First Class
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Current/Last Service Branch
Infantry
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Current/Last Primary MOS
11B40-Infantryman
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Current/Last MOS Group
Infantry
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Primary Unit
1990-2005, HHC, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry
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Previously Held MOS
67B10-O-1/U-6 Airplane Repairman
11B10-Infantryman
11B50-Infantry Senior Sergeant
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Service Years
1970 - 1993
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Official/Unofficial US Army Certificates
Golden Dragon Certificate
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What are you doing now:
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1970-1971, 67B10, HHD, 210th Combat Aviation Battalion
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1971-1972, 73rd Surveillance Airplane Company
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1973-1974, 11B10, C Company, 1st Battalion, 58th Infantry
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1974-1975, 11B10, HHC, 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment
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1975-1977, 11B10, B Company, 1st Battalion, 48th Infantry
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1977-1979, 11B10, C Company, 3rd Battalion, 10th Infantry
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1979-1983, 11B10, C Company, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry
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1983-1984, 11B40, HQ, US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)
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1987-1988, 11B40, C Company, 1st Battalion, 222nd Aviation Regiment (Cadre)
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1990-2005, HHC, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry
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1991-1993, 11B50, HHC, 8th Transportation Brigade (Cadre)
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Reflections on SFC Hudson's
US Army Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I was drafted in December of 1969. I was in the "Fish Bowl Lottery" and my number was five (5). Had I been born on October 17th instead of October 18th, I would never have been drafted. By the way, the Marines were taking 20% that day and when we lined up, the good old boy to my immediate right went to the Marines and I got Ft Lewis, WA in January to March of 1970. Fine time of year for Basic Training with the cold wind coming off the Puget Sound and the constant rain.
From Ft Lewis, I was sent to Ft Rucker, Alabama, home of USAAVNS or as we called it, the US Army Advanced Vietnam School. The day I got there it was about 70 degrees out, clear blue sky, then it rained for almost a week straight.
After AIT there, I was a high speed, air cooled 67B10 Birddog / Beaver Airplane Mechanic and went to Vietnam, Republic of. Only worked in my "actual" MOS for about a week.
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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 my tour of duty in Vietnam was winding down, I got orders for Ft Hood. Wasn't really happy about going there, but with just short of a year remaining, I decided to tough it out.
I was then informed that the US Army was allowing Vietnam Veterans returning to CONUS the option of joining the National Guard for one year or until their ETS, which ever was longer. I was all set to sign up for the Guard when I was told that anybody returning to the World with less than a year can opt to get out if they chose to.
BOGUS! I checked that out and found it to be true. So with two weeks lees than a year I got the hell out. Thank God and Greyhound.
However, sixteen months later I was told that anybody who signed up for Combat Arms would get a signing bonus of $2500.00. I went to the recruiter, found out that was true and signed up for Ft Knox, home of the Armor School.
Went to Ft Knox, thinking "TANKS" and when I got to the replacement Battalion, they sent me to the 194th Armored Brigade. Things are looking good. Reported to Brigade HQs and was told I was going to Chuckle 58.
What the hell was Chuckle 58? I was duly informed that I was now going to be in the Infantry. (Thank you sir, may I have another!) All in all it turned out to be the better of the two. Infantry over tanks, as anybody that has ever been stationed to Ft Knox and their wonderful red clay can attest to.
Trying to repair a thrown track or dig yourself out of a hole or trying to chip frozen clay with an axe, hat should have been dug out before while it was still wet and pliable, so you can drive back to the motor pool. Aaaahhh yes, fun time to be had by all.
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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?
I spent 18 months in Vietnam. Primarily stationed at Long Thanh Army Airfield, sometime went to Bearcat, Xuan Loc and Ben Thuy.
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