Betancourt, George, Jr., SPC

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?
I joined for 3 tours, with short breaks between each enlistment. My 1st was the main active duty as an infantryman, but was later made into a Mechanized infantryman. I got out the first time because leadership would not allow me to change my MOS, so I ETS'd and was out for maybe, two years, then enlisted in the Reserves in California as a Heavy Equipment Operator. Life would have it that I needed to move my family, way out away from my unit, so I had to leave and went to the high Desert of Ca. There in Victorville, I joined a new aviation unit that was forming at SCLA (retired George Air force base) as 67t...Crew chief for a Black Hawk unit.

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?
The closest I came to Combat was in Korea at the DMZ. I know...not much is heard about it, but it does happen. People are still dying..on both sides. Skirmishes are still happening. Congress recently allowed for those in Korea who are infantry serving up till march 1994, can be eligible for the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB). It has been said, and repeated a lot that some of our guys were involved in more combat related action than some in Iraq or Afghanistan. While there, we were in constant fear of death and harm from enemy action.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
The best unit I was in was the aviation unit in California. While being able to fly in Black Hawks, while serving my community as General Aviation. A close second was while I was in Korea. I did have some scary moments, but I survived.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
While at my first duty station, I was harassed by leadership because of my race. I know most people have written positive things that impacted them, but not me. I am not against anyone, but for some reason I was the target of the black leadership in my chain of command. I was harassed mercilessly to the point that I almost killed them at a live-fire range back in my first tour of duty.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
While I am proud of all my military service, the one that I hold dear to my heart is the completion of the UH=60 school in Fort Eustis, Virginia. I learned a lot about the mechanics of a helicopter that is build so sturdy. I also learned that I HAD to trust our fellow mechanics who are lazy and cut corners. This was the hard part of my job. I trusted few people.

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?
The one that impressed me the most was my Blue cord for being Infantry. That one held respect.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I never had anyone from my unit, but neighboring units, I did. I would like to get in touch with a few of my older friends from my time in Georgia and in Korea.

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?
Just the silly drunks that annoyed me relentlessly. The things they did were mostly illegal and immoral. I had one piss in my fish tank that was in my personal barracks.

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 main MOS was infantry series, so no job was available for me. I did go into law enforcement, but for a short time. I went into aviation and then got injured in the line-of-duty and then was stopped from all my occupational ambitions.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Funny this question is even asked. I am a life member of the American Legion, Life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a Life member of the Disabled American Veterans. It is nice to support all our possible support organizations like i can.

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?
My military experience is one I can say helped me be more politically active for my causes, my faith, and my country. Not the country we have today destroyed by someone in office now (Jan 2015) but the country I grew up in, where there were loads of more freedoms for our society.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
The best advice I can give new troopers, is to quickly learn the regulations and see who in your chain of command is unnecessarily abusing his authority. I had to learn fast. For me, I had to learn the AR670-1, among other procedural things we all needed to know.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I am not sure yet. I just got on this site.

*J*