Welcome to The Military Handbook, a group where you can get help about military questions either for your fics or in general.

If you're new to the group, please introduce yourself in this thread, whether you're a veteran who can answer questions, someone who's thinking about signing up, or just a curious passerby. Make sure you include what branch you served in, your rank, your country, and any specialties you might be able to help with.

Welcome to the group!

My name is August, aka ClosetBrony87. I served in the United States Navy as a nuclear electrician aboard a submarine from 2006 - 2012. I was an E-5 for the last 3 1/2 years of it, and I've been on two deployments.

Feel free to ask me any questions about submarines, nuclear power or the navy in general.

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Corporal Justin P. Emery, USMC (1991-1995)
Bootcamp done at Parris Island (Hotel Company, 2nd Bn)
Infantry and then Motor Transport Mechanic training at Camp LeJeaune
Stationed at:
Camp Kinser (Okinawa) (3rd Maint. Bn., 3rd FSSG)
Camp Pendleton (7th MTBn. 1st FSSG)

Deployed for a 3 month training ops at 29 Palms (CSSD 17)

Now I write stories about pretty pastel colored horsies that talk, fly, and do magic.

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My name is Kyle, aka Washingtonian. I am a military brat (which is the son of someone who served in the military). My father is a Commander, or O5 in the Navy and has served for over twenty years, not to mention that he is still active duty. I have seen much of the United States.

Places I've been "Indirectly" Stationed at:
Naval Base Kitsap Bangor Annex (Dad served on USS Henry M. Jackson).
Pearl Harbor (before the "joint" merging)
Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton Annex (Dad served on USS John C. Stennis)
The "military" metropolitan area of San Diego

I usually like to call myself a "seeker", since I seek for any information about the military forces worldwide. My specialty is definitely in aircraft (I have a flight simulator) and ships. Also, I can talk about life and stuff on the military bases.

I recently separated from the US Air Force with a almost 3 years of service due to PT testing. I was an E-3, Airman First Class, and worked on servers. No deployments, but do have experience working primarily with intel folks.

I'm available to answer questions about junior enlisted AF life, computers, networks, and the like.

Ocean Heart at your service, or Nick if you like. Active duty Logistics Specialist at the E-3 level. I work on board the currently in construction, worlds most advanced aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford, so I know about the supply world of the Navy.

OneNinerKilo here. I'm an Abrams crewman stationed at Fort Irwin CA, 11th ACR. Private First Class, E-3. My job typically involves much more cavalry scout tactics and maneuver than tanking, although I am familiar and proficient at both. I'm also familiar with life as a junior enlisted soldier and Cav traditions.

Private GoldenArbiter Canadian Armed Forces Army Communication and Information System Specialist. Yes, that is my name, rank, and job position.
Basically it's a very long description for people who do radio operations, Line laying, computer work, satcom, and system technicians. Now, I'm about a third of the way through my training, so I only really know the radio bits, and the computer bits (as well as a fair portion of the line bits), so I can give advice on people radio procedure, because it's always wrong. Always.

I'm apparently an Admin here, which surprised me when I read the post, but fuck it, I like to roll with punches. What does this mean for you guys? Absolutely nothing.

I tend to forget things as I say them however, and sometimes my posts can get a bit ranty as such. If that starts happening, well, I would say stop me, but you cant. Muahaha. Haha. Ha.

Ummm... Canada is the greatest country with the best military record ever, American rank systems are silly, and CBRN warfare scares the everloving fuck out of me.

3113432 3113964 3113685 3113618 3113563 3113533 3113517 My name is Railroad Brony. I'm a senior in HS right now, but I am headed for tech college for welding. After that, I hope to get hired by Canadian National Railroad at the local shops, and one day, become an engineer!
My area of expertise is the United States Army Transportation Corps, specifically the railroading division, the United States Railroad Administration, Trench Railways, so basically railroads and their operations in general. If you need help with that kind of stuff, especially how a locomotive functions or something along those lines, I'm your man!
EDIT
I also know a bit of naval tactics from around the Civil War and WWII, Pacific Theatre

3114925 OOOHHHH!!!! finding someone who knows their stuff in that field can be difficult, and you seem to have dedicated yourself there. You, Good Sir, could prove to be a goldmine of information for those who need expertise in railway systems, and how they would be useful in a wartime situation!

3114958 Well, my grandfather was an engineer, my great-grandfather was an engineer for the USATC, so you could say that they have some influence! Plus, my Aspergers gives me the drive to learn as much as I can on a subject.

3114998 My roommate has that, so I can relate, through my experiences living with him.

3115008 We Aspies can be real pains in the asses at times, can't we?

3114925 That's a thing? Theres a trade in the US Army that is dedicated to moving things... by train? Jesus christ you guys have too much money...

3115492 It's just a division of the USATC. The Transportation Corps is responsible for the movement of personnel and material by truck, rail, air, and sea. Its motto is "Spearhead of Logistics," and it is currently the third smallest branch of the Army. Some major bases have a few locomotives, and an interchange with the Class 1 railroads. It's kinda hard to explain. Here is the Wikipedia article.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_Corps

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Hi I'm Celestia's Paladin, and the closest I've been to military service was 4 years in USMC JROTC, 3 semesters in Army Military Science, and a life long Civil War reenactor in which I hold the rank of Captain in 173rd NYSVI. Because I reenact a Surgeon I can answer questions on Civil War medicine.

3115492
Got to move equipment, trains happen to be fairly good way of doing it.

3113432,

I'm Velkaden or Soren. I am ineligible for military service. I do however, like to read up on things. My grandfather is a WWII veteran and my parents are former defense contractors.

I can answer almost anything related to chemistry, biology or medicine. I can also consult with my massive library of field manuals for if anything else is needed.

I am Longshot. I am studying to become a high school history teacher. I have a large number of resources on the subject of military technology. Specifically, I have innumerable resources on WWII vehicles, ships, weapons, tactics etc. I also have resources on Civil War weapons, ships and tactics. I also have resources dealing with technology from all periods of history, including modern weapons and tactics.

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I'll just pretend I understand, and go on living my simple life

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Trains good

3116907 1+1 = circle?

3115015 Yeah... but Joe is also one of the most loyal friends I have ever had

3117181 That is the way we are. If you can stand us, we'll be by your side through everything. I like to compare us to dogs in that respect.

boredhooman here. Trying to enlist in USMC Infantry.

Grandfather a Seabee in the Pacific, other grandfather US Army infantry some time in the Cold War, Dad a STA sniper (essentially proto-Scout Snipers) in the '80s and eventual 0351 in the 1991 Gulf War, uncle the POGest of POGs in the Army, two USMC infantry cousins (one in Iraq and another Afghanistan).

I don't have a lot of books or study material but I can just ask relatives how shit works I guess

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Im fairly certain most of y'all have run into me round here at least once or twice so ill keep this short

Im your friendly neighborhood small town Texan Bluemoon1996

My greatgrandpa on my moms side served in the Pasific in World War 2, my grandpa was in the Coast Guard in Korea, and one of my cousins served some time in Afghanistan

And im a big WW2 nerd

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I generally prefer to go by my nickname from on here, but the last name of Robertson works fine for me too; I don't really care all that much about who on the internet knows me, I've got a little more faith than that. Also from Louisiana, where's it's not that easy to find anyone you really want/need to talk to in my case, be it a brony, good pilot, etc.

I'm probably going to go USAF, hopefully for a fighter position. There's not much else I'd rather do; a civilian job doesn't give me the same sense of meaning. I've been studying military hard all my life, so I guess it was pretty much inevitable anyways. Just spend the rest of my life fighting, I guess; that's about all there is to it. Not like I can do much else.

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The 11th? You mind if I call you up at a later (unknown) time? I'll probably need a fact-checker.

3127236

No problem. I can talk about the Blackhorse all day.

3127236
Nobody said you have to let others call you by your proper name. Although I always called my last name my 'slave name' in the navy. They all understood; if anyone really cared about you, they'd learn your first name. If they hated you, they'd call you 'shipmate'.

What's your planned course on becoming a pilot, just out of curiosity?

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I don't care to much either way. I know nothing God-awful will come out of it. Besides, it's better for getting to know people. I don't usually get to converse often.

In terms of a becoming a fighter pilot? Be honest, I'm not 100% sure. I've got accepted to Louisiana State University, which has a nice AFROTC to join at first; though they can't teach me, at least I don't think. I know the best option is the Academy, and I'd like to transfer there if I could, but of course there's the possibility I wouldn't make it (never actually flew a plane before, not on any major sports teams, bad eyes, etc.).

I know there's other places where you can earn wings to be a fighter, but I have no real clue as to where. it also complicates things that so few of my family actually served, and none of us know anyone that was in the Air Force period. Like I said, I can never seem to find exactly what I need, so I don't have a lot to go on.

My name is Slown (Onekirsiline), and I'm a Son of a Military operative (Military brat). The man in question would be my father.

My Father (sorry, don't fell like telling you guys his name) Is a Captain going on to Major in the US Reserves as a Field medic (or from what he tells me.). Never served (from what he tells me) on anything other than the U.S. (Kinda lame I know, but you got to roll with what you got. Also, I don't know if this is really special in the U.S. military of not, but he is classified as a marksmen.) Sorry for the vague-ness, but he doesn't like talking about it, unless he is talking about getting me in service.

I have a fascination with the Engineers from the military (all countries) and see myself in that area as a Navy or Reserves if I was ever enlisted. I'm not trained in any kind of combat except Self defense given to me by that man in question. (If that was needed to be known. )

(P.S. I find this Group Awesome, so I'm already in it. )

the Name's BlueLghitening. My dad is an ex-navy engineer and most of my family is military. my great great uncle Duncan K. Major was a brigadier general that served under general John J. Pershing during WWI.

I may not know to much, but that's why I am here. I am currently writing a story about life in the equestrian version of West Point and the Army service of two of my OCs. any help would be awesome.

3144901 forgot to include that I am an American Civil War encyclopidia.

3144901 Would your uncle happen to be Duncan Kennedy?

3149171 not that specific uncle, but I recognize the name as one of my mother's cousins.

3150025 Ok. My great-great-great Grandfather served under Brig. Gen. Kennedy. Your distant relative had a lot of respect from my grandfather. From reading his diaries, he would follow Kennedy through Hell. (Which wasn't far off.)

3150378 that's awesome ha, didn't think i'd find anyone on here that had family that knew him.

3150768 Yep. It is amazing who you find! It seems that we have combined interests, as well, since another of my ancestors served in the Civil War on the Union side. We have several letters that he wrote home. It is fascinating reading them. I recently acquired a Model 1861 Springfield, and it was still loaded. A guy in my reenactment group restored it for me, and showed me how to safely remove a charge and bullet from a muzzle loader in the future. (I wanted to be in an artillery group, but the nearest one was several hours away.)

3150772 yeah, my family on both sides fought in the Civil War as both Union and Confederate soldiers. I must say that the Confederates shouldn't have ignored their railroad systems, but whatever, the Union would've won anyways.

3150808 They didn't ignore the railroads, they used them quite extensively. They just didn't have one set gauge, and that made transport painfully slow. For example, it would be 5'0" for one, but the next railroad could be anywhere from 5'6" to 3'9". It was screwed up. But you are right, even if the Confederacy had a standardized gauge like the Union, it still would have lost. They just didn't have the manufacturing capabilities.

3150823 that's good to know. but, besides the different gauges, almost all the railroads were privately owned. so even if they had a standardized gauge like the union, the government did not have enough power over the confederacy to use the railroads for any government related activities.

3150842 So, I just learned that I am related to Generals from BOTH sides of the Civil War. My direct-blood relative is General Edward S. Bragg, and we believe his cousin was Southern General Braxton Bragg, who has Fort Bragg named after him.
That is in addition to the relative that we have letters from.

3234894 that is awesome. I am related to Abraham Lincoln....

3235797 How closely?

Name: Adam
Rank: E-5/ SSgt
Branch of Service: United States Air Force
Years of Service: 10+
Current Status: Active
Job: 2A574 - Refuel & Bomber Aircraft Maintenance (aka Crew Chief)
Number of Depolyments: 6

Been stationed just at Offutt AFB but have been to a number of airbases around the world. Can help with mechanical information relating to aircraft, Air Force rank/life, and enlisted structure.

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Name: Austin
Rank: N/A E-1 MAN 20150213
Branch of Service: Navy
Years of Service: N/A
Current Status: N/A DEP MAN 20150213
Job: Not Assigned (Preferred Culinary Specialist) CSS [Culinary Specialist (Submarines)] MAN 20150213
Number of Deployments: N/A
Best Pony: Ms. Cheerilee

Notes: In process of enlisting with the US Navy. Have my first meeting with the local recruiter on Friday around 1100 hours at my school. Part-time writer, gamer, musician (Alto Sax), future full-time chef. 18 yrs old and still don't have my Learner's Permit. Need to get my SSC first.

Notes 2: Went to St. Louis on Wednesday, was awake for 16 hours Thursday (4:30am to 8:30pm). Swore in at 3:40pm. Left the building around 4:30pm and got home at 8:20pm. Was in bed - fully clothed I might add - with a headache and stomachache at 8:30pm. I ship out July 28th.

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I'm a mechanical engineer specializing in mechatronics, so my specialty is technical details, design and manufacture. However, i'm only a sophomore in college so experience is a little weak and I'm still finding exactly what I want to do. I also used to do MilSim Airsoft before college, so I have some knowledge of infantry tactics. I don't plan on serving, however I'm pretty dedicated to making sure the U.S. and her allies are as well equipped as possible.

I cannot serve in the US military because of cerebral palsy...
Interesting group.

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Better late than never I always say
Name/Rank: PFC Purpose Porpoise USMC
Current station: Camp Hansen, Okinawa 3rd MAINT BN
MOS: 1316 metal worker (welding and fabrication)

Grew up surrounded by the military, whole family was in the Army, only marine in the family now

Hi, I'm Connor, otherwise known as TacticalHobbit.

My father served In the Devon and Dorset Regiment (now known as the first rifles) and did tours in Ireland, Germany and the Falklands.

I myself was an Army cadet and have instructed in Skill at arms and Marksmanship for quite a few years. Due to personal issues I am unable to serve, but I take great interest in the Armed Forces and am rather knowledgeable on a few subjects of the matter.

I've only just found this site but hope it may further improve my current story and maybe even other's stories. I'm a gamer and play with the platoon: Foundation of War on the PS4.

3113432 Sorry, late to the party as well. My name is Cameron and I am looking to join the United States Navy or the United States Air Force as a legalman once I finish my paralegal degree, I am planing on upgrading it to a full law degree. My reason for wanting to join is because I have had a lot of family members who have served; my dad was navy, I have had several relatives that have served in the Army, one in the Air Force and one in the Marines. I was looking to become the first Coastie in the family but my plans got changed.