The Declaration of Independence

[KHickam]

with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

With firm reliance on the protection of divine providence...that is the only thing that will save us now. I do not see the constitution being saved--even if we get the right judges for one more term of a presidency. In order to rely on providence, we need to be worthy of it. That is where I am focusing my efforts. Let's not get too wrapped up in the daily garbage and remember that we may need to band together. If we can then rely on divine providence, we will be unstoppable.

The constitution will survive.

It may require the millions of American veterans, along with other like-minded individuals, rising up in armed revolt, but the constitution will survive. You see, we swore an oath...

Except many of us are too old and worn out now to do much of anything.

[Pawpaw]

Except many of us are too old and worn out now to do much of anything.

It has been said of the military that for every active combatant, there are 10 more working in support roles.

There is plenty us old goats can do besides sling lead.

[oljames3]

While combat is, indeed, a young man's game, American history is replete with old soldiers. Even a cursory Google finds many examples. One of my favorites fought during our revolution; Samuel Whittemore, 78. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Whittemore

The oldest man at the Alamo was a youngster by comparison; Gordon C. Jennings, 54. http://www.agribusinesscouncil.org/jenn ... 20Hero.htm

Curtis King served in the Late Unpleasantness at 80. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cg ... id=7661570

In that same conflict, the 37th Iowa Infantry comprised soldiers at least 45 years old. "While most of its members were in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, it is recorded that a few were in their 70s and at least one man claimed to be 80. " https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/37th_Iowa ... y_Regiment

Peter Hains served in both the American Civil War and World War I. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/pchains.htm

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., was in the first wave at Utah beach at 57. http://members.iinet.net.au/~gduncan/1944.html

On the Vietnam Wall; Annie Ruth Graham, 52, and Dwaine McGrif, 63. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/argraham.htm http://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=287040

More recently, John Taffe graduated from Army Basic Combat Training, Ft Leonard Wood, at 55. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/55 ... 42821.html

John William Vessey, Jr., a fellow artilleryman, retired at 63. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_William_Vessey_Jr.

I retired at 60 with disability. I'm still useful.

[Jeff B.]

Keep in mind the actions of Patriot Samuel Whittimore during the British retreat from Concord...

Aged Menotomy resident Samuel Whittemore killed three regulars before he was attacked by a British contingent and left for dead. (He recovered from his wounds and later died in 1793 at age 98.)

Beware the old man in a world where men die young...

Jeff B.

[The Annoyed Man]

More recently, John Taffe graduated from Army Basic Combat Training, Ft Leonard Wood, at 55. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/55 ... 42821.html

Very interesting. Just an observation....... Sgt Taffe has a lot of fruit salad and bling on his chest for a new graduate of boot camp, including two airborne pins. Could those be from his prior service, and if you serve honorably in two branches, are you allowed to wear the patches, pins, and medals from prior service in the first branch when currently serving in the second branch? If not, then I'm thinking that this picture was taken quite some time after he graduated from boot camp.

(I think I might have just answered my own question when zooming in on the pin that has what might be the Navy's UDT emblem on it.)

Second question is, what is the significance of one jump pin being silver, and the other gold? Just curious......

[Pawpaw]

Very interesting. Just an observation....... Sgt Taffe has a lot of fruit salad and bling on his chest for a new graduate of boot camp, including two airborne pins. Could those be from his prior service, and if you serve honorably in two branches, are you allowed to wear the patches, pins, and medals from prior service in the first branch when currently serving in the second branch? If not, then I'm thinking that this picture was taken quite some time after he graduated from boot camp.

(I think I might have just answered my own question when zooming in on the pin that has what might be the Navy's UDT emblem on it.)

Second question is, what is the significance of one jump pin being silver, and the other gold? Just curious......

Patches only have meaning for the unit you're currently assigned to. Ribbons, medals, and badges are forever.

[The Annoyed Man]

Very interesting. Just an observation....... Sgt Taffe has a lot of fruit salad and bling on his chest for a new graduate of boot camp, including two airborne pins. Could those be from his prior service, and if you serve honorably in two branches, are you allowed to wear the patches, pins, and medals from prior service in the first branch when currently serving in the second branch? If not, then I'm thinking that this picture was taken quite some time after he graduated from boot camp.

(I think I might have just answered my own question when zooming in on the pin that has what might be the Navy's UDT emblem on it.)

Second question is, what is the significance of one jump pin being silver, and the other gold? Just curious......

Patches only have meaning for the unit you're currently assigned to. Ribbons, medals, and badges are forever.

Thank you, that would explain some of that stuff. Is there a significant difference between the gold and silver airborne pins?

[Pawpaw]

From Wikipedia

The silver badge is the Basic Parachutist Insignia, used for all branches.
The gold badge is the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia.

Basic Parachutist Insignia
The right to wear the Basic Parachutist Insignia is based on the completion of prescribed training defined in MCO 3120.11.:[18]

When an enlisted member initially qualifies as a static line parachutist, an entry shall be made on NAVPERS 1070/613 (commonly referred to as a "Page 13" entry) of the service record indicating the date of qualification, type(s) of aircraft in which qualified, and unit at which the training was received. Enlisted members are authorized the parachutist (PJ) designator added to their rating.[18]

A qualified static-line parachute jumper who successfully completes the prescribed program of instruction while attending a formal, interservice training facility including a minimum of 10 military free-fall parachute jumps, at least 2 of which must have been conducted carrying full combat equipment (1 day/1 night), may qualify. Enlisted members are authorized the military free-fall parachutist (FPJ) designator added to their rating.[18]

When an officer initially qualifies as a static line parachutist, the additional qualification designator (AQD) of BT1 will be entered into the officer's record by their detailer (NAVPERS). Free-fall qualification will result in an AQD of BT2.[18]

For both Static Line and Military Free Fall Parachutist qualified personnel, a service record entry shall also indicate whether or not the member is HALO-qualified.[18]

The Basic Parachutist Badge is a prerequisite for the Special Warfare Badge since parachutist training is an integral part of the Navy’s Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) program. SEAL personnel generally do not wear the Basic badge once they earn their Special Warfare insignia, but will wear their Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Badge in addition to the Special Warfare Badge, the latter nicknamed the "Budweiser" badge. Navy EOD technicians are generally also jump qualified with a number of them also being qualified in military free-fall (HALO/HAHO). Currently, due to a recent change, newly pinned Navy EOD technicians are required to attend the U.S. Army's Basic Airborne School upon graduation. As well, a small number of SWCC personnel earn Basic Parachutist badges in conjunction with their assignment to a Special Boat Team detachment that uses the Maritime Craft Air Delivery System (MCADS). This enables them to drop small watercraft and their crews from C-130 aircraft.[18]

Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia
The Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia (originally issued as Navy Parachute Rigger wings) is a gold-colored embroidered or metal insignia depicting an open parachute with outstretched wings. It is authorized for officers and enlisted personnel who were awarded the Basic Parachutist Insignia and, under competent orders, have completed a minimum of five additional static-line or P3 jumps, to include: (1) combat equipment day jump, two (2) combat equipment night jumps, and employ at least two (2) different types of military aircraft.[18]

The U.S Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist badge was originally known as the U.S. Navy Certified Parachute Rigger badge and designed by American Insignia Company in 1942 for graduates of the U.S. Navy Parachute Rigger School. During WWII, despite being against uniform regulations it became common for U.S. Marine Corps paratroopers who were issued the silver U.S. Army Basic Parachutist badge to wear the gold Navy Certified Parachute Rigger badge because they believed the gold "Rigger wings" looked better on their uniform.[19] This out of regulations wearing of the Parachute Rigger badge became so common that in July 1963, the Commander of United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Bruce F. Meyers sent a request to the Chief of Naval Operations Admrial George W. Anderson Jr. via Marine Corps Commandant General David M. Shoup requesting to officially make the Navy Parachute Rigger badge the parachutist badge for the Navy and Marine Corps. The request was approved by Admiral Anderson on July 12, 1963 per BuPers Notice 1020.[20] Since 1963, being a graduate of the U.S. Navy Parachute Rigger School is no longer a requirement to earn the badge.

[TXBO]

2 Chronicles 7:14

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

[RogueUSMC]

go on the verse 15...God places a big ol' BUT

[TXBO]

go on the verse 15...God places a big ol' BUT

God doesn't place the "but" until 19 but yes, you are right, it's a huge "but".

[G26ster]

Patches only have meaning for the unit you're currently assigned to. Ribbons, medals, and badges are forever.

Almost. If you served in the Army, and served in combat, you may wear the unit patch you were in combat with forever (on your right shoulder) while in Army dress. Also, you may wear unit citations (over right pocket) of your unit only while in that unit, unless you served in that unit during the date(s) for which the citation was issued. If you did serve with that unit during the date(s) issued, then you may wear it/those unit citations forever while in Army dress.

[anygunanywhere]

A former boat mate and qualified submariner separated from the Navy after 10 years and joined the Indiana Army National Guard, went to basic and then attended Pathfinder training. He was the only Pathfinder to wear submariner dolphins and boomer pin.

[bblhd672]

A former boat mate and qualified submariner separated from the Navy after 10 years and joined the Indiana Army National Guard, went to basic and then attended Pathfinder training. He was the only Pathfinder to wear submariner dolphins and boomer pin.

While I was in Navy school in San DIego there was a former Green Beret who had joined USN. He was constantly harassed on the base streets by senior enlisted and officers who stopped him to question why this E-3 was wearing so many ribbons and badges, especially non-Navy ones. After having his service record checked several times, word got around and he was left alone.

Also had an officer on one of the boats who had pilot wings and gold submariner dolphins.

[KHickam]

More recently, John Taffe graduated from Army Basic Combat Training, Ft Leonard Wood, at 55. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/55 ... 42821.html

Very interesting. Just an observation....... Sgt Taffe has a lot of fruit salad and bling on his chest for a new graduate of boot camp, including two airborne pins. Could those be from his prior service, and if you serve honorably in two branches, are you allowed to wear the patches, pins, and medals from prior service in the first branch when currently serving in the second branch? If not, then I'm thinking that this picture was taken quite some time after he graduated from boot camp.

(I think I might have just answered my own question when zooming in on the pin that has what might be the Navy's UDT emblem on it.)

Second question is, what is the significance of one jump pin being silver, and the other gold? Just curious......

According to the link you gave - he spent 14 yrs on Active Duty in the Navy - I am guessing that is why he has his rank and other badges.