Long ago and far away . . .
I added a comment in another thread :https://upload.democraticunderground.com/100211073621 and it generated a request for pictures from my time in the Army in Ft Lee, VA. I was in a provisional riot control battalion, sort of a part time job when something happened in D.C.. The rest of the time I was a Petroleum Lab Tech maintaining QC on fuel and lubricants used in everything from oil furnaces to aircraft.
I had no idea what memories, some funny and some not, this simple request would drag up.
This is me on Hardpack area 4 (usually called parking lot D) outside the Washington Navy Yard where we barracked when on TDY. Mid November 1969. Yeah, I had a bit of an attitude. This is as close to a picture doing actual crowd control as I have - - I was a bit busy when we were actually on the streets.
Me doing what I did best at my 'day job'.
Although Vietnam was in full bloom and Ft Lee was basically a holding station for people going to or coming from that conflict I managed to avoid deployment. When I arrived I was classified as a light mechanic and assigned to the Motor-pool. I didn't like that much because all the military stuff was anything but light. So I volunteered for EVERYTHING. I became the company clerk because I could type. That put me in charge of the duty roster. Guess who never got guard duty or KP. Later I volunteered for Petroleum Lab school, a 13 week course, because I figured that for at least 13 weeks they couldn't send me 'Nam.
Got out of school and immediately got assigned to a Mobile Petroleum Lab. I was the only 92C20 on base at the time. For the most part I got no respect and was treated like a useless formality. Among other things the military requires any fuel transported by vehicle be tested for particulate contaminates like rust or sand before being dispensed. The local airmen really hated having to take an extra hour to drag a gallon of av-gas or JP4 to my lab for testing. Then a transport plane fell out of the sky on takeoff and I got to be the most popular guy on base.
The Post Commander liked to fly his helicopter every day --got flight pay for it-- so he kept it parked on the parade ground not far from his quarters. For him to be able to fuel his aircraft I had to test it first. The Pentagon sent my orders for Vietnam as a light mechanic just after I graduated. It wasn't just any kind of levy, it was a Department of the Army Name levy. Not some mechanic from the 544th Supply & Support battalion, by THIS ONE PARTICULAR mechanic. The two star General that ran Ft Lee intervened with the Pentagon and got me re-assigned back to base so he could continue flying his helicopter.
As I checked back into HQ I saw a fellow SP4 receiving his orders to deploy to Vietnam as a mechanic. I did not get his name. I do not know anything about him or how he fared for the next year. I only know that I saw the young man who took my place and it haunts me to this day.
It's called Survivor Syndrome. It's a really stupid affliction. I feel guilty that I didn't fill those orders and then I feel guilty that I feel guilty for avoiding an abomination.
For all those who, unlike me, didn't avoid being shipped off to a country that didn't want you and served in a war that wasn't justified, that was fought strictly to save face when everybody knew it could not be "won" I say I'm sorry. You served valiantly and honorably regardless of the outcome and if you are one that volunteered to go there I thank you for your sense of duty and devotion to country. You all deserved better.
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You looked comfortable in your skin. 
Let me say, thank you both for your service and sacrifices.
a heartfelt thank you
