Found my 201 File today
 

How many know what that is and how many memories go along with that stack of papers. I sat for a while and went through it, lots of emotion and sights passed through my mind. I haven't looked at that stuff since I rotated back to the states from Germany and back to civilian life.

Names of those I replaced, names of those who never came home and we all seemed so young from this perspective. Don't want to start a political debate here but how many who have 201's have gone back and looked at that stuff.

I'm getting ready to sell the house and cleaning out all sorts of stuff but when I saw that I just had to take some time to go back a lot of years. I remember it like it was yesterday.

Late 60's early 70's, very turbulent times! The more things change the more they stay the same.

Is a "201" anything like a "DD214"?

201 is all your military records, clearances, orders, citations, every stinking thing that happened pretty much that was legal when you were on active duty.

When my dad died a few years ago we found in his papers his original DD214 form showing his discharge from the Army in 1959. What it must have meant to him to carry the original with him for the rest of his life, thorugh countless moves and change.

Same experience recently.

Found a bunch of photos from Nam ( I posted the thread here on the prototype grenade launcher we had). Had to slowly go through those, remembering faces, places, names, memories.

39 years ...where did that time go so quickly?

I keep all of my paperwork and memorabilia from my time in the Navy ('82-'91, ending with Desert Storm) in a metal container ("mount out can") in the basement, protected from the elements and possible water damage. Some day maybe my kids or grandkids (If I'm that fortunate) will go through them and they might even find them interesting...

Still have mine. Covers 1973 through 2000. Also have my finance records. First LES had a monthly pay of $188.00!

Recently went through mine ('57- '84). Many memories. Many good; Some, not so good.

Tom

Just downloaded the form to request a copy of mine. Have gotten ahold of a lot of old buddies on www.military.com

Went home a year ago and was talking with my Brother. He mentioned that he missed some of his old shipmates. Got on www.military.com and within 5 hours he was emailing with a guy he served with on the Oriskany in the 1950's.

Thanks to all of you who have served are are serving.

I'm still building my 201 File. 21 Years and continuing.