It was spring of 1991, we were stop lossed in Korea. We couldn’t go home even though our time was ended for the one year tour. I was one of them. I was stuck. I had a new baby at home, a life I wanted to get back to. Oh well. Another group was already supposed to have separated from the Army. They were supposed to be civilians by now. Out. Home. Done.
But, here they were. With me, with us. In Korea. There were eight of them whose ETS date had come and gone. You know the crazy thing? When their ETS date came? Their pay stopped somehow. Not even a no pay due, not even an LES, just nothing. No money in their account.
Fall in! Receive the report. Report. HQ platoon PSG began “1SG, 3 men out of ranks.” “What? Who?”
About that time, the strike begins. In the early morning light, 8 Soldiers, in civilian clothes and carrying two little signs came around the corner. Chanting No Pay, No Way, No Pay, No Way. The signs said versions of the same thing. They weren’t being the most creative. They were loud though. “1SG, we are on strike!”
1SG lost it. He just lost it, for a second. The Battery was actually at attention, in the middle of the report process. We were dying laughing. Most of us knew what was coming. The strikers were standing in the back, holding their two little signs.
We ended up in his office. The 1SG’s office. I was representing one of the Soldiers by proxy. His leader was on leave. “How dare we strike? What are we thinking about? Did anyone call the media?” Of course, this was before the internet and Social Media.
1SG finally told them, “Look, shit happens, it will all get figured out. We will put in the paperwork, but you can’t go on strike, you just can’t. Understood?” “Yes 1SG!”
He finished with, “Now take the rest of the day off. Everybody, the whole battery, take the damn day off!”
He became a Hero. I’m pretty sure it was 1SG Bridges. We all took the damn day off. We are on strike 1SG.
1SG(R) William Marshall is an American Patriot who has been writing about his experiences and time in service as a Soldier for the US Army. 1SG(R) Marshall is an Airborne Air Defense Soldier that spent time in the 82nd Airborne Division, Korea, and the Persian Gulf. He has exiting many aircraft even though they were satisfactorily safe to land and deployed at a moments notice in defense of his nation. He is proud father and grandfather and committed to serving the Holy Spirit who helps guide him in his daily life……..
If you enjoyed this article, then please REPOST or SHARE with others; encourage them to follow AFNN. If you’d like to become a citizen contributor for AFNN, contact us at managingeditor@afnn.us Help keep us ad-free by donating here.
Truth Social: @AFNN_USA
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/afnnusa
Telegram: https://t.me/joinchat/2_-GAzcXmIRjODNh
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfnnUsa
GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/AFNN_USA
CloutHub: @AFNN_USA
Ironically, my experience in the Spring of 1991 was almost 3200 mils out. One moment we were on active duty for the duration, the next we had orders home. Our XO got orders for several of our Marines who wished to remain on active duty longer, and I am sure that a Korean tour would have had a volunteer or two.