I did 25+ years as a Fire Support Man. That's an artillery MOS, basically an enlisted forward observer. Spend a lot of time living with the grunts, since that's who we supported.
When I called it quits I had surgery on a blown L4/L5, and bulged discs above and below that one. Reconstructed broken ankle, tinnitus, and a bad shoulder. Pretty much normal wear and tear. But promotions were generally good, made MGySgt (E9) in 21 years.
Along the way I did a couple gigs on Embassy Duty, and some instructor duty. About 4.5 years cumulative in hostile territory in El Salvador, Croatia, Egypt, Persian Gulf and Iraq.
All in all, a great experience.
