I'm kinda wondering if there are any other veterans on this forum. I would suspect not too many since the stigma of the car being a hippiemobile is still very strong. As for me, USMC 2002-2010. 0311 Rifleman. EAS'ed as a Staff Sergeant.
CPL/USMC 01-04 Motor T w/1st Tanks in OIF-1 & PCS out of Oki my last year in. BTW I take a lot of crap from my military friends for driving a PriusC, but I laugh every time I pump gas.
Navy. I got my (first) Prius in 2001, before it became a "political" car. I can withstand a lot of misguided opinions of the car since the saved gas money is not insignificant. So can a whole lot of other vets.
(raising hand) Here! Retired CPO. 1980-2012. Started out in Submarines, did some time ON the pond in white hulls, finished up as a reservist in NECC with muddy boots. I think we provide a nice counterbalance to the stereotype....and they to us.
Marines, February 1, 1971 to January 31, 1975, E-5. Second stupidest question in the world: Why did you get out? I bought the Prius to save money and it exceeded all expectations by becoming a hobby. Bob Wilson
U.S. Air Force 1966-1969 Beale AFB, B52s, SR-71 Blackbird. Those were the days of the muscle cars. My buddy had a new 1968 GTO. The big thing in the small town there was to cruise through the A & W Root Beer and check out the cars, Road Runners, Chevelle SS396, GTOs. I remember the rumble of the 8 cylinder engines. Times have changed and I drive a Prius now.
Those were the days my friend, I "wished" they'd never end... The muscle car era was exciting and every town had a hot spot for cruising, see and be seen. My brother and I as high school seniors in 1968, were able to convince our parents to trade the family 1967 Mustang for a new factory ordered 1968 GTO (Motor Trend's 1968 Car of the Year). A hot car for $3600. It was a great time to be eighteen years old. I've also gone full circle. I no longer need a pretty, fast, expensive car(s) to get my kicks on Route 66. My Prius Plug In is exciting, flying sub sonic. Retired U.S. Air Force E-8, 1970 - 1994. Aircraft maintenance and recruiting. Loved it, but civilian life isn't a bad gig.
US Navy Reserve 1964 - 1968, US Navy Active Duty 1968 - 1971, first year and 1/2 on the JPJ below homeported out of Long Beach.... complete with all expenses paid tour to sunny southeast Asia Tonkin Gulf at Yankee Station in company with carriers Coral Sea and Ranger; 2nd tour COMMSERVGRP 1 Staff in San Diego. Bought my first Toyota in 1971, a Corona Mark II coupe... been buying Toyotas ever since.... I must admit being in Southern California AND, seeing some of the world (I know... it's a common Navy joke about seeing the world through a port hole) was a major stepping stone to being introduced to well built small cars, during the era, when a small imported car was considered by definition a cheaply built car.. I was blown away by the quality and nice driving of a 1968 Toyota Corona a crew of us rented when we stopped at Pearl Harbor on the way over... and taxi cabs in Yokosuka, Japan.. nice riding and sensible size.... Mark Twain said it best... Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."
There's a guy here who drives an M1 Abrams for his day job. Just throw one of those "Osama Hates This Car" stickers on the back. All of a sudden you're a true patriot.
