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Tales from the Sandbox

Photographer Sheila Vemmer and reporter Andrew Scutro are currently embedded with the U.S. Military in Iraq. Vemmer and reporter Michelle Tan were recently in Africa. See the “From Djibouti” category for the complete collection of that journey.
Arm Strong
Posted by Sheila on March 25th, 2008 filed in Photos

Cpl. Troy Armstrong, Army Strong, and has strong arms. Wants you to know he is a single country boy from Las Vegas.

armstrong.jpg

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45 Responses to “Arm Strong”

  1. GM3 Says:

    Country boy from Las Vegas… I don’t think both of those can be used in the same sentence.

  2. Gatesoftanhauser Says:

    EPIC FAIL for the Asian character on the arm, plus the flames originating from the wrist. Try a little originality next time, okay Troy?

    “Barb Wire tats and Japanese symbols rool! I’m gunna get a cross on my right arm, and then the “eagle tearing through the skin with flag in background” tats next!!”

    Yeah..and nobody else has those tattoos either :rolleyes:

  3. armstrongs family Says:

    you have to know him to understand the flames.
    you have to understand where he’s been.
    you have to respect the guns.
    love ya (semper fi)
    and it’s Idaho he was born in Vegas

  4. Jerry Says:

    Next take the picthre with the sun on it so we can realy see the tats.

  5. Trisha Says:

    Hey Bro. wholly crap you dont need the package that mom sent you!!!! I miss you like crazy, hope you are stayin safe, my guess is that is needless to say, just bring out the guns right LANCE! I can’t wait ’till you get back….wooohooo! Belle and I love you and miss you, hope to hear from you soon! MMMMMMUUUUUUAAAAHHHH! xoxoxox-Your Big Sis and neice.
    Red N Patty- We love you, take care of yourself, miss you etc….etc….etc….Your Aunt Patty said no ticket perade for you, with arms like that well get a mob!!!! We love ya SCOOOBBA STEVE!!!!Koda says he needs ya back here on the front lines of the school…kids wont leave him alone!

  6. matt Says:

    To Gatesoftanhauser:

    Most people in this world get tats to set themselves apart from the general poplualtion…to show they are different.

    Marines get tats because we are apart of something. If you took a look at tats among members of the United States Marine Corps I would bet my next pay check that 99% of them have either a U.S.M.C., Semper Fi, or a Devil Dog tat. We belong to a brotherhood and don’t want to be set apart from that.

    To the web master this site is to support our men and women. Comments such as Gatesoftanhauser do no good.

    Sweet tat Devil Dog, it’s hard to stay fit in the sand box but you’re doing a fine job. Kick butt and come home.

    Former United States Marine
    1st L.A.R. Bravo Co.
    Matthew D Payne

  7. Schnookie Says:

    Single country boy, in the Marines, and guns like that? Wow!!! You look great, you are doing wonderful things, and I wish you the best of luck! Love the tats! As long as they mean something to you - that is all that matters…the hell with all other comments. All this coming from a country gal with five tats and 11 years in the Army……

    Take Care!

  8. YN3 Says:

    Well if he is single I know a few people that would be interested in him…

  9. Lindsay Says:

    Love the tat!! You need to have your face in you rpicture though, whats the tat without a friendly face behind it?! I am a single country girl in the army as an MP.

  10. mrs phillips Says:

    I wish people woluld not say…thats why mariens do this and that….majority of people over there are army and most army has tattoos too. even air force and navy…its not just a marine thing and the war isn’t just about marines. thank you. All of them are doing there jobs and should be recognized. They all get tats too

  11. Sukoshi Motto Says:

    This will turn into a firestorm quickly. FYI dude isn’t a Marine. Those resemble Army BDU’s

  12. SPC T WIpfli Says:

    Nice job on the tatoos, aren’t you in the Army? Uniforms looks that way.
    Great job in the sandbox……

  13. mike Says:

    This is great…all this talk about why Marines do this and that, but Cpl. Armstrong is clearly in the ARMY… green digital cammo + olive tee shirt = ARMY. Marines have been wearing the MARPATS in theatre = beige/ tan /brownish camo pattern.

  14. 2LT Says:

    You guys need to learn a few things before you go posting things on the internet. Most of you that posted sound and type like you have nothing more than a 5th grade education. Did you read the caption that came with the picture? Says something like…”Cpl. Troy Armstrong, Army Strong, and has strong arms. Wants you to know he is a single country boy from Las Vegas”.

    No where does it say he is a Marine, someone just posted that he was. Secondly, whether he is a Soldier, Marine, Airman, or Sailor, he is serving, doing something that way too many people in America are repulsed by. Thank you Cpl. We should all be thanking our servicemembers and nothing but that. Stop putting your stupidity and self-disgust on the internet, your clogging the system and I’m losing braincells just reading some of this crap.

  15. Eric Says:

    Semper Fi CPL Armstrong. Me and my family respect and admire what you’re doing. Stay safe.

  16. Gatesoftanhauser Says:

    @armstrongs family: I do understand the flames, the guns and where he’s been. I was there before him. I served in Iraq too.

    It’s a cliche’d, sterotypical, unoriginal tattoo. I’m in no way denigrating his service, but I am making light of his lack of choosing something more original.

    @2LT: I couldn’t have said it better. Thank you.

  17. Katie Says:

    Hey, I’m single too! Give him my number! Arms like that make me tongue-tied and red-cheeked!

  18. Jessica Says:

    Hey!!

    I’m an Armstrong too! Let’s here it for all of us serving all over the world! (Single too, but I’m in the Air Force, not sure how he feels about that).
    Tell him if he’s around Kuwait within the next 6 months stop on in the CE Complex and ask for me, lol.

    Stay safe all of you, We need you out there protecting us so we can do our job in the background.

    Jess

  19. armstrongs family Says:

    To gatesoftanhouser and 2lt
    Troy comes from a long line of family that has and still is serving
    in the united states military. the semper fi is from his father who
    is and always will be a marine. once always ooorah! the flames are
    very personal and the sleeve was done while serving overseas and
    the guns are here from hard work, dedication and bucking hay.
    we are also very thankful to all who are serving our country in all branch’s of the service WE ARE ONE!
    ARMSTRONG’S FAMILY

  20. Jessica Says:

    To Armstrongs Family,

    Thank you for your support to your Son! I am also from a long line of Military members and am proud to continue the traditions of serving with honor and integrity in our nations Military.
    I know you are proud of him as he is most certainly proud of you all.
    I hope that more Americans can take you as an example and start to support us even more.
    My best wishes and prayers are with you and yours all over the world.

    Please stay safe where ever you are!

    Jess

  21. Jacob Says:

    Hey Matt,

    If I may correct you…”former” United States Marine?

    Once a Marine, always a Marine brother.

    Semper Fi

  22. NoOne Says:

    No where in the paragraph does it say he is a Marine! From the looks of the uniform and the people standing around him i would say he is a Army Guy! Hence the “ARMY STRONG” in the title! Nice Tats though!

  23. Marine702 Says:

    Yeah, those are Army ACu’s. I doubt a Marine would even try on Army ACUs, thats lowering your standards!

  24. SFC Wade Says:

    Dude, maybe when he got the tats he wasnt thinking about what people would find original. Maybe he wanted tats that he liked.

    I got crossed rifles tatooed on my leg. Not original by any means. But I like my tat all the same.

  25. cpl armstrong, troy Says:

    well here is the scoop my whole family generates off the military I am in the (army) also is my brother spc david armstrong, my dad was in the marines, and my other brother is in the Air Force. I respect all branches of the military but more in favor of the army. I tried getting in to the marines but got the flames on my arm so they said no booo. First place I went was Korea then to 101st and currently in Iraq as posted all I want to do is serve “OUR” country to the best of my ability so that every one comes home in all branches of the military thanks for the comments though. my email is (strongarm4408@hotmail.com)
    CPL Armstrong, Troy

  26. Armstrongs Girlfriend Says:

    Thanks Babe.. And yes, he is taken! And wont be single anytime soon.. I miss him so much and cant wait for him to come home. Love you babe… xoxoxo

  27. anna Says:

    nice tats. great muscles… ha. Gotta love a guy in uniform. Waitin’ for mine to come home…
    Be safe out there. Wish I was back there myself. *sighs*
    *Bastogne*

  28. lisa Says:

    yes Tat’s make a person stand out by them selfs and bring people together. to you Sir all the respects to you and the guys with you…..

  29. Randi Says:

    Why are there always haters? Everything anyone does, someone is always there to hate. Grow up people.

  30. stella kalu Says:

    goodluck to the US army all over the world!!!!!!!!!!!! am proud of you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    from stella,
    Abuja, Nigeria

  31. Currahee Wife Says:

    Thank you for your service. My man just deployed last week.We can’t wait for all you guys to get back here to Ft.Campbell.Stay safe,and much love.

  32. uncle Wes and Aunt Sandy Says:

    HEY TROY, WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR BROTHER’S. AND PAUL. i CAN’T BELIEVE ALL THE COMMENTS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT YOU, AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT A WONDERFUL LOVING BOY YOU ARE. WELL YOUR WHOLE FAMILY KNOWS, AND THE HELL TO THE REST OF THE HATERS. YOU TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF OVER THERE. AND COME HOME SAFE TO THOSE WHO LOVE YOU AND PRAY FOR ALL YOUR SAFETY EVERYDAY. i CAN’T BELIEVE HOW MUCH YOUR LITTLE ARMS HAVE BECOME. WE LOVE YOU TROY, HOPE WHEN YOU COME HOME, YOU COME TO CALIF. AND SEE THE RESZT OF YOUR FAMILY. WE WILL BE HERE WAITING. LOVE YOU, UNCLE WES, AND AUNT SANDY. XOXOXO

  33. Papa & Grandma Says:

    Troy, there sure does seem to be a lot of jealousy because your arm was photographed, can you imagine what they would say if they could see your handsome face? We are a very proud family of all our boys in the service. We have cousins in the Marines, nephews in the Navy and grandsons in the Air Force and Army so our family is represented in all branches of service and we fear for all of them and want them to come home safely. All who read this memo and is in harms way take care Cpl Armstrong might just save your life. Love you Troy take care.
    Papa & Grandma

  34. USMC 91 Says:

    Why anyone would leave a negitive,sarcastic comment,or feel the need to critic this soldiers tattoos is just beyond me,as a veteran I find it disheartening that individuals feel the need to bash service members on a military website.This is why i hate the internet it allows people to say things they would never say to someones face.Armstrong Semper Fi and be safe.Sgt USMC 91-98

  35. Cousin Becky Says:

    Hey Troy, I just want to know if you have tickets to the gun show? My dad thinks he does. Take care and you better come to California when you get back and visit. Ignore all the people giving you crap about your tattoos it’s your body and do what you want with it.

  36. mike Says:

    to Schnookie

    wake up dear he’s in the army not marines………as for Troy keep up the good work

    RETIRED ARMY SFC MICHAEL ZEIBER

  37. bobbi Says:

    All I could think of is “WOW.” Now lets see the rest of the machinery, because I am drooling over the “guns.”

    Stay safe… and thank you.

  38. Quana Says:

    Cpl. Armstrong,

    I just want to say thank you for your hard work and dedication to our country! I’m in the military (Navy) as well currently stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. I see you have a lot of jealous people commenting and I think it’s a shame. Your over there putting your life on the line and all some of these people can give you are negative comments…people GET IT TOGETHER and SUPPORT my fellow service member! Your so quick to have negative remarks but I don’t see you over there or signing up to fill his shoes.

    Cpl take care and be safe! May God bless you as well as your family:)

  39. Sarah-Texas Says:

    Lookin’ Good…..good luck on your search for the right girl….

  40. maynard Says:

    I suspect he could crush an aluminum can!

  41. SPC ArmStrong, David Says:

    hey little bro suck that every time i have seen you in the past 3 going on 4 years its been through myspace or pics like this your still little standing next to me from what i can remember… so when i see you again will see who is smallest ight bro well take care over there and will see ya soon later bro… oh i see that your girl posted a comment lol to funny…..

  42. Richard Says:

    Army? Go Air Force HUA!

  43. ashley Says:

    WOW.. i can’t believe ALMOST everyone on here has to argue.. it is pretty pathetic.. How about you guys get out there and get a life.. I truly agree with Quana and 2LT.. I couldn’t have said it better. I am also in the army currently stationed in Italy. Troy stay safe and keep doing what you are doing. These people are just jealous. You are doing a fine job over there.. KEEP IT UP!

  44. the future generation Says:

    You guys really need 2 grow up! All services are good, they are all out to serve the nation. Some may be your personal preferences, mine being the marines, but their all out there for the same general purpose. As for the tats, who gives a shit how original they are, just so long as he’s happy with them. Keep it up Troy, by the way DAMN!!!

  45. Sarah Says:

    Helloooo Troy!

    LoL. I’m a country girl from Chicago. I think we country-city people know how to play hard and work harder. Anyway, thanks for all of your hard work and dedication to our country! Anytime you feel like a care package just let me know. roehrich82@yahoo.com

    Sarah

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