Posted on Nov 6, 2017
SN Vivien Roman-Hampton
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If you do, what method do you use? How long have you been keeping it?
Posted in these groups: Writing logo WritingF3af5240 Military HistoryUntitled Memories
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Responses: 8
CPT Jack Durish
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I have two journals, one of my year in Infantry School and the other about my tour of duty in Vietnam. I published both on Smashwords where I offer them free of charge. I charged for both when they were first published (and made a few dollars) but decided it was more important to make them readily available to students who were being taught from propaganda that was published in the news media during that time. About three thousand copies of them have been downloaded to date and it's always fun to find book reports posted on the Internet by high school students.
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SGT Philip Roncari
SGT Philip Roncari
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I've read both of your books Jack and you were instrumental in my joining Rallypoint thanks on both counts be well Brother,Phil.
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SGT Matthew S.
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I started a journal while I was in high school and kept it up through my first deployment to Iraq, but stopped shorty after I PCS'd to my second unit as I felt "nothing important or of note" was going on. I took it up again several years ago, but to my regret I've had to try to recall everything from that gap time; including the events & details of my second deployment.

I started out with notebooks, but with for my second round now I instead type everything out on my computer due to my atrocious handwriting and the that it's easier to figure out how I want to write things as well as revise my writing without having to start from scratch.
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Sgt Wayne Wood
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Keep journals during significant events... backpacking trips, travel, road trips. Also do photography of same & some poetry.
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Do you ever journal or have some other way you keep a history of all your experiences in the military and after?
SFC Dennis A.
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I have never kept a written journal, it is all in my head. Unfortunately the book is getting shorter everyday.
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MSgt Larry Oliver (Ret.)
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I kept a few journals of deployments, one being Saudi Arabia (Khobar Towers, 1996) and a few others that were determined to be a little too inclusive. I do have the KT experience if anyone is interested.
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LTC Jeff Shearer
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Vivien, I wish I did, however, I did when I worked counter narcotics I had to maintain a work journal
after a certain number of years I burned them.
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Maj John Bell
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I kept a OD green memo book full of leadership wisdom. It was passed to me by a veteran friend of my Dad, with the promise that I would pass it on to one of my kids if they served or a deserving junior officer.
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SN Vivien Roman-Hampton
SN Vivien Roman-Hampton
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That sound awesome & I would imagine be very helpful for many junior officers.
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SN Vivien Roman-Hampton
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I have kept journals since I was about 11 years old and I continue to write. I don't write on a daily basis but I try to write weekly.
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