Do you feel as though your military service has made you more of an outdoor enthusiast?

SPC Dane DeGrace — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:11:06 -0500

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2018 1:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:12:45 -0500

It has definitely made me cynical. Idk about anything else... lol

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jan 16 at 2018 1:20 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:20:15 -0500

I do take time to appreciate more of what I see around me. That includes scenery outdoors.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 16 at 2018 1:33 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:33:43 -0500

I think it was the other way around, I was brought up on the farm, so I was right at home out in the woods.

Response by CPT Stephanie Lincoln made Jan 16 at 2018 2:40 PM

CPT Stephanie Lincoln — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 14:40:51 -0500

Yes it has! I even do 2 annual hikes a year with my old Battle Buddies. Spending all that time in the woods all those years made me appreciate the beauty and solace of nature.

Response by SFC Robert Salmon made Jan 16 at 2018 2:48 PM

SFC Robert Salmon — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 14:48:23 -0500

Great question...but for me, I think it's almost reversed. I think being a country boy from Texas made me a better soldier. I already knew how to navigate by terrain association before I enlisted and the only weapon instruction I needed was specific to the platform. I could already shoot. I also grew up in a home where authority was respected (Egads Batman!) so I came in already capable of submitting to those in authority over me. I also spent time around real leaders, so I knew the difference between managing human assets, to leading soldiers. Yes, managing human capital is essential to a unit, but I found much more success leading "my guys" than I did managing SSN's. So, I think it's the opposite. Being an outdoorsy, country boy or redneck if you prefer, made me a better soldier.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Jan 16 at 2018 4:35 PM

SGT Mark Halmrast — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 16:35:37 -0500

Yes.
I grew up loving the outdoors, yet having the opportunity to live in the outdoors as a grunt furthered my love for it, which persists to this day.
Nothing like sleeping on the ground under the stars, unplugged.

Great question SPC Dane DeGrace

Response by SSG Marshall Paul made Jan 16 at 2018 4:59 PM

SSG Marshall Paul — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 16:59:49 -0500

I have been in the city for the past 40 years. Street cop and surgical tech. Very urban. So we bought a place Cloudcroft NM and last month I went out to look at the sky. I found myself in the dark under the trees, scanning with peripheral vision and watching for silhouettes.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jan 16 at 2018 5:26 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 17:26:05 -0500

It made me appreciate the zero pressure attitude of camping. In the field you still have a schedule to keep to even when you're surrounded by beautiful countryside. Now when I go camping, unless I'm doing geology related work, I take my time and do what I want to do.

Response by SGM Joel Cook made Jan 16 at 2018 5:59 PM

SGM Joel Cook — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 17:59:21 -0500

In my case one specific unit ruined my joy of backpacking. In my youth I had a huge Everest backpack that I originally bought to run a trap line for mink, beaver, muskrat a few other fur bearers. I really enjoyed that type on activity and I earned good pocket money doing it. Just before I entered the Army I did a backpacking trip to Western Europe again backpacking and hitchhiking most of the time. While in the Army I often hiked and backpacked doing my hobby gold panning and prospecting for gold. Fast forward 12 years and the Army sent me to Fort Drum, New York. 3/14th Inf Bn light. First field exercise in September was a shock. Load plans were messed up, many critical items were missing or nonexistent. No tents, no heaters just one single 2 seat cargo HMMWV loaded to the roof with commo support gear. Zero comfort or life support gear. All that was in my low ruck that weighed over 100 lbs in summer 120 lbs plus in winter. The only time we got a ride was if there was an emergency mission that needed us there faster than we could walk or if we were in trouble and going to get an ass chewing. Camping in winter at minus 20 with no tent or heater. That unit damn near froze me to death more times than I can count. Then when summer would come they would deploy us anywhere in the world so we couldn't enjoy the summer. Then send us back for winter so we could be there to freeze our asses off. Out of 48 months assigned , I only spent 18 months on Fort Drum, all in the winter. The other 30 months were Somalia, Haiti, Panama, or West Point. I don't enjoy backpacking at all anymore and only do it twice a year for prospecting trips.

Response by PFC Sandra Wade made Jan 16 at 2018 7:59 PM

PFC Sandra Wade — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 19:59:15 -0500

No, don't feel any association to love of outdoors and military service.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jan 16 at 2018 8:15 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 20:15:48 -0500

No. I was an outdoor guy before. However, what I do notice is country folks seem to fit in better with the military than city folks.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jan 16 at 2018 10:05 PM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 22:05:09 -0500

Absolutely! SPC Dane DeGrace

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2018 4:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 04:45:55 -0500

Sometimes, depends how cold it gets.

Response by SPC Brett Curry made Jan 17 at 2018 8:35 AM

SPC Brett Curry — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 08:35:10 -0500

Definitely. I once went to mt magazine st park. And didn't see anything on 4 legs for 3 weeks. One of the best times in my life.

Response by SFC Kevin Turner made Jan 17 at 2018 10:32 AM

SFC Kevin Turner — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 10:32:54 -0500

I always have spent my summers on the farm with my grandfather so I feel at home in the woods.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2018 12:54 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 12:54:25 -0500

The opposite I think. I have always been an outdoor enthusiast.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Jan 17 at 2018 1:34 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 13:34:41 -0500

I think it made me a better Soldier. I noticed things about the world around me that others didn't; I knew how to take care of myself in the field & could tolerate harsh weather better. Through all that, I was also able to help and teach my fellow Soldiers who didn't have such a fortunate past like I did.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jan 17 at 2018 1:40 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 13:40:01 -0500

SPC Dane DeGrace No More, No Less, My Grandfathers taught Me to Fish when I was Little More that a Toddler. My Family has made Summer Trips to Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Fort Donelson, Lake of the Ozarks, Ken Lake, Gulf Shores. Navy Just Made Me Much More Aware of Other Cultures.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Jan 17 at 2018 2:12 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 14:12:00 -0500

Not really. I was raised by my Grandparents on their farm. So i've always been comfortable in the outdoors. If anything, joining the military made me appreciate other cultures more.

Response by LT Michael Watson made Jan 17 at 2018 2:22 PM

LT Michael Watson — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 14:22:09 -0500

I think the reverse is the case. I grew up out in the woods and working on farms and ranches. The military honed those senses into a greater appreciation of the outdoors.

Response by SFC Douglas Duckett made Jan 17 at 2018 2:29 PM

SFC Douglas Duckett — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 14:29:18 -0500

After many, many years in the Infantry I can unequivocally say it sure has!!! As long as the outdoors are connected to a Resort or quality Hotel.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Jan 17 at 2018 3:31 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 15:31:54 -0500

this question brings a smile to my face as I remember a question in the OCS Test in 1972. "Do you enjoy long hikes in the woods ?" lol

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2018 9:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 21:14:49 -0500

Nope. Mosquitos still hate me, so I avoid them at all costs.

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Jan 18 at 2018 9:29 PM

CH (LTC) Robert Leroe — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 21:29:30 -0500

No...retirement from the military gave me time to pursue outdoor recreation, which I did. I took up kayaking and wish I had taken it up while in the Army, but I don't see how I would have been able to with the "high-speed, low-drag" pace.

Response by 1SG Kenneth Talkington Sr made Jan 19 at 2018 6:57 PM

1SG Kenneth Talkington Sr — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 18:57:45 -0500

No, I always have enjoyed the outdoors.

Response by SFC Charles Temm made Jan 24 at 2018 4:31 PM

SFC Charles Temm — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 16:31:47 -0500

naw. just one who appreciates A/C, showers, real beds, hot chow, and sleep more than before

Response by SFC Neal Bloomenrader made Feb 20 at 2018 10:46 PM

SFC Neal Bloomenrader — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 22:46:05 -0500

Yes I certainly do.. I was very comfortable being in the field.

Response by Cpl Brian Ruby made Feb 26 at 2018 5:50 PM

Cpl Brian Ruby — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 17:50:26 -0500

Born and raised in the country I was already a pretty good tracker, stalker and hunter, as well as an all around outdoorsman. The only thing the military changed is I quit hunting after I'm got out. Kept right on camping, canoeing, backpacking and fishing. I would kill if it was necessary, but not for sport, because I find no sport in killing animals any longer.

Response by 2LT Ronald Reimer made Mar 11 at 2018 9:45 PM

2LT Ronald Reimer — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 21:45:46 -0400

Opposite with me. Although I had limited field time in the signal and specialist corps, I no longer enjoy camping. I still like to hike and hunt/fish, but can’t stand camping. My wife isn’t a veteran, and loves camping.

Response by Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. made Mar 11 at 2018 10:31 PM

Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 22:31:09 -0400

I grew up in the country - parents were renters. Often lived and camped outdoors in a tent or just in the open. Not only was I at home out in the words, I often found myself avoiding problems by staying in the woods. I became a dead shot with a 22 rifle hunting squirrels by the time I was a teen.
Country living was great except for being so darn poor. When I was 14, I killed my first rattler on our back steps. By the time, I reached basic training (age 18), it was easy to qualifying as an expert with the M-16.

Response by MSG Tim Donahue, M.Ed. made Mar 12 at 2018 8:45 AM

MSG Tim Donahue, M.Ed. — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 08:45:29 -0400

I became a Scoutmaster and took our council's contingent to the National Boy Scout Jamboree. We walked about 20 to 25 miles per day.

Response by Cpl Dale Nelson made Mar 22 at 2018 7:06 PM

Cpl Dale Nelson — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 19:06:56 -0400

I hunted men,that were armed and hunting me .just don't seem right to me .the stores have plenty good meat.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 8:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 20:30:07 -0400

Not really. I've always enjoyed the woods, having grown up in Southeast Texas. But it hasn't really made me different in that regard. I do hate most of humanity now though. So there's that.

Response by SGT Scott Moreland made Mar 28 at 2018 6:37 PM

SGT Scott Moreland — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 18:37:46 -0400

Like most others, growing up in the country I was naturally drawn to it. Oddly enough, I have no desire to go to any desert locations.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2018 7:55 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 07:55:26 -0400

Opposite for me too. I love hunting & fishing but being stationed overseas makes it really hard to get back home for deer season. However, I have enjoyed world class skiing while stationed at Misawa & now a tropical paradise awaits on Okinawa.

Response by PO3 David Mondello made Apr 13 at 2018 4:58 PM

PO3 David Mondello — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 16:58:50 -0400

No. I gravitate to hot,humid ,noisy cramped spaces.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jun 25 at 2018 10:03 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 22:03:00 -0400

No,I trained in the Pacific Northwest( rain and cold) Did a tour in Vietnam I’ll say no more on that subject,ended my enlistment as an instructor in the swamps of Ft.Polk Louisiana so now this city boy doesn’t like open windows at the hotel dining room!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2023 8:02 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Aug 2023 08:02:27 -0400

Absolutely not! I no longer have any desire to roll up in my poncho during a during a cold and driving rainstorm. Also if I ever see another "Wandering Spider" or even a Camel Spider, it will be too soon.