Given the current climate of the culture today, what has your Service taught you that you wish others had learned as well?

Debbie Pomeroy Cloud — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 09:07:26 -0400

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 15 at 2017 9:15 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 09:15:30 -0400

Debbie Pomeroy Cloud: RIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-With My Warmest Regards, Margaret

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Aug 15 at 2017 11:28 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 11:28:32 -0400

We are all on the same team, United States, and we got to work together or we are in for a hard road

Response by SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates made Aug 15 at 2017 11:36 AM

SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 11:36:50 -0400

All skills are required to get the mission done. Each person bringing these skills at their highest level brings value to the table as long as that person is giving their all.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2017 11:47 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 11:47:08 -0400

Debbie Pomeroy Cloud Great post. Some folks need to understand that if they have discipline and determination, they can set goals and accomplish their heart's desire. I have absolutely no use for protestors. Work hard with integrity instead of disrespecting others by blocking roads, setting fires, destroying property, rioting, and generally being a pain in the ass.

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Aug 15 at 2017 11:54 AM

PVT Raymond Lopez — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 11:54:35 -0400

I learned several things in Vietnam which should be understood by all of us.
First everyone is green through a Starlight scope! Think about what that means.
Second never share a foxhole with any braver than you are.
Third make sure the person you are sharing you foxhole with has the same blood type as you do.
Fourth make sure the person you are sharing your does not like Ham and Lima Beans Chopped! Do I have to explain this one to anyone?
I enlisted in the United States Army at age seventeen and served with the Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam so I come with what we call the “standard issue Cavalry smart mouth”. My family comes from Spain and my first langue is Spanish although I was born in the United States. My grandfather, my father and my uncle Willie were also Cavalrymen so the “standard issue Cavalry smart mouth” is also genetic as well as professional. . My mother was crying that I was going to die in Vietnam if you have never seen a Spanish language soap opera you have no idea of the production that is. So my grandfather said “My grandson who are you going to war with?” I replied “The First Squadron of the Fifth Cavalry Regiment grandfather. My grandfather said “Julia do not be concerned the Fifth Cavalry Regiment is a magnificent regiment I fought them in Porto Rico they fight like tigers led by jackasses but still they fight like tigers. Honestly what could I say but “Gee grandfather, I did not know you knew my officers.” My grandfather, my father and my uncle Willie and I all started laughing my got this Queen Victoria “we are not amused look on her face and muttered “canallas” which can be loosely translated as swine which made the four of us laugh even more.
Some of my friends were very strange people starting with a black guy named Marvin X no he was not a Black Muslim the X stood for Xavier and he played the stage show Irishman to the hilt practicing his Irish brogue and telling people “Have you no heard of the Black Irish before?” Their way Mickey who was Marvin X’s childhood friend and white Irish and they were always talking “tossing alley apples (paving bricks) at each other. Then there was Byron who was Jewish and did dialect jokes and a cast of assorted ethnic characters who are too numerous to mention and we are all a bunch of frustrated “borscht belt” comedians and every year we have a reunion and attend the Association of the United States Army Convention and toy show in Washington so if you see a bunch of distinguished senior citizens oh all right old farts running around the convention hall like a bunch of giggling little kids chanting “Loot! Loot! Loot!” and you are on active duty go in the opposite direction unless you want to risk befouling yourselves laughing at our antics.

Response by SGT David T. made Aug 15 at 2017 2:14 PM

SGT David T. — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 14:14:01 -0400

Patience more than anything else. I most definitely need it with these crazy Alabama drivers lol

Response by A1C Mathew Wood made Aug 15 at 2017 2:38 PM

A1C Mathew Wood — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 14:38:42 -0400

Selfless service for the team

Response by AA Joseph Moody made Aug 15 at 2017 3:00 PM

AA Joseph Moody — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 15:00:47 -0400

-self accountability. I don't care so much if someone lies to the world, but there is no way to make life plans if you lie to yourself about your starting place.

-Proactiveness, Taking steps every day to meet your goals. Taking measures every day to improve your situation.

-Respect for the system, This is one that gets me, now I'm no lawyer just so that is said. But between federal service and a hitch in the navy, I am aware that we live in a society with a structure of laws and ignorance to them is not an excuse, As a digital artist I see more artists now going out of their way to remain ignorant of the law because they feel that will give them some protection.

Response by MAJ Deanna Sinclair-Parker made Aug 15 at 2017 4:28 PM

MAJ Deanna Sinclair-Parker — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 16:28:18 -0400

BE TOLERATE OF OTHERS, BUT, KEEP YOUR OWN STANDARDS HIGH! BE THE EXAMPLE :)

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Aug 16 at 2017 7:47 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 19:47:35 -0400

The world should be defined by our service to others!

Response by SSG Diane R. made Aug 16 at 2017 9:44 PM

SSG Diane R. — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 21:44:36 -0400

I learned so many things in the Army I would need to write a 700-word essay to list them all. One of the most important in my humble opinion, patience. Lol

Response by SGT Eric Knutson made Aug 17 at 2017 1:54 AM

SGT Eric Knutson — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 01:54:36 -0400

I would put the short simple as "Service above Self" do your job with pride, and the accolades will come, if you are set on having the spotlight on you, go to Hollywood.

Response by SSgt Shawna Carter made Aug 18 at 2017 12:11 AM

SSgt Shawna Carter — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 00:11:10 -0400

The importance of having a strong military!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2017 10:22 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 10:22:30 -0400

I've learned to be very greatful for the gifts in my life, having seen up close true oppression in other countries, particularly of women. Also I've learned calmer heads prevail over emotion based, knee jerk reactionaries. I partly credit the Army for instilling in me that kind of behavioral discipline. My parents get a lot of credit too!