PFC(P) Victor F. 5440763 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I know this might seem as an unimportant questions or just a question that some might not answer. But I would like to hear from Veterans and Acting Serving Members, what has the military benefited you or has done for you in return? I&#39;ve never heard an answer from Veterans or Active Service Members.<br /><br />If you could answer, that would be greatly appreciated. I would like to hear from a lot of y&#39;all. <br /><br />And Thank you for serving in our armed forced. I appreciate you and I thank you. 2020-01-13T17:15:12-05:00 PFC(P) Victor F. 5440763

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I know this might seem as an unimportant questions or just a question that some might not answer. But I would like to hear from Veterans and Acting Serving Members, what has the military benefited you or has done for you in return? I&#39;ve never heard an answer from Veterans or Active Service Members.<br /><br />If you could answer, that would be greatly appreciated. I would like to hear from a lot of y&#39;all. <br /><br />And Thank you for serving in our armed forced. I appreciate you and I thank you.

2020-01-13T17:15:12-05:00 2020-01-13T17:15:12-05:00 SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth 5440775

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It gave me a deeper sense of being, and to be better organized.

2020-01-13T17:17:59-05:00 2020-01-13T17:17:59-05:00 Sgt Private RallyPoint Member 5440825

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="1709234" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/1709234-31b-military-police">PFC(P) Victor F.</a> The Marine Corps provided me with an opportunity to serve my country which is important to me. The military helped to instill a heightened sense of discipline and determination to accomplish all goals. I was able to obtain my degree with help from the G.I. Bill. Being part of the Brotherhood is a priceless gift.<br /><br />Are you joining the Army, Victor?

2020-01-13T17:29:17-05:00 2020-01-13T17:29:17-05:00 SPC Kenneth Koerperich 5440826

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Gave me confidence in myself, allowed for world travel, got to see PURE EVIL and squash it.<br />Pathway to the work I&#39;ve done for 30 yrs now.<br /><br />Some good times, good memories. Also some bad. Loss of a friend.<br /><br />Would do it all again, hindsight 20/20, would change only a couple of my choices.<br /><br />Recommend it for anyone who isn&#39;t a pansy! Actually, I think EVERYONE should serve 4 yrs. We wouldn&#39;t have so many snowflakes/cop killers/criminals in the world if they actually had to put their own lives on the line....<br /><br />/End Rant

2020-01-13T17:29:47-05:00 2020-01-13T17:29:47-05:00 CPT Jack Durish 5440829

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>How has my military service benefited me? Oh, let me count the ways...<br />1. As someone who loves adventure (I began adventuring at a very young age and never stopped), military service was the grandest adventure of them all<br />2. Military service challenged me and taught me that I was capable of far more, physically, mentally, and emotionally, than I ever would have guessed<br />3. Military service took me places I had only dreamed of (and likely would not have gone)<br />4. Military service introduced me to project management under extreme conditions (which I pursued as a civilian completing projects where others had failed)<br />5. Military service left me with pride that I never equaled in civilian life<br />6. Military service gave me a new family, one that has been more supportive than the one into which I was born<br />7. Military service gave me access to join USAA (and I feel sorry for those who must rely on commercial banks, insurance services, and investment houses)<br />There&#39;s more, but I wanted to mention one last thing before I lost you to boredom. Although I was on active duty for just five and a half years, it was the most memorable portion of my 77 years thus far.

2020-01-13T17:30:22-05:00 2020-01-13T17:30:22-05:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 5440860

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Man. Where to begin.<br /><br />The Army has afforded me opportunities that I would probably never have gotten if I had stayed a straight civilian. Traveled to many different countries. Got to partake in some awesome local cultures, cuisines and spirits. Learning the history of these locations first hand. All of the friends I have made. All of the training and experiences I have accumulated. All the stories I have gathered and am able to tell (oddly, one of the main reasons why I joined). Being given the opportunity to lead Soldiers. But, I also got to experience and see some not so good things. I&#39;ve seen people die. I&#39;ve been to war. Been on the receiving end of Indirect Fire. I&#39;ve seen good people make poor choices and suffer severely by either getting kicked out or sent to military prison then kicked out. <br /><br /> What all of those experiences have taught me is that: I am not the big fish and have been humbled. It has given me a different look on the world and life within it. A greater sense of life appreciation.

2020-01-13T17:40:14-05:00 2020-01-13T17:40:14-05:00 LTC Kevin B. 5440962

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Let&#39;s see:<br /><br />-Helped me mature.<br />-Helped me see the world.<br />-Helped me establish many life-long friendships.<br />-Helped me develop discipline, motivation, drive, ambition, etc.<br />-Helped me develop very useful skill sets for the civilian world.<br />-Helped me earn a bachelors degree.<br />-Helped me earn a masters degree.<br />-Helped me earn a PhD.<br />-Helped me see that many things are much larger than me.<br />-Helped broaden my perspective.<br />-Helped improve/maintain my health.<br />-Helped me provide for my family&#39;s health, education, and growth.<br />-Most importantly, it helped me learn how to assist others in reaching their potential and achieving their goals in life.<br /><br />I&#39;m sure there&#39;s more, but that&#39;s a sufficient list for now!

2020-01-13T18:32:22-05:00 2020-01-13T18:32:22-05:00 SP5 Harry Treadway 5440986

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I benefited from being in the Army and as a Spc.5 while in Vietnam for 26 months. <br />First as a 18/19 year old I found that I could take charge of a squad and at times the Platoon. In civilian life I held many many (thank you PTSD ) jobs where I would quickly be placed in a leadership position. Just good military training and maybe spending lots of time in a combat zone.

2020-01-13T18:38:05-05:00 2020-01-13T18:38:05-05:00 SFC James Cameron 5441065

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I’ve got nights I can’t remember. <br />Friends I’ll never forget. <br />Scars to talk about in bars. <br />A tattoo for a Brother I’ll never see again. <br />Children that know the meaning of the word “sacrifice.”<br />I received a tough lesson in humility. <br /><br />Looking back over my life thus far there is only one day I would go back and trade.

2020-01-13T19:06:14-05:00 2020-01-13T19:06:14-05:00 CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member 5441066

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>More than I could ever repay.

2020-01-13T19:06:16-05:00 2020-01-13T19:06:16-05:00 1SG Mitchell Smith 5441071

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>All the patriotism and all that&#39;s mentioned. However, for me it helped me not to repeat the cycle of poverty in my family (a way out). And I took full advantage of it combat tours and all.

2020-01-13T19:08:57-05:00 2020-01-13T19:08:57-05:00 SGT Philip Roncari 5441124

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>One thing stands out over the years (been over fifty now) the only way to fail is to quit,we were not given that option in the Military I have benefited from that no quit attitude since.

2020-01-13T19:28:17-05:00 2020-01-13T19:28:17-05:00 PVT Leighton Bader 5441161

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It made it much easier for me to communicate with coworkers. It also made me a much better mechanic even though I wasn&#39;t a mechanic in the army. Because everything in the army is broken.

2020-01-13T19:41:45-05:00 2020-01-13T19:41:45-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 5441238

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It gave me the opportunity to get my degree. I joined with a GED. Now I have an associates and finishing my bachelor&#39;s. If I wanted to stay longer I could get my masters as well. I was able to transfer my GI Bill to my kids so if I don&#39;t use it they will have a full bachelor paid for. It definitely brought me out of poverty and a dead end job. Took me to Okinawa for three years and several other locations I loved.<br />Personally, it definitely matured me. Deploying to Iraq gave me a much greater sense of how lucky we are in this country. You don&#39;t know poor till you see little kids crippled by polio using a stick as a cane. <br />The pay I get from retirement will allow me to choose a job I enjoy rather than one I have to have to keep feeding my family. The Healthcare I&#39;ll be eligible for as a retiree will save me thousands compared to the civilian sector. <br />Physically I&#39;m in better shape than I ever would have gotten into if I had stayed a civilian. I&#39;ve had lots of opportunities to train with various martial arts instructors from BJJ to Kendo, and a half dozen in between, all as part of unit funded training.<br />Most important, I got the chance to overcome a lot of my fears. I was afraid of heights, so I went to airborne school. I got to attend some of the hardest schools in the world. I&#39;ve had opportunities to teach other students. Most importantly, I learned about leadership, integrity, and moral and civil duty.

2020-01-13T20:06:04-05:00 2020-01-13T20:06:04-05:00 SGT Robert Pryor 5441262

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>A couple million dollars.

2020-01-13T20:14:35-05:00 2020-01-13T20:14:35-05:00 SSG Joshua Johnson 5441400

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Adding to the extensive list: Paid for bachelor&#39;s and master&#39;s, lifetime friendships, taught me my true capabilities in the best and worst days of my life, and gave me a sense of belonging.

2020-01-13T21:08:30-05:00 2020-01-13T21:08:30-05:00 CSM Darieus ZaGara 5441486

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It taught me duty, honor, country and selfless service. I leaned the true meaning of Team and Family. I also realized that sacrifice is not always a bad thing. I met the love of my life, got a couple of degrees and watched my wife and the Army Family raise two amazing children. I became a Soldier.

2020-01-13T21:40:46-05:00 2020-01-13T21:40:46-05:00 MAJ Javier Rivera 5441702

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Joined while in HS: PVT/E1. It paid for both Under and Graduate degrees. Put a few dollars in my pocket when I had none, met some outstanding folks; and some not so but fun as hell! Traveled a bit around the world. Got paid for jumping out of airplanes, rounds and squares. Blew up a lot of stuff; had more fun. Retired at 44 y/o. Have plenty of time for the family. <br /><br />Note: there were some not so funny days as well, but that comes with the job.

2020-01-13T23:42:57-05:00 2020-01-13T23:42:57-05:00 TSgt David Holman 5441710

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>For me, there have been a ton of benefits, but the biggest has been a noticeable improvement to my drive and work ethic. I joined the Air Force when I was politely asked not to return to my previous school. It was a serious blow, and even in the first couple of years I don&#39;t think I really understood the gravity of what I had gotten into. Twenty years later, I have not only completed one degree, but have been accepted into an accelerated nursing program. Within two weeks of taking a part time job, I was looked at as someone who could take charge when management wasn&#39;t around. <br />If you are smart, you can set yourself up very nicely for the future. Learn to be the sponge early on, take in all that you can. Learn not just from the good, but from the worst (and how not to be like them). Your story may vary, but personal growth options are there.

2020-01-13T23:51:19-05:00 2020-01-13T23:51:19-05:00 LCDR Joshua Gillespie 5442250

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The Navy educated me (academically as well as practically); she gave a very young man the opportunity to start out his life doing something with purpose, depth, and scope. Twenty+ years later, I&#39;m still confident in stating that my time in uniform directly contributed to every success...personal and private, I&#39;ve had since leaving active service. <br /><br />But that&#39;s not the whole story.<br /><br />I can&#39;t tell you how it &quot;benefited&quot; me, without also explaining what it &quot;cost&quot;. I left one life completely behind-not all of it looked that bad after all. I cut ties with numerous opportunities that had been carefully engineered by those who cared for me most, to follow pursuits I alone had any investment in. It&#39;s difficult to say whether my dividends are higher or lower now than they would&#39;ve been had I not joined. Ultimately, I ended up spending the better part of a decade NOT doing the things most of my peers were doing. They went to traditional colleges, enjoyed &quot;dorm life&quot;, dated, partied, made mistakes, paid tuition, took on debt, married, had kids, etc...etc. I stayed in a holding pattern defined by the needs of the Navy. Being &quot;special&quot; gave me a false sense of invincibility...one I tested repeatedly by wasting many thousands of hours in Navy town bars, engaging in temporary relationships, and pushing the limits of what is deemed &quot;mature&quot; behavior. When I finally left, I was VERY ill prepared for the &quot;real world&quot;, and it took literally years to get my head in the right frame of mind. <br /><br />That being said, I probably couldn&#39;t have played &#39;catch up&#39; nearly as fast were it not for what I learned in the Service; personal accountability, collective responsibility, integrity, decisiveness, and discipline. It is what you make of it, as is the case with most things in life.

2020-01-14T07:29:47-05:00 2020-01-14T07:29:47-05:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 5442309

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>There are too many to put in one list here. many have been captured already by posts below. For me the biggest thing has to be the realization that there is something bigger than me in my little world i grew up in. Once you have seen the world, a lot of places better than others, you realize how good we have it in our Country. My god, how can anyone complain about our lives here? Everyone that complains, i wish that they had seen what I and millions of other brave Service members have seen. It would give them a better perspective of just how good they have it. I couldn&#39;t be more prod to have served in the same military as some of the greatest men and women to have ever walked this earth.

2020-01-14T07:48:13-05:00 2020-01-14T07:48:13-05:00 SSgt Private RallyPoint Member 5442533

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>There were a lot of little things...<br />It paid for my Bachelor&#39;s degree. It accounted for a VA-secured loan for my house. It helped me get the job I have now, and a few jobs before that. It secured my health insurance for me and my family, even after I got out.<br />Then, there were big things...<br />I grew up. A lot. It surrounded me with warriors. It provided me constant experience with honor, courage, respect, integrity, and humility.

2020-01-14T08:56:51-05:00 2020-01-14T08:56:51-05:00 SFC Terry Stinnett 5442805

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>All of the above as listed by other commenters...joined as a young woman straight out of college with loans to pay off...learned to budget, time, money, resources...met the love of my life (42+years, still together), built a career, and a family. Some days it seemed like raising other people&#39;s children; some days I got to look on with a sense of NCO pride in their accomplishments. I was not ever required to sacrifice as much as others I served with due to MOS; I would like to believe I would have stepped up to make the sacrifice if called upon, because the Army family is just the same as my &quot;real&quot; family. Prepared me for my second and third careers, with the baseline benefits of retirement pay and health insurance/coverage. Not everyone is going to stay that long, of course, but no one leaves without changing, mostly for the better if you do the work.

2020-01-14T10:24:22-05:00 2020-01-14T10:24:22-05:00 SSgt Richard Kensinger 5442885

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>This is not unimportant at all. As an AF ER medic (1969~1973) my medical training is still valuable and supplements my psychosocial clinical experience. With the GI Bill I obtained my advanced degree!<br />The downside is serving during the Vietnam Conflict which devolved into a failure. Over 60,000 soldiers killed, more civilians killed than casualties of combatants on both sides combined. And many vets continue to suffer extreme distress.<br />Vietnam is the most protested, detested, and despised US conflict ever.<br />Rich

2020-01-14T10:47:25-05:00 2020-01-14T10:47:25-05:00 Lt Col Jim Coe 5443090

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I considered active duty service a &quot;calling&quot;, not just another job. I was honored to serve our Country for 22 years. I had opportunities for travel, training, education, and experiences few other Americans ever get. I had one of the best jobs ever, Air Force pilot. I got to fly regularly for the first 16 years of my career and they even paid me extra for doing it!<br /><br />Other tangible benefits include: education (VA paid for 2 Masters Degrees), experience leading to post-retirement employment, lifetime retirement pay starting at age 44 (I&#39;m 72 now), and free health insurance (TRICARE and TRICARE for Life), VA Zero-Down Home Loans.<br /><br />Intangibles: Leadership and management education, training, and experience; living in different parts of the US and traveling across the world; cool stuff to hang on wall of home office, better real stories than most people can make up (&quot;There I was at 10,000 feet . . .&quot;); membership in a community of courageous men and women who chose to serve their country.

2020-01-14T11:47:56-05:00 2020-01-14T11:47:56-05:00 Sgt Kelli Mays 5443986

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="1709234" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/1709234-31b-military-police">PFC(P) Victor F.</a> As a Military Brat, I was born and raised on Military bases so I owe my life to the Military. Then I joined the Military...and now the Military is taking care of me till my end. I would say the Military has benefited me in every aspect of my life since my conception. <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="138758" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/138758-col-mikel-j-burroughs">COL Mikel J. Burroughs</a> <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="1607400" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/1607400-30154-aircraft-inertial-and-radar-navigation-systems-repairman">Sgt Private RallyPoint Member</a> <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="755037" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/755037-mcpo-roger-collins">MCPO Roger Collins</a> <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="563704" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/563704-11a-infantry-officer">LTC Stephen F.</a> <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="1346405" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/1346405-lt-col-charlie-brown">Lt Col Charlie Brown</a> <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="263688" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/263688-ssg-michael-noll">SSG Michael Noll</a> <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="974680" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/974680-cw5-jack-cardwell">CW5 Jack Cardwell</a> <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="385188" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/385188-maj-marty-hogan">Maj Marty Hogan</a> <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="802057" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/802057-lt-col-john-jack-christensen">Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen</a> <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="471377" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/471377-us-government-non-dod-civilian">Private RallyPoint Member</a> <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="1286819" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/1286819-po1-h-gene-lawrence">PO1 H Gene Lawrence</a> <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="32600" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/32600-sgt-david-a-cowboy-groth">SGT David A. &#39;Cowboy&#39; Groth</a> <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="78668" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/78668-cpt-jack-durish">CPT Jack Durish</a> <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="1585663" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/1585663-sgt-mark-anderson">SGT Mark Anderson</a> <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="1634990" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/1634990-sgt-steve-mcfarland">SGT Steve McFarland</a> Cynthia Croft <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="608177" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/608177-spc-margaret-higgins">SPC Margaret Higgins</a>

2020-01-14T17:13:59-05:00 2020-01-14T17:13:59-05:00 Maj Marty Hogan 5444128

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Well- May 20 will mark 36 years in uniform- or 65% of my entire life. Not jut my adult life- my entire life. It has had an effect on several things from the way I dress to the way I interact with others. I am not sure what else I would have done in life.<br />

2020-01-14T17:58:15-05:00 2020-01-14T17:58:15-05:00 CPL Gary Pifer 5444159

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Deafness.. crosseyed... doublevision.. anger.. sore back..knees.. elbow.. headaches... BiPolar II.. arrests.. jail time.. daily Pain... head injury... otherwise.... I am one of the lucky ones.

2020-01-14T18:10:15-05:00 2020-01-14T18:10:15-05:00 CW2 Private RallyPoint Member 5444232

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I retired at 20 years as a CW2 Allied Trades Warrant in 2019. I did welding and machining for almost 15 of that. I was relying on the &quot;Army&quot; training and experience I received for the civilian job market. I couldn&#39;t find a welding or machining job to save my life (in the Houston area of all places) because employers want a certificate. I&#39;m now having to use my GI Bill towards a machining degree. I would have stayed in air defense doing what I enjoyed if had known the machining MOS would not do much of anything when I got out.

2020-01-14T18:28:11-05:00 2020-01-14T18:28:11-05:00 SSG Michael Noll 5444347

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The sense of purpose, direction, discipline are a few of the bennies. Doing something you know most won&#39;t do is another. Training, adventure, education, and good pay and to top it off the privilege of serving my country. Pushing 40 years of service. Food service HS, Army 20, USPS 18. I&#39;d say it has done me a world of good I could never repay.

2020-01-14T19:01:54-05:00 2020-01-14T19:01:54-05:00 Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen 5444426

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I&#39;ve seen most of the answers I would give in other responses but would add a bit to the confidence one many have mentioned. From my football days I had plenty of confidence but that confidence was pretty much on my abilities as a team member and athlete. I never really saw myself as a leader until I came into the military. The military gave me the confidence and experience to be a leader.

2020-01-14T19:35:48-05:00 2020-01-14T19:35:48-05:00 Col Carl Whicker 5444497

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Serving in the military has benefited me in numerous ways. After graduating from Indiana University with a Bachelors in History and a commission in the USAF, the military provided me with a job that helped me provide for my young family, but it also provided me with opportunities to grow mentally, physically and spiritually. After serving more than 25 years in the World&#39;s Greatest Air Force, I can say that being part of a successful team as a contributing member and as a unit leader at the Detachment, Squadron and Group levels has great rewards, both tangible and intangible. I was able to learn and grow into the leader I wanted to be and gain skills that rewarded me well after retiring at age 47. I put these skills to work as a Defense Contractor for 8 years working for Northrop Grumman, but never enjoyed the work nearly as much, though it paid far better than Active Duty Service. Now I am retired again living in a rural area that we enjoy immensely growing Daylilies and enjoying my Grandchildren. Life is good!

2020-01-14T20:14:53-05:00 2020-01-14T20:14:53-05:00 CPL Douglas Chrysler 5444526

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Pretty much what SSG Michael says. John Kennedy said, Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country. If you go in with the attitude as to how you can serve to the best of your ability, the benefits you receive will be more than you can imagine.

2020-01-14T20:23:39-05:00 2020-01-14T20:23:39-05:00 Capt Private RallyPoint Member 5444527

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I joined the Air Force at age 17, right after High School. I left after 14 year and 8 months with AB.S in engineering and sell-able management skills. As a result I have a comfortable retirement. In short the military was very beneficial for me.

2020-01-14T20:23:47-05:00 2020-01-14T20:23:47-05:00 SMSgt Lawrence McCarter 5444988

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Before My own Military service the introduction was My Dad and Me as a Military Dependent in the US Navy followed by Me as a Cadet at a Military Academy and at another point a Civil Air Patrol Cadet. <br /><br /> I entered the US Air Force and served in Vietnam and spent 22 years in an Air Force Uniform. (8 active, 14 reserve) I spent My USAF time in the Air/Security Police most of that in Law Enforcement. My civilian occupation was also as a full time Police Police Officer. after retiring from both of those jobs worked an armed Federal Contract in Law Enforcement. Even my education I hold a BS degree in Criminal Justice and now being too old to still do police work do private contract Security work. I still spend a lot of time as an elected Officer and active member in an American Legion Post. I also had in addition spent over 40 years in Civil Air Patrol, Auxiliary of the USAF mostly training Cadet in both military and Aerospace education. <br /><br />The Military service gave Me an education in life that I never could have had as a civilian and my Military occupation&#39;s experience certainly led into My civilian occupation. Considering My family members starting with the French and Indian Wars in the 1600&#39;s, the Revolutionary War in the 1700&#39;s, all wars past that up to Me in Vietnam (the exception being the civil War, none served in that war that I know of). We did our part by serving first the British Colony here then the United States. Many members of My family including 1 Aunt, 2 Uncles, MY Dad, Father in law and one brother in law during My own lifetime served in the US Armed Force, Army, Navy and Air Force.

2020-01-15T01:00:08-05:00 2020-01-15T01:00:08-05:00 LTC Private RallyPoint Member 5445802

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have served in the military most of my lifetime from the day of my birth (Air Force Brat) until 1995. Those were some of the best years of my life. The military helped me realize my potential and then it allowed me an education of a lifetime. Free travel to foreign lands and exotic peoples, new and exciting foods. Unless you are a globe trotter you cannot experience such things. I would not trade the discipline and adventures for anything else. Would I do it again. In a single heartbeat with no regrets.

2020-01-15T09:40:40-05:00 2020-01-15T09:40:40-05:00 MSgt Private RallyPoint Member 5446304

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>....In more ways than I can count!

2020-01-15T12:34:47-05:00 2020-01-15T12:34:47-05:00 SPC Douglas Bolton 5446439

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Hard to know where to start. The military changed my life completely. I went in as a naive 18 year old kid, and came out a mature man who got his act together.

2020-01-15T13:22:34-05:00 2020-01-15T13:22:34-05:00 1LT Mike Donio 5452317

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Hi Victor...be happy to add a few comments to your request. <br />First: DON&#39;T EVER THANK ME FOR MY SERVICE!! (so sorry for the caps...however, this morbid need to thank everyone is not sincere. It is only a political move by chicken-hawks to mask their own inadequacies relative to military service...sounds like Cadet Bone Spurs.) <br />Second: You need to understand that my war was trumped-up on a lie; may LBJ-McNamara-Westmoreland roast in the hottest corner of hell.<br />Third: While I was not particularly militarily-oriented always thought of the military in a positive way. <br />Fourth: I was drafted by LBJ but made an Officer &amp; Gentleman by Milhous. <br />Fifth: If someone had to go, rather it be me than someone who actually believed in the Vietnam lie. Was pleased to learn that other Jr. officers also felt the same way, that most senior officers were liars when it came to Vietnam. <br />On the positive side, I would not trade any of my military experiences for anything. I never knew I was capable of completing a program as demanding as Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning, but I did. Probably most difficult thing I ever did but a great confidence builder. Full disclosure, transferred to the Signal Corps upon graduation. Also, met some absolutely great people in the military both enlisted and commissioned and had the opportunity for great jobs in public affairs and broadcasting in the states and Vietnam. <br />It helped me pursue a graduate degree and get into the profession I desired and I never forgot the leadership skills I learned which played an important role as I was involved in public policy, regulation and legislation. Made it easier to testify before legislative bodies and participate in public forums. <br />Made some great friendships which endure to this day. On the whole, would say I had a positive experience and was able to accomplish my goal of being a staff officer as opposed to a company officer. Only disappointment was getting screwed out of making Captain. Was 60 days away from being promoted when regs changed to 18-30 months TIG to which I said &quot;..no thank you.&quot; Was trying to catch my brother-in-law who was a Captain in AF about to be promoted to Major.

2020-01-17T11:57:37-05:00 2020-01-17T11:57:37-05:00 PO3 Daniel Lukensow 5605713

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My service got me out of a small town in New York into the Navy ending up in San Diego. Discharged in California and allowed to attend Cal colleges and universities where I worked my way into a degree. So yes, I am forever thankful I had the opportunity. Later worked as a federal agent. Today, I am a multi-millionaire.

2020-02-27T10:55:22-05:00 2020-02-27T10:55:22-05:00 Cpl David Bientz 5762182

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The Marine Corps probably saved my life. In 1969, was a punk kid whose life comprised of working, fighting and getting drunk. It was there I found there were things bigger than what I wanted at any given time. I was engrained with Espirit de Corps and a love of country. I learned of the importance of teamwork and that very little is unobtainable given the will to succeed. It has served me well into retirement following a 38 year stint in the construction industry and lessons I have instilled in my family.<br />Semper Fi!

2020-04-10T20:21:43-04:00 2020-04-10T20:21:43-04:00 SFC Floyd Ancheta 9013016

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Having served in the military has made me successful by helping me to plan, execute an maintain my goals. I just retired for the third time.

2025-08-16T23:17:28-04:00 2025-08-16T23:17:28-04:00 2020-01-13T17:15:12-05:00