How have you given back in your Military career?

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 11:04:11 -0400

I volunteer at my son's school and pass out Army pencils. I encourage them to go the extra mile. I share with the students how I joined the military at 17, and how it shaped my life.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Mar 30 at 2014 11:34 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 23:34:06 -0400

Most of what I do now since I am no longer in is talk to students who may be interested in entering the military. I also work with youth who are addicted to various drugs, I have been where they are and that by joining the Army I turned my life around and made a positive out of the mess my life had been. My influence may be limited on them but I can say that I represent the core values I learned while in the military to my grandchildren. And hope that someday they will follow in my footsteps. I have one granddaughter who is soon to join the Air Force, hopefully the first of many.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 30 at 2014 11:40 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 23:40:29 -0400

CDR of the Local VFW and a Poppy Peddling Fool. Great way to meet and greet and swap sea stories with Fellow Vets outside Hy Vee Grocery Store.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 20 at 2014 8:30 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 20 May 2014 20:30:13 -0400

While stationed in Korea, I was able to escort 2 Korean babies adopted by US families home while taking my leave. No words can describe the feelings when I handed the babies over to their respective parents in 2 different states. It was a beautiful thing!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 20 at 2014 8:34 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 20 May 2014 20:34:18 -0400

Though I can't lead adult (and I use the term loosely)troops anymore I've turned my attention to Boy Scouts of America, I serve as a den leader, troop committee member, merit badge counselor, camp master and range master. Ran every range in uniform from pistol, to rifle to 203, but had to take a Boy Scout approved range master course. Guess BBs are much more dangerous than I thought! :-)

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2014 8:51 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 May 2014 20:51:35 -0400

I volunteer for the Children in Crisis Inc. They are dedicated to helping abused, neglected and abandoned children of Northwest Florida find good homes. Also I help with my bases initiative called K.U.D.O.S. (Kids Understanding Deployed Operations). It helps the kids of SM's understand their parents deployments by having them go through mock scenarios. Face painting, initial issues (t-shirts, hats, bags), having them try on flak vests/helmets. Then busing the kids to a remote part of the base with tents set up and having the kids watch a canine expo, talking them through medical situations, letting them see the weapons used. Helps the kids feel that they know what their parents are going through (partially) and making them feel involved.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 21 at 2015 9:20 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 21:20:46 -0400

In one capacity as a commander, I was a parental figure. I gave them an opportunity to call me or the 1SG if they were in need especially for safety reasons like driving all night to make formation. They would be verbally counseled and we had nobody take advantage of this rule. I also let soldiers go to classes during work hours, and I gave them the mantra I wanted followed, and that was give world class service.