How many people on RallyPoint consider the military to be their family?

2014-05-02T01:39:48-04:00

I don't care if you are an active service member, retiree, or veteran. We at one point were or now are a member of a family, a band of brothers and sisters who have each others backs no matter what the situation. Some of us have grown to be closer than any blood relation we may have been. I have been out of the Army for 12 years now and I still consider the Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine who has or is serving to be a brother and sister. I am proud to consider you all as such. God bless you and thank you for your service.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made May 2 at 2014 5:22 AM

2014-05-02T05:22:41-04:00

Well said my friend. There is no question, it is in your blood.

Response by CPT Ryan B. made May 2 at 2014 6:06 AM

2014-05-02T06:06:00-04:00

Those that I have shed blood, tears and sweat with in both garrison and combat are my family just as those related to me by blood. It's that simple...Combat forges a bond between people that most don't and will never understand...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 6:29 AM

2014-05-02T06:29:40-04:00

Considering that approximately 1% of Americans serve these days, I think it's impossible not to have some familial feelings. And think about it - how many people in your life would even understand terms like "TDY, PCS, FTX, LOR, ERB, ORB, APFT", etc. It's like a language shared by very few, but it's how we speak daily. Cultural ties our rooted in shared language, and only other military speak your language.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 2 at 2014 7:03 AM

2014-05-02T07:03:26-04:00

Absolutely other service members are family to me. In many ways I'm closer to many that I served with than I am to my own blood family; and I don't mean that as a derogatory comment towards my family either...it's a unique bond that can never be experienced in any other context.

Response by SPC David Wyckoff made May 2 at 2014 8:03 AM

2014-05-02T08:03:14-04:00

I am very lucky. First both my parents are alive and second everyone in my immediate family, except for my wife and my mom have served. So I get the best of both worlds.
There is definitely a bond with the people I served with and I find that meeting another veteran for the first time is like finding a long lost family member. As Major Dews said, we are our own tribe. We have our own language, we have our own ranking and status system and we, for the most part, look out for each other whether we are active, retired, or veteran.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made May 2 at 2014 8:05 AM

2014-05-02T08:05:02-04:00

There is no doubt that veterans have a stronger bond than non veterans. I don't care what branch you serve in, if you served then you are my brother/sister.

Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, even the National Guard...well, there should be a limit...LOL.

Seriously, for all that served and all those still serving, you are my family and I love you all

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 8:15 AM

2014-05-02T08:15:20-04:00

I am going to follow the same lead as many others on here and absolutely, I consider the military a family. Like SPC Wyckoff, a few members of my family have served and my dad retired from the Army about a year after I commissioned. I have more military "uncles" than I can shake a stick at and they are always available for a phone call or pep talk if/when necessary. Within my own career, I have developed mentor relationships with some of the best people I could ever hope to know and we all understand the military today and the importance of remembering the little things. I am proud and grateful to have such a family.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 8:47 AM

2014-05-02T08:47:24-04:00

Well said.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made May 2 at 2014 11:34 AM

2014-05-02T11:34:08-04:00

Our biggest problem going to civilian life is not having the team we were used to in the military. I have been connecting with the very few folks left from my time, and we are indeed brothers in a way that none of us has experienced in a very long time.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 4 at 2014 6:32 PM

2014-05-04T18:32:40-04:00

With only 1% of our Population having served we are a unique Club, Family, Brotherhood. I am proud to be associated with the likes of all of you.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made May 4 at 2014 6:36 PM

2014-05-04T18:36:50-04:00

I think you'll be hard pressed to find the camaraderie and bonds developed between members in any other situation. Family, on a blood level, is a personal connection through genes and a life time of interactions. Serving in any branch of the military grants you the ability to embrace a second family, almost as personal and definitely as strong.

My father-in-law (RIP) served in the Navy for 28 years. He brought full circle for me that we NEVER leave anyone behind. He wanted to come home rather than stay in that hospital bed for his final days but didn't want to burden anyone. When we had a few moments alone, I told him that he would never be left behind & I could stand beside him for as long as it takes, no questions asked. He did return home for his final 5 months ... and we spent many hours just talking about his service, his ships, his duty. I would help him steady himself in the hallway so he would look at his duty pictures and awards. We had both served our country and between us (even though he was Navy & I was Army) the military bond was there. The bonds we make with each other are forged in determination, courage, tenacity, loyalty, and longevity. No other situation you can find yourself in life will create those same bonds.

Yes, the military is a huge second family, and thank God because there have been times I have relied on that family to get me through what I need to accomplish. This family never asks questions but is always ready to support, and I would not trade that for anything.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made May 4 at 2014 8:25 PM

2014-05-04T20:25:27-04:00

CPL Brown:

Absolutely hands down, the Military is my family, I joined when I was 17, and to truly mentor it takes love, compassion, tenacity and a commitment to pour into the next generation.

I have shared with you that I came up on big shoulders. The circle of love that follows you beyond retirement. I look at those that have served before me as family.

I want all of you to know that you are not alone, regardless of your situation you have a fellow brother or sister that cares about you. I can be reached at [login to see] .mil or [login to see] .

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made May 4 at 2014 8:34 PM

2014-05-04T20:34:14-04:00

I thought that after I retired that was it, no more conversations about military deployments etc. but rally point has allowed me to continue with my extended family of all service members. We share a bond that few people can ever imagine much less understand.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made May 4 at 2014 8:49 PM

2014-05-04T20:49:03-04:00

ANY veteran is considered my family

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made May 4 at 2014 8:54 PM

2014-05-04T20:54:12-04:00

Absolutely!

Response by SGT Shon D. Hill made May 5 at 2014 5:23 AM

2014-05-05T05:23:06-04:00

I definitely feel that vets and any SM's are all my family! I don't mingle so well amongst the rest of people, which is a shame but not sure I can fix it. Thank you all for everything ;)

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2014 12:54 PM

2014-05-06T12:54:04-04:00

It was my only family for years until I married and produced a family, now I have two families.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2014 11:07 PM

2014-05-06T23:07:06-04:00

Amen Brother!! Nice response

Response by SGT Willie Tubbs made Jul 26 at 2014 1:20 PM

2014-07-26T13:20:10-04:00

That is so true CPL Charles Brown. “I’ll tell you what I’m fighting for. Not for England, nor her allies, nor any patriotic cause. It’s all come down to the hope of being with you..”
― Lisa Kleypas, Love in the Afternoon

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 13 at 2014 1:49 AM

2014-09-13T01:49:17-04:00

There is no denying that we are family!

Response by PO1 Shannon Drosdak made Sep 13 at 2014 4:25 AM

2014-09-13T04:25:35-04:00

Before I joined the service my connections to my family were very weak, I was a bit of a wild child. When I joined I had a few wonderful and great people help mold me and change my ways, they never gave up on me, they saw things in me I didn't think even existed. Honestly if not for those people I don't know where I would be today, because of them I am a totally different person. I'm proud of who I am and grateful for the love and support they gave me. I have many "brothers and sisters" who have helped me in more ways than they know, and because of that I give what I got in return to those that need guidance and support. No matter what branch you serve in my hand is always out to help out a "brother or sister" this "family" I have now helped me to get close to the family I grew up with. My childhood family has shown me so much support since I joined and I truly believe it's because of my military family that helped me along the way, for that I am very grateful. No matter how the service itself changes, there is always good people to help you along the way.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Oct 11 at 2014 9:07 PM

2014-10-11T21:07:39-04:00

I definitely consider the military and its members to be my family. We are an odd family, and we pick on each other mercilessly. But when there's a problem, we know who we can depend on, and it's family. Our brothers and sisters.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 9:22 PM

2015-09-06T21:22:28-04:00

I certainly do. Although I am partial to my Army family I consider men and women from all branches my family. We have a bond forged through our selfless service to our country and the pride that we feel to currently be or have been a member of the greatest military in the world! God bless all my brothers and sisters! Hooah!

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Sep 6 at 2015 9:46 PM

2015-09-06T21:46:03-04:00

Brother I'm with you 100% on that because I would prefer to talk to my family here about things then take them to my blood relatives

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 7 at 2015 11:52 AM

2015-09-07T11:52:20-04:00

Response by 1SG John Millan made Feb 24 at 2024 12:42 AM

2024-02-24T00:42:02-05:00

It's def a crazy, dysfunctional, broken, not-well family under Srnile Traitor Joe, but it's family.