Was there an "Aha!" moment in your career, when you knew you had made the right decision to serve?

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 09:36:59 -0400

Without getting into a long story, my personal moment came at the end of SERE school. I was tired, hungry, sore, emotionally drained, angry, and just overall done. Unexpectedly, the U.S. Flag was raised before us. In that moment, I felt the most pride in my military service. I had no question I had made the right decision to defend that Flag.

Did you have a similar moment in your own career? Was there something a fellow SM said to you, or something you accomplished?

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 9:50 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 09:50:05 -0400

For me it had to be the moment we crossed into Iraq during the OIF initial invasion. I knew then that this was what I was going to be doing for the rest of my career.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 26 at 2015 10:04 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 10:04:14 -0400

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member Great post and discussion. My moment came early in my career when I complete basic training and we march out onto the parade field in review for parents and family attending. I really felt that I done something bigger than me at age 17 with my life. It wasn't all about me anymore; it was something bigger - serving your country. In 1975 with the all volunteer Army well under way, but still in its infancy from my standpoint there were really tough days during that 13 weeks of basic training

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 10:31 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 10:31:31 -0400

After I graduated AIT I had 2 sets of wings my Airborne and Rigger wings and my Maroon Beret! I went home and all my teachers were proud and no longer saying that I'd wind up in jail or dead and my mom and grandfather who served in Korea cried and he never cried!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 10:43 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 10:43:08 -0400

I would say it was at Florida. On Eglin Air Force Base. I just finished a patrol in the worst conditions possible after being depleted for about 3 months. The next morning I went to meet up with the RI with get my ARR. He told me good job and that I don't need to worry about another patrol. Pretty much meaning that I passed. I was in my 3rd month, I recycled mountains, and now I just passed my last patrol. This was only made that much sweeter by standing at victory pond. I had the biggest smile on my face. This was the case because 12 years earlier I was dropped from Ranger school as a 20 year old SPC. It has haunted me ever since. I didn't like that I failed. I just wanted it that much more. But I was able to go back and complete my goal. I still feel that it was my highest point of my career. It wasn't about just getting the tab. It was that even after I failed I never gave up and went back 12 years later while in the National Guard to make things right and I did.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jul 26 at 2015 10:50 AM

SN Greg Wright — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 10:50:35 -0400

*Sighs* Yeah. About 6 months after I got out. I sometimes want to reach back in time and throttle that stupid kid.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 26 at 2015 11:38 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 11:38:22 -0400

For me, TSgt Private RallyPoint Member, it was 16JUN73, when I graduated from OCS, and took the oath of office to become a commissioned officer. It had been my goal since I had enlisted, and I was glad to have reached that point.
It was also the first time my parents had attended any of my "graduation" ceremonies. COL Mikel J. Burroughs mentioned that his parents came to his graduation from basic. Mine didn't come then, nor did they come to jump school or any other completion ceremony. However, my family arrived "en masse" (to include extended family) for this ceremony. They watched me raise my right hand and swear the oath before God. My mother and sisters then pinned on my gold bars. It was overwhelmingly gratifying.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 12:09 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 12:09:27 -0400

As a very young Enlisted, the first time a small child tugged my BDUs and thanked me for my service, I teared up. It all became clear. I was involved in something tremendous.

((For the record, I still get teary when I get thanked for my service. It never gets old.))

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 12:13 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 12:13:53 -0400

I would say everyday I was in. But most memorable, I was a young Airman and was dispatched to open a flight line gate for the Alert Crew for an alert launch. The B-52's rolled out of the area and onto the runaway for the alert take off. The sun was just coming up and it was a beautiful site to see. About 12 hours later, they were dropping bombs on the first day of Desert Storm.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jul 26 at 2015 12:49 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 12:49:28 -0400

23 September 1987, the day I flew to Louisville, KY and was bused to Ft. Knox to begin my 19E (M60, Armor Crewman) OSUT.

Response by CPT Jason Mitchell, MBA made Jul 26 at 2015 1:42 PM

CPT Jason Mitchell, MBA — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 13:42:22 -0400

Great post! Like many of the service members who commented on this post, I have many "Aha!" moments from service. Of all the graduations I was proud to have attended as a graduate/commissionee, my family was fortunate enough to attend. Walking the stage was always an honor in uniform. However, my "Aha!" moment came the day we were loaded on to CH-47Ds and flown with all our gear out to our remote FOB in NW Afghanistan over some of the deepest gorges and tallest mountains I'd ever seen. I knew during that flight that I had finally arrived at my destiny during my military service and would be able to "get some" against the enemy that supported the 9/11 Attacks. Fighting against the extremists who harbored Bin Laden and his cronies was an honor both times I deployed. I just wish we could have finished the fight and left Afghanistan a better place (like it was in the 1970s). Thanks to everyone here for your service, you are honorable men and women.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 26 at 2015 1:49 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 13:49:45 -0400

Mine was not a moment but a series of moments. The life lessons and growing up I did in my service time has stayed with me until today. I still think about mentors and the lessons they taught me and I've been able to pass them on to both my kids and people I have worked with or managed.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 2:35 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 14:35:22 -0400

Great question. I grew up a Navy brat and knew I would serve. Like many in this thread I have had many "aha" moments over the last 18 years. My first moment was when I deployed after 9/11 and participated in a ramp ceremony on the flightline. It was then that it became real. With tears welling up in my eyes I was proud to serve and knew I would serve as long as I could. While I grieve the fallen, I am also thankful and proud of their sacrifice for all of us.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 26 at 2015 3:01 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 15:01:26 -0400

As a Armor 2LT I was finally able to talk to my crew, platoon, boss while maneuvering in the terrain and issuing fire commands instinctively. The speed of tanks is notorious for making leaders decide quickly on COAs.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jul 26 at 2015 4:00 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 16:00:45 -0400

I like this question. My answer is no...it was all good! The Air Force was a perfect fit for me, from the moment I took the oath of enlistment as an 18 year old at the MEPS station in New Orleans LA, to the day I started my terminal leave 20 years later.

Now, I did have a slightly different "Aha" moment about a week after sewing on my MSgt stripes, in my early 30's. A retiree, who was clearly in his 70's, stopped me in front of the BX at Kirtland AFB and told to "enjoy this time in my life", he continued with "being an NCO in the AF was the best thing that ever happened to him." I thanked him and walked on thinking about what he said. While I'm sure it was true, it was also a little sad. I've always been one enjoy where I am today, to plan for tomorrow, and look back fondly on where I was yesterday. From that moment I decided that I did not want to be the person who's best years were behind him. I planned for my retirement from the Air Force, took the money, used my education benefits, got a much better paying job on the outside, found a good wife, and happily moved on.

My recommendation to everyone still on active duty is to enjoy your time in service, you are truly helping America and making a sacrifice that few are willing to give. But also, look forward to the day it will end, and that day comes fast. Uncle Sam will happily train you for each stage of your career, but does a poor job preparing you for your separation or retirement, and reparation is the key. Decide where you want to go and what you want to do next. Figure out what it takes to get there. Get the education you need, get the experience you need, and make the connections you will need. Forest Gump's Momma said "life is like a box of Chocolates". Well there are plenty of chocolate covered cherries out there, even in this economy. But, it is a lot easier to find one if you look at the chart on the box rather then sampling them at random.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 26 at 2015 4:08 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 16:08:15 -0400

Actually, it was Boot Camp. When I realized my stress levels were lower, I knew it was it. I had lots of great times, and I'm proud to have served, but enlisting was the best thing I could ever have done...

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 4:14 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 16:14:55 -0400

I think the day I opened the letter that told me the Air Forces was sending me to finish my degree and become a cartographic officer.

Had to go to the library to find out what that was.

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2015 7:36 PM

CAPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 19:36:31 -0400

When I drove up to the gate of NAS Pensacola as I arrived for flight school. As I was talking to the gate guard to get directions to the BOQ, a white-and-orange T-2C Buckeye training jet flew low and loud right over our heads at the 90 in the landing pattern. I was ecstatic! Getting paid to learn to fly for the Navy - my dream had come true.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 26 at 2015 8:55 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 20:55:10 -0400

Flying with an Aviation Regiment and the intensity of the soldiers and pilots made me realize this was real. We meant business.

Response by CPL Roland Newton made Jul 27 at 2015 2:32 AM

CPL Roland Newton — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 02:32:32 -0400

1st when I graduated basic. then when I first set foot in Germany, PARADISE

Response by SGT William Howell made Jul 27 at 2015 9:30 AM

SGT William Howell — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 09:30:09 -0400

I always loved the army, but for me it was the day I got my corporal stripes. I thought, "You know they actually want me to have these. I must be doing something right." Or it may have been, "Suckers." One or the other. I can't remember, but it was the day I got my CPL stripes.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 12:29 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 00:29:56 -0400

11 September 2001!

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Apr 6 at 2016 12:11 PM

LTC Tom Jones — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 12:11:36 -0400

Yeah, when I opened my Draft notice in the mail.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Aug 5 at 2016 7:03 PM

MSgt John McGowan — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 19:03:04 -0400

Yes, as much as I enjoyed my career and the satifaction I had. The poeple I met, the job, everything that goes with it. My Aha! was when I got my first retirement check.