What are your fondest memories of service?

SrA Karla Kiser — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 22:13:56 -0500

Army/AF guys and gals, look familiar?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2016 10:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 22:18:15 -0500

I made a lot of jumps, but never saw that. That's hilarious!

Response by SSgt Robert Jorgensen made Jan 21 at 2016 10:28 PM

SSgt Robert Jorgensen — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 22:28:20 -0500

It's the truth, only PJ's and pilots with crippled plane follow the Army.

Why jump or leave a perfectly good airplane?

Response by SSG Timothy McCoy made Jan 21 at 2016 10:49 PM

SSG Timothy McCoy — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 22:49:59 -0500

TMTC.
The first comes to mind, is standing in a door position on a C-17 Globemaster looking out over all of God creation, being in total AH of all below me. I have been know to kind of forget about the GREEN light when it comes on. Knowing I am fixing to step out into His hand, and will be safe all the way to the ground if I ask Him for it.
I will get ribbed for about "Freezing" in the door. The view up there is worth the BS down here.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2016 11:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 23:33:28 -0500

That is an awesome pic!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2016 11:52 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 23:52:25 -0500

Deploying to Diego Garcia late 2005-early 2006. Best. Time. Ever.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2016 12:52 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 00:52:46 -0500

I'd say one of my fondest memories was getting back ON the plane.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2016 1:07 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 01:07:42 -0500

I would say my fondest moments was when I commissioned as a 2LT and then when I was standing tall at Victory Pond at Fort Benning getting my Ranger Tab pinned on.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 22 at 2016 1:35 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 01:35:48 -0500

Response by SPC Michael Hedenberg made Jan 22 at 2016 1:37 AM

SPC Michael Hedenberg — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 01:37:09 -0500

the free travel

Response by PFC Steve Davis made Jan 22 at 2016 1:40 AM

PFC Steve Davis — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 01:40:03 -0500

BASIC TRAINING

Response by MSG Alfred Aguilar made Jan 22 at 2016 3:17 AM

MSG Alfred Aguilar — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 03:17:14 -0500

The look on the XO's face when he was bad talking the Bn. Commander, and realized his mike was keyed and everyone could heard him, including the CO. That, was priceless...

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 22 at 2016 4:20 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 04:20:35 -0500

I'm so stealing that picture of the door platform.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 22 at 2016 4:26 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 04:26:15 -0500

Col Tim Karcher pining SGM on me in the middle of a deployment, Sadar City Iraq....

Response by SGT James Allen made Jan 22 at 2016 5:03 AM

SGT James Allen — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 05:03:37 -0500

My fondest memories would have to be the the friends I made who I call my brothers.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2016 5:29 AM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 05:29:56 -0500

Killing the mofo enemy…

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jan 22 at 2016 6:11 AM

Capt Brandon Charters — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 06:11:18 -0500

Launching Rockets out of C-17s.
Image thanks to AFMC PA.
Good times with Maj Private RallyPoint Member and Maj Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jan 22 at 2016 11:10 AM

SFC William Farrell — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 11:10:40 -0500

My fondest memories are my entire 27 years SrA Karla Kiser as i enjoyed every moment, the good times and the bad times as the good times far outweighed the bad times. My only regret however was not having met you! All the best!

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jan 22 at 2016 11:18 AM

SFC Pete Kain — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 11:18:34 -0500

Going to have to say....Retirement.
On the serious side, my two years in Alaska 1978-1980 followed closely by my time with 1/2 ACR 1981-1984.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jan 22 at 2016 11:29 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 11:29:51 -0500

Since you have tagged humor I have to say that posting our fondest memories on this forum might get a lot of people in trouble, even 30 years after the fact. Sigh...

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Jan 22 at 2016 11:44 AM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 11:44:03 -0500

That's like asking which drop of a beer tastes best.

Response by SFC John Birks made Jan 22 at 2016 12:19 PM

SFC John Birks — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 12:19:41 -0500

Commanding my own tank. My first tank as a TC was on a M60A3, then the M1IP, and finally the M1A1. Best job I ever had!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 22 at 2016 12:31 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 12:31:36 -0500

I like your discussion thread photo SrA Karla Kiser! I always followed those Army arrows and it was a lot of fun! I took this photo in OCT70 as I followed the Army arrows out the door!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2016 1:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 13:05:03 -0500

the cameraderie, I know I could ask anyone (in my platoon) any thing, any time, to come (almost) any where for (almost) anything, and I would get the help I would need...never, ever had to worry. ever. I miss that.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 22 at 2016 8:30 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 20:30:50 -0500

Bringing everyone home safe from a deployment. I have info on A&M, but will not work harder than your initiative.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Jan 22 at 2016 10:18 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 22:18:25 -0500

Being stationed at hunters Point for a yard period in '69-'70. San Francisco was the place to be!

Response by Lt Col John Tringali made Jan 22 at 2016 11:07 PM

Lt Col John Tringali — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 23:07:50 -0500

My fondest memories were always helping people. Pulling people out of the path of Hurricane Rita, delivering pallets of water after Katrina, evacuating people from Haiti, med-evac flights moving people that were at death's door, etc. That was why I chose air mobility, and it didn't disappoint.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2016 11:42 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 23:42:25 -0500

Going through Boot Camp and Radio School at MCRD San Diego - great base and great city.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jan 23 at 2016 10:44 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 10:44:52 -0500

Disney World as first uncontrolled liberty from RTC Orlando, FL. First Time ordering a drink in a Bar at the Hotel at Disney World with my Company CO 443. First Time swimming I the Ocean (With a Nurse Shark) off Pensacola, FL while attending A-School and learning that I'm a pretty good dancer and the ladies really love to dance with me. Learning to Snorkel and Free Dive in Hanamah Bay in Hawaii while stationed at CINCPACFLT. Parties Official and Un-Official in Hawaii. Stark Beauty of Adak AK. 4 yrs as Part of the Mountain Goat Navy in West Virginia working on the Gov'ts most Sensitive Project at the time. 3 Yrs in London on the Gov'ts Dime. Diving in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Oh my. Want to see the World? Join My Navy!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2016 11:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 23:41:49 -0500

SrA Karla Kiser, One of my fondest memories is watching a chicken I captured from a village in Vietnam, pooping down our CO's back while she sat on his shoulder drinking his beer. We were dying laughing and our CO thought it was because of his jokes. lol

Response by MSgt Jim Wolverton made Jan 24 at 2016 10:48 PM

MSgt Jim Wolverton — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 22:48:39 -0500

The people I worked with and my job during my first tour of Germany. That place, job, the people I worked with, and the mission I look back on regularly as the best part of my service. Everything else I've ever done has fallen short of that.

Response by TSgt David Johnson made Jan 25 at 2016 3:30 AM

TSgt David Johnson — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 03:30:09 -0500

My greatest enjoyment was converting from being an introverted high school kid from a small town, to a world traveler with the Air Force. I grew up, found inner strength, and was given a voice. I am now the elder of my family, a proud father, and even prouder grandpa. If I was given the option of doing it all again, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Glean what you can from your time in the service, store those memories in your heart, and as the years pass reflect back on that foundation you are being given.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2016 9:13 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 09:13:58 -0500

Flying in a black hawk thru Iraq. Woohoo

Response by AB Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 6:38 AM

AB Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 06:38:27 -0500

Making some of the best friends of my life .

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Jan 26 at 2016 8:37 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 08:37:37 -0500

My fondest memory of being in service is my fondest memory lol, the fact that I actually was in the United States Army for 20 years of my life, whooah now that's a memory!

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Jan 26 at 2016 10:09 AM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 10:09:30 -0500

3 things actually..
1. 3 years stationed in England. WOW
2. When an airman who showed up to the orderly room wearing a Lone Ranger outfit, walked past me into the Squadron Commander's office and demanded to be released from the USAF. The memo that the commander penned? "I highly recommend that this airman be dishonorable discharged from the United States Air Force as a highly cancerous influence...."
3. Living in different cultures and making up my own mind....

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Jan 26 at 2016 11:03 AM

CDR Michael Goldschmidt — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 11:03:22 -0500

Having my buddy and me drag each other out of a certain sort of establishment in Cartagena (which will remain nameless), after we realized what it was.

Response by CW3 Jim Norris made Jan 26 at 2016 12:34 PM

CW3 Jim Norris — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 12:34:29 -0500

Being a 11C PFC and having EVERYTHING in my life 'taken care of'. What I would wear, eat and do, for weeks was not anything I had to give thought to. That can only be beat by being a senior warrant officer and being able to assist young people in the IT world become better at their jobs and hopefully touching a few lives for good along the way. Oh, and having free ammo provided a couple of times a year to go to the range. Finding out that a couple of young NCO's I'd influenced had retired as Warrants and become SES civilians was another moment of pride I suppose.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 11:00 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 23:00:35 -0500

NCO/Quartet @ Little Rock.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Jan 26 at 2016 11:10 PM

LTC John Mohor — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 23:10:07 -0500

All 26 years culminating with my 89 year old Dad, wife, family and friends being there on the day I retired from the Army Reserves. Still miss the people!

Response by SSG Michael Scott made Jan 27 at 2016 8:44 AM

SSG Michael Scott — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 08:44:00 -0500

One of my favorites, was jumping into Normandy for the 50th Anniversary D-Day Jump in 1994.

Response by SSG John Caples made Jan 27 at 2016 9:17 AM

SSG John Caples — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 09:17:17 -0500

Graff Germany 2005 , Gunnery tables I through VII Ammo Holding Area

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2016 8:33 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 08:33:21 -0500

Being in the 555 FS, the "Triple Nickel" from 96-00 at Aviano AB,Italy. We had the best group of folks I have ever served with. And pulling 8G's in the backseat of an F-15E.

Response by TSgt Matt Kolar made Jan 31 at 2016 10:39 AM

TSgt Matt Kolar — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 10:39:13 -0500

The first photo was taken in March 2004 overseas. I found out some years later that the second photo was hanging in the head quarters building at Langley AFB VA.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2016 1:26 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 13:26:43 -0500

I've heard the complaints but in all seriousness, some of the fondest memories I have are from my deployments. You learn so much and the sense of having a specific purpose and a dedicated mission are very rewarding.

Response by TSgt Bret Whitmore made Feb 3 at 2016 2:35 PM

TSgt Bret Whitmore — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 14:35:56 -0500

I have many. Rarely did they involve the specific duties I performed. Most all of them involved the people I was with, the camaraderie of the team, our shared sacrifices, hardships, pain, and even joys. I started my career as a Security Policeman (81150 Security Specialist) with the 327 Airbase Ground Defense identifier. As a punk 20-something I wasn't about to let on to my fellow Skycops that I pretty much enjoyed every minute of that duty, the meticulous attention to procedural details, even the mundane 'boring' stuff, and the backbreaking infantryman chores that sometimes went along with it. I was proud as hell of my Blue Beret, my SP badge, and being a genuine "Mud Airman." I didn't often share how proud I was of all that back then because (1) such things just weren't said in those days, and (2) others might think I was a "Ate-up" or a "maggot", but damn, the Air Force suited me right down to the ground! To think Uncle Sam trusted an eager young punk like me enough to carry an M-16 and 180 rounds to guard his most sophisticated ICBM systems at the time, his "manhole-cover"-loaded B-52s... all of that made things like the cold, the dark of night, the snow and rain all seem far less daunting.

Thinking back on it all these years later, my only regrets involve having cross-trained into an AFSC that took me further away from the actual 'hands-on action' of daily mission accomplishment, and the fact I didn't take nearly enough pictures!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2016 2:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 14:36:38 -0500

Getting on that bird after 16 months in country.

Response by CSM Felipe Mendez made Feb 18 at 2016 11:43 AM

CSM Felipe Mendez — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 11:43:52 -0500

To me, getting a call on “Father’s day, Christmas, Veteran’s day” ect. from my old soldiers. Specially noticing how far up the chain they have arisen. Known that some of my junior Enlisted NCOs are now Battalion, Brigade CSM and higher. One great moment was when my old driver (SPC Drone) wrote a book that became first seller and he took the time to acknowledge me as being a great part of his success. I still get call from many of my soldiers and received letters with pictures of their new family and their kids. Knowing that I made a positive impression on many soldiers/troopers, those are my daily memories/highlights. My latest driver, now a First Sergeant move near us to be part of our life. He introduces me to others as his “Adoptive Dad”. There is no other fondest memory than known the positive impact made into others life.

Response by SSG Ronald Rora made Feb 18 at 2016 5:04 PM

SSG Ronald Rora — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 17:04:29 -0500

My squad achieving the fastest time for the Task force for completing the Green Hell Obstacle course during jungle training in Panama in 1986. We were Manchu Medics in a light infantry BN. HHC 3/9 Inf

Response by SFC Tim Drye made Feb 25 at 2016 12:43 PM

SFC Tim Drye — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 12:43:54 -0500

The brotherhood of the combat arms that I was a part of

Response by PO1 Donald Hammond made Mar 2 at 2016 5:53 PM

PO1 Donald Hammond — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 17:53:02 -0500

Getting my discharge, going down to the pier and helping cast off lines for my last command to get underway. The Commanding Officer, up on the bridge, yelling that I was an a-hole. Yep. But I was a civilian a-hole who was NOT going to sea.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 25 at 2019 4:54 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 25 May 2019 16:54:54 -0400

Coming home after deployments.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made May 25 at 2019 6:01 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sat, 25 May 2019 18:01:10 -0400

Many years ago, on a C-141 I jumped from, the port side door had a Hakoona Matata drawing with the Lion King characters.

Response by Maj Neal Jackman made Feb 3 at 2021 7:38 PM

Maj Neal Jackman — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 19:38:27 -0500

Not while on active duty, but as a retired officer I have had the honor of telling my son (USAR), his future wife (USN), and my grandson (USA) to raise their right hand and repeat after me. It is a great feeling to see the next and the next generation following in our footsteps.