What do you appreciate most about the individuals you served with?

Sgt Joe LaBranche — Mon, 16 May 2016 19:16:28 -0400

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made May 16 at 2016 7:19 PM

SGT John " Mac " McConnell — Mon, 16 May 2016 19:19:08 -0400

They had my Six and I had there's.. Brotherhood !

Response by SPC Andrew Griffin made May 16 at 2016 7:27 PM

SPC Andrew Griffin — Mon, 16 May 2016 19:27:30 -0400

We all stuck by each other! And still do to this day!

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made May 16 at 2016 7:40 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Mon, 16 May 2016 19:40:48 -0400

My unit had the good fortune to train together for nearly a year prior to our all expenses paid trip to Vietnam and stayed together for our tour so we knew each other very well all the good points also the warts and moles this I think made our Company one that had complete trust in one another a trust I never have found again in civilian life although the stakes were a bit higher over there I know!

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 16 at 2016 7:53 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Mon, 16 May 2016 19:53:49 -0400

I have met a lot of professionals who wanted to do their best.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2016 8:03 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 May 2016 20:03:11 -0400

What I appreciate about my Battle Buddies is that no matter how much time has gone by, when you connect again it is just like no time has passed.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2016 8:18 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 May 2016 20:18:22 -0400

Sgt Joe LaBranche Bonds were created that were stronger than in the civilian world. We knew that we had each other's back.

Response by SSG Dennis Grossmann made May 16 at 2016 9:28 PM

SSG Dennis Grossmann — Mon, 16 May 2016 21:28:33 -0400

In 2005 I was cross leveled to a squad of 13 NCO's and only 10 E4 and below. The platoon I was in got 2 large squad bays. And there was no privacy. We all fought each other like cats and dogs. It got so bad that the BC called and had Combat Stress come to our area. To keep from boring you and to give the moral. The combat stress people ran out of there white as ghosts because everyone opened up on them. The moral being that even though you fight amongst each other, nobody will be able to break your bond.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 16 at 2016 11:13 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 16 May 2016 23:13:58 -0400

Sgt Joe LaBranche They were 'beautiful' people from everywhere in America, who cared, shared and served!

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 17 at 2016 6:50 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 17 May 2016 06:50:07 -0400

We all got along like brothers, and had great times together.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 8:22 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 May 2016 08:22:10 -0400

The friendships I've made; they are closer than a friend usually is. They have you back both on and off the front lines.

Response by CPO Ronnie Townes made May 17 at 2016 9:09 AM

CPO Ronnie Townes — Tue, 17 May 2016 09:09:39 -0400

A Brotherhood/Sisterhood I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 10:36 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 May 2016 10:36:36 -0400

Hi, SGT LaBranche.

Those guys are my best friends. I would kill or die for them today. Any one of them could call me at 0200 and say “Tony, I need your help. We’re surrounded, outmanned, outgunned, and there’s a good chance we’re all going to die,” and the only thing I will ask is “Why are we still on the phone?”

None of my very few civilian friends, good people all but never served, would understand that mindset.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2016 3:38 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 May 2016 15:38:21 -0400

comradery

Response by PO1 Robert Gasser made Jun 13 at 2016 2:34 PM

PO1 Robert Gasser — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 14:34:30 -0400

Our comradery and team work when times got tough. We all put our differences to the side in order to get the mission accomplished.

Response by CPT Kurk Harris made Mar 7 at 2019 1:07 PM

CPT Kurk Harris — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 13:07:59 -0500

I am speaking about the people I deployed to Iraq with. They held everyone around them up when things got really crappy. Nobody ever demanded a bigger share for themselves. When one person hurt, they always surrounded and supported that person until they could get back into it. I probably wouldn't be friends with all of them outside that experience, but for that moment they were family, and now will always be loved and respected for all they did, great and small.