What has motivated you to stay in the the Military?

The fact that I can see the impact of my work and know that my bosses appreciate my work. When you can spend months of planning, days of work and then see the whole plan come together through you and your teams work (and of course, since I am Signal, very few people in the TOC's/field really realizing how amazing that everything worked) is quite satisfying and motivating.

The joy of service, combined with some solid leadership from both the Officer and SNCO ranks! I have served under some really exceptional people during my career, and those few have had a positive impact on my life/career.

Despite the fact that I came from another country, but the desire to serve this great nation ran deep in me and the brotherhood, sisterhood that I found in the Army.

I joined in 1991 because I thought that every man should serve. My father volunteered for the Army in 1942 when it was segregated. He talked about many experiences while in the Army, but he never had a bad word to say about anyone, despite things he probably dealt with.

I stayed in the last 3 years (at 23 now) mainly to provide for my family. I lost the love when I transitioned to the officer side, probably because I didn't have a real plan as to what I wanted to accomplish as an officer. If I stay another 2-7 years and reach 30, I will have to LOVE it once again. It has been an awesome experience all around, but if you don't have the love anymore, you should prepare to transition.

I'm not really sure. I went to bed one night. I was a 17 year old private, and I woke up 32 years later, ready to retire. The rest is a blur.

Seriously, as many times as I wanted to throw in the towel because the politics and bureaucracy drove me crazy, I would remember that working with incredible Soldiers makes up for all the crazy. I love helping people. What better place to do that than in the military?

What wasn't to love about being an Crippie, Spook, Spy, Intell Weeney. Getting to know everything. "Need to Know" I am providing your communications I get to know everything. Being part of the Inner Circle.

My Motivation to stay is the ability to continue to serve this great Nation and better myself, while trying to instill the values that were taught to me as a young Marine.  Every day that I put my uniform on, I am reminded of all that is good with our Nation.  Every time I get to make an impact on a young warrior's life in some minor way, (sometimes a positive teaching point, sometimes a hard lesson) or try and deter someone from hitting the pitfalls/errors that we all made as young troops, I take away a little bit of that Good Feeling that you can only get by being a part of something much bigger than yourself.  I consider that service a privilege.  And take the responsibility that comes with that service very seriously.  While our military is not perfect, it is by far the best in the world, and I get to be a part of that.  And it matters.

I loved being a Scout!  The constant challenge of the ever changing environment and the ability to teach the new Scouts what it takes to be effective at their job.  It was almost always exciting.  Sadly, physical limitations kept me from reenlisting or I would have been a career soldier. But it was still the most exciting time of my life. 

I look back at my time in the service with great appreciation and am very proud to be counted as a Veteran. It was a positive military experience for me, overall. It wasn't glamorous; it’s what I chose to do. What made it positive was the personal growth I experienced. I matured faster than I would have, and in ways I would never have because of my military service. I entered the U.S. Army at the age of 23. I remember doubting my decision and missing home terribly while at basic training. Military life was a big adjustment from life Phoenix, AZ as a retail store mgr. I wonder at times of what have I gotten myself into, but I learned so much about myself, the world and how to live with integrity and discipline. I grew up so much in my 23 years of service and for that I am eternally grateful. It is something I wish more Americans could experience.