What moment are you most proud of during your service?

RallyPoint News — Tue, 01 May 2018 17:20:42 -0400

What moment are you most proud of?
To learn more about special Military Appreciation Month offers, visit navyfederal.org/thanks.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 1 at 2018 5:34 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 01 May 2018 17:34:14 -0400

When my son and wife got to see me get promoted to Sgt./E-5.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 1 at 2018 8:32 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 01 May 2018 20:32:20 -0400

Getting a certificate unexpectedly from my unit CO, an O-6:waiting to pin on O-7, for helping get a decent IG rating...he was a Vietnam war hero who flew150 missions as an O-2 FAC pilot in Vietnam...that was major....

Response by PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster made May 2 at 2018 12:39 AM

PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster — Wed, 02 May 2018 00:39:48 -0400

Celebrating my 38th birthday in 14E AIT the week AFTER graduating BCT.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2018 6:10 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 May 2018 06:10:27 -0400

The day I swore into the Army, no family or friends there, just me and 5 other guys. Never saw the other guys again, but right after enlisting we got a hair cut and lunch at the Navy mess hall. Salute!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2018 7:07 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 May 2018 07:07:11 -0400

I have had 519 proud moments so far during my service. Whether I am folding the flag, performing “Taps” as a live bugler, or serving as team leader presenting the flag to the next of kin, I have a great sense of pride with honor after each completed Military Funeral Honors Mission.

Response by Cpl Gabriel F. made May 2 at 2018 9:34 AM

Cpl Gabriel F. — Wed, 02 May 2018 09:34:22 -0400

Surviving

Response by SPC Dave Loeffler made May 2 at 2018 11:22 AM

SPC Dave Loeffler — Wed, 02 May 2018 11:22:06 -0400

Being promoted to sergeant e-5 with the Battalion Commander doing the honors

Response by Maj John Bell made May 2 at 2018 11:33 AM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 02 May 2018 11:33:06 -0400

Up front, I never served in combat. My proudest moment came after I was out. An 0331 Machine Gunner, who was now a 0369 Infantry SNCO tracked down my address and sent me a letter. He told me that he thought I was a pain in the ass as his Weapons Platoon Leader primarily because I had crew served weapons teams do 3 hours of gun drill EVERY Friday. He thanked me, without going into detail other than when he became a MG Section leader in Afghanistan he and his Marines were alive because when he became a MG Section leader in Afghanistan he made his section do 3 hours of gun drill every Friday.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2018 11:47 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 May 2018 11:47:32 -0400

Retirement after 33 faithful years.

Response by SSgt Gary Andrews made May 2 at 2018 1:13 PM

SSgt Gary Andrews — Wed, 02 May 2018 13:13:07 -0400

Never puffed my chest out further than the day I graduated from Marine Corps boot camp with a meritorious promotion to PFC.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made May 3 at 2018 11:16 AM

SFC Jim Ruether — Thu, 03 May 2018 11:16:00 -0400

Graduated from Basic and AIT first in my class, Company Marksmanship Trophy, Capt. of the Guard. My dad said as long as you half to be there do the best that you can and when they tell you to do something do it right and you'll get no complaints. He was a Sergeant in an Armor Unit in the 50's and I trusted his judgement. Worked for me!

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made May 4 at 2018 8:11 AM

LTC Eugene Chu — Fri, 04 May 2018 08:11:33 -0400

Earning a Green-to-Gold ROTC scholarship.

I was an ROTC scholarship finalist in high school, but did not make cut. I enlisted active-duty and later went to West Point Prep before realizing USMA was not the school that I wanted. Getting the scholarship provided opportunity and gave me confidence to earn my degree.

Response by SSgt Donald Libby made May 5 at 2018 12:32 PM

SSgt Donald Libby — Sat, 05 May 2018 12:32:47 -0400

Receiving the Air Force Commendation Medal in 1968 for Meritorious Service at Danang AB Mar 2 - Jul 21 1967.

Response by SSG Steven Mangus made May 5 at 2018 3:43 PM

SSG Steven Mangus — Sat, 05 May 2018 15:43:32 -0400

Participated in a realist mentioned on the USS Arizona Memorial..very humbling and lasting experience..

Response by CW5 John M. made May 6 at 2018 6:49 AM

CW5 John M. — Sun, 06 May 2018 06:49:44 -0400

Saving lives, helping in disasters

Response by LCpl Shane Couch made May 7 at 2018 10:45 AM

LCpl Shane Couch — Mon, 07 May 2018 10:45:03 -0400

My greatest reward was receiving my Eagle, Globe and Anchor and earning the title of U.S. Marine.

Response by SFC William "Bill" Moore made May 7 at 2018 11:03 AM

SFC William "Bill" Moore — Mon, 07 May 2018 11:03:05 -0400

Graduating EOD School, without any roll backs!

Response by Sgt Michael Reyes made May 8 at 2018 4:46 AM

Sgt Michael Reyes — Tue, 08 May 2018 04:46:02 -0400

As we were engaged with an Iraqi force in the Al Burgas oilfields of Kuwait and while visibility was poor due to the smoke from burning oil wells, I looked up and saw the Stars and Stripes flying attached to a Hummer’s whip Antenna.

Response by SP5 David Madison made May 8 at 2018 1:16 PM

SP5 David Madison — Tue, 08 May 2018 13:16:28 -0400

I was infantry medic and the times of treating my brothers was hectic and usually went by so fast. Sometimes you didn’t know how far down the line they ever made it. You just knew you did your job the best you could. my proudest moment was when I got home and some of my boys came up to thank me with there families. All that doubt in you head of weather you made a mistake starts to fade away.

Response by CPT Don Kemp made May 8 at 2018 9:11 PM

CPT Don Kemp — Tue, 08 May 2018 21:11:28 -0400

I was very blessed. I joined the Army as an un-exceptional high school graduate with no belief I would go to college. The Army was a special place for me - it allowed me to grow and thrive. I made E-5 in 30 months; E-6 in 48; graduated 2nd in NCO and Drill Sergeant academies, awarded an active duty ROTC scholarship, finished my BBA in 2 years, commissioned RA Infantry. All by the grace of God, I might add. I am very grateful for my experience.
But my proudest accomplishment was getting my jump wings after the 5th jump.

Response by TSgt Rodney Bidinger made May 15 at 2018 3:37 PM

TSgt Rodney Bidinger — Tue, 15 May 2018 15:37:12 -0400

While serving at RAF Chicksands, England, UK. I was a Direction Finding Supervisor/Operator. We would monitor the International Distress Frequencies as part of our job each day/night. Proudest for saving numerous Mariners during the many distress calls we put out to the DF Network. Over the course of 9 years, we probably saved over 100 sailors, fisherman and others in trouble on the waters around the UK and Northern Europe.

Response by MSgt Jim Bain made May 17 at 2018 4:10 PM

MSgt Jim Bain — Thu, 17 May 2018 16:10:41 -0400

The day I put on my Master Sgt. stripes (E-7), and went to see my Dad, who was a retired Navy Chief (BMC)(E-7)! When I walked into the house in uniform, thought a saw a tear in his eye there for awhile, I did get one heck of a hug! "Caught up to me kid,.... knew you could do it", I will never forget those words!

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made May 17 at 2018 7:48 PM

SFC Greg Bruorton — Thu, 17 May 2018 19:48:04 -0400

My proudest moment was about three months after my appointment as the initial Special Security Officer of the 82nd Airborne Division in 1976. The headquarters staff under MG Roscoe Robinson had accepted me wholeheartedly as I was their connection to the real-world's sensitive information. I routinely delivered backchannel messages, called Eyes Only to the division's generals but also briefed them at least weekly in world affairs under Top Secret controls. I got to know all the brigade commanders and their staffs almost on a first-name basis.

To illustrate one event was when I signed a football scorecard in the headquarters office for the prize. You got it--I won $50 as its sole winner. But besides this event, my time in the 82nd became the apex of my career.

Response by SGT Rick Colburn made May 24 at 2018 2:30 PM

SGT Rick Colburn — Thu, 24 May 2018 14:30:44 -0400

Saved a civilian during the blizzard of 78 the night that we got activated for the storm I was one of a few NCOS that could get to the armory or job was to assist stranded motorist get them to the armory to wait out the storm and their vehicles getting dug out also delivered groceries and heating oil to those that needed it about 2300 hrs we got a call about a man down in a snowbank possible heart attack and since it was in the country we had to follow a county plow truck to the residence there were 4 of us in a deuce and a half I was NCO in charge I told a sp4 to drive while the rest of us did CPR all the way to the Hosp. when we got him to the hosp drs said we got him there with a faint heart beat because of our fast response and the three of us being trained in CPR the Dr. told us we were the reason the victim would probably make it. we did hear a few days later the victim made a full and complete recovery. everyone that responded to the storm call up was arawded the Humanitarian Service Medal and ribbon very proud to be able to have a part in saving that gentleman's life

Response by SSG Harry Herres made May 26 at 2018 11:33 PM

SSG Harry Herres — Sat, 26 May 2018 23:33:12 -0400

The day I returned from NAM knowing that all my people made it home safe with only one receiving 4 new openings. Nothing horrible home in one week. Thanks you guys, you were the best!

Response by LCpl Charles Robey made May 27 at 2018 3:35 AM

LCpl Charles Robey — Sun, 27 May 2018 03:35:59 -0400

The moment that I was most proud of was when I won my 6th award Expert badge. When I got my 6th and final award I scored a 99 on the KD range at Wilcox range.