What's your favorite thing about serving in the military?

CW2 Jonathan Kantor — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 16:35:48 -0400

Plain and simple: What do you like most about serving?<br>

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 8 at 2014 5:17 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 17:17:01 -0400

The Army Service Uniform (ASU).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2014 8:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 20:47:36 -0400

The opportunities to go to different schools to better yourself professionally and pass that knowledge to your soldiers and subordinates.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2014 12:40 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 00:40:49 -0400

My favorite part about serving in the military is the ability to better myself physically and mentally. There is never a shortage of information that you can learn nor a limit on how far you can push yourself physically. I enjoy seeing myself and others improve and become the best soldier we can so we will be ready to defend and protect this great nation from those who attempt to take away our freedoms.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2014 12:58 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 00:58:40 -0400

I have two personal motto's:, "Service to others before service to self'. I take this two ways. First and foremost my service to my county. I'm devoutly patriotic. So much so that I defend free speech even if I can't stand what someone is saying. I consider myself a constitutionalist and fight for what I think it says and not what people make up. Secondly, I grew up very poor, on welfare and Medicaid so I consider my service one way to pay back my debt to America. I'm serving the public who helped me be who I am today.

My second motto is: "dum spiro spero". Which means, "as I breathe, I hope". I hope for a better America, for a better world....just for better. I'm not a jealous person so when I see someone doing better, getting better, achieving better, I love it! That's what makes our country great! And I love supporting and defending it.

So when I'm asked why I serve, I answer because I have the ability to give back in so many ways to a country who has given me so many opportunities. It may be cheesy but it's from the heart and sincere.

Response by 1SG Jason Smith made May 28 at 2015 5:55 PM

1SG Jason Smith — Thu, 28 May 2015 17:55:14 -0400

The sense of Family and the honor of serving the people of OUR country

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 18 at 2015 11:59 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 11:59:37 -0400

My favorite part of my Army experience was: having my fellow soldiers feel like my family. But mainly, I loved being a leader. Being a good example for others to follow.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jul 18 at 2015 12:09 PM

SFC Stephen King — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 12:09:26 -0400

Providing examples for others to carry on. Purpose in whatever job they choose to do. Motivation to be a US Military member and Direction to pay it forward to others.

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 18 at 2015 12:17 PM

SSG Izzy Abbass — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 12:17:45 -0400

Two things - pushing myself to the limit. Loved that. Secondly, the rapport I developed with my fellow grunts. As a third thought, I loved blowing the crap out of things. :)

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 18 at 2015 12:18 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 12:18:57 -0400

The People. Always the People.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 12:30 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 12:30:37 -0400

Two things: the camaraderie and retirement!!!

Response by TSgt Robert Mahaffy made Jul 18 at 2015 12:32 PM

TSgt Robert Mahaffy — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 12:32:36 -0400

That one great squadron that I was assigned to during my first enlistment that I spent the next 17 years trying to duplicate but failed. Everyone should have that one great assignment.

Response by SGT John Rauch made Jul 18 at 2015 12:45 PM

SGT John Rauch — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 12:45:48 -0400

Jumping out of "high performance aircraft" oh, and the day I ETS'd my 2 favorite things

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 18 at 2015 12:49 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 12:49:26 -0400

SPC Margaret Higgins I had two really great experiences in the military. First, was living and working at Chievres AFB, Belgium and traveling all over Europe for 3 years from 1977 to 1980. Awesome assignment for a 19, 20, and 21-year-old soldier just married for the first time. Got to bring my parents over to see all of Europe. The Second was traveling to Nicaragua after Hurricane Mitch and providing medical treatment to the villages along the river that went from a few feet to a mile. Very exciting trip to South America and one of many!

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 18 at 2015 2:12 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 14:12:34 -0400

This might sound stupid to some, but my favorite military experience was OIF I.

Response by MSgt Manuel Diaz made Jul 18 at 2015 6:27 PM

MSgt Manuel Diaz — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 18:27:01 -0400

Well lots of great memories there, not all, recon retirement as I don't have to please anyone unless I want to

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2015 11:53 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 11:53:47 -0400

The favorite part of my military experience so far had to be AIT out in Fort Huachuca. It was roughly five months of roaming the mountains, learning the job, and having a lot of good friends around you. While there, I was able to do a lot of things including volunteer for the food bank on base and compete for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. The best thing I did there though was volunteer for airborne and Ranger follow on training. Once at airborne school, I was not able to go to RASP due to the regiment being over strength on my MOS, but I have loved the airborne lifestyle ever since.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2016 7:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 07:21:32 -0400

They way the public appreciates us now. I first came in in 1982 and believe me, it hasn't always been this way.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2016 8:20 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 08:20:55 -0400

My favorite would have to be the life long friends I've met from everywhere. The traveling, and just serving.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2016 11:33 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 11:33:05 -0400

The general random shit that happens during duty days.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2016 1:33 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 13:33:46 -0400

I would have to say knowing my ETS date brings me comfort everyday.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2016 9:07 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 09:07:24 -0400

The comrodery/morale! With whatever you were doing, you had the support and backup of fellow Shipmates and when you needed to vent, felt down or hurt, you had people to go to just to have someone to listen. I believe that with that instilled in me, I'm able to accomplish more and put more thought and effort into everything I do.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2016 3:09 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 15:09:09 -0400

The brotherhood I share with my fellow shipmates and soldiers from various branches of the military.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2017 9:22 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 09:22:19 -0400

The way people treat the military now with such respect. I enlisted in 1982 and it hasn't always been that way. I wish the Vietnam Veterans had been treated this way.

Response by PO3 Don Dennis made Jul 31 at 2017 5:11 PM

PO3 Don Dennis — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 17:11:24 -0400

Travel

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2018 4:30 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 04:30:50 -0500

The fine Servicemen and women that serve, and the civilians that are often not recognized for what they do for us on a daily basis.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2020 9:41 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 09:41:11 -0500

Monday morning pre formations hearing about what transpired over the weekend.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Nov 3 at 2021 11:58 PM

SMSgt Bob W. — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 23:58:21 -0400

Retirement.

Response by PO3 Dionna West made May 26 at 2022 6:48 AM

PO3 Dionna West — Thu, 26 May 2022 06:48:32 -0400

Team work.

Response by SFC Floyd Ancheta made Aug 16 at 2025 11:19 PM

SFC Floyd Ancheta — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 23:19:47 -0400

Going on live fire exercises and training to Standard especially in the worst possible scenario like in Mopp 4

Response by SrA Cecelia Eareckson made Aug 17 at 2025 6:51 PM

SrA Cecelia Eareckson — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 18:51:29 -0400

Travel. Two years in RoK, amazing people and place, leave in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, and Thailand, including Khao Yai, once site of Green Moumtain listening post. The "Cobra Crossing" signs were still on the road when I was there.