Posted on Sep 7, 2021
What Things Were Difficult to Communicate to Family and Friends About Your Military Service? Login & Share to Win!
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Military Family
Military Life
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 423
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I didn't qualify for the draft but was able to sign a medical waiver. My family and friends thought I was crazy but my wife supported me. Three years active duty was better than graduate school and I got paid for a terrific education.
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The main difference I had compared to family and friends... and that I notice to this day: Civvies, when they have a project, tend to put it off until the last minute, dicking around here and there, and then rushing to get it done. In the military we (or at least I) always liked to get in, get whatever the task was done right now. Hurry up, and get it done. Then you have all the rest of the time, however long it was, to screw around, with nothing at all, no worries, hanging over your head. I love that feeling, and still live my life that way.
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I was single when I served in the early 80's. My Mom wrote to me every week. I was always sure to write back. While serving in Karlsruhe, Germany, my oldest brother was stationed in West Frankfurt. He never botherd to come see me, however, I drove to West Frankfurt in my POV to see him. How's that for a big brother. Since my Mom passed away, my time of trying to stay in contact with my brothers came to an end.
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One of the most difficult issues was telling them about my soldiers who were killed in action. I wanted them to know but didn't want them to worry about me.
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It was hard to explain that I didn't really feel like I was in danger while deployed, since I was on base the whole time. People just assume everyone who deploys is outside the wire facing direct fire and IEDs.
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SGT Carl Watson
I knew clerks and cooks who were in danger first being on a base or wearing a uniform. One example are the 12-13 military personnel that were killed by rockets last week.
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MAJ (Join to see)
SGT Carl Watson I didn't mean to discount the fact that some troops face danger on the installation, but that civilians often assume that all military life is like in movies.
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SGT Carl Watson
I know that you may not have but when I was in Saigon they had concrete sidewalks, neat restrooms with real toilet seats and air conditioners in some facilities. Saigon was only attacked once during 68 Tet. Vung Tau was Florida in Vietnam where we took R&R on the beach. It was better than Mash.
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When you couldn’t tell family where you were or what you did while you were gone .
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Giving up my opportunity to box for the All Marine Corps Boxing Team....and to volunteer to go to Viet Nam to kill the bad guys!!
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The friendships that are made and kept thru the years. Why we are trained they we were, and how it stays with us in life. Internal clock that wakes you up when it is light outside or at 4 or 5am no matter how much sleep you get. Observing the surroundings you are in.
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