What Things Were Difficult to Communicate to Family and Friends About Your Military Service? Login & Share to Win!

The long hours and weekends that you worked on short notice. And the dreaded 24 hour CQ weekend duty.

Learning how to interact with different ideas

My first service was enlistment in the New Mexico Air National Guard in January 1960. Most of my family saw military service as being like World War II. The National Guard concept was also not easily understood. I had one three year ANG enlistment and then had to drop ready reserve status to go on contract with the Air Force ROTC. Many relatives and friends thought somehow I was in the Army, even after I was commissioned. In fact many of my commanders and senior NCOs were veterans of the Army Air Forces or other services. The idea of a modern separate Air Force was not easily grasped by many older family members. Today I wonder how the friends and family members of officers and enlisted members of the Space Force will envision that service. How long will it take for the Space Force to become accepted as a military branch? Today's Air Force is almost 74 years old and is pretty well established as a branch. The rather peculiar relationship between Air Force and Space Force will also take some adjustment. Glad I don't have to go through that one!

Family and Friends that did not serve don't know what you went through , especially what we went through in Vietnam.

I had no problems. My dad was a Navy combat Veteran in WWII. My mom was very well educated about the military life and what went on.

That while in the service you take orders. You do not ask for them to explain why that think something is best to do. That unless the order is clearly illegal and will do great harm you comply. You do not consider if it is nice, or politely correct. No one askes if what you think about the plan or if you know a better way. You are in the service and you take orders.

That I was leaving again but couldn’t tell them where I was going or how long I’d be gone.

Very little except maybe my liberty nights overseas!

Civilians seemed to think we were rolling in money. Didn't pay for rent, food, or even make payments on our credit cards. Sure, single airmen lived in the barracks and ate in the chow hall, but those of us who were married had to pay bills. Back then, a single WAF could not draw quarters allowance, and her spouse (if on active duty) could only get the singles rate. It wasn't until I got out in 1974 that they changed the rule. I kept all rent receipts, and got back pay. Don't know how it is now.

My dad died suddenly when I was 19 and stationed in Germany. I was an E-2. Then I made E-3 and got married. My mom needed financial help and couldn't understand why I couldn't send much money back to her.

Killing!