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

Hmmm? Kinda dated, but remembering my time in Vietnam back in ‘69-‘70. The days when writing letters was the only way to connect with home. Couldn’t, or want to, write about day-to-day stuff without having to worry about folks back home thinking the worst of what was experienced. Fortunately, being a heavy equipment operator in a combat engineer unit wasn’t exactly dealing with Charles directly. Stuff that came my way was random. Seeing the grunts come back from the field was enough to appreciate my plight. Couldn’t share about the body bags. Couldn’t share about the mortar attack the night before. Couldn’t share about someone unlucky enough to die. Couldn’t share about the displacement of Vietnamese from their homes. Couldn’t share about the feeling when one is getting short…and still working in the field below 30 days left in-country. Yeah, it was easier to keep writing, “It was a nice day!”…”Nice weather”…etc.

That's easy, freedom of expression. That, and the fact that there is not debating and you have to obey orders even when you disagree or feel its wrong. It took me a while to get used to that.

It was difficult to describe the military in terms of camaraderie amongst soldiers. When you spend 24/7 with someone its inevitable they become your family

I dont!

Why I was entering the service, why I stayed until retirement and why I convinced my brother to enter and independently stayed until retirement. Since I retired, it was getting people to hire. My hiring personnel saw me as a threat to their job, up to I fully retired.

Going above and beyond in completing a task, no matter what time it is, what weather condition is going on, how good you are feeling, etc. Getting the task done no matter what even if it's not convenient and puts you in a uncomfortable situation. This shows the absolute dedication and responsibility you learn from the military.

The whole Vietnam Experience - how do you even begin to share your time in the NAM!!!

nothing was haed to talk about because I was from a milntary family

That we had our social on everything in case there was nothing else to identify. Or that the small dog tag was our toe tag

To this day, after some 60 odd years, in the service, I involuntarily "cloud up" when I describe my experiences. Not that they were unusual, nor dangerous but I still "weep" at the national anthem. Also, it breaks me up when I wear my Blue Veteran BB Cap and I get front-of-the-line treatment and thanks for my service. Wow, I just wish that the guys and gals who served in Viet Nam got the same treatment when they returned.