What was the highlight/most cherished memory of your military career?

When I fist got back fom Viet Nam I was assigned with an officer to escort bodies back to their final resting place

My time as a battery commander. The first time I stepped in front of the formation and realized I was responsible not only for the Soldiers in front of me but their families as well. An analogy I used to describe it is what a new pilot must feel when they look behind them from the cockpit and see all the people on the plane and realize they are responsible for getting these folks safely to their destination and back to their families.
I am not sure there is anything that compares to the feeling of running into one of my former Soldiers and seeing the look of appreciation/excitement of meeting up again. That look always tells me I made a positive impact on that person.

Working with some of the most adaptable unselfish smart people I have ever met. We shared some tough times but In the end we made it work and we didn't whine about it.

My most CHERISHED MEMORY as a US MARINE was that of putting my right had on "THE WALL" & visiting the Battle of Iwo Jima, Mount Suribachi Monument in Washington D.C.

Being deployed with a best friend with being the only two medics for a infantry company and creating a SOP for medical training for a POI my unit created for the Jordanians. The thought process, the ability to put a lot of your knowledge into it and see the result flourish was amazing. Then being to demonstrate how effective your teaching methods were by having them perform their new skills after many months since their training in front of a new unit leadership was great. Made you feel like you did something. I couldn't of ask for a better friend to work with let alone the guys I served with.

Serving on the Military adviser before the War

20 years later and I was just thinking of this today. The first time I put on the uniform and the first day my DS called me soldier. not to be sissy lala sentimental BSer but that is my answer. The day I got out was not even close. That day was closer to my worst days. I joined the National Guards shortly after that, but with my disability's I could not last past my 6 years. Kicking myself now for not staying in the Army. 20 years this year):

Separation.

Once while on a rest break as the CO's radio operator on a Company-wide remote patrol of the Border area between North and South Korea, I laid back on my backpack for a rest. After a few minutes, a poisonous snake Mamushi) crawled 5 or so inches from my Face, Coming high down to me over from the top of my radio. After I was out of Harms way I jumped up and Pulled my 45 out. A fellow Radio Operator for one of the LT's. a Platoon leader ( I was the current Radio operator for the company commander) came from behind me hitting it with the butt of his m16. We were on top of a mountain range waiting for the company commander to return from a visit with command. As He pulls into view, I instantly had and Idea as we watched the captain returning up the mountain, walking up our way. I took the snake and laid it on the trail where he would walk by. As he came up the mountain I walked down to meet him. I was his radio operator, of and Infantry Company. This soldier was the cream of the crop. I was and expert marksman in most small arms weapons. I was on A team of sharpshooters. He was a West Point graduate. What could go wrong? As he came up the trail To meet me we came upon the snake between us. I quickly jumped into action stating I got this sir. A ma-munshi laid there on the trail. The only poison snake in Korea, as I recall it. I pulled my colt 45 and took off its head with one shot. Before he had a chance to realize the damn thing was not moving. All before he had a chance to see the thing was already dead. It was for fun. I figured. I did not think the captain would react as he did. Next thing I knew I was being interviewed to go to West Point. Now That was scarier than the snake. Jobs I have had in the Army. Infantry, 1/3 of a law crew (hand held missile), radio operator of which the Battalion commander LTC.himself came down to fire me from this duty. So in the wisdom of the company commander I was put on a 3 man Law crew. Until I realized There was Motor pool duty on the Jeep. All those letters and shit alfa's and bravo's.got in the way of my pot smoking at the time. Apc Driver camp Benning small tank. What an experience this was. I was a Volunteer. My draft # was in the 300's.

Becoming an instructor (Air Assault, JRTc) to share what I was taught, learned thru experience. That was with out a doughty, the best time in my 20 years.