What was your military experience like?

2022-10-05T11:08:08-04:00

Retirees and former service members, can you share what your military experience was like when you Served? What was the lowest of the low and the highest of the high of your experiences?

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Oct 5 at 2022 11:10 AM

2022-10-05T11:10:22-04:00

10/10 I'd do it again -- in the era that I did it in.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Oct 5 at 2022 11:19 AM

2022-10-05T11:19:04-04:00

Ditto for me! Except that I would have joined after college!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2022 12:15 PM

2022-10-05T12:15:37-04:00

I loved Germany. Old School!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2022 1:45 PM

2022-10-05T13:45:32-04:00

I wish I did it sooner.

It took much much longer in life to learn what to worry about and what mattered.

Having entered at 39 I had those life lessons, but didn't get there until my late 20's.

Had I entered at 18 I'd would have been exposed to those situations where there is just no making the system work as designed and being forced into a situation of kick the can and hope for the best long before I figured that out in the civilian world.

*****
I guess an example of a highlight would be showing those life lessons to the kids in Basic Training. One kid lost one of his blank rounds issued to us in Basic. It was the END OF THE WORLD if the Drills found out.

However, there was an entire platoon worth of miscellaneous expendable supplies down the hall in the barracks because we only had 3 platoons in the company and not the expected 4. Sooooo........ come Fire Guard Watch the panicked young soldier moseyed down the hall, and found a lose blank round in one of the extra platoon cabinets.

Problem solved.

I got to see the beginning of young minds cluing in how to just get past nonsense.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Oct 5 at 2022 2:05 PM

2022-10-05T14:05:30-04:00

I'd do it all over again for sure. My highest point was earning the title of United States Marine having successfully completed boot camp and later getting a maximum score on the PFT. That only happened once, damn sit-ups! Lowest point, finding out I was being transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. That was the one place I didn't want to go to!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 5 at 2022 2:36 PM

2022-10-05T14:36:37-04:00

I am writing this because I enjoyed my army career and perhaps others could learn from it.

I started my army career as a young soldier in a black helicopter unit. It was quite interesting to be in a regiment with a nice budget and focused on the mission on hand instead of extraneous tasks like details. I can still visualize the helicopters hovering in the air and the rotor wash making the ground chaotic.

I went to OCS and became a Tank Officer. I knew I had to win the trust of the NCOs in the platoon, so I studied the TACSOP over and over again until I understood contact drills like the back of my hand. I think the M1 looks sleek powerful. It has a 1500 HP turbine engine, weighs 70 tons, and shoots 20 lbs. depleted uranium dart that travels one mile per second. I appreciated and understood the fact being in helicopter and tank units meant our greatest priority was to train to be killers.

Then what I perceive as the best achievement of leaderships was commanding a Finance/Budget Company. From my combat arms time I carried forward the desire to take care of the soldiers and their families, getting my hands dirty, and the need to provide superior support to them so the killers can focus on their jobs. I often subscribe to the theory of "world class" when the application is appropriate. I told the soldiers my vision was giving world class support to Ft Riley soldiers and the community. I told them every one of the customers are heroes. Some will deploy and will not come back. In a few months I noticed that the soldiers were greeting all the customers in an amiable manner and really did their best to help the customers. I had much gratitude and was so very proud of the soldiers.

It dawned on me that I asked for world class support and they accomplished it thus I needed to reward and thank them in world class ways. This was a must, so I started brainstorming. I went to the airfield and talked to the pilots. When I said I was in the black helicopter unit it opened the door. I asked would you fly my soldiers around to which they smiled and said yes. All the soldiers got to fly in helicopters.

I was pretty well funded, so I grilled food on Thursdays after SGTs Time Training. I am an excellent cook when I choose to be and none of the soldiers wanted to go to the DFAC for lunch. Sometimes we had exquisite potlucks. I recall one SFC who fried catfish for the whole unit. The food was quality and delicious.

Friday mornings we played flag football. We got a lot of cardio with it and it was fun. A couple times we had a 3 mile run and had hot chow and buses waiting at the finish line which is the dam outside Ft Riley. At our informal Christmas parties the door prizes started with a TV, Boom Box and they got cheaper but were still good prizes. One prize was an autographed picture of me in a frame. Of course, the soldier winning it felt obligated to act like it was appreciated. In the back was 4-day prize. All these things I did because I subscribed to the theory somethings must be world class. I truly wanted them to enjoy being in the army and building up their morale which I did.

It was not always fun and game. When the unit got tagged to conduct funeral details I designated myself as the OIC. After 911 we were tasked to conduct gate guard. I did a few shifts with them. During spring cleanup, I put on my PTs and became the weed wacker man. I wanted them to know that I was not too good to do what they were tasked to do. I also took care of them and their families and pushed them to grow professionally and personally. If a soldier could use me as a steppingstone for greater purposes, then I was willing to help.

Later in my career I went to the Combined General Staff College (CGSC) for MAJs. To be candid I did not like the school because I am a slow reader, writer, and learner; but now I appreciate what I learned. In a nutshell CGSC is about the theory of warfare and the various paradigms and models. It allows me to identify what is important in the Ukrainian War and why it is happening. I will mention a few paradigms:

CENTER OF GRAVITY (COG): What is the true strength of one side. For example, the COG for the Taliban is Sharia Law.

REVOLUTION IN MILITARYAFFAIRS (RMA): Doctrine, tactics, technology, weapons, and weapons systems that give one side a huge advantage. The RMAs in Ukraine are all the precision weapons we have given to her.

PRINCIPLES OF WAR: These are the principles that guide how our military fights.

CLAUSEWITZ TRINITY: War has three important components: Government, military, and people. I will analyze Russia with the Trinity:
- Government. Putin screwed the pooch by invading Ukraine. Will he use nukes because he is desperate?
- Military. The Russian military just sucks ass all the way around from training, planning, and fighting.
- People. Ultimately will the Russian people overthrow Putin?

Yes, I did enjoy my army career and will do it all over again. The best times were with the NCOs and the soldiers. Bar none. I continue my leadership in the capacity of helping veterans and people with PTSD. I have no choice in the matter. So, for you young leaders think about what I did for the unit to build up their morale. If you can build up their morale, take care of them, and are trusted; they will go to hell and back with you. I will edit later. I need to do some yard work.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Oct 5 at 2022 4:24 PM

2022-10-05T16:24:57-04:00

Best: Being a part of a team, and then later leading the team. I had the pleasure of getting to know so many good people and having some great times. Especially I&I duty in New York.
Worst: Recruiting duty, 2003-2005. Cannibalistic, toxic culture. Worst leadership I have ever encountered. Direct quote from senior advisor to station NCOICs... "Canvassing recruiters are consumable. You must drive them with reckless abandon. If they break, we will replace them." He was referring to Marines with anywhere from 6-12 years time in, multiple deployments, etc.,

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Oct 5 at 2022 4:27 PM

2022-10-05T16:27:31-04:00

I am one lucky person. I had a wife and 2 sons and finished my bachelors degree when I was drafted. At the end of AIT they posted everyone's name on the bulletin board. Going down to my name and sliding to the right, it said Vietnam. When my orders came down they sent me to Japan. I go to my unit and they bounced the company clerk and made me company clerk.

A communication came across my desk that said they were looking for softball players to try out for the Army softball team. I and another buddy tried out at Ft Carson. He got cut. I made it, so I spent the summer of 1973 playing softball. At the end of the season I took leave and spent time at home.

While in Japan Sadaharu Oh was still playing ball for the Yomiuri Giants. There was also the first American Sumo wrestler from Hawaii in Japan by the name of Takamiyama. His real name was Jesse James Wailani Kuhaulua.

I couldn't have been more fortunate. I made E5 by May of 1974 and separated in September of 1974. Looking back, if I was drafted again I would certainly go

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Oct 5 at 2022 4:39 PM

2022-10-05T16:39:40-04:00

I joined in 1980, served for more than 30 years. Met my wife, had two wonderful children who are thriving as adults. Earned a couple degrees while in service to have for backup if needed when I retired. The lowest low came when two Soldiers in my unit abducted a teenage girl and abused her for 24 hours before being caught, I cannot repeat what I did when we apprehended them. They were clearly guilty without a doubt. Sadly their families were also in my unit, so imagine doing the right thing for both the criminals families, while apprehending and Court Martialing the People-former Soldiers and watching them throughout the process then off to Leavenworth. The highlight of my career was everyday accept for that period. Full of great times, amazing Soldiers, supportive families and communities. I don’t think there is a thing I would change.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Oct 5 at 2022 5:42 PM

2022-10-05T17:42:16-04:00

Dear MSG,
The lowest point for me was in hand to hand combat training. During my second and more serious training was getting my nose broke. I regret not crushing the skull of the fat f**k that did not check his boot blow. It was intentional and I only got up, attacked, choked him to the ground and let go. I then asked permission from the Senior OIC to be excused to go to sick bay and get my nose fixed as blood was everywhere.
I am still ecstatic about finishing my degree through the Department of the Navy while deployed in NW Scotland.
Thank you for asking MSG.
Kill!

Response by CPT Earl George made Oct 5 at 2022 9:59 PM

2022-10-05T21:59:25-04:00

I believe it surrounds the time that you served. When I turned 18 and went to the draft board to register, I had just started the second semester of my freshman year in college. Shortly thereafter, the ping pong ball were drawn out of the fishbowl and I got #59.(My draft board went to #196 that year and I was spared by my school deferment. I was in ROTC at the time and decided I was going in after college and it would be better to go in as a 2LT. The lowest point was being assigned to my first platoon as platoon leader. It had an assigned strength of 40 and an actual strength of 8(counting myself). Six members of my platoon were taken from me on day#2 to pull details for Tank Gunnery on Range 80 at GRAF. On day #3, I was assigned to guard a SFC at a General Court's Martial(2 counts of attempted murder and 1 count of armed robbery). Noy many others get to start their platoon leading skills this way. My high experience was being a platoon leader as the the draft ended and the the Volunteer Army(VOLAR) started up. My platoon at the time was about split 50/50. It was definitely a unique time to be a leader.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2022 10:02 PM

2022-10-05T22:02:36-04:00

Lows:
Multiple deployments
Losing people to IEDs
Moving to places you don't want to go for jobs you don't want to do that don't advance your career.
Resigning to keep custody of the kids.
Being mobilized to do a job that could have been done by email.

Highs:
Being part of a really good team that accomplished the mission.
Having soldiers tell you years later that you made a difference in their lives.

Honestly I wouldn't do it again if I could go back but I have no idea what my life would have looked like without the Army.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Oct 6 at 2022 12:12 AM

2022-10-06T00:12:50-04:00

If I had to do it all over again, I would. I was privileged to save one soldier's life. The places I have been, people I have worked with, responsibilities I have been charged with, missions I have helped complete were great. To this day I have two soldiers who were in one of my BCT companies who still keep in touch. Yep, being privileged to serve my country has been a high point in my life. Bonus is the military retirement pay I am now receiving has allowed me to live the life I now have.

Response by CPT David McDonald made Oct 6 at 2022 7:28 AM

2022-10-06T07:28:58-04:00

Lowest is 11 years retired, being demoted, devalued, and materially disadvantaged in retirement since 01MAR2012. incorrectly retired as enlisted when I held commission for 10 years 07 months. Dealing with HRC and Army Retirement Services to get corrected. 3 boards of correction, 3rd board packet at board since JAN 2021 collecting dust. No joy as of OCT 2022.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2022 10:29 AM

2022-10-06T10:29:09-04:00

I've done three really smart things in my life. Married my wife, finished college, and joined the Air Force.
I would happily do it again. It broke my heart having to leave (health issues...medically retired). I would absolutely recommend it to kids after high school.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Oct 6 at 2022 2:38 PM

2022-10-06T14:38:16-04:00

Almost 19 years of being doubted, put down, berated, belittled, having to prove myself DAILY in spite of being the best my unit had to offer at the time, getting passed over, and getting discriminated against because of the color of my skin, even though I was GREAT at my job(s). Then getting denied my 20 as a final "F--- YOU" and medically retired. In spite of that, the lessons I learned, the people I got to teach, the trials I overcame to come out on top, and the trips & adventures I had (and in some cases, survived) were enough to make me appreciate my military experience because I get to carry those lessons with me and teach people about life, what to avoid, and what to welcome. Only about 53 months of my almost 19 years was enjoyable. THAT PORTION gets 9 out of 10 stars!

Response by CPT David McDonald made Oct 6 at 2022 2:52 PM

2022-10-06T14:52:02-04:00

I have contacted my Senator, my Rep, hired a lawyer, read AR 600-8-7, read ch2 and 5. G-1 and RSO(s) anywhere not helpful. HRC numerous complaints, filed this Oct a DOD IG complaint, 3 boards of correction, read DOD FMR VOL 7b., read 10 USC 3911, 3926, 1370, and read settled board of correction cases that state retire at highest rank satisfactorily held. No joy with convincing the beauracrats. The service organizations were not much help either. I have done it all and they all have failed me. Call me if you want the whole data dump. I can't make this up. [login to see] .

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2022 4:33 PM

2022-10-06T16:33:52-04:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member Earning the title of United States Marine was a high point. When I left Vietnam, I went to Okinawa for four days to pick up the rest of my gear, get cleaned up, etc. While I was there, an arriving from Vietnam Marine informed me that my best buddy was killed the day after I left country. Stateside, we took a bus from MCAS El Toro to LAX. At LAX, we were confronted by maggots that tried to block our paths and harass us. One lady asked me how many babies had I killed, while another told me to repent for my sins. For me, this was Hell Week.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Oct 6 at 2022 7:37 PM

2022-10-06T19:37:03-04:00

Highs and lows. Lows all related to poor leadership. There were several times when the respect I showed to a senior officer was because of what I decided to do, and had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING with what the senior officer actually did.

Highs. Most of them were found at AF Plant 42, with the Space Shuttle Orbiters Discovery and Atlantis. The flight deck is about as tall as I am.

Response by GySgt Jack Wallace made Oct 7 at 2022 9:54 AM

2022-10-07T09:54:45-04:00

1st point getting through Marine Corp boot Camp and getting meritorious Pfc. Best duty station EVER was Camp Butler, Okinawa,Jp. I was there for 3.3 yrs. Then it happen, I was sent to Camp Lejeune and worked in S-4, 2sec. FSSG.The duty was the same but the command staff there was not worth a crap. Got out and them re-up in the Marines Reservers at NAS, Dallas,Tx.Had a heavy-handed 1st Sgt that was a as..... Then transferred to Mtu unit out of Dallas,Tx. Over all I would rate 80-20 being I would it again. But if I knew I was going back to Camp Lejeune, I would not have gone in.

Response by TSgt David Olson made Oct 7 at 2022 11:58 AM

2022-10-07T11:58:38-04:00

My high was two overseas tours back to back, the lowest was five months stateside duty, following my return.

Response by MSG Raymond Davis made Oct 7 at 2022 1:09 PM

2022-10-07T13:09:14-04:00

I didn't have a lowest of the low. My Highest of high was starting my career with CID. That was my main goal and it was a rewarding position to have.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2022 5:17 PM

2022-10-07T17:17:49-04:00

A couple of highlights:
Being a crewmember on a cutter that was the primary rescue ship for the first space shuttle launch attempt following the CHALLENGER disaster. A lot of anticipation in the country that they got all of the fixes correct. The rocket launched right over our ship.
Being a crewmember on a cutter assigned to the SOUTHCOM AOR interdiction mission.
Not a lowlight per se but just the saddest time:
Assigned to help coordinate Coast Guard funerals at Arlington National Cemetery.

Response by SPC Lyle Montgomery made Oct 9 at 2022 9:16 PM

2022-10-09T21:16:50-04:00

It was not so bad in Nam but stateside Army sucked. I only did 2 and got out. there wasn't much need for my skills ,killing and blowing people up stateside. In Nam we all respected each other Officers, NCO's and enlisted alike. At Ft. Hood Regular Army sucked. I couldn't wait to get out. Military life aint for everyone.

Response by CSM John Cartwright made Dec 5 at 2022 10:20 AM

2022-12-05T10:20:12-05:00

OUTSTANDING

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2022 7:43 AM

2022-12-12T07:43:45-05:00

I served 3 years on active duty, followed by 8 years in the reserves, and then returned to active duty for 16 years following 9/11. Do it again? Yes…but differently. As a medic, having 10 years civilian medical experience in EMS, ER and air, in addition to having deployed in the reserves, the active duty that I returned to was not the same as I had anticipated. BRAC changed many, many things and compared to civilian medicine, active duty was not prepared to deal with what was going on. Blinded by romanticism, having been able to focus on purely operational readiness while in the reserves, and the expectation in civilian medicine to be competent or be sued, I discovered very quickly that there is A LOT of PR that goes into the image that must be maintained by our Active Duty military. I learned very quickly that it was the reserve surgeons initially making the greatest impact down range (or the very limited numbers of active duty who are routinely operating in civilian trauma centers instead of the installation clinics). I also learned very quickly that unlike Human Resources who look for the education, training, experience, to put people into the positions necessary to benefit the company, agency, or hospital most is not the process that the military follows. They will pack a square into a circle in order to fill a whole, if that square requires the least effort to locate. Even if they have a circle in a square position. Assignments personnel is usually a “career progression” opportunity for those being groomed for other things. I watched Board Certified Critical Care and ER Docs sit in flight physicals clinics for years, while GMOs with no experience deployed to remote locations. I watched trained assets not get assigned to Rescue Squadrons, instead they were assigned to pediatric clinics and Rescue Units struggle to maintain 30% manning due to the untrained assets failing once assigned. As an ASTS, ATH, EMEDS in the reserves, it was common sense to sense to assign those qualified for positions to those positions or send the appropriate assets on the mission. I also learned that AD is much more broadly effected by political initiatives than Reserve assets. There were some good opportunities on AD, but that was typically on deployment, not at home station. Because of the day to day, keep the doors open, justify existence, look like we’re doing something type things, I watched Readiness take a back seat, deployment folders get “fixed”, and bad things happen down range that shouldn’t have. I’ve always recommended, based upon my experience, if you have a (non-combat, medicine) job in the military that people depend on to stay alive, join the reserves so that you can stay READY, and hold a higher level competence 28 days a month and then do whatever they tell you on the other 2 days. I moonlighted for the last 16 years to be competent at what the AFI and CFETP said I could do. I’m retired now and focused on creating those opportunities for others.