Whats the best thing you feel you have done for your country while in the military

SPC Jeffrey Jones Sr — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 21:14:41 -0500

Share with us all what you feel like is the best thing you have done for your Country since you joined your Military Branch.

Response by SPC Jeffrey Jones Sr made Feb 5 at 2014 9:23 PM

SPC Jeffrey Jones Sr — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 21:23:30 -0500

Mine is,<div><br></div><div>During my time in Afghanistan we helped the town of Spin Boldak build a all new customs station and helped lower the amount of IED materials and guns that were trying to be taken up north. We spent countless hours with the local police forces and army to make the people of the town feel safe at night and not worry about there families being taken hostage.</div>

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 9:26 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 21:26:28 -0500

Being a Leader!<div><br></div><div>Some may see that as cheesy or cheap but I mean it in every sense.</div><div><br></div><div>A true Leader is a teacher and a confidant. I use my skills to guide my Soldiers but to also watch them and pay attention to them. I am approachable and my Soldiers will always come talk to me.</div><div><br></div><div>The above reasons are why a fellow Soldier came and talked to me when contemplating suicide. I noticed something wasn't right and decided to ask small questions to get into the ballpark. After about 15 minutes of talking, listening and assessing I asked the question if they felt like hurting themselves or have been thinking of suicide. The resounding response was yes.</div><div><br></div><div>The best thing I have done is to be a Leader and because of that there is another person walking on this earth and holding their head high.</div>

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2014 4:01 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 16:01:19 -0500

I personally saved the US tax payers 13.5 million dollars

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Feb 12 at 2014 4:11 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 16:11:28 -0500

I think that the best thing that I have done for my country while serving in the military is grooming, growing and trying to be a role model for tomorrows leaders of our communities. Parents across our country entrusted the care, education and growth of their sons and daughters to us. I hope that when they to return to their homes, they return as better men and women who have grown and matured into leaders and pillars to the community and to the country.

Response by SPC Geoffrey Jenkins made Apr 3 at 2014 9:14 AM

SPC Geoffrey Jenkins — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 09:14:01 -0400

Volunteered for service to our country overseas and beyond myself and others.To become someone better than myself.

Response by CPT Vance Walden made Apr 11 at 2014 2:16 PM

CPT Vance Walden — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 14:16:18 -0400

I had many great moments with the men I served with during my service for our great country, but saving the life of one of my soldiers through CPR during a field exercise at Fort Stewart Georgia(1978) is probably at the top of the list. I was a 2LT in my very first field exercise, fresh out of Ranger School.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 11 at 2014 2:17 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 14:17:43 -0400

I think that the BEST thing I have done for my country is having trained and mentored young NCOs and Officers, the individuals who will one day be leaders within the Army; outside of leading Soldiers in combat, it was the most satisfying of the jobs that I had the honor and privilege of doing in my 26 years.

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Apr 11 at 2014 6:24 PM

SSG Jeffrey Spencer — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 18:24:04 -0400

Provided the best equipment of the time. Tested and produced the weapons that carried us through the last few wars. I was a Humvee test driver, supported the testing of the TOW upgrades, Dragon missile, Abrams tank, Bradley fighting vehicle, Apache and Blackhawk helicopters.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 11 at 2014 7:32 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 19:32:56 -0400

Being the best Conduit for Command and Control that I could be and teaching others my sikill sets, Embracing the New without Forgetting the Old. For someone that Hated School by the time I retired I was pretty good at teaching the next generation of Spooks.

Response by SSG William Patton made Apr 12 at 2014 8:29 PM

SSG William Patton — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 20:29:01 -0400

Prior to my departure to Viet Nam I was on a TDY assignment on Lake Superior assisting the US Lake Survey Team with the Corps of Engineers devise a method to keep the Great Lakes open to shipping year round. We gather meteorological data from White Fish Point to the locks in Sault Ste. Marie, MI and on the Candadian side to a point directly across from White Fish Point on White Fish Bay. The study lasted from Jan. 5, 1968 through May, 25, 1968 and resulted in the development of ice breakers that use steam injection as the desired method to keep shipping channels open in winter. Not only was the study beneficial, but I had the time of my life on civilian status while still in the military.

Response by SFC Gary (Bigsarge) Portier USARMY RET. made May 20 at 2014 12:20 PM

SFC Gary (Bigsarge) Portier USARMY RET. — Tue, 20 May 2014 12:20:34 -0400

Being an Instructor and teaching Soldier's their jobs.

2. Being able to stick with the Army for 31 years 10 months and 23 days. OH how it has changed.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made May 23 at 2014 8:55 AM

SGT Craig Northacker — Fri, 23 May 2014 08:55:38 -0400

Standing up against the illegal policies and infringements against our soldiers, veterans and their families - helping them develop hope where before there was only despair.

Before that was to join Airborne and Special Forces units during an unpopular war.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made May 25 at 2014 2:06 AM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Sun, 25 May 2014 02:06:16 -0400

Provided support, guidance, and mentoring for the Soldiers with whom I was lucky enough to serve and blessed enough to be in a role of responsibility. In sum, lead. Lead by example and do everything in your power to accomplish the mission, reduce the risk, and provide the reward.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jun 22 at 2014 11:18 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 11:18:01 -0400

Completing the missions assigned to my unit, and taking care of the Soldiers serving under my command.

Response by SPC Geoffrey Jenkins made Jul 6 at 2014 8:23 AM

SPC Geoffrey Jenkins — Sun, 06 Jul 2014 08:23:07 -0400

A job well done after a convoy mission where no one was injured .One time one of our ASV was hit by a roadside bomb and everyone knew what to do.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2014 10:24 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 10:24:01 -0400

Brought all of my subordinates home unscathed. Dumb luck, good training, whatever, I'll take it.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2014 12:29 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 12:29:50 -0400

I was a Navy Corpsman, and I helped/healed from the heart. I knew in 8th grade I wanted to be in Medicine. I feel GOD put me on this Earth to help folks. I'm NOT a doc, but I contributed to the health, and well being of many a serviceperson. I may be disabled, but I will continue to help, talk, listen to all VETS, and their families till my dying breath.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2014 8:21 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 08:21:57 -0400

Being able to support and work alongside our nation's elite Special Operations Soldiers. Having the opportunity of going all over Afghanistan on various missions providing support and working alongside Special Forces ODA Teams from various SF Groups, MARSOC Teams, Navy SEAL Tridents, also the Afghani Special Forces Commandos and a few British and Australian Special Forces Soldiers. It's been an amazing experience and have learned ALLOT in this deployment. Great experience for being my first deployment.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Aug 20 at 2014 8:35 AM

CPO Jon Campbell — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 08:35:37 -0400

It is an easy question for someone in the Coast Guard: Saved lives. Almost everyone in the CG has been involved either directly or indirectly with saving lives and that mission is probably what attracted them to the service in the first place. There isn't much that compares to the feeling you get when you pull someone from a sinking boat or from the water.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2014 12:12 AM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 00:12:46 -0400

For me, just making the time in uniform just a little bit happier. I did my best to be the kind of leader that _I_ would want to follow, and it worked for me and those that worked for me. I even had folks that DIDN'T work for me try to get into my sections. When times sucked, I tried to make them less... sucky. No matter what happened, I honestly tried to serve with a smile.

I have also voluntarily played Taps at well over 1000 memorial services and funerals. that helped out the families of those that served.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 20 at 2014 2:45 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 02:45:02 -0500

Passing all that I have learned to the next generation. Some of those lessons were hard learned.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 11:19 AM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:19:50 -0500

molding, mentoring and teaching warriors. mostly helping out people deal basically everything from having a hard time in tech school to a mental health diagnosis.

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Dec 3 at 2014 11:06 PM

SFC Melker Johansson — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:06:45 -0500

Travelling around to different FOBs, COBs, and FBs in Afghanistan and Iraq to provide legal assistance and notary services to the Soldiers stationed there.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Jan 8 at 2015 7:16 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:16:28 -0500

Putting a supply SGT and 1sg behind bars, I know it didnt even scratch the surface but at least it stopped 2 criminals.

Response by 1stSgt Kenneth Logue made Jan 17 at 2015 12:59 PM

1stSgt Kenneth Logue — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 12:59:15 -0500

Saving lives, and supporting the fighting man during my service in Vietnam 68-69 as a helicopter crew chief, Also being a Marine leader as a Drill Instructor, and as a First Sergeant.

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made Jan 17 at 2015 1:33 PM

1SG Cameron M. Wesson — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 13:33:17 -0500

Like many of my brothers and sisters out there.... I gave back to the Country and the Army what a few NCOs that trained and mentored (maybe a little tormenting...

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 2:42 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 14:42:04 -0500

Simply serving in the military is truly a sacrifice that 99% of our population will never comprehend, and is by itself one of the best things anyone can do for your country.

I find it hard to list any one thing, but an aspect of my career that I am quite proud of is that I helped 14 individuals transition from being outstanding young enlisted leaders, to becoming incredible officers that I am proud to salute.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jan 23 at 2015 10:50 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 22:50:11 -0500

My team was doing command and control at the bridge over the Sava River in last of Jan, Feb of '96. We had some people from the museum at Zuponja come up to document the TOC. While there I was talking with one of the translators. I asked her how she felt about NATO being there (at the time it was suppose to be only 1 yr). Her reply was, "At least for one year we get to live like people. We can plant our gardens, walk the streets in the evenings to to cafe to have a coffee and enjoy at least this summer, thank you for being here." I was speechless. I'd never thought about it like this before. To me it was just a job and I was there to do it. After talking to her, my whole attitude changed. I had no reply to her, but "You're welcome". And with that I had nothing to say, but a lot to think about.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 11:28 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 11:28:55 -0400

I'm a very compassionate person, so raising/mentoring other Soldiers to make themselves better has got to be the greatest honor. There were a few times in Kosovo that we really were helping the people out in many different ways. That was a very meaningful deployment in my opinion. Wasn't involved that much with the people when I was in Afghanistan.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 11:33 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 11:33:02 -0400

I focused on leader development. That's the first thing my CSM and I did when we took charge of1-14 Cavalry. It guided everything else we built. It was used in training guidance and calendars. It was briefed at every Training Brief to the CG. It is our legacy. The future of the Army is the most important thing we can leave behind. You can be a leader, and not build leaders except through osmosis. Sometimes that isn't enough. Sometimes being the example doesn't get through some people and you have to provide focus and direction to something that sometimes feels amorphous. Building the future leaders of this nation is something that is rare everywhere else in society. A civilian boss doesn't want you to take his job. A military boss does. HUGE difference in the way you train and prepare people. If civilians had that same attitude, companies would grow exponentially.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Mar 17 at 2015 11:39 AM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 11:39:59 -0400

I'm inclined to think it was honor guard duty. Attending funerals isn't fun, and handing a grieving widow or mother a flag seems cold comfort, but offering that last honor to a service member for their duty done was a humbling, but very satisfying part of my years in the Navy.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 11:43 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 11:43:57 -0400

I like to think I helped save a drowning company from poor leadership, bureaucratic morass, and chronyism. 1SG Private RallyPoint Member might knock me down a peg or two on that though.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 11:46 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 11:46:11 -0400

I volunteered! I gave 18.5 years, 7 years active, the rest Reserves. I wore the uniform with pride, went to schools to better myself for my country. I went to war, deployed to some of the worst places, put myself and my team in dangers way, trained to standard, deployed again, came home with our own platoon, shoulders many weapons in the name of freedom, became a patriot, became a veteran, became a better man, became a Marine, became a Soldier...became a student, a mento, and then an instructor. Deployed again to a much better place. Was honorably discharged, re-enlisted, and re-enlisted again, all falling under the category of volunteering. I volunteered when more than 99% of the population refuses to serve their country. The awards the ribbons, the schools, the deployments, the lessons learned, the friends made and lost, the comaraderie all was a result of my volunteering....but volunteering made all the difference. It would not have felt the same had I been forced to do it.

Response by CW3 Craig Linghor made Mar 17 at 2015 11:59 AM

CW3 Craig Linghor — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 11:59:45 -0400

Two tours in Afghanistan. All I Got is some grey hair to show for it. You that came back scared for life are the real heroes. Thank you all for serving.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 2:50 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 14:50:24 -0400

As someone who enlisted in the "Be All That You Can Be" Army in 1991, I am proud of the fact that this is precisely what I have done to the very best of my abilities in all tasks, duties, and assignments for the past 23+ years.

I am proud of the fact that I had the courage to follow through on pursuing my lifelong dream of an Army career at a time when the vast majority of my friends could do little more than find excuses as to why they couldn't serve, even though they claimed they'd often "thought about it."

I am proud of my initial enlistment, I learned many valuable lessons that have continued to serve me well throughout my career as a leader; not the least of which were those eye-opening experiences of Basic Training, where I truly experienced true diversity - racial, spiritual, socioeconomic, regional - for the very first time. For all of the efforts of American colleges and universities to manufacture this experience, the Army has been doing it everyday since President Truman integrated the Armed Forces in 1948; to this day, no institution does it better!

I am grateful and proud that I had early, firsthand experience with severe budget constraints, drawdowns, and the adoption of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

I am grateful proud that I worked for Officers that were supportive of and encouraging of my desire to return to college after upon the completion of my initial enlistment so that I may pursue my Commission via ROTC. I am eternally thankful for the mentoring and shaping that several of these Officers were willing to invest in me as time permitted, from my Platoon Leader, to my BN S4, and my Battery XO and CDR; they only fueled my desire to surge forward! Without my Battery Commander's direct intercession, I may not have received notice of my acceptance to my University in time to be accepted into my ROTC program for contracting purposes, thus derailing my plans by a full year.

I am proud that I earned my Commission; but recognized at the time my Accessions Packet had to be submitted that there existed a more pressing need for Officers in the USAR than existed in the Active Army at the time. Despite my personal desires, I am still proud that I honored the principle of Selfless Service and opted to serve the Army in the USAR, where the demand was greatest at the time.

I am forever proud that I was able to serve in the finest Military Police Company in the United States Army Reserves, The 79th Military Police Company (Combat Support) Rochester, MN. It was my honor and privilege to be allowed to grow and develop as a leader in this organization, first as a Platoon Leader, later as an Executive Officer, and ultimately returning as Company Commander. I am thankful for the mentorship provided by outstanding NCOs such as 1SG Dave Arpin, MSG Robert Schmidt, and the good fortune to work with superlative subordinates such as SSG Bradley Lindsay, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, MSG David Chappell and SFC Douglas Shrewsbury.

I am proud that I went where my Army asked me; accepting the tough and challenging assignments along the way. I am proud of my Combat tour in Iraq in 2006-2007. It was far from easy, and the cards didn't always play out in my favor personally as much as I would have liked, but I continued to do what was right for my Unit and my Soldiers, earning even greater respect in the end than I had bargained for or could have anticipated, so this is my proudest accomplishment of all.

Postwar, after several years of trying to out run my nightmares and numb my other symptoms with alcohol, I broke-down and nearly took my own life. I still had just enough honor and humility to do the right thing, so I made my wife take me to the VA, where I was immediately admitted, first into the emergency locked ward, and then into an in-patient PTSD program. One of the first people I called was my CO. Even though we didn't have Battle-Assembly for another three weeks and I probably could have skated without reporting myself, that wouldn't have been the right thing to do. A hospitalized Soldier is a CCIR in our organization. Next to calling the families of the Soldiers we had lost in Theater, this was the hardest phone call I have ever had to make. I am proud that I did so, it helps the Army keep accurate statistics, and if it assists in removing the stigma so that other Soldiers feel free to seek help, it was worth it. Yeah, I am proud of that.

Shortly after returning to full-strength, my Commander asked me if I would be willing to go to SHARP Training and take on the duties as the SHARP/VA for our Unit. I did. Back while I was deployed as a Platoon Leader, we had an incident where our Company Commander sexually-assaulted a fellow Platoon Leader. She told me about it and I reported it. The Commander was relieved, the investigation was thorough and exhaustive, but the legal case was badly mismanaged to the point that the assailant is still in the USAR today. I am proud of the Army's SHARP Program and the Army's determination to not let incidents like this one happen again. I am proud to play a role in that as my career comes to an end.

Yes, my career is coming to an end, not by my choice, nor on the terms I have chosen, but again, that is the way the cards have been dealt. It has been determined that I sustained a mildTBI during an IED-strike during my tour in Iraq. I am in the process of going through the Medical Evaluation Board at this time. As much as I would genuinely love to stay on for another couple of years at least, I have been deemed non-deployable. While this was a shock to my system initially, I recognize that things could always be far worse.

In so many ways, I have so much to be thankful for. As I look back on my career, the bumps and the setbacks I have encountered are dwarfed by the many successes I have been blessed with. The regrets I have pale in both scope and significance to the many risks I have assumed and decisions I have made that have not only paid-off in the past, but continue to reward me with the benefits of hard-earned respect and appreciation that me and my family enjoy today.

Growing up, I had but one enduring aspiration in life: To be a Soldier. I have realized that dream. I am proudest of that accomplishment!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 3:27 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 15:27:40 -0400

I had a fun high speed job, but the thing I remember most was funeral details. Driving around Georgia and south Carolina, giving veterans their last military ceremony. Sometimes the families would ask us to stick around and tell us stories about the veteran or show us their medals and citations. I did one funeral that was double booked, army air corps. We showed up, then the air force arrived. We worked out a 50/50 team effort on the fly.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 3:34 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 15:34:10 -0400

I volunteered so "they" would not have to.

Response by SSgt Wes Carlile made Mar 17 at 2015 3:34 PM

SSgt Wes Carlile — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 15:34:16 -0400

All memorial services that I have done.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 6:14 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 06:14:06 -0400

Serve on the base honor guard.

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made May 9 at 2015 7:59 PM

SSG Paul Setterholm — Sat, 09 May 2015 19:59:38 -0400

2 separate incidences. Prevented a rape and stopped a shooting. Both were off post

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 5:36 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 17:36:38 -0400

When I was deployed to HOA as a CA soldier, our missions were humanitarian. In the desert on a MEDCAP, I used my laptop hooked to a one-eye and showed the locals movies on the wall. The kids had no idea what they were saying but loved the movies. I even was thanked by the tribe leader. Was an awesome feeling. Then when we were in Tanzania, the appreciation we received for the VETCAP Missions. Those memories will always remain.
One of my dreams is that a child I played soccer with (and got beaten badly) grows up and when approached by "the bad guys" refuses because he knows what we did for his family.

Response by SSgt William (Bill) Pangrass made Sep 15 at 2021 7:57 PM

SSgt William (Bill) Pangrass — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 19:57:36 -0400

Not using my training for evil.

Response by SSG Christopher Conklin made Dec 13 at 2022 8:26 PM

SSG Christopher Conklin — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 20:26:23 -0500

I think that the best thing that I have done for my country while serving in the military is going to my daughter 4th grade class telling the mean be hide the stars and strips. Showed them how to fold her, and how to take of her.