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

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 (Join to see), SFC (Join to see), 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!

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.