Where were you during 9/11? What has changed in 20 years?

Riding the bus out to BNCOC FTX. 

just got of 3rd shift, laid down for a bit and saw the towers in smoke on TV. 

I had just gotten to our aviation support facility where I had been hired on as a Technician and walked into the breakroom as the second plane struck the WTC. A group of my fellow Techs were already watching it on the TV in the breakroom and initially I thought they were watching a movie. It wasn't until someone mentioned WTC plane crash and live video footage from NYC that it hit me. It was an emotional moment for everyone in the room.

I was two days from graduating basic training at Fort Leonardwood.  We had just turned in weapons at the unit armory after our final weapon inspeciton.  The drill sergeants took us into a huge classroom and had at least 4 TVs turned to the news.  after about an hour or two we were all told to call our families and let them know that we were ok.  That is when a good portion of us found out that some of their family members had been in the towers.  I truely felt for the Soldier's whose families had been and even more for the people that were there.  All I remember thinking was "well, here we go, this is what I signed up for". 18 years old and clueless as to exactly what was going to happen and scared, but even more scared to admit it at the time.

Unfortunately, I wasn't in the military at the time. I was hit hard like many when I saw it. I was at work and they brought in a tv used for training employees. As an assistant department head, I sat down with the store manager and almost every department head there. Anyway, I didn't enlist until 2 years later. I live(d) in TN at the time and was too far away to help. I did get the MOS (68W) I wanted when I enlisted. I wanted to help in so many ways. I enjoyed being a medic the entire time I was in.

I was stationed at VPU-2, MCB Kaneohe, Hi. I was at my house, and received a phone call at 4am (Hawaii time) from my ex-wife. I turned on the TV just before the 2nd plane struck.

I was stationed at VPU-2, MCB Kaneohe, Hi. I was at my house, and received a phone call at 4am (Hawaii time) from my ex-wife. I turned on the TV just before the 2nd plane struck. 

I know this post said its gear to the old timers, but also open to anyone. I was a Sophomore and just woke up to my mom watching the TV. I asked her what was going on and she told me there was afire in one of the towers in NY. So i sat down and watched it with her. THEN thats when the second plane struck the second tower and then that was when it hit hard that it was a terrorist attack. I was glued, but mom forced me to get ready for school. The whole day at school we were watching the news. It will never forget the chills of every emotion that went through my whole body that day and that was the day I swore I would join the military when I graduate.

I was on my way to the Pentagon and Fort Myers it was a beautiful day and I was 5 month pregnant.  As I was driving there was horrible traffic and I got stuck on M street right before the ramp.  Suddenly police arrive and start making traffic go back in U turn so I went back to Bolling AFB when I arrived at the office I found out what happened.

I was a Sergeant working at Weapons/Field training Battalion teaching recruits basic infantry skills and shooting techniques.  I remember as I found out right before teaching a class to about 250 recruits.