While Serving, What’s a Time You Remember Someone Who Went Above and Beyond to Help You Out? Login & Share to Win!

My helicopter went down in enemy territory in Vietnam and a Navy bomber heard our mayday and rerouted his flight to our location. He spotted our chopper and he said he was carrying 500 pound bombs so block our ears and take cover as he approached us and began dropping his load which turned everyone and everything around us into Grey powder. He saved our lives and I salute that Navy pilot for being that someone who went above and beyond.

I reached the end of the first half of our two mile run in Germany. I was almost doubled over with cramps. (Did not think about my period at all) The guy flagged down a jeep leaving the missile site to take me to the troop clinic. This was Germany so nothing on our little Kaserne. After I talked to a medic who was also a friend I was ready to leave. I got to the front door realized no hat, still in blue PT jacket, uniform, pants and boots. I called my unit explaining I needed a ride. The company commander himself picked me up. He had all my stuff for me. Then later they called a possible move out alert. The major informed the S-4 I was not to move out to the field if we did move out. I was only one of three women in S-4 and I think one of us was on leave.
It always stuck with me, the major told me he had wife and daughters so knew about periods-lol, his kindness stuck though.

In my quest for advancement, I would obtain as many qualifications as I could.
My CO, Captain Christensen, not just let me on the watch bill, but encouraged and mentored me as a bridge watchstander despite my being enlisted. This has lead to the question and answer, “did you really drive aircraft carriers?” “No, the Navy hired it out to civilians that commuted daily. Here’s your sign”

All jokes aside, the Skipper was taking a bit of a risk, as my place on the watchbill meant JOs weren’t driving during my watch, part of their training, and in fact my DIVO washed out, but that was his issue despite my best efforts, not a watchbill issue. He just wasn’t suited.

There’s nothing like ship driving, 120 feet from an oiler doing underway replenishment for fuel, mail, and passengers in heavy seas, storm water washing your face while you concentrate on the task at hand, billions of dollars in equipment and thousands of men on the line.

Remember like it was yesterday. Had checked the guard roster and was not on it, went to shower and rest. Bunk mate crashed in on my shower and told me I WAS on a DIFFERENT roster outside, and I had 5 whole minutes to get there-which I actually did but only thanks to them checking and grabbing me right away!

Few and far between, but those few who did, I made sure to have their backs when needed. They know who they are.

While on Active Duty, I tried to get assigned to a slot I was not qualified to fill (as per my rank and experience to date) and failed despite making my case to HRC for 6 months. When I told my boss about my failure, i soon had a meeting with my boss' boss' boss' boss to request an exception to policy. After that meeting, it took about a week to get my orders cut and the exception to policy approved. Good leaders use their rank to support their troops' goals, not just their own!

This question is etched in my mind. It was 2 weeks before end of basic and I told my girlfriend my ankle is weak. I said I have to pass my PT Test. She said no Problem. I will TAPE your ankle for you. You won't even feel it. That was for sure. PT Day came. Did my Push ups. And Sit Ups. Then it was time for the run. My ankle I felt nothing. So off we go, well I had about half a mile left and I could feel the pain, but I kept running. I got to the end and just about collapsed. She was right behind me. Maxed the PT test. But I was hurting so bad, pain. Basic they don't do anything. So they told me to go to the hospital. I asked if Barbara could come. Drill Sergeant said yes. We got the tape off. Hospital did nothing, no x Ray's, nothing. They slapped a cast on it. Barbara was like why? Well you don't ask questions. Get it looked at at Ft. SAM HOUSTON. So glad we were going together. Got there after graduation and ortho Dr. Did an mri Stress Fracture. He was like, who put that cast on? He said it figures. All I had to wear was a support thing for 3 months in my shoe, kept the foot intact. I thank my girlfriend for getting me through the pt test. We were together in AIT, and friends still.

During my transfer from PO1 to CPO, then my Command Master Chief. He provided with a lot of leadership and advice on how to be an effective leader. "Sailors can make you or break you, but you will have the last say." Respect is better when it's earned than demanded, but in the end you have the last say. Chiefs are respected by Junior Officers. If you wrong, take your ass chewing like a Chief, wipe your ass off and keep on moving. Those are some of the things my mentor instilled in me when I put on those Chiefs Anchors.

When I first got to Germany as a PFC I went to EIB testing. We had a SSG Hixon in the company who was ranger qualified. I was pretty excited and nervous. The first station was donning the protective mask. I hadn’t passed it in the practice all week. Test time I got the mask on and took a swipe at the zipper and thought I missed it and started clawing at it and still was when they yelled “time”. I let out a loud f word because I thought I’d failed. When the tester checked my seal he said, “ I don’t know why you were cussing about. I had got the zipper on the first try. SSG Hixon pulled me aside to settle down. This man I was in awe with really took the time to get me on track and calm. I went on to get my EIB.
As a post note. I was at a company reunion about 10 years ago and SSG Hixon was there and I got to thank him for his kindness, to him it had all been in a days work but for 19 year old Pfc it had meant the world to me.

My first Gunny Sgt, Willian Monahan..Just finish ITS and was being sent to Okinawa, Japan in 1976.Once I got there I was sent to Recon for 1 week and then back to Camp Zukeran for reassignment. I was asked If I wanted to work at the Chief Of Staff Office at Camp Butler just up the hill. As an LCpl.with only 6 months of service time, the Chief Of Staff-G-4 chose me. After, I was transferred to G-4 office, Gy.Sgt. Monahan began to work on me.First, to change my MOS and then taking MCI courses. Got promoted to Cpl.Once that happen Gunny Monahan had me take some college classes and made sure I was qualified to promote to Sgt.. Gy.Sgt. Monahan also, had me over to his home for the holidays as I was station there on Okinawa for 3 yrs and 3 months. I then met my further wife as she was a clerk-typist for one of the sub-sections. Ton of paper work had to be completed as it took approx, 6 months to get married. Again, Gy.Monahan was there to assist and show me the way. I can never can think Gunny Monahan enough for all the time, effort and kind heart that he showed me. The Marine Corps motto, Semper Fi, never was more displayed when Gunny Monahan took me under his wing. Salute to GunnySgt. Monahan and may GOD Bless and keep you safe.