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

I can really thank my "Chief Warrant Officer" for saving my career while serving onboard the "USS California CGN 36". I was looking at a whole lot of "UCMJ" charges due to a scheduled missile launch during a missile exercise off of the forward missile launcher that had gone bad. I had been assigned to the aft missile launcher for a long time and had just prior to the missile exercise got moved to the forward missile launcher. The morning of the missile exercise, we performed all of the daily systems operational tests and made sure that the dud jettison system built into the launcher worked. We waited until it was our time to shoot, loaded a white missile onto the launcher, everything seemed ok until when the missile got the launch signal it just sat there, also tried to emergency fire it, still no go.
The ship moved to a safe area and we waited until the missile was deemed safe, cleaned it up and put it back into the missile magazine and then the investigation began. I looked over all of the launcher firing circuits and the one missile firing circuit that should've launched the was the emergency firing circuit its just a straight shot off of battery system. I traced the wires all the way up to the missile launcher to the retractable firing squibs, that once extended connect to the missile and applies power to the missile. I removed both small covers to discover that the wires had corroded and broke free and no matter what was done the missile rocket motor wouldn't fire.
I at the time was amazed by this because I knew there was a "PM" for this and since the forward launcher takes on a lot of water when the waves crash over the front of the ship. I checked the "PM" schedule to see if it was done and by whom, since I had only been up in the forward launcher only a couple weeks I inherited the responsibility of the situation.
There was an investigation went all the way to captains mast and what was on trail was my character and military career. My chief warrant defended me, he brought to bear my actions in properly maintaining the aft missile launcher and personal character. I was read a list of potential charges under the "UCMJ" which put the fear of god in me, pleaded my case to the captain, brought up all the information that was learned from the incident, both good and bad. My chief warrant officer talked a bit and then I was asked to leave the room. I stood outside of that door for what seemed like an eternity, I then was asked to go back in to get the verdict. The captain then read off the list of potential charges, he then stunned me with what happened next, he couldn't see ruining a fine naval career, but something still had to be done. He then took the official list of charges, we both signed it and he put it in the top drawer of his desk. He informed me that this will sit in his desk for a year and if there wasn't any other issues he would tear it up and it wouldn't make it to my service record.
I then asked him if I could get a copy of the list of charges for my self, I took this copy, high lighted everything with a yellow high lighter, had it laminated and posted it on the exit side of the door leading out of the missile launcher control room as a reminder to me and everyone else that there will be no more pencil whipping "PM's" and if caught the consequences would be sever.
I really want to thank this man for putting his career on the line for me and this event changed my life like no other, and it affects even everything that I do today.

When I was a company commander in the Army Reserves, one of my drill sergeants, Joann, who was also a full time tech with the unit, always took care of things that came up between drill weekends that I, otherwise, would have had to go in to handle.

I had to drive 3 hours to get to weekend drills. At first I was allowed to stay in the armory over nights but that was cut off. One of the nurses in our unit, his wife and his kids invited me to stay at their place for the weekends after that. Whole family went above and beyond in my opinion.

I was stationed at Ft. Rucker, in 1973. I had the transmission fail in my 1966 GTO. I had bought a replacement from a junkyard near the base that turned out to be crap tht only worked for a couple weeks, and was refused the 30 day warranty.
Colonel Byrd heard about it through the grapevine, and called me at my duty section to get details, then he spoke to the civilian that headed my section. He showed up in his ElCamino and took me to pick up the bad transmission, then drove us to the junkyard.
The owner greeted him by name and asked, "What can I do for you?" He sighed, Nothing today, but you owe this man a good transmission. I'd hat to put this place off limits to the Enlisted." He scurried off to a locked trailer and came back with one that looked new. "This came from a car with only 4,000 miles on it. I was saving it for a special customer."
It was in great condition, and he certainly had no reason to intercede, other than his being a good leader. He saved me a lot of money that I really couldn't spare, and I needed the car since my duty was at Carin Airfield, so I had no other way to get there.

I was selected to Represent our Company in the Sgt. Morales Club competition while stationed in Germany. Having just been promoted to Sgt. E-5 only (2 weeks) to the selection. I was needing to prepare for the first of (5) Competition Boards that were to be held over the next several months. While trying to get my NCO’s handbook prepared on my Team members. My Squad Leader came into my study area and told me to report to the Motor Pool where the Platoon was having a practice B.I.I. Layout of Everything assigned to our APC’s. I informed My squad leader that I was preparing for the 1st. Competition Board that was in one month. He told me he didn’t care one bit that I was selected to Represent the Company and that he wanted my arse in the Motor Pool. I said I’d be right there, but being as how this preparation was so important and lots of studying had to be done. I stopped by the 1SG’s office to let him know that my squad leader was not going to give me ample time to prepare for the Board Competition. The 1SG. then told me to take whatever time I needed in preparation for the Board and that he would handle my squad leader. After talking to another Soldier who had made it to all (5) Competition Boards and was Selected into the Elite Sgt. Moralas Club. I was ready for the Board. This Board consisted of 5 1SG’s. Asking every question under the sun about the Military and also any and all information about my Team members. Example; all their full names, DOB’s, how many kids each member had and their wife’s name. What kind of heat did they have if they lived off Post and so on. Once the Competition was over, I was selected as the winner and would be advancing to the 2nd Board. I won the 2nd Board at the Brigade level, then went on to win the 3rd Competition Board as well. Going up against E-6’s, E-7’s & E-8’s as the only E-5 in each of the Competition Boards. Sadly to say I had to withdraw from the Competition and take a Hardship Discharge to help take care of my younger siblings after a suicide attempt by my father. But to this day, I owe all my Full Career and how I turned out as an NCO due to studying, caring for my Soldiers and trying to live my Military Career like Sgt. Moralas did when he served in the Military as well.

I have an old computer with Windows 8 and a few minutes ago I typed a response and needed to do some background search and thought I could place this post on "minimize", but the full narrative I had just typed was lost when I returned to this website.
My entry narrative follows below:
On January 20, 1960, while on emergency leave, I had an automobile accident and lost all four of my upper front teeth. A few days later I received an Humanitarian Transfer to Scott AFB, Illinois. I was given the job at the time as Information Clerk with Base Operations, Scott AFB, Illinois. Essentially, it was my job to direct pilots to the proper window to file their flight plans, get weather reports, announce arrivals and departures, and dispatch vehicle drivers to deliver and pickup crews to and from aircraft and other base amenities. Every weekday morning the Base Commander would arrive promptly at 0700 hours for his daily briefing. For six months I was greeted by him cheerfully and pleasantly. During this time he never mentioned my "MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PWEASE!" announcements. This day, however, he approached me in my announcement booth, held his hand over the desk microphone and asked, "Airman Clayton, when are you going to get your teeth repaired so you don't lisp!" I advised him that I was waiting on the Base Dental Clinic to give me an appointment and that I called weekly, with no progress. He told me to proceed immediately to the Dental Clinic and to have teeth by the end of the week. I walked the four or five long blocks to the Clinic, and was met at the door by a Full Bull Colonel and most of his staff. I was escorted to a chair, grilled on my condition, x-rayed, and probed and told to come back the next A.M. I did and was given a temporary set of plastic teeth. A few weeks later, I was called back and given a new set of metal take in and take out teeth. For the rest of my tour at Scott, the Base Commander would salute me with his thumb as he entered Base Operations and grin broadly. I can't remember exactly his full name, but behind his back, other officers and senior staff would refer to him as "WILD BILL ARMSTRONG"! I of course called him yes sir and no sir, Colonel. There is much more to the story of my assignment to Scott AFB, Illinois and I hope to inform and entertain with the full story at a later time and opportunity.

My wing commander for pushing for me to get into a JCS Nuclear Surety Officer test program despite the fact that I didn't have all the stated qualifications.

I was stationed at Osan AB, SK and heading out on emergency leave. My Brother-in-law was close to death. Everything was a go, tickets in hand, overnight bag, ready to go!!! Walked up to the counter to check in and the clerk informed me that I need to pay XX amount of dollars (don't remember the exact amount) to proceed. I HAD NO MONEY!!!! When I explained that I was leaving to go home on emergency leave, the clerk was not moved. When asked if the fee could be waivered, they said no, the supervisor said no, too. Heartbroken, i called me First Sgt to inform him of the bad news, but before I could complete my conversation, a gentleman who was obviously not military, politely interrupted the phone call and handed me $50. Humbled, I refused, but he insisted, overhearing that I was on emergency leave. The only thing he asked in returned was to bow in prayer wishing for a safe trip and to be able to be with my love ones. Upon return to my Family I contacted my In-Laws to let them know I was back in the states and was getting things ready to leave again. 4 hours later, before we could leave for Florida, he passed away. The last thing he asked before passing was if I was back and with his sister. When told that I was back, my mother-in-law stated that he, the brother, said "Good, I didn't want Sis to be alone" then took his last breath and passed.

There are good people in this world...

MY FRIEND WHOM I TOOK TRAINING TOGETHER GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ME AND HIS COUNTRY

About 9 months prior to Desert Storm, I was given a Battalion command with the liberty to pick my own staff, something rarely, if ever heard of, but the unit was last in the Division in every major, measurable category, a direct reflection of the leadership of my predecessor who had been relieved. Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity and reconstituted the staff from the XO on down. All positions were filled except for the S-1 but I had just inherited a PAC NCO, one SFC Fletcher who would become instrumental in what was to come next.
As it happened, I was attending a political luncheon and was seated next to a man who was the aid to a senator, had been on the job about thirty days and exuded a military presence.
After a little small talk I asked him when he got off of active duty. He looked startled and replied about six months ago then inquired as to how I knew he had been in the Military.
I asked "Army?" He said yes. I said, "Captain, am I right?" His jaw dropped and then he smiled and said, "Yeah, how do you know that?" I simply said that most all Captains have a certain style and confidence about them, that's how I knew.
Later in the conversation I asked if he wanted to come back to the Army as my S-1 and he shook his head no, saying "I've resigned my commission." I asked him why and he explained that he was a Company commander, that his BC was a toxic leader and just didn't like him no matter how much he worked or how good were his unit results. Hence he received an O.E.R. that would kill his career.
I had a good feeling about him and asked, "If I can get your commission restored would you come back into the system?"
He said that he probably would but doubted that the reversal could ever happen.
I said "We'll see" and left it at that.
After collecting his contact information and other details necessary to identify him to the Army,
I contacted SFC Fletcher and asked if she knew of a way to make that happen.
She offered that while she didn't, she knew someone from her previous unit who would.
A few days later she called and told me that if the Captain was serious, he could fill out the paperwork and she would get it in the works the next day.
All of that happened, his commission was restored, he participated in ODS, and eventually became my S-3. I was proud to stand with his wife as we pinned his Majors' Oak Leafs on his epaulets.
He retired several years ago as a full colonel and that never would have happened but for SFC Fletcher following through with what was supposed to be a near impossibility.
She also served as an Army advisor to the first-ever Family Support Program in the Division which became a model for the rest of the division to follow.
This, along with the great work of my staff and senior NCOs, resulted in our unit being number one in every measurable category in the Division within 8 months and SFC Fletcher was an invaluable asset.
SFC Fletcher, my XO, the Captain and I are still in contact and get together when we can.