Posted on Mar 8, 2014
Your enlistment anniversary: How important is it to you?
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<div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(77, 77, 77);">In a couple of weeks, I will have been in the Army for 3 years! This is a big one because I'll finally get my first service stripe and will be eligible for the Good Conduct Medal. I already have a new ribbon rack with the GCM on it and plan on celebrating after getting my service stripe sewn on (it falls on a weekend). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(77, 77, 77);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(77, 77, 77);">In t</span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(77, 77, 77);">alking to other soldiers, I was surprised to find that some don’t even notice when their anniversary passes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(77, 77, 77);"> </span></p><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 12 [login to see] 8789px; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; color: rgb(77, 77, 77);">How important is your service anniversary to you? Do you celebrate it or do you not acknowledge it at all? Does your anniversary become more important, or less important, the longer you've been in?</span><br></div>
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Enlisted
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 31
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I am superstitious, never buy a ribbon or medal before you see the orders. It is important to me to track milestones: first year, first ADSO, 10 years ( the fish or cut bait line) and the big one 20 years. Congrats on your milestone. If it is important to you, don't let the fun sponges kill it for you. Kudos on keeping your uniform and records straight.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thank you, Sir, and congratulations on surpassing 20 years last month.
"Fun sponge"... I'm stealing that one!
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I think it's a little different for everybody. For me all it means is another year, maybe another ribbon, perhaps some another service stripe. If I gave it any real credence at all it would be that it serves as a reminder of when I got out of jail and turned my life around. If it weren't for the Army I never would have met my beautiful wife, or been blessed with the two most amazing(sure I'm biased, you will be too) children ever. So for that I'm grateful, but the date itself holds no inherent value to me otherwise.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
I think your anniversary date holds a lot of value SGT Jaynes. It encompasses everything you just mentioned. You turned your life around and made it better. Met a beautiful woman and started a family. You have a good job with benefits. Every year you should celebrate your anniversary date of entering the military.
I do. I entered the Air Force on 6 Feb, 1996 and served for a year and half before getting discharged because I decided to be stupid and get into trouble. On June 26, 1999 the Army National Guard gave me an opportunity to "do it right" by allowing me to re-enlist. I celebrate that date every year. It's always a quiet celebration. Just me and a glass of Jameson Irish Whiskey and a cigar, but it's a day I say thanks for what I have and how far I've come. I've gone from young stupid kid to an Active Guard Reserve E-6 and now have 16 plus years of honorable service.
Celebrate your date!! You've come far.
I do. I entered the Air Force on 6 Feb, 1996 and served for a year and half before getting discharged because I decided to be stupid and get into trouble. On June 26, 1999 the Army National Guard gave me an opportunity to "do it right" by allowing me to re-enlist. I celebrate that date every year. It's always a quiet celebration. Just me and a glass of Jameson Irish Whiskey and a cigar, but it's a day I say thanks for what I have and how far I've come. I've gone from young stupid kid to an Active Guard Reserve E-6 and now have 16 plus years of honorable service.
Celebrate your date!! You've come far.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
Thank you for the kind words, SSG Vandriel. I suppose you're right. I was looking at my old mugshot the other day and I thought about how if I ran into the guy I used to be on the street I wouldn't even recognize him. Also, I'd probably get as far away from him as possible because he definitely wasn't up to any good. I hear from a lot of guys how the Army is oppressive and terrible, because they wish they were free to do whatever they want again.
Personally, I have no interest in going back to that way of life. Surely I'd do things differently if I got out tomorrow, but I just don't like the idea of walking away from an organization that has done so much for me.
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I hit my 3 year mark in September. Its very important to be its like a 2nd birthday. I can't wait to get my stripe sewn on either; although I haven't worn my ASU since AIT graduation.<div><br></div><div>Enlistment Anniversary....Yeah its a big deal.</div>
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SGT (Join to see)
So true, it is like a 2nd birthday because our lives were changed irrevocably when we shipped to BCT. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.
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CPT (Join to see)
Great comments, SFC Paulk. I comletely agree. Some of the comments my Drill Sergeants made long, long ago now make so much sense.
DS (SFC) Rivas put it best:
"Where the f*** else can you go and get to play with guns and explosives and not get arrested, get free flights all over the world, get moved to a new place right when the neighbors start annoying the s*** out of you, free food, free medical, free clothes, new job every couple years . . . hell, I can't believe EVERYONE doesn't want to sign up!"
It only took me about a decade and half to understand and appreciate that man! LOL
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SSG (Join to see)
That statement really puts things into perspective. I have never thought of it that way before.
Thank you, sir.
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