Your enlistment anniversary: How important is it to you?

2014-03-08 07:27:07 -0500

<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>

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2014 10:26 AM

2014-03-09 10:26:45 -0400

I am also nearing my 3 year mark and to be honest it's not really important to me at all.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2014 10:31 AM

2014-03-09 10:31:01 -0400

For the first year or two, it always seemed to have meaning. But after that, it's one of those things that kind of just creeps up on me, I just hit my 6th year mark in February of this year.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 9 at 2014 11:01 AM

2014-03-09 11:01:02 -0400

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.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Mar 9 at 2014 2:59 PM

2014-03-09 14:59:03 -0400

Are we talking the anniversary of my DIEMS, PEBD, BASD, or current period of active duty? Each of those means something different to me.

DIEMS in May means nothing any more. PEBD in July means service stripes and pay raises. BASD in December means I'm closer to retirement (I don't actually observe the date; I keep a running count). April is when I came on tour so that means GCMs and clothing allowance.

Honestly, if it doesn't affect my uniform I don't pay it a whole lot of attention.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2014 3:57 PM

2014-03-09 15:57:46 -0400

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>

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2014 4:44 PM

2014-03-09 16:44:58 -0400

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.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2014 4:57 PM

2014-03-09 16:57:41 -0400

I always take time to contemplate where I've been, where I'm at, and where I'm going in the Army. I use it as a time to ground myself, and I do a toast a gkass of Glen Fidditch 20yr over ice.

I think my enlistment date is more important to me than others feel theirs are, simply because I thank the Army for giving me the many opportunities I've had for the past 8 years. It was a fresh start for me, and showed me what really matters. I look forward to at least 12 more years!

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Mar 10 at 2014 8:30 PM

2014-03-10 20:30:58 -0400

Every anniversary was important to me. Pay Raises if nothing else, but they never fell on my AD service date due to my Reserve time while waiting to go on AD. But the years for my Service Stripes were always important because of my GC Medals (I just never got caught). At 12 years consecutive GC in Navy we shifted from Red to Gold Stripes and Rating Badges, so that was a very important Milestone. Navy, while I was on AD awarded GC every 4 years, not 3 as it is now.

The most significant anniversary was at 13 years. I reported to Great Lakes, Il on the Anniversary of my AD service date as an Instructor the exact same day I reported for Recruit Training. A bit of a rush for me.

Twenty was a biggie of course, and thirty was the biggest. I retired then and have enjoyed each and every anniversary since - oh, BTW my Anniversary is Veterans Day! So everytime you celebrate that day, think of me.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2014 1:14 AM

2014-03-11 01:14:47 -0400

I always seem to either be in the field or deployed every time

Response by SSG Zachery Mitchell made Mar 11 at 2014 1:30 AM

2014-03-11 01:30:49 -0400

My wife I and started dating in high school on January 3rd. January 3rd exactly 3 years later, I shipped to basic training, so needless to say it's a pretty important day all around in my life. I wouldn't say I go out of my way to celebrate the day but I always acknowledge it and recognize it in some way.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2014 8:09 AM

2014-03-11 08:09:26 -0400

Oustanding Post. Congratulations to you on your 1st 3 year Service Stripe. I remember a time when I got mine sewed on followed by 4 combat stripes. I thought I was one Bad mofo to be a 3 year E-4 with 4 combat stripes and one 1 service stripe.

I always look forward to my anniversary year in the Army. One because I am that much closer to retirement "July 7th 2014 and I will have 8 years 364 days until retirement." and two depending on the year, you get that 2 year pay increase.

It is always exciting coming up in the ranks and getting that first Good Conduct Medal, or getting those Sergeant Stripes sewn on. You have many milestones to go in your career and I am glad you still have passion and pride about yourself and the Army. I wish you all the best in your career. Good luck and thanks for your service.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2014 9:43 AM

2014-03-11 09:43:16 -0400

Initially I would celebrate by taking a shot for every year of service. With two kids, almost 13 years of service, and the inability of recovering like I could when I was 22, I no longer celebrate that way... Now, we celebrate with fireworks (enlisted 03JULY), and a few beers.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Mar 11 at 2014 10:08 AM

2014-03-11 10:08:09 -0400

I am one of those odd ducks. Between delayed entry, 3 years active duty Army, 5 years of Army Guard, 1 year break in service, a few more years back in the Army Guard, then a couple in Air Guard, then a bunch in AD Air Force, I have no one specific date.... I remember having a bad day a few years ago....looked at the calendar and realized that IF I had stayed Active Duty Army, THAT DAY would have been my first day of retirement.... Now, the only date I am target locked on is 1 Mar 2016 (20 year AD retirement date)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2014 10:45 AM

2014-03-11 10:45:26 -0400

SPC Thundercloud,

I am in the same boat as SFC Pate. Since I left Active Duty and did a little over 8 years in the guard, every one of my dates is different. The two I track now are my PEBD and BASD.

The BASD is the obvious one to count since that one leads to the monthly paycheck. I past the 19 mark a few months ago and plan to celebrate on 1 DEC 14 when I hit the magic 20! Of course, I am not going anywhere; still having WAY too much fun to hang up the uniform now!

The PEBD didn't mean much to me at first (except the pay bump every couple years). Now, it is beginning to be a little more special as the total number of years in uniform start racking up. I will hit 28 on 1 OCT 14 and I will, once again, say to myself "Holy S***! That's a long time!"

OK, you can now start with the "Oldest CPT in Army history" jokes. =D

Congatulations on your first three, SPC. I hope you have a great career and as much fun as I've had over the past three decades.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2014 11:11 AM

2014-03-11 11:11:33 -0400

It doesn't mean all that much to me personally, just a pay raise, and a year closer to 20

Response by SSG Jason Hoadley made Mar 11 at 2014 11:39 AM

2014-03-11 11:39:58 -0400

I like my enlistment anniversaries.

No matter where I am I can enjoy them.

I have celebrated them in Ireland, Germany, Korea, NTC, Iraq, Kuwait, Ft Sill, Yakima Training Center, the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and my couch.

Happy Anniversary Spc Thundercloud.

Becareful that 10 year one comes rather quickly!

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Mar 11 at 2014 1:02 PM

2014-03-11 13:02:06 -0400

It was important to be up until my 20th year, then it became like a birthday... just another day proving that I am old....

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2014 1:03 PM

2014-03-11 13:03:00 -0400

For me I kept track of my anniversary in the Army until I hit the 10 year mark. For me the 10 year mark transitioned my thought process from the short 3 to 4 year contracts to the career focus. After the 15 year mark I began to look towards retirement or at least beginning to set myself up for a successful life outside the Army. I believe it is important though to ackowledge your commitment to the branch of service in which you volunteered to serve.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2014 1:54 PM

2014-03-11 13:54:04 -0400

Just like a birthday, your "Army Birthday" should have you looking back over the previous year, asking yourself what have you done well, what have you done that could be improved, and what do you want to do in the next year?

The practical side however, means another clothing allowance, if it's a 3rd year multiple then it's another award of the AGCM (hopefully), and/or a "graduation" to the next step in pay level.

As an older Soldier, I can say that you should treat each year "in the bag" as a gift and look forward to doing better in the coming year.

Response by SSG Oliver Mathews made Mar 11 at 2014 11:07 PM

2014-03-11 23:07:02 -0400

I pay attention to it for two reasons... Clothing Allowance... Bi-annual Time in service Raise.... Other than that... well i did use hitting 10 years as an excuse to buy a new motorcycle...

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 3:31 AM

2014-03-12 03:31:34 -0400

To answer this question it all depends on your out look in the service.

1. Some look at it as another year complete on their service contact till they are eligible for separate or retire from military service.

2. Some look at has reward. For example some rates in the US Navy get enlistment bonus and that is when they receive their montary reward at your anniversary date. Also that is when USN enlisted personnel receive their uniform allowance for the year.

3. Finally this might be the time to Re-Enlisted or Extend your service contact.

I hope this might help you answer your own question.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2014 2:54 AM

2014-03-13 02:54:59 -0400

It is very important to me, as it marks the anniversary of the day that I started my favorite job and made a dream come true.

Response by SSG Keith Evans made Mar 13 at 2014 9:31 PM

2014-03-13 21:31:51 -0400

Every year on 09 SEP I sit down and thank God I joined the Army, and fell ass-backwards into what I feel is the coolest MOS out there. It has been nine years since I met my beautiful wife at our first duty station and seven since we had our daughter. I don't think i would have been this happy without enlisting. Also, I am proud to carry on a long family history of service to our great nation.

Congratulations on your first three years, SPC Thundercloud... here's hoping for many more!

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Mar 16 at 2014 7:42 PM

2014-03-16 19:42:12 -0400

It didn't mean that much to me in the first 10 or so years of my service, but as I stayed longer it had more meaning to me, as well as it was my late grandmothers b-day, which I didn't realize until I had been in for 10 or so, and later it was my mom's wedding anniversary, so it made it a little more meaningful over the years.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Jun 6 at 2014 2:18 PM

2014-06-06 14:18:06 -0400

SPC Shelby,

Recalling my first 3 years, it went slow and I thought it would never come to an end. I was in for 4 years initially. I went delayed entry in June and active in that September in Oakland, CA.

Some of my basic training platoon were from there and they came to the recruiting station in handcuffs by the law. They were ok. It was the Drill Sergeants who came back from Thailand and Vietnam that we had to worry about. It was a crazy and alternative universe back then. At Ft. Ord, I did 18 months, I had a short-timers attitude, then I went to Germany and completed 26 months.

Back then, dates were important to me. It was also part of the army culture on how many days and a wake up there are til a Soldier goes home. The days were counted everyday and the wake up is the day a Soldier left his unit and got on the free bird back to the world.

I remember counting the days on my calendar to deros, get back to the world, Conus. Getting on that freedom bird was an experience for me. I did ets at Ft. Dix...landed and processed out in a week. After I went home, 72 days later, I re-enlisted.

It was not enough time to adjust to civilian life but I had the opportunity to get back in, so I did the next 16 years in active duty and eventually retired at 20 years. Still looking back on my first hitch, I take pause now and then on my first formation and the Drill Sergeants.

My first enlistment, I received a Good Conduct Medal and a service stripe. That was it. Service members derosing from Germany at that time were receiving Army Commendation medals and some MSMs. I didn't get jack because all I wanted to do was get on free bird, and get back to the world and get out of the army. I thought that time 4 years was enough.

The National Defense, Overseas, Professional Development, Army Achievement Medals and everything else did not come until later on.

It was a different time and a different generation ago.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2014 3:24 PM

2014-06-06 15:24:20 -0400

Myself I took as it as just another day, until a few months back when I hit 10 years. Thats when it hit me wow I have been in a decade where has the time gone. I think now knowing Im on the down slop I probely do something my 15 year and for sure 20 years.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2014 7:03 PM

2014-06-06 19:03:04 -0400

It's important to me because it marks the anniversary of getting my life on the right track! As an added bonus, my wife and I use it to as a 'date night' out from the kids, so I definitely look forward to it every year.

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Jun 6 at 2014 8:21 PM

2014-06-06 20:21:07 -0400

Considering it's also my birthday, I'd say pretty darn important. I joined on my 17th birthday.

Response by SSG Jim Handy made Jun 9 at 2014 11:33 AM

2014-06-09 11:33:16 -0400

It was important for a couple reasons. Depending on what year of service it was for you, it could mean a pay raise and in my second enlistment it was when I could go to finance and draw my bonus payment.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 28 at 2015 10:04 PM

2015-03-28 22:04:52 -0400

SPC Shelby Thundercloud, Congratulations Shelby, with your new GCM, you will always be marked and recognized as having been an enlisted person. You will seldom see a Hudson High graduate wearing a GCM. We'll are pleased y'all are doing so well.

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Nov 24 at 2015 1:36 AM

2015-11-24 01:36:11 -0500

I consider it meaningless except for pay purposes.