Posted on Jan 13, 2020
PFC(P) Victor F.
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I know this might seem as an unimportant questions or just a question that some might not answer. But I would like to hear from Veterans and Acting Serving Members, what has the military benefited you or has done for you in return? I've never heard an answer from Veterans or Active Service Members.

If you could answer, that would be greatly appreciated. I would like to hear from a lot of y'all.

And Thank you for serving in our armed forced. I appreciate you and I thank you.
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 41
CPT Jack Durish
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How has my military service benefited me? Oh, let me count the ways...
1. As someone who loves adventure (I began adventuring at a very young age and never stopped), military service was the grandest adventure of them all
2. Military service challenged me and taught me that I was capable of far more, physically, mentally, and emotionally, than I ever would have guessed
3. Military service took me places I had only dreamed of (and likely would not have gone)
4. Military service introduced me to project management under extreme conditions (which I pursued as a civilian completing projects where others had failed)
5. Military service left me with pride that I never equaled in civilian life
6. Military service gave me a new family, one that has been more supportive than the one into which I was born
7. Military service gave me access to join USAA (and I feel sorry for those who must rely on commercial banks, insurance services, and investment houses)
There's more, but I wanted to mention one last thing before I lost you to boredom. Although I was on active duty for just five and a half years, it was the most memorable portion of my 77 years thus far.
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PFC(P) Victor F.
PFC(P) Victor F.
>1 y
CPT Jack Durish , Thank you for sharing. And Thank you for your service in the armed forced. It seems amazing to be able to serve. Pretty much everything you mentioned, is why I want to join the Army National Guard or Army.

Once again, thank you.
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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It gave me the opportunity to get my degree. I joined with a GED. Now I have an associates and finishing my bachelor's. If I wanted to stay longer I could get my masters as well. I was able to transfer my GI Bill to my kids so if I don't use it they will have a full bachelor paid for. It definitely brought me out of poverty and a dead end job. Took me to Okinawa for three years and several other locations I loved.
Personally, it definitely matured me. Deploying to Iraq gave me a much greater sense of how lucky we are in this country. You don't know poor till you see little kids crippled by polio using a stick as a cane.
The pay I get from retirement will allow me to choose a job I enjoy rather than one I have to have to keep feeding my family. The Healthcare I'll be eligible for as a retiree will save me thousands compared to the civilian sector.
Physically I'm in better shape than I ever would have gotten into if I had stayed a civilian. I've had lots of opportunities to train with various martial arts instructors from BJJ to Kendo, and a half dozen in between, all as part of unit funded training.
Most important, I got the chance to overcome a lot of my fears. I was afraid of heights, so I went to airborne school. I got to attend some of the hardest schools in the world. I've had opportunities to teach other students. Most importantly, I learned about leadership, integrity, and moral and civil duty.
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SPC Infantryman
SPC (Join to see)
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SFC (Join to see) being afraid of heights and going airborne(I'm in the same boat) is there a particular way you prepared mentally or just said fuck it and jumped?
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
SFC (Join to see)
>1 y
SPC (Join to see) I just tried to not think about it. My mindset was I only have to deal with that for one or two seconds when I got to the door lol. It was about 1 jumps before I got to be OK with it. Even as a Jumpmaster performing JM duties I still shook like a leaf in the door. Fortunately, no one can tell and you just pretend like it doesn't scare you so your paratroopers have confidence in you.
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PFC(P) Victor F.
PFC(P) Victor F.
>1 y
Well Said Sergeant First Class. Thank you for responding and for your service within our country. Have a wonderful day. Good luck on your travels and deployments. (Seeing SM)
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SPC Kenneth Koerperich
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Edited >1 y ago
Gave me confidence in myself, allowed for world travel, got to see PURE EVIL and squash it.
Pathway to the work I've done for 30 yrs now.

Some good times, good memories. Also some bad. Loss of a friend.

Would do it all again, hindsight 20/20, would change only a couple of my choices.

Recommend it for anyone who isn't a pansy! Actually, I think EVERYONE should serve 4 yrs. We wouldn't have so many snowflakes/cop killers/criminals in the world if they actually had to put their own lives on the line....

/End Rant
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PFC(P) Victor F.
PFC(P) Victor F.
>1 y
SPC Kenneth Koerperich, First off I'd like to thank you for responding and serving in our country. Secondly I'd like to say sorry for your loss, and appreciate you for sharing.

I also completely agree with the last part. Thank You Sir.
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TSgt David Holman
TSgt David Holman
>1 y
SPC Kenneth Koerperich , honestly, some of the best airmen I have seen started out very meek. Once they had the right mentorship, they came into their own, I have even seen some accepted to advanced programs such as paramedic, IDMT and even PA. The physical aspect can be worked on as well as long as they are willing (I was the puny, underweight kid in basic... after my first deployment I started to fill out)
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