I am a Soldier for Life

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:26:48 -0400

In August of this year, I will have served in the Army for almost 30 years. I’ve deployed several times, commanded a battalion in combat, and traveled from Haiti to Iraq and everywhere in between.

This was not my plan.

As a young Specialist in the Old Guard, I wanted to serve my country. I wanted to learn a lot. I wanted adventure. As we worked together to shed light on the Army, giving the public a sense of what soldiering looks like and means, my plan began to change.

A few years later, the Army called me to Korea. As a platoon leader, I worked closely with my noncommissioned officers to make sure my 42 Soldiers were taken care of. There, I learned that it’s not about me. It’s about the team. It’s about the Army. And my plan changed again.

For me, the Army became a career. Almost 30 years have gone by and I am still a Soldier. But length of time served doesn’t really matter. What’s important is what we take away from our time in the Army. Whether you are in for two years or 20, you learn everything - from the importance of timeliness to what true adversity looks and feels like. You learn how to never give up, no matter what comes your way. You learn to look out for each other, to trust and to be trusted. These are the values, qualities and characteristics that make you a Soldier.

They will serve you while you are in the Army, helping you to be the best Soldier you can be and making our Army the world’s premier force. They will remain with you when you transition, too. They are what helps you prioritize and lead, what allows you to continue to serve even after you’ve taken off your uniform. They are your enduring connection to the Army. These are the values, qualities and characteristics that make you a Soldier for Life.

One day I will transition out of the Army. I will take off my uniform for the last time. But I am a Soldier for Life. I understand the value and the power of service. I will take all of the intangible skills the Army has taught me and I will apply them as a civilian. I will never quit. Will you?

Author Col. Adam Rocke: Director, U.S. Army Soldier for Life, Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Army

Response by TSgt David L. made Jul 17 at 2015 1:29 PM

TSgt David L. — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:29:07 -0400

Thank you for your extensive and honerable service COL Private RallyPoint Member.

Woops! Somehow I got a double post. Oh well.

Response by TSgt David L. made Jul 17 at 2015 1:29 PM

TSgt David L. — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:29:21 -0400

Thank you for your extensive and honorable service COL Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jul 17 at 2015 1:32 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:32:01 -0400

Congrats Sir! The next phase of life will be more fun than the last 30. Give it the same dedication and don't forget where you came from....you're a Soldier first, last, and ALWAYS!!

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 17 at 2015 1:32 PM

SSG Izzy Abbass — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:32:04 -0400

Airborne sir and great sentiment. Once a solider, always a soldier.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 17 at 2015 1:40 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:40:39 -0400

COL Private RallyPoint Member Outstanding career and I can definitely relate to what you have described so eloquently in your topic above here on RP. This is a great message for all lifetime members of the service to read and remember. Thank you for your service, thank you for sharing your insight, and I will always be a soldier for life

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 17 at 2015 1:52 PM

COL Charles Williams — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:52:49 -0400

COL Private RallyPoint Member You and me both, except I am now and retired, sort of. Thanks for your service.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2015 2:11 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 14:11:54 -0400

Thank you Sir! Your future civilian career will be just as successful as your military career.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 17 at 2015 3:06 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 15:06:06 -0400

COL Private RallyPoint Member, great post Sir. Thank you. I too never had a plan to stay in until retirement. I beat myself into the ground to be successful for 25 years. I have had to have 13 operations and am not able to work. But you know what, I wouldn't change a thing.

Response by MSgt David Haupt made Jul 17 at 2015 3:35 PM

MSgt David Haupt — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 15:35:58 -0400

Thanks for your service and welcome to the retirement world.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jul 17 at 2015 3:38 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 15:38:55 -0400

First, thank you for your service. I joined because I needed the money for college...because I knew I was supposed to go to college because...well because everyone told you, "Go to college." No one asked, "Why?" Joined the USAR and KNEW, as only a 17 year old kid can KNOW, that I would only do one tour, just one! Enlisted as an 11H, not realizing that this was the last Infantry Brigade in the Army Reserve, but often it is better to be lucky. Went to college, completed my degree and then found out that college was not an ends but a means? WTF? When I started looking at 'real' jobs, there was nothing as good as serving (yes, I had matured during my time in USAR and college). Once again I was blessed to have an opportunity to go AD present itself to me and the next 22 years were history...well more stories but one gets the picture.
On the other hand, as far back as I can remember, I was running around the backyards, stick for a rifle, playing Army...so maybe it was more in my blood than even I really realize?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2015 7:35 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 19:35:44 -0400

Nice, sir. I agree. I consider myself a Soldier for life as well, and I've been retired almost ten years. I did 30.5 years of active duty and I still consider myself a Soldier. I'm still soldierin' on ...

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jul 17 at 2015 11:12 PM

SFC William Farrell — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 23:12:33 -0400

Once a soldier, always a soldier COL Private RallyPoint Member. Having enlisted at 17, reenlisted at 18 to go to Nam and spending four years on active and twenty two in the reserves, I AM A SOLDIER, I WILL ALWAYS BE SOLDIER. All the best to you Colonel. I'll never take my uniform off for the last time, I still wear it when the occasion merits, like 911 observances. And one day, I'll be buried in it.

Response by SPC Michael Pinkerton made Jul 18 at 2015 7:32 PM

SPC Michael Pinkerton — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 19:32:25 -0400

COL Adam Rocke I commend you on your continued service. I was in for 6 short years but my time in changed who I am and made me a better person for it. I will always consider myself a soldier and if asked I would serve again.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 8:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 20:34:07 -0400

Hooah Sir! The values and ethics instilled in Soldiers are second to none. We understand the importance of mission accomplishment, teamwork, and personal courage, encompassing all while knowing failure is not an option. Once a Soldier always a Soldier For Life!

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 28 at 2015 9:06 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 21:06:37 -0400

Thanks for sharing! Thanks for all you've done for our nation

Response by SPC Joe Meisch made Aug 5 at 2015 11:56 AM

SPC Joe Meisch — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 11:56:44 -0400

Thank you for your service Sir! Thank you for this great reminder. I am an Epilepsy survivor and consider myself lucky as hell to have been able to serve. When I got out of the Army after 13 years in USAR, USANG and active I was done. A few years after ETS and acknowledging the loss of two brothers I served with I became intensely proud to have been able to serve. I then started a company based on a invention that I dedicated to and because "They gave all I will not give up".
That is my company motto and I live by. 4 I will always place the mission first. 5 I will never accept defeat. 6. I will never quit.
I too live as a soldier to this day and take pride in staying in shape because I am still deployable and desire to continue to serve my society I once stood ready to defend.

Response by PVT William Bresch made Dec 29 at 2015 9:24 AM

PVT William Bresch — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 09:24:35 -0500

I prefer "GHOST OPERATOR" ...

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 29 at 2015 9:39 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 09:39:35 -0500

Nicely written piece

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 10:50 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 22:50:09 -0500

Sir, great post. Thank you for your many years of serving our country. I only served four years, but "Once a Marine, Always a Marine. My short time as a Marine, helped prepare me for a 33 year career on the Space Shuttle program.

Response by SPC Larry Armstrong made Oct 4 at 2016 1:03 PM

SPC Larry Armstrong — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 13:03:58 -0400

Your story takes me back to when I was serving in Hanau Germany My unit was HLM 122. I was having some serious problems with family, I had a great company commander, he took the time to talk with me and said there are ways I could help if you would like! So we started a process to get me back to the states and when Captain Camp, came to me with a folder and asked me if I was ready to get out and head home? I said no sir. He said he would hold the file for a while. With his coaching and leadership skills and friendship most of all he help me find myself. After a while he asked again and I said Sir please tear and throw those papers away! I am going to stay. Thank you.

Thank you for the great memories I have not thought of for a long while. I really enjoyed your story.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Oct 4 at 2016 2:22 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 14:22:43 -0400

My mindset has never truly departed the Military and what I have learned there. It helped greatly in My civilian career and opened a lot of doors there. I do devote a lot of tie now though by time (6th Term) as Commander of American Legion, Post 208, Millis, MA. I enjoy the company of My fellow veterans and keeping in touch with them. My career was in the US Air Force but the constant keeping in touch with My brothers and sisters in all the US Armed Forces remains in full effect and will always. You have expressed that devotion very well Colonel !

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 3 at 2018 10:29 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 22:29:37 -0400

COL Private RallyPoint Member You ain’t alone Colonel! Many of we’uns have been charged with being Soldiers for Life. That charge will be dismissed when our Flag is folded!

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2018 8:21 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 08:21:58 -0500

Sounds like it has been a fun ride. Good luck and enjoy your retirement. You've earned it for sure.

Response by Debbie Gray made May 24 at 2019 10:53 PM

Debbie Gray — Fri, 24 May 2019 22:53:18 -0400

I am a USAF SPOUSE OF MY DECEASED HUSBAND FOR LIFE! He always said I was his best support! Then that horrific month prior to retirement....I now know why he did not want any of his family to attend...He was always so proud of us! I now know the blackmail of an Officer he had a supposed fling with threatened to have his stripes torn off!...if he didn’t leave me & relocate with her next Duty station ! She stopped at nothing! Phone calls, mailed cards , threats etc!!! 1 night of a fling “with a loose officer” under the influence of alcohol, while celebrating his upcoming Reservist Retirement... cost our entire family...He committed Suicide ... within6 months of retirement. Leaving his family shocked , devastated & heartbroken....She never let up!!!! She lives...we still feel the effects everyday!
In addition, request for investigation, never happened, denied all spousal benefits ... no grief counseling offered ...
Just...sorry , our sympathy & a military funeral ⚰️! 4 years Active & 17 years as a Reservist???? WRONG! So very wrong !
I won’t quit sharing until I’m heard! His only voice to speak ! His has been forever silenced by self inflicted gun shot wound..fatal. DOD is a group of paper pushers, not once truly examining the entire evidence!!!! VA REP, retired MARINE OFFICER, that had been shot down as a helicopter pilot was so promising to appeal ! He passed...again all records & evidence presented by personal visit & hand delivered... GONE!!!
What happened to the chain of command?!?! Love to all you soldiers that have served & are suffering from getting answers or help! The battle is real & right here on American Soil! I know y’all know what goes on when spouses are separated & housed with the opposite sex! Asking for trouble!! Agree???
Thank you,