What are the most significant and memorable events or dates of a military career?

2018-05-10T10:20:51-04:00

I'm wondering what are the most important and memorable events of persons military career. What are the events that everyone will remember?

- Enlisted/Commissioning dates?
- Deployment?
- ETS/EAS?
- Graduations (civilian or military schools)?
- Retirement?
- Promotions?
- Etc.

What are the events that are most memorable to you that only someone else in the military would understand? What are the events you remember year after year?

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made May 10 at 2018 10:22 AM

2018-05-10T10:22:55-04:00

SSG Carlos Madden: Graduation from Basic Training and, Retirement.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made May 10 at 2018 10:37 AM

2018-05-10T10:37:40-04:00

Milestones I remember:
- Graduation from AIT
- Went on deployment
- Returned from OIF
- Date I enlisted and ETS'ed
- SSG Promotion

Response by 1LT Vance Titus made May 10 at 2018 11:43 AM

2018-05-10T11:43:39-04:00

The date I landed back in the world.

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made May 10 at 2018 12:00 PM

2018-05-10T12:00:20-04:00

The day I enlisted and the day I was handed my walking papers... The only two that truly matter in the grand scheme of things - the day I became a man, and the day I was told I was done, saddest day ever...

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 12:01 PM

2018-05-10T12:01:33-04:00

Chief's initiation

Response by SSG Gerald King made May 10 at 2018 12:05 PM

2018-05-10T12:05:08-04:00

Arrival at the Induction station in Wilkes-Barre, PA. First day of Basic Training and Graduation. The day I arrived in Vietnam, first tour in Germany and my promotion to SSG.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made May 10 at 2018 12:21 PM

2018-05-10T12:21:03-04:00

Being assigned to WHCA and having my wife and myself meet two sitting presidents. I would have to say is my most memorable for me.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 10 at 2018 12:28 PM

2018-05-10T12:28:45-04:00

Far too many to mention. Let's just say that serving, in its entirety, was memorable. Well, at least to me. Apparently the Army didn't agree...

Response by LTC Stephen C. made May 10 at 2018 12:59 PM

2018-05-10T12:59:26-04:00

There are many, SSG Carlos Madden. I will say that taking the oath of office to become a commissioned officer on 16JUN73, ranks right at the top.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made May 10 at 2018 1:01 PM

2018-05-10T13:01:57-04:00

I'd say the day I entered the USAF in basic training was a good day for me. Pinning on SSgt was also a milestone as I crossed over to the NCO corps. Last milestone to date so far was the day I left Korea and be reunited with my family!

Response by LTC Orlando Illi made May 10 at 2018 1:33 PM

2018-05-10T13:33:12-04:00

Graduation from OCS

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made May 10 at 2018 2:27 PM

2018-05-10T14:27:11-04:00

- Commissioning ceremony & my first salute from TSgt Grant Kohler (still mad he pulled out the lint roller on me in front of everyone)
- Promotion dates for fellow Airmen & myself
- When I received my RIP / Orders to a new duty station
- Retirement ceremonies for NCOs and Officers I served with
- Launch dates for missile & rocket launches I supported.
- When my ETS date was approved by the MPF
- Meeting the 4 Star who ran my MAJCOM as an LT and knowing I met him as a 17yr old when he was an O-6 & retired my Dad. Small world!

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made May 10 at 2018 3:42 PM

2018-05-10T15:42:46-04:00

Arrival at Basic training1965,arrival RVN1966,DEROS RVN 1967,Nov 1968 DD 214.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 10 at 2018 4:06 PM

2018-05-10T16:06:31-04:00

When tank platoon tactics became second nature to me.

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made May 10 at 2018 4:16 PM

2018-05-10T16:16:36-04:00

The Date I enlisted in the Navy (E-1) 22 Dec 1966! The date I made Chief Petty Officer (CPO) and initiated by choice and tradition (E-7) 16 Dec 1979! The day I was Commissioned as a Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO2) on 21 Oct 1987! The day I retired as a CWO3 after 23+ glorious years in the Navy 1 Mar 1990. And one other major event to all Westpac sailors is their first port call to Subic Bay, Olongapo City on some date in 1969! PO3 Bob McCord MCPO Roger Collins LCDR Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 4:44 PM

2018-05-10T16:44:41-04:00

I don't remember the exact date I commissioned, the date I deployed, the date I returned, etc.
But for some reason, over 20 years later, I still remember the following:

Reported to Parris Island, SC June 26, 1995
Graduated from boot camp September 15, 1995

I also remember my platoon number. 1009.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 4:51 PM

2018-05-10T16:51:59-04:00

I enlisted in the Alabama Army National Guard in March of 2001, drilled a couple of months and left for basic training at Fort Jackson, SC in May of 2001. I completed BCT in early July and my AIT a few weeks later in mid August. I remember in mid fall of 2001 that my unit selected me as a guide on bearer for some unit function. I marched up the stairs and on to the stage. I remember the flag somehow becoming draped around my face. I couldn't see anything! And I couldn't remove the flag from my face either because I was clutching the flag post, on stage and in front of all of command and staff. Later, I transferred up the way to another unit, started ROTC and graduated.

Response by MSG Andrew White made May 10 at 2018 6:28 PM

2018-05-10T18:28:53-04:00

THE DAY I ENLISTED AS A MP AND THE SADDEST DAY WAS WHEN I DROVE OUT THE GATES FOR THE LAST TIME FOR RETIREMENT AS A UNIFORMED SOLDIER!!! BUT NOTHING COMPARES TO GETTING MY DRILL SERGEANT HAT!!!

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made May 10 at 2018 6:49 PM

2018-05-10T18:49:13-04:00

There are so many over 37 year period SSG Carlos Madden - Graduation from OCS, deployment OIF 05-07, and retirement are the best. There are many that are close seocnds, thirds, fourths, etc.

Response by TSgt David L. made May 10 at 2018 7:27 PM

2018-05-10T19:27:45-04:00

MEPS date
Basic Training grad date
EOD School grad date!
Marriage date. Part of the package
The day I check into NAVSCOLEOD as an instructor
Every re-enlistment
Every deployment and return
I should throw my boyz's births in there. Part of the package!
Retirement date
Both of my boyz enlistment dates

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made May 10 at 2018 8:25 PM

2018-05-10T20:25:33-04:00

Day I went in
Days while in too numerous to single out
Day I got out

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made May 10 at 2018 9:03 PM

2018-05-10T21:03:56-04:00

There two really significant dates to me: Nov 10, 1966, when I entered ACDU and Sep 30, 1966, when I retired. Along the way, There were some other important dates in my career: October 3, 1976; I was married to the love of my life; I was selected for, initiated, and promoted to CPO; I attended the Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 09, Green); I was promoted to Master Chief and selected as Command Master Chief!; I built and then Commissioned USS Anzio (CG-68) in Norfolk VA on May 2, 1992.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2018 9:48 AM

2018-05-11T09:48:35-04:00

I'd say being selected for MSG this year has been the most memorable and important achievement of my military career. It is extremely difficult to make MSG in my CMF and knowing I made the cut validated many years of hard work and being a team player.

Response by 1LT Vance Titus made Feb 6 at 2019 12:42 PM

2019-02-06T12:42:44-05:00

August 11, 1969, Cua Viet, South Vietnam: The day the first man in my command was killed. Unfortunately he was not the last.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2020 9:58 AM

2020-02-06T09:58:16-05:00

All the above. Also marrying and the arrival of my daughter and son.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2021 8:11 PM

2021-09-14T20:11:40-04:00

Probably a toss up between the day I commissioned and my father who was in the Air Force was there for the ceremony and receiving my first challenge coin in front of formation for outstanding work during AT.