Which means more to you: your badges, tabs and medals? Experiences? or Buddies?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 07:42:50 -0400

When it's all said and done, which of these means more to you in life than the others: your medals, tabs and badges? Your experiences? Your battle buddies and comrades? Why? What do you talk about the most? Why is that? See the survey below.

Response by SGT Christopher Churilla made Sep 2 at 2015 7:45 AM

SGT Christopher Churilla — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 07:45:43 -0400

Experiences and buddies, you will take those with you long after you get out.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 2 at 2015 7:45 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 07:45:44 -0400

The Experiences. The Medals are just colorful eyeball quess to my adventures. My Mates were Outstaning the Navy Chow Rules.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 2 at 2015 7:46 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 07:46:12 -0400

Buddies.

I've got buddies who I only talk to once a month, once a year... but I'm back in time like it's only yesterday.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Sep 2 at 2015 7:53 AM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 07:53:10 -0400

I've always said: you can purchase replacement medals and badges, you can purchase new experiences, but you can never purchase your battle buddies

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 2 at 2015 8:07 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 08:07:45 -0400

The friendships. They last forever.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 8:15 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 08:15:51 -0400

Friendships are more valuable, and more telling than any award.

Response by TSgt Ryan Lee made Sep 2 at 2015 8:24 AM

TSgt Ryan Lee — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 08:24:24 -0400

Your friends you make while in the military are friends for life, other than the great experience you earn while you are in and outside civilian agencies look for when hiring you. I would say my friends that I have made mean the most to me.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 8:25 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 08:25:22 -0400

Even though I don't technically have "battle" buddies, I have met some amazing people over my career and made life long friendships. I wouldn't trade that for all the medals in the world. Your buddies are the ones that made those experiences better (or worse, but looking back they are funny now...).

Response by SGT Eric Dziekan made Sep 2 at 2015 9:06 AM

SGT Eric Dziekan — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 09:06:21 -0400

Definately buddies and experiences in that order. I enlisted in 1986 and went straight to Europe after training. I stil have friends from there that I see regularly and now my family is friends with.

The experiences, good and bad made me who I am today.

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made Sep 2 at 2015 9:44 AM

SPC Nathan Freeman — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 09:44:27 -0400

I would say the experiences with the battle buddies. The buddies make the experiences memorable but the experiences look good on the resume which is necessary to move on in civilian life and provide for my family.

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Sep 2 at 2015 10:05 AM

TSgt Melissa Post — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 10:05:12 -0400

Without battle buddies, you wouldn't likely have the experiences. Medals, tabs, and badges can be replaced whereas battle buddies cannot. And if the chow means more to you then well that is entirely too sad. Battle buddies are an irreplaceable part of military life. It sucks when you don't have someone that you feel you could trust with your life, but when you do find those people, it's like living in a whole different world.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Sep 2 at 2015 10:14 AM

SSG Richard Reilly — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 10:14:09 -0400

You see Danny, I can deal with the bullets, and the bombs, and the blood. I don't want money, and I don't want medals. What I do want is for you to stand there in that faggoty white uniform and with your Harvard mouth extend me some fucking courtesy. You gotta ask me nicely.
-Col.Jessup (Few Good Men, 1992)

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Sep 2 at 2015 10:20 AM

SSG Robert Webster — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 10:20:45 -0400

How about all of the above, somewhat equally.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 10:42 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 10:42:09 -0400

For me, the medals are nice, but honestly only have 1 that means anything to me. The rest of them are just there.

The battle buddies, while a necessity at the time, seem to vanish after the fact. There may be a select few that you stay in contact with for a while after the fact, but not forever. Personally I only have 1 that I have remained in contact with throughout the years.

The experiences however remain with you forever. These experiences come from not only the job, but the different cultures you interact with, both with the locals as well as those battle buddies you met along the way. These experiences are what determines who you are as a person, as they develop your skills and personality.

As somebody else mentioned, all of these are tied together. The battle buddies effect your experiences and the ribbons tell the story. If I had to pick the most important of these though, I would have to go with the experience. (good or bad, depending on the battle buddies)

Response by CCMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 10:47 AM

CCMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 10:47:38 -0400

Experiences, by far.

Medals are nice, but they are not always given to the people that deserve them. I have two problems I am working at the moment of people that were in combat and didn't get what they earned. It is so hard to do this AFTER the fact.

Either way, I always knew what I did and anything external was nice. But, I knew what I experienced and what my fellow servicemen experienced. That was enough for me.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Sep 2 at 2015 10:51 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 10:51:27 -0400

CH (MAJ) William Beaver at the end of the day, the medals look great in a shadow box and show a lifetime of difficult times and struggles. The buddies and the experiences shared are what remain. The men and women beside you are the reason for the unbelievable acts that are conducted by our SMs on a daily basis. Without the willingness to go into the depths of Hell for one's buddies, we would be like any other group of folks-just in better shape, better trained and better armed LOL.

Response by SGT William Howell made Sep 2 at 2015 10:53 AM

SGT William Howell — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 10:53:22 -0400

Always buddies first. That bond is something you can never explain to somebody that has not been there.

Then Experiences. In Iraq I lived in the City of Babylon. How many other people can say they have stood in the the place that Alexander the Great had once ruled from?

I only felt like I ever earned a couple of the medals I was given. The rest were freebies. So they never really mattered. The really cool stuff I did I never got anything for anyways.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 11:03 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 11:03:29 -0400

Lifetime friends combined with memories shared are PRICELESS!!!

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Sep 2 at 2015 11:04 AM

PFC Tuan Trang — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 11:04:17 -0400

Buddies is the most important thing, they the one bring you back up,motivate you, and more.

Friends is one in a life time, Badges and award you can always earn it.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Sep 2 at 2015 11:17 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 11:17:47 -0400

Buddies

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 2 at 2015 11:36 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 11:36:12 -0400

True friendship lasts forever going forward and is priceless as far as I am concerned, Friendship is tested in adversity which may be in a military battle, a street fight or the trials and tribulations we go through throughout our lives. I communicate with my childhood best friend, friends from West Point and the Army on a regular basis. I communicate with my friends on rallyPoint generally on a daily basis.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Sep 2 at 2015 11:58 AM

SPC David Hannaman — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 11:58:55 -0400

Hard to pick between "buddies" and "experiences" they're kind of one in the same.

RIP Ski, miss you my friend.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Sep 2 at 2015 12:28 PM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 12:28:30 -0400

Buddies to share the experiences - I have enough medals and badges

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 2 at 2015 1:18 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 13:18:07 -0400

My buddies were the most important people in the military. It's not about me, it's about us.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Sep 2 at 2015 1:27 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 13:27:00 -0400

Experiences without a doubt! I have met some pretty awesome people while serving, but what made them memorable was the experience at which I met them, the bond created at that moment. Lets face it, medals are more about being in the right place at the right time or being the right rank at the right moment. Not every SM (even those who really wanted a school), gets to attend schools where badges are awarded. I do, however, have much respect for those who earned the awards and badges! Some of my good friends earned some impressive ones...

Response by SSG John Erny made Sep 2 at 2015 1:58 PM

SSG John Erny — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 13:58:51 -0400

CH (MAJ) William Beaver Sir, there is one buddy that no one likes! The modern Army calls him the blue falcon. I am old, so I use the time honored original name of buddy #*(( Had to say it, it just popped in my head :-)

Response by SPC Ken Harper made Sep 2 at 2015 2:24 PM

SPC Ken Harper — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 14:24:08 -0400

Definitely my buddy!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 2:33 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 14:33:10 -0400

Its a draw between all the people I worked with from across the many services and the unique once in a lifetime experiences I had.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Sep 2 at 2015 4:14 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 16:14:27 -0400

If anything is ever more important the people, you probably need to get out...actually never have been in...in my opinion.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Sep 2 at 2015 5:43 PM

CDR Michael Goldschmidt — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 17:43:21 -0400

Buddies, hands down! I don't mourn my bling or the chow.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 8:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 20:13:18 -0400

I chose "experiences" because I had my buddies/family with me along for the ride.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Sep 2 at 2015 9:35 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 21:35:47 -0400

Buddies come first. None of us are getting any younger. I did 6 years across 2 enlistments that were back to back and held some remarkable positions. I made rank quick but that just meant more $$'s. My buds and I stay in touch. 2 are here in my hometown! Great Question....

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Sep 2 at 2015 9:59 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 21:59:01 -0400

Us and them like us, and most of them are gone! It is worse w/ a BPED of April 1953.

Response by SSG Keven Lahde made Sep 3 at 2015 12:30 AM

SSG Keven Lahde — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 00:30:02 -0400

CH (MAJ) William Beaver Sir to me , Medals and awards only get you so far. Its the Battle Buddies that help you thru thick and thin. Medals can't prevent a suicide or anything like that. A Battle Buddy can and are cherished in my opinion.

Response by SSG Michael Hathaway made Sep 3 at 2015 5:23 AM

SSG Michael Hathaway — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 05:23:14 -0400

I would have to say my buddies mean more to me. Medals and badges are great for promotions and to show what I have accomplished. But without my buddy to my right and my left, I doubt I would have succeeded in a more than a few of my exercises and missions. I count on my buddies as much as I rely on myself. Plus, I can't really share a beer with my ARCOM.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 5:39 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 05:39:54 -0400

Battle Buddies and then Experiences

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 3 at 2015 8:07 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 08:07:30 -0400

Experiences and Shipmates is a very close second. I still talk about Navy stuff and the people I worked with.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 9:17 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 09:17:07 -0400

Its all about the team and those to the left and right of you in the foxhole

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made Sep 3 at 2015 9:21 AM

SSG Paul Setterholm — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 09:21:41 -0400

I come from a long line of soldiers. I just wanted to make my family proud.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 10:58 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:58:12 -0400

Most of all my memories. Medals etc, explain what I did, war stories by my buddies tell how I did but my memories tell all.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 3 at 2015 1:52 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:52:42 -0400

I have thought why would a person throw themselves on a grenade or protect their buddy with their own body. My conclusion is love. Love gave them the bravery to sacrifice themselves.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 9:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 21:52:13 -0400

Battle Buddies!!

Response by PFC Robert Falk made Sep 3 at 2015 11:50 PM

PFC Robert Falk — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 23:50:54 -0400

the thing that means the most to me is my wife and kids.

Response by SPC Thomas Moosey made Sep 4 at 2015 1:12 PM

SPC Thomas Moosey — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 13:12:00 -0400

All even the chow while on post not in the field. Metals help to remind me of some of my experiences. Battle buddies are great to have around.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 4 at 2015 1:12 PM

SGT David T. — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 13:12:40 -0400

My cats love my Air Assault badge...they swat that thing all over my house lol.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Sep 4 at 2015 1:47 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 13:47:32 -0400

Experiences for me has been the most memorable thing I have from my service. From my first experience of being sent on a wild goose chase as the new guy sent looking for 50% Dot to polish the CO's pastry platter, I was directed to the HT shop, DC Central, Medical, Dental, A Gang, Bosn locker, and several other shops on the ship before finally being sent to the Photo lab where I received a piece of paper that was covered 50% with dots, and a whole lot of good natured laughing. Liberty call in so many ports where I was exposed to many different foods and drinks and in general a great time. Even though at the time some of the places seemed not so great I am fairly certain that I would never have been able to travel the world like that.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Sep 4 at 2015 3:19 PM

SFC William Farrell — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 15:19:55 -0400

The buddies always.

Response by PO2 Jeffrey Sheibels made Sep 4 at 2015 3:28 PM

PO2 Jeffrey Sheibels — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 15:28:32 -0400

For me. It is all about my brothers and sisters that I served with. Without them, I would not have had the success I had.

Response by SrA Mark Santelia made Sep 5 at 2015 12:04 AM

SrA Mark Santelia — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 00:04:57 -0400

Experience and buddies

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 20 at 2015 6:39 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:39:47 -0400

My experiences to keep me in check, to evaluate others, to help me understand the tactical to strategic picture.

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Dec 29 at 2015 1:56 PM

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 13:56:45 -0500

Experiences without a doubt. Second, the wonderful people I've served with along the way.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Aug 17 at 2017 1:18 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 13:18:53 -0400

My time and my life I gave to Army and my country.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2018 9:30 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 09:30:25 -0500

CH (MAJ) William Beaver always my buddies, but we talk about our experiences together.