Service members and their families have a wide variety of experiences with the military – some good, some bad. When looking back on the years that you served, how would you rate your experience?
Service members and their families have a wide variety of experiences with the military – some good, some bad. When looking back on the years that you served, how would you rate your experience?
I spent 4 years at Edwards AFB as a Jet Engine mechanic and loved it. Was promoted to E5 in four years. Lost hearing and retrained as computer engineer. Spent 2 more years SAC HQ at Offut AFB Omaha Neb. SACs Systems. Spent 50 years in computer business. Retired NASA Moffett in Santa Clara California.
If Uncle Sam knew what we were doing on his ship! I dabbled with drugs before I went into the Navy(73-76). Smoked weed, some acid, normal stuff for the 70s. I was stationed in Alameda, CA, and CA was hopping with drugs back then. Started to use speed, cocaine, crank, a ton of weed! Even at sea we’d get high in the boiler room. I was totally burned out by my 21st birthday. Had a great time, met a lot of god people, but partied way to much.
I serve three tours in Germany, Korea and Vietnam. Spent half my time oversea as a enlisted man. The other half as CW3 at retirement. Serve additional 30 years working for the government. It’s a shame the way at Vietnam vets have been treated even VA sometimes do not even recognize Agent Orange even though at one time that you will be a diabetic it’s just a question of time. I’m sure they’ll do the same thing for Agent Orange we used to call him PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON. I enjoy my service now that retirement time. I would do it all over again for my country. Proud to be a Veteran with my brother in arms.
I served 35 years in the Navy. Loved the Seabees, not so much from my last ship USS Boone…..experienced racial discrimination and watched it unfold many times. Filed complaint with Inspector General, Atlantic Fleet and complaint was investigated via JAG. I had the right duty stations, Medals and Warfare Designation. After that I didn’t have a chance making Chief. My only enjoyment was helping other Sailors, that nobody else would take the time for. Can Do!!
While doing my work as a cost accountant, I was accosted by a female employee. When I reacted
to her advances, I was accused of a misbehavior and given a discharge “Under Honorable Conditions”.
No officer explained what type of “misbehavior” I was guilty of.
Also, at advanced basic training, I was given a job to preform. I was not provided with the correct
materials to do the work, resulting in my injuring myself.
In 6.5 years in the Army 1966-72 I was able to Graduate OCS, and later, after a tour in Germany, helicopter flight school. After my tour in Vietnam, I returned to Rt. Rucker to instruct new students. Where else could an 18-year-old kid from NY have such opportunities.
I served 8 years active and 4 more in the NG. Infantry and most of the time airborne. I loved it from freezing my balls off in Alaska, to listening to whiny mech guys who thought they were “cold” in Germany, too discovering that the vaunted 82nd did not hold a candle to airborne in Alaska.
We were a proud and professional lot back then.
These days I live about halfway between an army AIT training center and a major NG training post. More and more I am shocked and appalled by the “troops” that I see, from either place. They look like slobs and behave even worse. I would never have addressed or treated a civilian the way I see these troops do on a regular basis. I’ve seen elderly women shoved out of the way, hard veterans talked to like dogs and seen “soldiers” walking around with their uniforms in total dissaray and looking like crap. No self respect. What are they teaching these days? Good help this country if we have to fight a war.
I entered the U. S. Army in 1966. I was drafted but found a National Guard unit with an opening. My basic was at Ft Knox as was my OJT. Not a bad time but difficult as I was 26 years old and married.
After two years in my unit I went to OCS and was commissioned in 1969 and served for another 14 years. I considered it a great experience and it helped me in my civilian life to understand how to lead effectively.
I resigned my commission due to civilian obligations and was honorably discharged in 1982 as a Captain with most of my time spent either in Armored Cav or Cavalary. I was proud of my time and am to this day. I am greatly disappointed in the current leadership at the highest levels as they impose CRT, vaccine mandates, searches for “white supremacy”, etc. None of which have anything to do with unit or troop readiness to defend this country. I would be hard pressed to serve in today’s military as it’s become a social experiment and not a fighting force.
I served in the United States Air Force for 8 years. I wish I had stayed in and completed my 20 or 20+ years. I learned so much and met some of the best people that you could ever meet. I recently (2021) went and met one of the troops that served under me. He retired and is now a civilian working on base. We went on base, with him, and I was absolutely appalled by what I saw. Women with their hair down, touching their collars. Men with beards, people in uniform wearing tennis shoes. This is NOT the military I was part of in 1991 – 1999. I would not change anything from my time as it was disciplined, structured and very much professional. Glad I served, would do it again, but wouldn’t do it in today’s military.
I served proudly for only three years, wanted to make a career out of it but it was hell! I was treated like dirt from other female soldiers and constantly harassed by single and married men. My rank was never taken seriously, I was stuck in a platoon that didn’t respect authority and two of my fellow soldiers were caught smoking weed. This was around 98-2000. I wish I could have stayed in and went Airforce, that was my mistake. I should not let idiots like that control my dreams of being a captain but it’s too late. Now I’m 43 with nothing but regrets.
This comment is in response to the survey about sieving in the military.
I was proud to have served my country in every climb and place. This actually happened over 25 yrs. From far off Northern Lands (Norway above the Arctic Circle) to Desserts (Operation Iraqi Freedom) to Sunny Tropic Scenes (Okinawa & places all over the Pacific and Indian Oceans). To end my career I was given the opportunity to be Sergeant Major of First Force Reconnaissance Company. Very proud to have served with those magnificent professionals. One thing I think needs to be addressed concerning pay for our Marines. If a Marine with a family is eligible for food stamps and wick Congress should consider that we are not paying our enlisted men and woman enough.
I would do it again.served in Germany 1970 to 11-8-72 then back until discharge 3-9-73.met a lot of good people
I really don’t believe you want to hear what I have to say because most of it is still classified so it’s another forgotten hero it’s another family that went through it with him for 40 years and still no peace no answers no compensation no metals noted knowledge. Just 117 year-old that loved what he was doing and end up destroying his whole life and mine His wife his
“117 years”?? I don’t think ANYONE serves for 40 years, unless one might include post-Service civilian employment.
Just felt it was my duty to serve the country. Many of my family. /relatives had served in WWII. But the Viet Nam era was not the best era to serve but I learned a lot about myself.
I loved it. Six years in the Army eighteen in the Air Force. Good times
and bad times. Some sad times. But I would do it again.
I lost so many wonderful friends in Viet Nam.
For years I have been suffering from PTSD and on meds and frequently visits to the V.A. for counseling.
I was a second class Hospital Corpsman aboard USS Wichita (AOR-1) and made two deployments to Southeast Asia. I really enjoyed my four years in the US Navy and would do it again in a heartbeat.
I had excellent medical training given to me by the doctor and chief corpsman aboard ship and then stayed in the medical profession for 45 years after discharge.
Currently, I use the Veterans Administration Healthcare System and love it!
The worst thing that happened to was when it came time to re-enlist. I wanted to re-enlist but i was treated with prejudice. I’m American 100% but from Mexican descent. Well when i was called yo to the personnel office as i was there 2 guys that were with me in the dental company i asked how did it go. They said it went great that they got $8000 for 8yrs but only had to serve 6 yrs active and get 8 yrs credit. When i got to the office he took me in and first i said was i want to be stationed in ship. He told me i asked why not he said the navy had paid too much money and they weren’t going to sent to a ship. Then i said well send me overseas they couldn’t do that either. So my third option i said ok send where you but give the deal the. 2 brothers that just left. He said which 2 brothers i gave him there names, i can’t. I said you cant or you won’t you gave them an 8thousand dollar bonus, they’re getting for 8 yrs and only have to serve 6 yrs. So why can’t you give me the same deal we do the same job. So i said oh i get it it’s because of the color my huh. I’m brown and they’re white. I said to him well you can roll that re-enlistment contract and shove it up your white “S”! And left. I really enjoyed my Time in the NAVY AND IF I WAS NEED AT ANY TIME I GO IN A HEARTBEAT! That’s the only THING i miss of not serving on ship and not going overseas. GO NAVY! BUT I’LL SERVE MY COUNTRY ANYTIME ANYWHERE
It was GOD BLESSING for me. If, the Army hired me to do again. I would do it again. AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY AND THAN SOME. I missed running PT with my highly spit shine combat boots.
I have to say they were the best years of my life. If I could I would do it all over again
Thankful for the opportunity and great variety of tasks and far places we all experienced. What we took from those will obviously differ from person to person. I am extremely proud to have served my beloved country and would have made the supreme sacrifice for her and my fellow comrades. Life since then invariably is influenced positively by my 21 years in uniform. My family might disagree with my experiences but they deserve so much credit for staying the course.
My overseas duty was the DMZ in Korea in 1970 and early 1971, thirteen months. I made rank fast because I really did my best. I wore several hats so to speak in my company. The president said that they were pulling troops out, but the truth was that when someone finished their tour, they were not replaced. As we got more shorthanded, that is when I started wearing different hats so to speak because I could do several different jobs.
My 28 years in the Air Force was the best of my life. Lifelong friends. My career field was like family. We worked hard and partied hard. Great memories!
I concur my best 25 years in USAF wax the greatest
Retired CMSGT
I had a great time in the Navy till towards the end of my career where’s a E-8 name Kelly Charles was sleeping with my wife and lowered my evaluation to stop me from getting promoted any further if I seen today I’d catch a case
Best decision I ever made. Gave me a great job in intelligence for 20 plus years, met fantastic people, also my wife of now almost 59 years, and set me up for working for DOD. Now going on 82 years of life and loved what life dealt me in the USAFSS command.
I am proud of my service as a Naval officer in a riverboat unit in Vietnam.
Unable to do it again, if I could I would. Because of a medical condition I received an early out. TAC and SAC.
In my city one can’t get help for anything from va administration thank you 9897988967
The Navy trained me on S2 Grumman power and flight control systems, I was a flight deck troubleshooter. Served on the Lex, the Yorktown, and Intrepid. Fascinating g experience
Wish I could do it again USAF Satratic Air Command.