Which Branch of service are you connected to and which State?
Army. Maryland was the last place.
How are you connected? What years?
Army brat. 1979-1994.
Best Tour of Duty location? Why?
Maryland. Weirdly enough I liked the area and my uncle was stationed there with my cousins who I’m really close to. I didn’t hear many people who grew up with extended family members nearby.
How do you answer the question: “Where do you come from?”
I’m from all over, but consider my home to be my current place.
Where do you call “home” and why?
I believe Maryland will always be my forever home, but San Antonio is starting to be. I finished school in San Antonio, TX, started my career there, met my partner here (also a military brat), and his family and my family are here.
I am an Army Veteran, Army spouse, and raising to amazing military brats! It all started in 2010 and continues to this day.
Best tour of duty location?
That is a tie between Fort Wainwright and Fort Carson. Alaska was amazing. Truly a once in a lifetime experience. Northern lights and 24 hours of lightness cannot be described. You really need to see it to believe it. Fort Carson is amazing because of all the mountains but all the friends I’ve made there really made all the difference.
How do you answer the question: “Where are you from?”
I tell them I’m from Minnesota but then will add all the places we’ve been.
Most recently, the Air Force. Although, in doing genealogy, I am connected to all branches except the Coast Guard and the new Space Force.
Caitlin in the early 1990s wearing gear from the motor pool at Fort Bragg. The sneakers were from when Free Willy released.
How are you connected?
I am a proud Air Force brat.
What years were you or are you connected?
1986 to 1996, although I believe once a Brat, always a Brat.
Caitlin’s dad at Fort Bragg when they lived off base. Late 1980’s.
What was the best tour of duty location? Why?
Fort Bragg was my favorite. That’s where most of my memories are. There was so much a kid could do there. When Dad was gone, Mom took care of us – my sister and I. I feel she did the best she could. The late 1980’s – early 1990’s were pretty heated, and he was gone a lot between TDY, Gulf War, Haiti and general trainings.
How do you answer the question, “Where are you from?”
I ask them “do you mean currently, or historically?”
Where do you call home and why?
Home was wherever our mom and our stuff was. It’s still that way now that I’m a mom as well. We’ve moved a few times (non-military) and I always tell her that home is wherever I am for her.
I don’t really have any regrets. It was a different time.
Were you ever in combat?
Not officially.
What advice would you give someone who is planning to join the service?
Know what you want to achieve and have an idea of what your next thing after service is going to be.
What branch of the service would you advise them to join? Why?
That depends on what you want to get from it. If you want quicker promotions – join the Army. If you want shorter deployments – join the Air Force.
Seth and his wife DeeDee enjoying a treat after a wedding. They now live their happily-ever-after in Colorado.
Would you want your kids to join the military?
It’s not something that I would want to recommend but I would support their decision.
Have any of your kids joined the military? If so, what branch?
No, but our daughter married an Army Master Sergeant.
Do you have any family members in the service or have served?
Yes. My oldest brother, Bob, served 20 years in the Air Force. My middle brother, Rick, served 4 years in the Navy. My dad, John, served in the Army Air Corps.
Do you think the Army is better now than when you joined? Why or why not?
It is not better now. Because the quality of life; increased deployments, and long-term combat requirements on the soldier and their family’s life.
Did you get married while on Active Duty? Tell us about that.
No. We married between the time I was National Guard and Active Duty. We met while I was going through flight school. We didn’t have much time to get serious, so we played a lot of games (tennis etc.).
Experience
Besides being able to meet and marry my wife, we were able to adopt our first child in Panama. Our second child while at Fort Rucker, AL.
When I graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS), I was commissioned and had to pick a Branch. I chose Signal because of my enlisted background as a Avionics Technician. During the two years between graduating from OCS and attending Flight School, I was required to attend a Combat Arms school as a commissioned officer. I was stationed at Fort Sill, OK – the Home of Field Artillery.
Flight School Graduation Ball
DeeDee pinning on Seth’s wings
Upon graduation from Helicopter Flight School, I was awarded Aviation Branch wings. (See the picture of DeeDee pinning on my wings.) I was in the first class to graduate when Aviation became a Branch. I trained and was stationed at Fort Rucker – Home of Army Aviation several times throughout my career.
Faith: How did your faith change, how was it challenged, and how did it grow?
I was able to experience God in a deeper way based on where I was stationed. I accepted Christ during basic training. I grew in my faith in Panama. I matured in my faith in DC.
How did military life change you for the better or for the worse?
It changed me for the better. It gave me something to work toward and compete with others around the country. I learned about military traits – honor, respect, honesty, duty – that helped me to be able to improve my personal growth.
DeeDee sitting in front of Seth – Visiting DeeDee’s family during a family reunion in Blue Springs State Park, Blue Springs, AL 1990; on mid-tour leave from South Korea
I am a retired Army pilot. I achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4. I served 21 years Active Army and 9 years Army National Gard and Reserve.
Why did you join the military?
I was frustrated with civilian employment.
What types of helicopters have you flown?
TH-55 (training helicopter we only flew in flight school. (red helicopter shown)
UH-1 (later in flight school and later on for approx. 3 years);
Ch-47 B/C model and then transitioned to the CH-47 D model for the remainder of my career.
Deployments or Duty Stations
I was never deployed. I did have duty stations in the following places:
PA Army National Guard
Fort Sill, OK
Fort Rucker, AL
Camp Humpries, South Korea
Fort Kobbe, Panama
CA National Guard – Stockton
National Guard Bureau, Washington, DC
Best and Worst Duty Assignments and Why?
Best was Panama. Getting to fly in paradise. Hottest and wettest I’ve ever been My favorite memory is flying over the ocean in Panama. Fort Clayton, Panama, was my favorite place to live
Worst was Korea. Difficult staff. Coldest I’ve ever been.
What foods did you learn to eat that you didn’t eat before joining the military?
Kimchi. Squid ceviche. Tofu. Curry. Chicken Bog. Sushi (real sushi). And MRE’s (meals ready to eat – an oxymoron)
What customs or habits did you learn in the military that you still do?
Watching, reading, reading and predicting the weather like any good pilot does. Measure distance based on dopler sound when I hear artillery. Short hair cuts. But…I don’t shave every day.
Any friends you remember? Do you keep in touch?
1Lt Dennis Wiebe – nope. Not since I retired.
Cpt Bob Barrett – yes. Through FB.
Why did you leave?
It was time to go.
Stay tuned for some more of Seth’s military life memories!
Welcome back Eddie Mingus as he shares his experiences in the Army.
Tell Us About Yourself
I was a Specialist (SP4) in the United States Army from 1984-1989 and served as a military policeman.
Why Did You Join?
I was old enough and needed to get out of the house and get a job. Our family has a long history of Military service.
Where Were You Deployed?
I went to Rock Island Arsenal in 1986. I was assigned to an Ordnance company in Cakmakli, Turkey.
Where Were Your Duty Stations?
I was at Ft McClellan, AL; Seneca Army Depot, NY; Ft. Leonard Wood, MO; Cakmakli, Turkey; and Ft. Knox, KY.
Me in the Army – far left.
What Was Your Best Assignment, and Why?
I was always partial to Ft. Leonard Wood. I had many great assignments and met several people whom I’m still friends with to this day.
Worst Assignment?
Turkey. The unit I was assigned to seemed to hate MP’s.
How Did Military Life Change You?
I’m proud of my service. It was a good decision for me.
Where Was Home Before You Joined the Service and Where is Home Now?
I never had an attachment to my dad’s hometown since he was in the Navy and I traveled around a lot as a kid. I currently live in Tampa, Florida.
Were You Ever In Combat?
I never did while I was in service. Back in 2008 I retired from my job and did some private contracting work for the Department of State in Afghanistan.
What Did You Learn to Eat that You Didn’t Eat before Joining the Military?
For me it was Turkish foods. I have come to really like a lot of their food such as doner kebap.
Advice for Those Planning to Join the Service
See the world and live your life. Take chances. Meet new cultures. Take lots of pictures. Get out of your comfort zone. Jump from airplanes. Test your limits.
Love in the Military
When I was in the service I had not dated much. I went overseas to Turkey and met someone who I thought had good family values. It wasn’t so. After about eight years we got divorced. From that relationship I became the father to a little girl. Best thing that ever happened.
Eddie now – in Tampa Florida
Thank you for your service Eddie! And thank you for sharing your story! God bless!
Welcome Eddie back as he shares his experiences traveling as a Navy brat.
How Do You Answer the Question: Where are You From?
It has always been a tough one if you haven’t been part of the military life. Sadly I do not have a place I call home. I like to claim to be from Hawaii. It’s easier to say than trying to explain my background and why I look the way I look. if people push, I tell them my mother is Japanese and my father is from Kentucky.
What Did You Like Most About Living Overseas?
The freedom of just being a kid with no responsibilities.
How Many Elementary/Middle and High Schools Did You Attend?
Five elementary, two middle, and one high school.
The Best Place Your Parents Were Stationed?
Yokosuka, Japan.
Eddie in the blue hat, 2 unknown girls, Jessie and his brother. My dad knew Jesse personally and my dad would give him magazines he enjoyed. As a thank you my dad’s friend arranged for us to go to Jessie’s sumo stable for a tour and we met him personally.
How Many Times Was Your Sponsor Deployed and How Was That Experience For You?
I remember my dad going to the Philippines and Korea a lot. It was always great because he’d come home with lots of comic books, shoes, and clothes. My dad went on two six month deployments. One to Kenya and the other to Australia.
At the time I didn’t appreciate living in seven different places. All of them had a uniqueness about them. I have lots of good memories, however, I hated moving and leaving friends behind. Looking back it was a great experience as I saw a lot of the world. It gives me an appreciation for things I have now. I’m lucky to still have friends from back then.
Did You or Any of Your Siblings Join the Armed Forces?
My brother went into the National Guard as he could not join the regular Army because he had flat feet. I went into the Army but wanted to go into the Marine Corps. The recruiter for the Marines didn’t show up so I joined the Army.
Favorite Memories?
Some of the best memories I have are from recent years. After having not lived in Hawaii for forty years or so it was nice to go back. I went there in 1999 and was able to see my old home and even go inside to look at it. Not much had really changed in the home. It was smaller than I remembered. The cactus my dad planted was huge and taller than the house. I went back again in 2015 and the home was gone. Everything had changed in the neighborhood and I did not recognize anything.
Stay tuned as Eddie returns to talk about his life in the Army.
Welcome Edward “Eddie” Mingus to our blog! Today he shares his father’s experience of serving in the Navy.
Why did He join?
The way my dad tells it, his mother told him he was old enough and needed to leave the house and get a job. My family has a long history of service to the Armed Forces.
Edward “Donnie” Mingus (father) and Edward “Eddie” Mingus (son)
All About Dad
My father was a Chief Petty Officer (CPO) in the United States Navy from 1957 to 1979. I don’t remember how many deployments he had but he has been to Vietnam, Cuba, Philippines, Korea, Kenya, Australia, Johnston Island and probably others I don’t recall. He was stationed at: Great Lakes, Sasebo, Johnston Island, Hawaii, Camp Lejune, Subic Bay, Yokosuka, and San Diego.
Best and Worst Assignments?
Dad considered his best assignment to be Yokosuka and being on the USS Midway. He would like to return to Sasebo someday.
HIs worst assignment would have been Vietnam. He doesn’t talk much about it.
Favorite Memory
I think it would be his time on the USS Midway. He talks a lot about it. Of all the Navy hats he wears it always has something to do with the Midway.
Favorite Place to Live?
My dad would say either Yokosuka or Sasebo.
Toughest Time?
My dad would say retiring from the Navy was the hardest.
Is the Military better now than when you joined?
In some ways I think my dad and I would agree that there are parts which are better. There is an overall problem with leadership.
The biggest reason is there’s a culture of wokeness developing within the military. It’s become a social experiment where the focus has been on feelings and personal enrichment, whatever that may be. This is the US Military. It’s for one thing, and that’s defense of this country and war.
Why Did He Leave?
My dad retired because he was ready to go home. He loved the Navy and regrets retiring when he did. In retrospect he would have liked to stay in longer than he did.
Where’s he at now?
My dad is living in Cloverport, KY. He loved the name and regrets retiring when he did.
Staying Connected
My dad doesn’t really keep in touch with anyone. He doesn’t use a computer and many of his friends are in bad shape.
STAY TUNED as Eddie shares his experience as a Navy brat and then his experiences in the Army!
My dad didn’t go out to sea much the second half of his twenty-year career. I remember he went out when I was about ten years old and I don’t think he did again after that. I was so sad since I was supposed to take care of his fish and they died. I cried that I had let him down. When he returned he understood and we went to a store that only sold fish. It was in the Spanish town with cobbled streets and centuries of history on display wherever we went.
Did Any of My Siblings Join the Armed Forces?
My brother, John joined the Navy became an Air Traffic Controller. It wasn’t a good fit. Then they sent him to nursing school. That was good for him. He married a sweetie from MN who didn’t understand the military lifestyle, so he got out. He loved his time on active duty. As for my sister, she did not want to live her life as a military member or spouse. She took root in the south and is glad she did.
My brother Johnny, rocking that 80’s mustache. 2nd on the left, front row.
Did I Say Mam and Sir?
Yes Sir I did. Still do. I don’t think it was because my dad was Navy. I think it was because I had super, uber southern parents that believed a child had a role to live and it wasn’t as an adult in the family. We were taught that polite children use their manners and southern polite children better say mam or sir. Lol
Are Do Still have Contact with your Brat Friends?
Tammy and Me
Yes. Absolutely yes. I met, Tammy, one of my best gal pals when I was in 7th grade. She married her high school sweetheart (Jay is a brat too) and our husbands are friends too. Here’s where I visited her in FL.
Me, my hubby (the beardless one) and our friend Jayson.Me and GenaWow, we look just the same as we did in 1990!
Gena, my bestie in high school in Rota, was in my wedding. I was in hers. We live states away from each other but still keep in touch. Here’s a pic from when she came out to CO.
I still connect with our maid/nanny we had during my dad’s first tour to Spain. Here is a couple of pics from out times with Juani. She is a blessing in our lives. Like a big sister.
THANK YOU DEEDEE Lake for sharing your military brat experiences! We will be hearing more about her real life military romance in the future. I’m thrilled to be part of helping bring DeeDee’s military romance novel ideas to the page. Stay tuned! First book releases November 1st! Camouflage Christmas!
Rules of Engagement 