Jeff’s Story: The Military and Advice (Part 3 of 3)

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Posted on February 28, 2023 by Susan M. Baganz

Is the military better or worse now?

It’s certainly different. When I joined, it was a ‘family’. At several of my duty stations, we all knew each other’s spouse, children, the layout of each other’s house, etc. We had parties together; we celebrated births and anniversaries together. Now, at least in my last few units, at the end of the day, it was a race to get out of the parking lot and get back home. The family feeling is gone.

What advice you you give someone thinking of joining the military

The advice I would give anyone getting ready to join the military is this. Every duty station is going to be what you make it. If you go in with a bad attitude towards it, it’s going to be the pits. If you go into it with an upbeat attitude, it will most likely be the best place you can remember. Also, you can learn something from every supervisor you have. Watch, listen and learn. You will either learn how to do something, or how NOT to do something.

The branch of service is going to depend on their personality, interests, and skillsets.

Where was your favorite place?

Favorite place to live would easily be southeastern Arizona. There’s pretty much something for everyone to do there.

What was the hardest time you had in the military?

Toughest time was when I was sent to Washington DC after the January 6 event. I was there only 3 months, but saw more hardship than I care to remember. Not hardship for myself, other than 12 hour long workdays and working strictly nightshifts, I had it pretty decent. The hardship I saw were the many homeless camps all over. I still wonder how someone could be in the position to do something about it and not appear to lift a finger. Some of these camps were just outside the fence surrounding the buildings of Congress!

Do you still have friends from your military days?

I still have several friends from the military that I keep in touch with.

How did you manage missing home?

The times that I did miss home were almost always around holidays and birthdays. Phone calls and pictures were what got me through.

Thank you, Jeffery for sharing your story with us!

Jeff’s Story: Military Life (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on February 23, 2023 by Susan M. Baganz

What was your best or worst assignment?

It is almost impossible to pick one for either of them. They all had extremely great times and memories, as well as low points. It all depended on the attitude you had going in to them. “The job is what you make it”.

Where is “home?”

Home before: Kirby Texas, then Hackettstown New Jersey.

Home now: Bridgeville PA. Had never lived there before, but had visited on one of my Instructor TDYs. (Temporary Duty)

How did military life change you?

Military life does change everyone. For me, it helped me learn to deal with adversity and hardship. It taught me that not everyone comes from the same background and upbringing. You rapidly learn how to adjust your point of view and try and see things from a different perspective. You learn to try and ensure the mission is completed as quickly and as safely as possible, while still trying to ‘take care of the troops’. Some things can’t be done safely. There is always a risk involved. All you can do is try your best to mitigate the risk. It also made me learn how to put my feelings on the back burner sometimes. That can be a bad thing at times, because you don’t think about the feelings of the other guy. Sometimes you can’t. The job needed to be done, regardless of conditions. This can make you appear as uncaring, and unapproachable. It got too easy to become ‘cold’.

Did you see combat?

I was never directly involved in a combat situation, for which my mother will be eternally grateful. I do know many who were though.

Why did you leave?

I left because I reached mandatory retirement age. I would have easily stayed longer if allowed.

Thank you, Jeffrey! Stay tuned for his final post on his thoughts about the military.

Jeff’s Story: Military Brat to Military Man (Part 1 of 3)

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Posted on February 21, 2023 by Susan M. Baganz

What Branch of service are you connected to?

Air Force (13 years Active duty)

Army (29 years Natl Guard)

How are you connected to the military?

I was raised as a military brat and become a service member in both the Air Force and then the Army. I served from July 1979 – Aug 2021 and achieved the rank of E8 – Master Sergeant. I’m currently retired.

Why did you join?

I joined, because I felt a calling to serve. My father was military from when I was born up until I was about 12. You could say it was ‘in my blood’.

What did you do in the Military?

In the Air Force I did the following jobs: Titan II missile facility electrician, Communication / Navigation Systems repair on B-52 and KC-135 aircraft, Flight line Maintenance Control, Instructor for Maintenance on Comm/Nav sys for B-52 and KC-135 aircraft

In the Army: TOW Anti-tank missile launchers repair, Heavy Tracked vehicle maintenance, Satellite communications systems operator, Platoon Sergeant, Division level Signal operations control, Battalion level Senior Signal Non Commissioned Officer (NCO)

Were you ever deployed?

Deployments: 2 Both to Germany. The first I was flying supplies into Sarajevo during the Yugoslavian split (3 months) a nd the second was post 9/11 security for several US military facilities in Germany (9 months).

Thank you Jeffrey for sharing! Stay tuned for part 2!

Juan’s Story: Air Force Brat to Navy Vet

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Posted on November 17, 2022 by Susan M. Baganz

How are you connected to the Military and what years?

I was born into an Air Force family in 1956 until my father retired in 1972. I joined the Navy in 1974 and was discharged in 1976 due to a medical condition.

What was your best Tour of Duty and why?

Best tour of duty was at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico. Best time of my life.

I was 18 years old and living in a tropical paradise away from my family. I was on my own and for the most part I was free to make my own choices. They were not all good but they were mine.

What do you tell people when they ask: “Where are you from?”

I tell people I am from all over. And I wouldn’t have it any other way

Thank you for sharing your story!

Bernard’s Story: Love in Army Officer Candidate School

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Posted on November 3, 2022 by Susan M. Baganz

Welcome to Bernard Travis, our male protagonist in Operation: Camouflage Christmas. We decided to interview him for our blog.

How are you connected to the Military, and what branch?

My dad is a drill sergeant currently serving overseas. I’m now in Officer Candidate School to become a Psychiatric Physician’s Assistant.

What did you like and/or dislike about being a military brat?

My father was strict and life changed dramatically when he was around. Life was easier when he was gone. He didn’t show a lot of emotion. It was hard too when bad things happened that he wasn’t always there for us.

I didn’t mind moving around because I met interesting people and I guess the discipline my dad instilled in me helped me through college and hopefully through officer training.

What do you say when people ask, “Where are you from?”

I usually tell them I’m an American. I don’t belong to any one place.

Where is home for you?

Home is wherever my mom is. Someday I hope it will be wherever my wife is.

Why should someone read Operation: Camouflage Christmas?

Well, if you want bad poetry, by all means go ahead. I’m just happy my plan to woo Brooke worked. You’d need to read it to find out just how. I think God covered a multitude of my own weaknesses in the process.

Seth’s Story: An Army Helicopter Pilot Gives Advice

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Posted on October 11, 2022 by Susan M. Baganz

Do you have any regrets?

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.

Thank you Seth, for sharing your story!

Seth’s Story: On Love and Faith in the Military

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Posted on October 6, 2022 by Susan M. Baganz

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.

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

Stay tuned for Seth’s advice!

Seth’s Story: Army Helicopter Pilot Service Deets

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Posted on October 4, 2022 by Susan M. Baganz

How are you connected to the Military?

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!

Eddie’s Story: Military Father and Son

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Posted on September 22, 2022 by Susan M. Baganz

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!

Coming Soon!

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Posted on July 29, 2022 by Susan M. Baganz

DeeDee Lake and Susan M. Baganz are pleased to announce that our new series of inspirational romance novels and novellas based on military life (specifically Army) will be released soon.

The first book, Camouflage Christmas, is a novella and features Brooke and Bernard managing a romance, and life, at Fort Benning, GA, Officer Training School.

Whether you’re a fan of the military, a veteran, a family member of a military person, or a military brat, our hope is that these stories, although fictional, will resonate with you.

Stay tuned. Subscribe to hear real-life stories from military personnel and those associated with them.

James B. Pollard held his new daughter before leaving for war with no idea of where he would be heading. He had just become a father of two and never knew if he’d see them again.

If you are interested in being part of our mailing list we will offer you a free e-book copy of Journey to Lekhipani: G.I.’s Experience in WWII, from Amazon. These are the real-life writings of Susan’s grandfather during WWII. A short read, it will put you in India as a young soldier faces the realities of life during war and missing his family at home. Please email Susan at silygoos@gmail.com. This email list will only be used to inform you of upcoming releases. We will never sell or abuse your trust in giving us this information.