Category Archives: Service Members & Veterans

Stories and experiences from active-duty service members, retirees, and veterans across the branches of the U.S. military.

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

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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)

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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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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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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!

Tommy’s Story: Army Brat and AF Service Member

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Which branch of the service are you connected to, how, and when?

I was an Army brat for 16 years and an Air Force Member for 4 years.

What was the best tour of duty as a dependant?

As a dependant, it would be Fulda, Germany. Made friends for a lifetime there.

What was the best tour of duty as a service member?

As a service member the best duty location was Bergstrom AFB in Austin. Unit felt like family.

How do you answer the question: “Where are you from?”

I usually answer that with a line from the Highlander movie. “Lots of different places.”

Where do you call home?

I call Hattiesburg, Mississippi home, because that was where I was born.

Thank you, Tommy, for sharing your story with us!

Doug’s Story: Brat to Soldier

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Which branch of service are you connected to? For how long?

I was an Air Force Brat for 27 years and an Army Soldier for 21. Now retired.

What was your best tour of duty location and why?

RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge. Friendly people, great scenery, and great food.

How do you answer the question, “Where are you from?”

All over the world.

Where do you call home?

I call Virginia home because it’s the longest place I’ve ever lived.

Thank you, Doug, for sharing your story!

Seth’s Story: An Army Helicopter Pilot Gives Advice

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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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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

Stay tuned for Seth’s advice!

Seth’s Story: Army Helicopter Pilot Service Deets

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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: Army Specialist

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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!