Discover real stories from military life—shared by military brats, spouses, service members, and veterans. Explore the experiences, challenges, adventures, and connections that come with being part of the military community.
Share Your Military Story
Have a military life story you’d love to share? We would be honored to help tell the stories of military brats, spouses, service members, veterans, and families. Your experiences are part of the larger military community story, and we’d love to hear yours.
Contact DeeDee and Susan at D2andSusan@gmail.com.
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Catherine’s Story: Military Spouse (Part 4 of 4)
In the final part of Catherine’s story, she shares more of her experiences as a military spouse and the unique challenges, changes, and memories that came with military family life. Continue reading →
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Catherine’s Story: Military Spouse (Part 3 of 4)
What did you learn to eat that you didn’t eat before entering the military life? Grits. I always eat them with our eggs to this day! What habit did you learn in the mlitary and still do? I learned to pack efficiently and in a hurry! Any Friends do you remember? Do you still keep…
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Catherine’s Story: Military Spouse (Part 2 of 4)
Tell us about Love in the Military I met my husband flying from Los Angeles to Hawaii on vacation. He had visited his family in Birmingham Alabam, and was on his way back to the Main Island, as he called Oahu. We got married while he was on active duty, at Our Lady of Sorrows…
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Catherine’s Story: Military Spouse (Part 1 of 4)
What Branch of Service and When? My husband, James was in the Navy for four years, as a Cryptologic Technician, E-3. He is retired now. Where You Able to Have a Career While He Served I was able to work as a Purchasing Agent while my husband served. How Long Have You Been Married? We…
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Conversation with a Vietnam Era Navy Wife – Catherine Brakefield
Please forgive the audio on this video. Had a bit of a snafu on my trip back to Colorado from Texas. When I got my normal microphone out 45 minutes before the interview, I realized it was bumped up. Yep. It was not going to work. So, plan B was a lesser-quality microphone. No worries…
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Operation: Allegiance is Available !
We are honored to inform you that book 2 in our Rules of Engagement series released this week! Operation: Allegiance is available now! Injured Alexos Sava wants nothing more than to get back to his Army helicopter unit in South Korea. At home to convalesce on his family’s ranch in Colorado, his faith has been…
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Jeff’s Story: The Military and Advice (Part 3 of 3)
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,…
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Jeff’s Story: Military Brat to Military Man (Part 1 of 3)
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…
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Joan’s story: Military Spouse
How was life as a Military Wife? I did not have a career during my husband’s 12 years of service because I was busy raising our children and we never knew when we would be transferred to another base. People were hesitant to hire military spouses because of the expense of training and then we’d…
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Interview with miltary wife – Bethany Jett
Meet military wife, Bethany Jett, an example of a woman who is capable and able to live the military lifestyle while raising her boys. She proves you can have it all and be a Patriot. Continue reading →
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April’s Story: Army Brat
What Branch of the service were you connected to, how, and what years? I was born in Atlanta, Ga January 1969 as an Army brat as my father was serving. In total my father served 20 years, 17 in Army and last 3 in Navy. Where have you lived? When I was 3 months old we…
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Korrina’s Story: Air Force Brat, Navy Wife
Which branch of the service are you connected to, for what years, and how? Dad was retired Air Force. He achieved the rank of SMSGT and served from 1955-1975 as a Crew Chief. He was deployed 3 times to Vietnam. He as near the DMZ but not in direct combat. His base was bombed. We…
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Nancy’s Story: Army Special Services Brat
What branch of the military are you connected to? My dad was Army Special Services in the Korean War. His secret clearance allowed him to find jobs as a teacher/school administrator on Kwajalein Marshall Island and in Vientiene, Laos. How are you connected? Child/Brat Where and what years? Kwajalein – 1962-1967 Laos – 1972-1975 Best…
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Juan’s Story: Air Force Brat to Navy Vet
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…
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Karen’s Story: Navy Brat and Air Force Wife
How are you connected to the military, and when? I have a more complicated but life-long association with the US military Here’s an overview for you to start on: I’ve been mainly associated with the Navy through family and my own time in the Naval Sea Cadets as a teen, I was also married to…
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Tommy’s Story: Army Brat and AF Service Member
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…
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Marc’s Story: Army Brat
Which branch of the service are you connected to, how, and when? I was an Army brat from 1951-1963. Best tour of duty location and why? Fort Bliss, TX. First school where all the classmates were also Brats. Also summer vacation activities were great! How do you answer the question “Where are you from?” I…
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Bernard’s Story: Love in Army Officer Candidate School
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…
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Brooke’s Story: Army Brat to Army Nurse and love?
Meet Samantha “Brooke” Cooper-Sanchez, the female protagonist in our first installation in the Rules of Engagement Romance series! Operation: Camouflage Christmas is a novella available in ebook and print format! We hope you’ll enjoy it, and Brooke’s interview. How are you connected to the military? What branch? My father is an Army helicopter pilot, which…
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Doug’s Story: Brat to Soldier
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…
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Min’s Story: Army Brat
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…
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Jolene’s Story: Army Veteran, Spouse and Raising Military Brats
How are you connected to the military? 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.…
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Caitlin’s Story: Once a Brat, Always A Brat
What branch of the service are you connected to? Most recently, the Air Force. Although, in doing genealogy, I am connected to all branches except the Coast Guard and the new Space Force. How are you connected? I am a proud Air Force brat. What years were you or are you connected? 1986 to 1996,…
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Seth’s Story: An Army Helicopter Pilot Gives Advice
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…
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Seth’s Story: On Love and Faith in the Military
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…
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Seth’s Story: Army Helicopter Pilot Service Deets
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?…
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Eddie’s Story: Army Specialist
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…
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Eddie: Navy Brat Living Overseas
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…
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Eddie’s Story: Military Father and Son
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…
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DeeDee’s Story: A Military Brat Part 6 of 6
How Many Times has my Sponsor Been Deployed? 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…
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DeeDee’s Story: A Military Brat Part 5 of 6
Where Are You From? Answering the question, “where are you from” still stumps me. I wonder are they asking me where I was born? Where I lived last or longest? Where I connect with the most? Where my grandparents live or where do I currently live? Eventually, I think most of us develop a quick…
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DeeDee’s Story: A Military Brat Part 4 of 6
Misconceptions About Military Families There are misconceptions about military families. When we see movies portraying service men as hard-core drill sergeants with their family, we know it is rarely true. And I can’t imagine a family member chewing out their sponsor’s commander. Yeah. I can’t even picture that. Sacrifices Also, a Brat sacrifices daily in…
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DeeDee’s Story: A Military Brat Part 3 of 6
Things I’ve Learned as a Military Brat I am proud. Blessed. Honored to be a Navy Brat. Just like you, I wear my “bratness” as a badge of honor that I’ve earned through the moves, schools, tears, laughter, making new friends and missing ones left behind. I am the person I am today because of…
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DeeDee’s Story: A Military Brat Part 2 of 6
Change Inevitably Happened Looking back to 1980, our entire family was unknowingly, unprepared for civilian life. I suppose my parents had a better handle on it since they were both born to civilian parents. (Mom’s dad had been in WW-II when she was born). As for me and my siblings we could have used some…
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DeeDee’s Story: A Military Brat Part 1 of 6
The Beginning My story begins like so many of ours do. I was the second child born to my Navy dad and Southern mama in the Portsmouth Naval Hospital. The oldest, my brother John, was born in the same hospital just nineteen months earlier. I’m unsure how many moves my folks did between the time…
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Operation: Reconnaisance due to release June 27, 2023!
For her, it was a marriage of convenience. He prayed she’d grow to love him. But their tragic pasts threaten to destroy any hope for their future together. A tragic accident changed Rusty Sava’s life, and he battles daily with the consequences. Love wasn’t something he bargained for, but once he met Jane his heart…
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Jeff’s Story: Military Life (Part 2 of 3)
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:…
