For the longest Duration of my life, my only perspective on the military and how it is affiliated in everyday life, came from my father. As long as I can remember my father has always been Patriotic and militant. Aka Red White and Blue with, BDU or ACU color/patterns on EVERYTHING! Through my father's experience and pop culture I grew to learn a better understanding of how the military works, operates, and above all, how it has changed. Stories of just places my father has been, not always neccesarily in detail, amaze me, and urge me to want to see the world.  Other times its dicouraging to hear about stories involving injuries/casualties from media...»

So let's go ahead and brief on who I am. Oilfield brat through and through. We moved so much that by the time I was 13, I hadn't lived in one place more than 2 years. Sounds like an Army upbringing to me! I even affectionately refer to my father as Sarge, which I think he gets a real kick out of. He's a blue collar man that somehow got the engineering smarts to get himself a double engineering degree. So... Pastel blue, more white, collar.   When we were in the Middle East, we hosted a bunch of US sailors from the USS Kennedy (I think) for Thanksgiving. One of them even gave me a teddy bear (I was around 9). My family and our expat community...»

My  kids are born into an army life and remain so until this day and will continue until they are old enough to choose their own path of life. Since birth, they have lived a very dynamic life that their cousins cannot comprehend the challenges the Dalat’s kids faced through packing, moving, making new friends, and learning to adapt in new environments. These Army brats’ lives are not simple but over the years, they have developed the strength to deal with the complexity and diversity of an army life. They are agile, adaptive, and flexible. By the age of five, most of Dalat’s kids have crossed the vast oceans at-least three times and have...»

We live through the same times we share together, one and all, in its diversity, and when times change, sometimes outdated structures do not as quickly, depending upon the roots. So therefore I believe that in posting this, it is possible that if someone has read this far already, that they take my hand to understand my perspective and I understand more of theirs, to troubleshoot and help with solutions for past or outdated zeitgeists, while combining future goals, and so together help each other in developing the outlook to keep America free and stronger in coming times. WHINSEC in the early Panama days took on the impossible: that of ensuring instantly...»

I have recently decided to join the Army. I have been out of High School for about a year now and I have realized that joining the military is what I desire. I have had several jobs since ive been out of school, and none of them have been what I look for in a career. So I plan to leave this summer for BCT and to pursue a career in the United States Army!

  “I know not all that may be coming, but be what it will. I’ll go to it laughing.” Stubb ‘Moby Dick’ That’s what I found in my right front MCU pocket this morning. She puts these little quotes in my pockets and boots when I deploy. I’ve found them in my uniform breast pocket, in my socks, combat boots even rolled up in the quilt her mom made me. One deployment I found one in my cold weather gloves seven months into my tour. She’s amazing like that. Always there, always when I need her and here I am leaving her, again. Today, well, I’m deploying…again. My fifth. Our fifth. I’m getting so...»

  Walking down the terminal I keep wondering how many of these he can survive, we can survive. It’s the fifth deployment and I think this one is eating him up more than the others. The boys are older now. They are more aware than ever of his absence. Dylan is five and Chase is three. It’s possible this will mark an irrevocable point in their lives. Brandon will miss more this time. He missed Dylan’s first steps, words and tooth. He was here for a lot of Chase’s growing up but there’s so much more to come. I know he feels like he leaves us, abandons us. I don’t feel that way. I just can’t convince him otherwise. I...»

  One requirement for an Army ROTC cadet is to participate in a Joint FTX (Field Training Exercise) with other schools around your area, for me, the schools consisted of many Florida Schools, as well as one from Georgia and one from the University of Puerto Rico.  I attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with the Eagle Batallion, and in March of this year we participated in the Audie Murphy Joint FTX.   This is what I did day by day.  I thought many people might like to read what happens at an FTX, especially my parents and friends who may be unfamiliar and ask what it is we actually do.  Hope you enjoy the read!   Day 1....»

Hello today, it is beautiful in California today. Been a busy week and my advice I have learned while your soldier is training, going to school or overseas fighting for our country.  Is sitting around idle makes you worry and wonder more.  Yes there are parents that work, go to school, etc. I have found giving back to whatever interests you works, where I am at is a Navy and Marine city so to find a place to give back to the Army is a little hard. But not imposible, check the USO they are always looking for help, and we have the Wounded Warrior Program also. I have chosen to go back to babysitting for a military family a number of days a week, the...»

So when your son is always telling you I am going to serve in the Army when I get old enough, your answer is yes. Though when they turn that age of 17 and bring you the infomation you get that knot in your stomach of panic and being proud. My son asked me to go along on this journey with him and I am happy that I did. He studied hard and got the job he was wanting, he left for Basic in January and graduated March 23, 2012. He is now at school doing great, he has been promoted and working on his next promotion. I sent my son to the Army and they returned a Soldier who is my son, that is all military.  As a mom in January saying goodbye was so hard we...»