Have you ever done a rediscovery of your military career (17 years removed)

SSG Jonathan Edwards — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:08:45 -0500

Hi everyone. I know this seems a bit hokey, but have you ever had that yearning to rediscover your military life. Recently I went to storage and pulled out all my Army stuff. The memories came rushing back.

Of interest is the verbiage used on my various awards. I long thought those was standard, but folks took the time to actually note my activities and why I was getting the award. This is one of the reasons I found Rallypoint. But I often thought what I was doing was weird.

Do you all think that's a weird thing (remember the Glory Days I guess)?

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 28 at 2015 11:14 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:14:01 -0500

Not weird at all to me. I wanted back in almost from the time I got out. I still look back at my service as the best time of my life. RP allows me to recapture some of the service life and relive old war stories with those that understand what shared sacrifice is all about.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 29 at 2015 1:02 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 01:02:35 -0500

17 years... That hit home as that's how long it took before I could tell my wife about the dark times and my dragon. I always had my "Hero Wall" up in boxes in the attic; adding to the boxes for32 years and then not seeing it for another 12. When we moved out here this year, I decided to put stuff up on the walls in my man cave. When I look at it, I feel OLD! Lots of stories to go with those plaques. I always kept awards, letters, and other infamous scraps in a binder which is now on my bookshelf along with cruise books and some technical publications I authored during my Antarctic tour. I did put a few items into the Seabee Museum over the years. So memories? You bet. Many more good than bad but there hardly isn't a day when I think about the shipmates I've lost.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Nov 29 at 2015 10:48 AM

SGT Patrick Reno — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 10:48:46 -0500

Yep 18 years removed. Best friend I served with all 4 years I was in came out from the Midwest last year and went Elk hunting. I always had this little disc camera with me were ever we went. It was small and fit into a pocket really easy. We spent a whole evening going through pictures. Brought back a lot of good memories.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 29 at 2015 3:03 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 15:03:00 -0500

I retired under less than desirable conditions, so I trashed most of my Army stuff.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2015 2:32 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 14:32:36 -0500

Everything in moderation :)

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Nov 30 at 2015 11:14 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 23:14:26 -0500

Nothing wrong with some nostalgia and reminiscing from time to time. I do it whenever i call a couple buddies i've known for 30 yrs. Eventually, it's always, "hey you remember when...?" :)

As for me, i'm enjoying the heck out of retirement. All my plaques and awards are packed away in the garage. But I do have my Golden Shellback certificate framed on a wall (wife did that). I don't have any uniforms anymore, aside from my shipboard coveralls, rank removed, for working around the house. Most all my Navy memorabilia, my ships ball caps, jackets, t-shirts, etc., were taken by my in-laws when they went back to the homeland after living with us. They were nice enough to leave me a couple coffee cups. I found it out when i saw some of their photos on my wife's Facebook, happily wearing my memorabilia.