What Tour of Duty affected you the most as a person in a good way?

2021-09-21T14:32:09-04:00

We all have that tour where we grew, and grew in a way that has positively affected our lives. Let’s focus on those moments and share some good thoughts. For me, it was USS Guardian (MCM-5). First tour - totally helped me fix some mental things I had going on and helped me forge a military life for myself that has benefited me beyond the uniform. What about you?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 21 at 2021 2:33 PM

2021-09-21T14:33:52-04:00

When I went to the pre-Olympics in 1996 for security duty shipmate PO1 Ricky Allen

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Sep 21 at 2021 2:44 PM

2021-09-21T14:44:32-04:00

Marine Corps Boot Camp. I grew up in a hurry, became responsible for my actions and learned that if you want something bad enough believe in yourself, believe you can do it, and you will be successful. Never give up no matter how hard or how much it hurts. This had the most positive thing effect on my life even after leaving the military.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 21 at 2021 2:56 PM

2021-09-21T14:56:08-04:00

Living in the Kuwait Desert as a Tank PL gave me a lot of confidence. It allowed me to see the various formations we used, moving techniques, conducting the defense and offense. Due to the desert being relatively flat, I could see where all the tanks were located. This fact shaped better tactical skills.

Here are some thoughts about being an Armor PL:

ARMOR PLATOON LEADER

Being an Armor Platoon Leader was very challenging at first. I had to deal with the speed of the tanks, fighting the platoon, talking to the crew, issue firing commands, talk to my boss, and give precise driving directions for the driver because he sat so low to the ground. Nothing felt instinctive because it felt overwhelming.

I decided to rectify the situation by reading the TACSOP over and over again. After time I understood the immediate contact drills for being attacked and incoming artillery. I understood the various formations of maneuver based on the probability of enemy contact, and how to bound by sections if needed.

Once I understood the methodology of preparing for the defense, it became easy. The Tank Commanders had much more experience than me which is a good attribute. When we set up the defense the Tank Commanders would create the space between the tanks and find suitable terrain to conceal the tanks. I would call on the net to identify 3 Target Reference Points for the platoon and waited for all the Tank Commanders to say " identified".

The brilliance of this simple defensive preparation is it set in motion the firing pattern for the platoon. Tank1 fire plan was from TRP1 to the right. Tank2 fire plan was from TRP2 to the left. Tank3 fire plan was from TRP2 to the right, and Tank4 fire plan was TRP3 to the left. This methodology was quite exquisite in regards to giving SITREPS. All I had to say is 2 enemy tanks at TRP2 2000 meters and I painted the picture in seconds for the platoon.

It is incumbent for a PL to reach a requisite level of competence for the NCOs to give the PL the platoon in tactical situations. The PL must prove to the platoon he can be trusted to make the right decisions quickly. That is just how it works.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Sep 21 at 2021 2:59 PM

2021-09-21T14:59:41-04:00

SAC B-52 Arc Light deployments to Thailand and Okinawa. I'd traveled to other places in the world but as a tourist, this was the first time I was ever in a situation where I could see how real people actually lived in other countries and made me realize how good we had it in the US.

Response by CPL Theresa Cressey made Sep 21 at 2021 3:57 PM

2021-09-21T15:57:41-04:00

Basic training. How zi learned how to clean my room, make up my bed for myself. I learned also how to follow instructions on a recipe card. All of these things are good for your mental health.

Response by Sgt Jerry Genesio made Sep 21 at 2021 4:49 PM

2021-09-21T16:49:50-04:00

An assignment to Marine Barracks, USNB Great Lakes, IL where I served as a cross-country prisoner chaser for a year (1961-62). I learned that most service personnel who go AWOL made a choice they tried desperately to avoid but in the end believed their desperation was being ignored. The dozens of prisoners handcuffed to my wrist for the long train ride back to the base for their court-martial usually shared their story with me. In most cases, had their plea been met with more empathy and understanding, their shame and dishonor could have been avoided. As it turned out, it was a lose-lose all around for everyone involved. It taught me to listen and look for an opportunity to offer assistance and relief if at all possible, not only in the military but in all situations since then. Whether family, friend, or stranger, I try to listen carefully. I believe it has made a positive difference more often than not.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Sep 21 at 2021 5:06 PM

2021-09-21T17:06:30-04:00

Provide Comfort, flying emergency rations into Bosnia and surrounding areas. The Serbs were starving people as well as killing, raping and pillaging. Saw how our efforts made a difference. Made a ton of money too, contract quarters in the Marriot in downtown Frankfurt, flying out of Rhein-Main.

Response by CPL Raul Perez Jr made Sep 22 at 2021 9:56 AM

2021-09-22T09:56:20-04:00

I had a really good 1st Sergeant in the 101st, and also told us “ there’s no word as can’t “. He Always proved to us that we could live up to that statement, like it or not.

Response by 1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel made Sep 22 at 2021 2:11 PM

2021-09-22T14:11:08-04:00

My PCS from Minot AFB to Davis-Monthan AFB via Scott AFB. So, North Dakota to Arizona via Southern Illinois.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 23 at 2021 12:14 PM

2021-09-23T12:14:10-04:00

By far, my first billet when commissioned. I was Engineering Officer for Operation Deep Freeze and made several deployments to the ice. I had more responsibility, latitude to make my own decisions, and diversity in things I worked on. That and making sure we stayed alive. Bening 24 and having to go to blasting school to do a piece of my job didn't hurt either. Learned that you should always reach but not overreach.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2021 2:11 PM

2021-09-23T14:11:48-04:00

My time in USASOC for two reasons.
1) It made me realize that I was not as special as I thought. Real humbling when working with nothing but stellar performers.
2) There are missions happening that I was able to support 24/7/365 and wasnt just in the motorpool downloading connexes and doing busy work week in and week out.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2021 2:17 PM

2021-09-27T14:17:48-04:00

36 one month tours Recruiting 84-87.

Response by SSG Joseph Harris, PhD made Sep 27 at 2024 3:44 AM

2024-09-27T03:44:20-04:00

It was a small paratrooper unit based in Panama. We were called “The Moatengators”. Before that I was in a Ranger Battalion where, as a medic, I wasn’t appreciated that much. But coming from the Rangers, I was greeted with open arms in the Moatengators.
In Latin America I had endless opportunities for training with foreign soldiers, travel to different countries and be involved in real-world operations (this was the 1980s.) That experience encouraged me later on to join Special Forces and it ended up shaping most of the rest of my life. Not the Rangers. Not Special Forces- but the Moatengators!