What was your child's impression of the military?

2015-05-09T08:50:17-04:00

When I joined the army my daughter was only 2 and my son was 1. While I was in we had two more daughters, so essentially all go my children grew up during my time in the Army. I wish I had wrote down everything the ever commented on because there was some very funny stuff. The one thought they had that stuck with me, still makes me laugh. A few years in, my son asked another soldier if he worked with Mr. Army. My other children chimed in, asking if he was a nice boss, why did he make us all dress the same, if everyone that worked for Mr. Army were friends. It was very funny. They thought I worked for a man named army. The other soldier was very nice, and they still bug me about it. I don't know, maybe it's just funny too me. Anyone else have any funny stories to share?

Response by SPC Chad Kolod made May 9 at 2015 8:50 AM

2015-05-09T08:50:59-04:00

The kids in the picture are my children BTW.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 9 at 2015 9:28 AM

2015-05-09T09:28:35-04:00

My daughter was 5 months old when I retired. All she'll know about the Navy is that I was once in it!

Response by LTC Gavin Heater made May 9 at 2015 9:38 AM

2015-05-09T09:38:01-04:00

My son was 18 mo old when I deployed to Iraq the second time, and nearly 3 yo when I came home. He was very cautious of me for quite a while. I then continued to serve four more years until I transferred to the Retired Reserves. About once a month I put on ACUs for drill with my state defense force, so he still sees me in uniform. He asks how my Army training is going, so I tell him about my drill. He often forgets that I also worked for the same utility company for the past 17 years, and still do. For him, I am still a Soldier first. I don't bother correcting him. Odd how kids perceive things.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 9 at 2015 9:55 AM

2015-05-09T09:55:39-04:00

Definitely not interested although they have nothing against the Military and my Daughter Married a Fire Control Technician that was getting out.

Response by SSG Buddy Kemper made May 9 at 2015 10:04 AM

2015-05-09T10:04:02-04:00

Very early I knew that dad had fought in Vietnam and Papa had fought in WWII Europe and I was drawn to the Army and wanted to follow them. Not very many regrets at retirement, bro. Good post and question!

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made May 9 at 2015 10:28 AM

2015-05-09T10:28:17-04:00

They made a video of one of our training exercises put to the song "for those about to rock" by ac/dc. My son was wide eyed and just stared and never said a word until he saw me. He jumped to his feet and yelled,"that's my dad!" Everyone laughed.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 10:29 AM

2015-05-09T10:29:38-04:00

My daughter is five and since she was three she has been convinced that all my army friends kill bad guys and zombies and I am there to fix big boo boos, so its cute to hear her explain it to other kids.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 10:32 AM

2015-05-09T10:32:02-04:00

She also will tell anyone complaining of sore muscle to drink water and stretch.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 9 at 2015 1:09 PM

2015-05-09T13:09:58-04:00

"Dad, are you playing Army this weekend?"

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2015 2:05 PM

2015-05-09T14:05:45-04:00

Whenever I leave for training my daughter always tells me to be safe and only kill the bad guys only. And not to kill any back guys. So she thinks I run off and kill bad guys. I tried telling her that isn't want I do. She has figured out what Infantry is and what I do. The pictures is at my IBOLC graduation. It was my second time getting the blue cord.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 9 at 2015 9:54 PM

2015-05-09T21:54:32-04:00

I would say many moves, many memories, frustration, and resilience.

Until 2003 we always lived in a military community where my kids attended DODDS schools (All military families). In 2003 we moved to mid Missouri, and while the school district was largely (75%) military, it was the first time they were ever around kids who had never left their hometown or moved; most military kids have no home town....

I would also say, it was when they first appreciated not everyone gets to go to Germany, France, England, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Gibraltar, Egypt, Morocco, etc...

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2015 2:36 AM

2015-05-10T02:36:54-04:00

My son was 4 months old and my daughter 4 years old when I join they've been through four of mine deployments and I happy with it, because today my daughter is a second Lt and my boy is going the same route, some times I wished I was able to spend more time with them, but now I realize the sacrifice will pay

Response by MAJ Morris McGaugh made May 20 at 2015 2:58 PM

2015-05-20T14:58:37-04:00

My son is a Field Artillery CPT just finishing up his third year of command and getting ready to become a Battalion Staff Officer. As you can imagine I am pretty proud of him. His wife is also an Army CPT currently working as the OIC for a Medical Detachment.