Who has been your biggest supporter while in the military?

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 21 May 2015 12:38:28 -0400

My wife. She was there for 23 of the 26 years I served. She is still supports me after 30 years of marriage.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 21 at 2015 1:38 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 21 May 2015 13:38:32 -0400

Each 1, government issued wife (if it only worked that way :-0). Couldn't have asked for a better friend and partner through everything, the military and life in general.

Great timing on the question today is 21 years married!!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 21 at 2015 1:54 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 21 May 2015 13:54:13 -0400

I'm also going to add:

BG (ret) Jim Keighley who was a senior CPT when I was a 1LT and through the years always saw potential in me even when I doubted myself, always supported my decisions and was a great mentor (and kick in the ass when needed), not to mention the only officer in the RI Army NG to deploy as a Company (Desert Storm), Battalion (OIF 2003), and Brigade (OIF 2005) Commander.

SGM (ret) Jim Russell 10 months my junior I hated when he called me sir because we were more like co-leaders and partners in crime then senior & subordinate. We served together on many occasions from CPT/E-6 culminating in MAJ/E-8 in OIF 2005-6.

MAJ (ret) Harry Lawson my ROTC mentor who I could always call for advice, even now.

MSG (ret) Don Iafrate Commo god extraordinaire. He was always there since when I was a young pup showing me how to make commo work. We were finally able to serve as Section LDR and NCOIC after 10 years of working with each other in different units.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 2:25 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:25:34 -0400

Definitely my wife. I had been in about a year when we met. 10 years later she is still by my side. She pushes me to better myself, which in turn not only makes me a better person but helps my career

Response by PO2 Barry Baker made May 21 at 2015 2:28 PM

PO2 Barry Baker — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:28:08 -0400

My Father. When RTC Great Lakes sent my Parents a letter explaining that I was named Honor Recruit for my Division at Boot Camp my Father was the most proud of me that he has ever been.

My Father never got the chance to serve due to poor decisions when he was a teenager back in the late 1950's and he regretted that his entire life. Still to this day I am the only member of my entire Family who has ever served in the Military. For me Military Service led to a huge rift between my extended family and myself. However my Mother and Father were my number 1 supporters. When my Father was dying of cancer in 2008 we had many discussions about my Naval service and told me many times of how proud he was of me.

Compared to many my service may not have been special, but it connected my Father and I in a very special way.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jul 2 at 2017 3:51 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 03:51:31 -0400

My Father was a huge supporter and once I was in the Air Force couldn't stop telling Me how proud He was of Me. MY Dad as also a WWII Veteran of the US Navy in the Asiatic Pacific theater of Operations and also served during the Korean War. Once I was married My wife also supported everything I did with the Military.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 2 at 2017 6:49 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 06:49:51 -0400

My wife and my son.

Response by Sgt John Erskine made Jul 2 at 2017 9:51 AM

Sgt John Erskine — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 09:51:10 -0400

Very lucky man David. I had some problems from Nam but before I could straighten them out my wife decided to get off the train. I had my problems under control with the help of a very good doctor at the VA. I'm married again but this time for all the right reasons, but I still get a little edgy during thunderstorms

Response by SMSgt Keith Klug made Oct 5 at 2020 11:08 AM

SMSgt Keith Klug — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 11:08:25 -0400

My wife. We married at 11 years of service in 1993 and are still together. She was the daughter of a CMSgt who joined in 1941 and retired in 1972. Her first husband was a Marine OV-10 pilot who perished in a crash shortly after their son was born. She has been by my side through all the good, great and even the bad times.

Response by 1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel made Apr 9 at 2021 7:19 PM

1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 19:19:17 -0400

The physicians stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB Hospital between 1972-1975. Every physician on staff rotated as "Medical Officer of the Day" (MOD) and staffed the emergency room from 1630-1800 the next morning. I worked the 12 hour sift in the ER during that time. All being young docs right out of internship or residency, they were used to having medical students hanging around to learn. They all agreed to treat me as their medical student, allowing me progressively more and more responsibility for patient care. I absorbed everything they threw at me, to the point that after about 2300, I would see every patient first and if I felt comfortable, I would treat them and release them, If I was not confident, I would wake the doc up to see the patient with me. In the morning, the MOD would review my charts and countersign my notes and treatment plan. They taught me so much, more than I could have learned on my own......

Response by SPC Lyle Montgomery made Mar 13 at 2022 8:54 PM

SPC Lyle Montgomery — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 20:54:33 -0400

My Mom. She sent me lots of care packages while in Nam. My Dad too.

Response by Cpl Rosemarie SantaAnna made Oct 20 at 2022 6:19 PM

Cpl Rosemarie SantaAnna — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 18:19:49 -0400

NCO that I worked under (4 females Marines)…
While pregnant, Captain I lowest rank in office ( later told me I was Only person he personally been near while expecting a child). Would check if I was okay, needed to lie down or needed anything each time came into office