Would you travel outside the US if not the military?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 21:17:03 -0500

How many you met someone other than your race prior to basic training? What about someone with ties to another country? Would you dream of leaving the country (for those who have) without the military? What experiences have you garnered; good, bad, or indifferent? What cultures, food, languages, and lifestyle have you encountered? Relive the good times!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 9:20 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 21:20:03 -0500

I would like to think I would have, but the Army has sure made it easy lol

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Feb 17 at 2014 10:43 PM

CSM Michael Poll — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 22:43:07 -0500

Ok brutal honesty time. I was raise a rasist, My parents, Grand Parents, Aunts and Uncles. The first time I interatced with anyone of another ethnicity was in Basic Training. This is why I take EEO so seriously because I was raised with the hate and ignorance. There is absolutly no place for it in the Military, nor in society either. I am proof that racism can be educated out of people. It just takes someone to see the issue and not shun them, but take the time to befriend them and show them that what they were taught is false. This is what happened for me. I thank God everyday that I was able to break that chain because of the Army and specifically that friend whom I still keep contact with. Without them, I would not have my beautiful Asian wife and my wonderful son, and now my 4 grandchildren. Feeling blessed!

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 11:16 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 23:16:49 -0500

I am fortunate in that I traveled to Spain when I was in high school for a class trip. I've also been to Germany, the Netherlands, France - none were military vacations. I've always had a passion for travel and would continue to do so outside of the military. The military has helped me see the middle east and more of the US than I'd have been inclined to visit. I am glad that I have gotten to see so many historic places in the US, thanks to the Army!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 11:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 23:17:08 -0500

Truthfully I had enjoyed my vacation to Germany and a fishing trip in Canada prior to joining the service so I would say I would have visited more countries reguardless of the military, and while I have been in the service I have taken a few trips outside the country with the proper documents and notification of Brigade and below and the mountain of signatures required to leave country for a brief stay in Canada.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2014 7:40 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 19:40:45 -0400

Prior to the Military, I traveled outside the US a few times, as my mom owned a travel agency and we got great discounts.

We used to spend 2 weeks at a time around Christmas and New Year's in Jamaica. We would rent a house that included a local national cook. Living as a native of thecountry was nice; we got to know the food (not the Americanized version), the people, and the area where we stayed, My brother and I would wander around the local bars, stores, and record shops (great reggae music sources!). If we felt homesick, we would go over to the resort nearby and hang out with Americans and Europeans.

I've also been to Switzerland for some of the best skiing in the world (St. Moritz is for the rich people). We stayed in Davos, which is on the eastern side of the country, and is ringed by seven mountains. You could ski from Switzerland to Austria to Italy in the same day. Davos was also a mix of old and new. The milk was still delivered by horse-drawn sled, but still had all the modern amenities. You could also buy full-auto weapons as easily as buying a baseball bat here in the US.

The Dominican Republic was interesting too. We went to the Club Med there, which is an oasis of 1st World in a 3rd World nation. Outside the resort was hunger, ramshackle buildings, trash, etc. Inside the resort was plentiful food whenever you wanted it, stylish Caribbean architecture, carefully manicured landscaping, etc. Since it was mostly European customers, the lack of the cultural taboo we have against public nudity was not there. The pool and beach areas were topless (optional). Outside of the obvious, that makes you realize that people outside the US think and behave differently.

I've also been to Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. Bermuda is perhaps one of the cleanest nations I have ever seen. Everything is immaculate. Streets, public transportation, everything. The houses are painted in pastel colors, and the cities are like recreations of those found in the UK. Street signs and markings are very British, as are the accents. And yes, they drive on the opposite side of the road. I would go back there in a heartbeat.

I think all Americans should travel abroad, if not to simply get a more broad perspective of those we share the planet with. Americans tend to believe that we are the center of the universe and that everyone else thinks and acts as we do. Experiencing other cultures is like opening a window of a stuffy building.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 14 at 2014 7:32 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 19:32:05 -0400

Probably not, but I was ready to go and someone offered me a way to do it and don't regret it. Living as a Minority in Hawaii, I believe the term is Howley. Not so fond of the "Run the Howley off the Road Game" but for the most part I loved getting to know the Asian and Pacific Island Culture. No way I could have afforded it on my own, Living in London, DC, Hawaii, Alaska, Diego Garcia, Vacationing in Germany, Traveling for business to Japan, Thailand, Bahrain, UAE, Austrailia, Hong Kong. I am thankful for the experience.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Apr 14 at 2014 8:29 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 20:29:55 -0400

I would have to say no. And to pick a favorite place I would have to say Izmir turkey

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 15 at 2014 7:20 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 19:20:16 -0400

Only visited Canada prior to my enlistment and would have probably been inclined to visit Europe and a few other spots had I not enlisted; being in the Army made it easier for me to do it and am thankful for it. I was raised part of my childhood in a very small agricultural town on Lake Okeechobee in FL and had interacted with children of African-American and Hispanic heritage from the time I was in kindergarten so I had been in mixed environments long before my enlistment and had a great love for Cuban cuisine as a result. Being a history buff, travelling and exploring historical sites would have been the main reason for going, but yeah I woulda travelled for sure!

Response by SGT Richard H. made Aug 4 at 2014 4:30 PM

SGT Richard H. — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 16:30:38 -0400

I met very few people of "other" races growing up, but I guess that's good OR bad depending how you look at it. On the one hand, I suppose it means a lack of cultural diversity, but on the other hand, it also kind of meant that I grew up not knowing that there was "supposed to" be any biases, so it was pretty much all good for me when it came time to join the military...I guess I'm saying that EO came easy.

As far as travel, I love to experience other cultures and ways of life, so I travel OCONUS whenever I can...I shoot for taking a trip every year.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 7:28 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 07:28:05 -0400

I love traveling to new countries and experiencing new cultures. I think it's the best way to understand someone from another country, by having experienced a small part of where they are from. Since enlisting I have traveled to 30 countries, and want to visit every country and live on every continent before I die. Before I enlisted I had only been two Canada and Mexico, but I visited all 48 of the continental United States before enlisting.

Response by SN Jennifer M. made Jul 30 at 2015 2:47 PM

SN Jennifer M. — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 14:47:18 -0400

YES! I LOVE travel. We currently live in Germany and in the last year we have been to 10 countries. We are flying to Croatia next week.

Response by 1SG David George made Apr 5 at 2019 6:53 PM

1SG David George — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 18:53:04 -0400

Korea, three to Germany, one to Paris, one to Hawaii and more trips to Fort Bragg and California than I can remember. One experence while attending PSYOP course and billeted with SF trainees, went to the laterine in the middle of the night and several SF candidates were faced in the mirrow practing growing.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2019 3:57 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 15:57:30 -0400

Been to 27 countries, had girlfriends in New Zealand and Peru. The US would be better off if we understood other cultures and borrowed good ideas from them.