George N. Ausby details his time in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. In particular, he comments on the process of being drafted, his training to become an engineer, race relations during the Vietnam War, and the hardships of being in a jungle combat zone. He also discusses his return home, the reception he received, and how he found a…
Matthew Hodge discusses his time in the United States Navy. He comments on his childhood, enlisting in the Military to stay out of trouble, and choosing the Navy because of family. He also discusses being stationed in Conneticut, what is was like to be a machinist on a submarine, his deployment to the Persian Gulf, and his transtion back into…
Michael Weir discusses his service in the United States Navy. In particular, Weir comments on continuing the family tradition of Naval service, his time in basic training, being away from his family, his positions as a corpsman and a resuce swimmer, and the cultural differences he experienced with each deployment.
Hershel W. Williams recounts his childhood and his time in the Marines during World War II. In particular, Williams comments on his childhood on a dairy farm, the events leading up to his enlistment in the Marines, basic training at Parris Island, and what it's like to being a rifleman while wrestling with the reality of killing. He also details…
Lester Baker discusses his childhood, and his time in the Navy. In particular, he details his responsiblities while enlisted, going to A school, and the places he was stationed.
Nicole Keller details her time in the United States Navy. In particular, she discusses her decision to enlist on a whim, her reasons for choosing the Navy, her experiences in boot camp, the countries she visited, and life on a naval vessel. She also discusses her decision to leave service for the sake of her son and her use of the GI Bill to get…
SFC Raney Wiseman details his career in the United States Army, and his varied assignments throughout his time in the service. In particular, Wiseman comments on his deployments to Iraq during Operation New Dawn, as well as his work with border control agents and other interdepartmental organzations like the State Police and ATF. He also discusses…
Ret. Lt. Col. Marcel T. Schmidt details his twenty-three year career in the Air Force. In particular, Lt. Col. Schmidt recalls memories of his father in Vietnam as a child, and comments on getting a masters degree before enlisting and his experiences while serving in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Schmidt also comments on staying in…
Jeffrey Lynes details is life from childhood to his military career. In particular, Lynes comments on his mentors, the role religion has played in his life, his decision to attend West Point, life at West Point, and the Army Aviation Branch. Lynes also details the ins and outs of having to stay calm under fire, what its like to be a helicopter…
Chris Linder discusses his time in the United States Marines Corps., his deployments, and his return to civilian life. In particular, Linder comments on his deployment to Iraq during Desert Storm and a second deployment that was riddled with politcs and ever changing Rules of Engagement. He also details his involvement in humanitarian missions in…
Matthew Kenney details his childhood and his time in the United States Army. In particular, Kenney discusses his childhood mentors, enlisting, basic training in Oklahoma, being stationed in Djibouti, the friendships he made, and how the men would pass the downtime. Kenney concludes with his thoughts on reintergrating after a deployment.
Jesse Clark discusses his childhood, and his time in the Air Force. In particular, Clark comments on his role models as child, his reasons for enlisting, and his experiences while enlisted.
Timothy R. Tillett details his time in the Army National Guard. In particular, Tillett comments on his time in Iraq, his experiences as a transport driver, and the ways his views on the military and war changed over time.
Monique Johnson details her time in the United States Navy, and the hardships of being deployed. In particular, she comments on what it was like to ship out, the difficulties of Basic, the struggles of being on her own, and what it was like to be a woman in a position of power in the Navy. Johnson also discuesses her transition back into civilian…
Charles Hager discusses his time in the Marines during the Vietnam War and his eventual return to civilian life after being discharged. In particular, Hager discusses his training in the Infantry, his culture shock when landing in Vietnam, and the postive and negative experiences he had overseas. He also discusses his return to civilian life and…
Joel Hennings discusses his time in the Air Force, including his experiences during basic and pilot training and his eventual retirement from military service.
Robert Howard discusses his time in the National Guard, his choice to go to basic training before senior year of high school, and his deployment to Iraq. In particular, Howard comments on the politics of being in Iraq and his views on Isolationsim. He also discusses the return to civilian life, the local VFW, and the privatization of the VA. Howard…
Kyle Hubbs discusses his choice to enlist in the Army, his time and his experiences during his time in service, the life lessons he took from his enlistment, and the things about the military that he misses. (Interview missing)
John E. Owens details his early life, his decision to enlist in the Army, and his choice to transfer to the National Gruard after 9/11. Owens shares interesting stories from basic training and his deployment to Iraq. Interview conversations also include comments on being an authority figure during conflict, the weight of holding the lives of men in…
Eric B. Young Jr. discusses his childhood, time in the Navy, and his position as Master At Arms. In particular, Young details his life on a Naval carrier, education, friendships, brotherhood, mental health, the good and bad of serving, and the overall impact his service has had on his life.