Michael Navalta Jr. recounts his time in the United States Army. In particular, Navalta comments on his specialized education, infantry training, and pushing his limits. He also discusses his deployments, the dangers that came with them, SERE training, and the medals he was awarded.
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.
Michael Williams details his time in the United States Navy. In particular, Williams discusses his upbringing, his decision to join the Navy, his transition into basic training, and his combat experiences. He also discusses reintergation into cilvilan life and shares his advice for people who are getting ready to retire from the service.
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…
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…
Patrica Stevens recounts her time in the U.S. Navy as a Corpsman. In particular, Stevens comments on her time in basic training, her first impressions of the Naval base in Whidbey Island, Washington, and what it was like to participate in the revovery effort after the San Francisco Earthquake in 1990.
Penny Bowling-Messer served in the Army, from 1992-1998, first as a medic and later as an oral technician. Bowling-Messer describes her experience in the US Army, including the good times she had and the memories and friends made.
Vietnam War Army veteran and VTS Instructor Peter Berres discusses his military service, motivations for joining and his life after service. In particular, Berres details his navigating the ins and outs of being in a military family and his resultant military service.
R.D. Whitaker discusses his childhood and his experiences during the Vietnam War. In particular, Whitaker comments on his family, being drafted, how his faith helped him through battle training, his eventual position as rifleman, the terrible food, the reasons his re-enlistmentment was denied, and how he lives with PTSD. Whitaker also shares his…
Ralph Dinn details his experiences in the United States Army. In particular, he discusses his basic training experiences, the skills he was taught, coping with homesickness, his involvement in the VFW and the American Legion and the good they do for Veterans.
Ret. Lt. Col. Randy Singleton details is 36 year career in the United States Army. In particular, Singleton details his reasons for enlisting, the many places he visited, working with NATO forces during the Cold War, living away from his family, the people he served with, and his return to civilian life once he retired.
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…
SFC Rebecca E. Wood discusses her career in both the Army Reserves and National Guard. In particular, Wood details her decision to enlist at seventeen, being bullied out of joining the AIr Force, being offered a nursing position in the Navy, and her eventual decision to join the Army instead. Wood also commments on Basic Training in South Carolina,…
Reece Smoot, a Bourbon County native and longtime Nicholas county resident, discusses his family history, military service record, education, and the public offices he has held in Nicholas County, which include Deputy Sheriff, Sheriff, and County Judge Executive. He concludes the county has good roads and schools, but it needs more industry and…
Richard K. Rogers details his career in the United States Air Force and his reentry into civilian life. In particular, Rogers, a fuel specialist, discusses his choice to enlist rather than be drafted, the coping mechanisms he used to get through boot camp and the challenges he faced when he was discharged. Rogers also comments on inequalities in VA…
Richard Schmidt details his service in the Navy. Discussions cover his military career, his training as an air traffic controller on Naval carriers, and problems with the healthcare system for Veterans.
Richard Thomas is a native of Kentucky and a US Air Force veteran. He attended EKU and shares his impressions of campus life. He also discusses working at EKU after graduation and later working at the University of Kentucky Hospital. After working in South Carolina he returned to work at Pattie A. Clay Hospital, Richmond KY. He describes the impact…
Robert Burgess discusses his time in the Navy. In particular, Burgess comments on his Naval responsibilities, the benefits of serving in the Navy, his personal religious beliefs, the GI Bill and his education, and the state of the Veteran healthcare system.
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…
Robert Lee Quisenberry details his time in the Air Force. In particular, Quisenberry details his childhood, enlisting in the military, his training, being stationed across the world but not facing combat, his cilvilian life, and his experiences with Veteran Affairs.
Roger E. Kirby discusses his childhood and his service in the Navy during the Vietnam War. In particular, he comments on growing up on a dairy farm, being raised by his father and extended family, the role the Navy played in Vietnam, and his duties and assignments. Kirby also adds his thoughts on public reactions to soldiers returning from the war,…
In this interview, Russell Below, Superintendent of Cambell County School System, discusses his personal and educational background, and relates his occupations prior to becoming a superintendent. He also mentions professional organizations he belongs to
Ryan Adkins discusses his combat experiences in the Army. In particular, he details his experiences in combat, how his views of combat changed over time, and the friendships he created. Adkins also comments on the accountability they depended on, the struggles of seeing danger in every situation, the difference in gender roles in combat, and being…
Samuel Cassidy discusses his time in the Marine Corps. In particular, Cassidy details his life in the military during the 1950's. He comments on basic training and life on Parris Island, and shares some of the life skills that he took away from the military. Cassidy also discusses his views on veteran affairs issues and the politics that go along…
Seth Vaught discusses his time in the United States Marine Corps. In particular, Vaught comments on his reasons for enlisting, his position as a nuclear instructor, and his experiences while being stationed in Japan.
Shannon Memminger discusses his career in the United States Army. In particular, Memminger comments on his choice to enlist, and his experiences and observations within the confines of race, gender and culture. He also shares his thoughts on the military industral complex and how the military has become more like a business.
Stephanie Porras served in the U.S. Army from 2006-2013. In this interview, she talks about her choice to join, her basic training experiences, and what it was like to adapt to military life. She also discusses her choice to leave the military, the discharge process and how she felt she didn't have enough guidance for the transition back into…
