Kevin O'Leary served in the U.S. Army and USAF Reserves from 1990 to 2015. In his interview O'Leary discusses his reasons for joining the Army, basic training, and his role as a T.O.W. missile gunner in the first Gulf War. O'Leary elaborates on his experiences with the environment in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and portions of Iraq. He also describes his…
Jamie Drawbaugh discusses his basic background information, basic training and learning experiences, and the ways that he's used his service experiences in his current line of work.
Mark Measel enlisted in the Navy in 1980, at the age of 18. His journey as a submarine radioman in the Navy spanned multiple continents and countless countries. As a submariner, he was stationed on both coasts of the United States. Measel's service ended in 1986, at the age of 24.
Larry Knipp was drafted to serve in the US Army in 1969. In his interview he discusses basic training and advanced individual training prior to being deployed to Vietnam. With a Vietnamese interpreter, Knipp trained local non-combatant Vietnamese to operate heavy equipment. Interview topics relate Knipp's training and deployment experiences. He…
Lauren Forbes shares her military experiences, including her path to enlistment, her resultant service record, and her eventual transition back into civilian life.
Crystal Benbow discusses her time in the United States Army and her reintergration back into cilvilan life. In particular, Benbow comments on her reasons for enlisting, her experiences in basic training, and her deployment to Iraq. She also explains how the G.I. Bill helped her become a nurse, and she details how her military service has helped her…
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.
Joe Kerns recounts his time in the United States Marines during the Vietnam War Topics include his trainings and MOS, his treatment when he returned home, and his regret of not re-enlisting.
Baxter Mallory details his life in the Army and the work he does with helping Veterans transition. In particular, Mallory details his time in the 82nd Airborne, breaking his ankle, and how his personality changed after enlistment. He also discusses his ideas for helping returning service people heal from their mental and physical battle scars.
Don Rogers discusses his time in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He details his travels, his job as a naval fireman, his experiences returning home after the war, and his career at an Army Weapons Depot.
James D. Gaither Sr. details his service in the Army during the Vietnam War. In particular, Gaither discusses his experiences in basic training, his Infantry and Artillery training, his first combat experiences in Vietnam, and how casualties were handled in the war zone. He also comments on his re-entry into the civilian world after he was…
Holdbrook MacArthur details joining the military as an older recruit, the positions he held, and the challenges he faced. He also discusses being an immigrant who enlisted, his transition after being discharged, the classes you are required to take, and the path of service he took on after leaving the Armed Forces.
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…
Amanda Cummins discusses her time in the United States Army from the perpective of being female. In particular, Cummins, who is married to a Sailor, discusses juggling family life and solidering, her Afghanistan deployment, coping with life after deployment, and her views on how Veterans are treated.
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 D. Allen discusses growing up around the military, his decision to join the Army and his experiences while enlisted. In particular, Allen details his time in the Middle East while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Allen discusses the good and bad expereinces of war, the scars he brought home with him, and how he has worked to live with…
White Daniel discusses his time in the miltary, and the return to civilian life. In particular, Daniel comments on his choice to enlist rather than be drafted, his postion in personel management, his transition back home, and his opinions on how the Vietnam War has been protrayed.
James Wooley discusses his time in the service, adjusting to military life, Veterans Adminstration healthcare, veteran reintegration, as well as the challenges that Veterans face with pharmaceutical abuse and addiction.
