I had a battle buddy who got so depressed in basic he took a razor apart and slit his arm from bottom to top. I had just happened to wake up needing to go the the latrine and saw him sitting on the floor sobbing and bleeding saying goodbye to everything and everyone. I snatched him up and wrapped his arm and put a tourniquet on him. Took him to the ds office and he jumped up and rushed both of us to the hospital. Told me to stay by his side at all times. He made a full recovery and got discharged. Now he is a father to 3 kids and has a beautiful life. Every so often he contacts me just to tell me thank you. Last time they contacted was by his wife. She was crying because he had just told her the story behind it. And told me the name of one of their kids Roy which is one of my middle names. He had named his son after me And it broke me. (In a good way)
Never will forget. 17 years old, turning blue. No one came. Drill sergeant standing in front of me, proudest moment of my life but absolutrly heart broken. Tears in my eyes but not sobbing and he said "No one came did they?" I said "No, drill sergeant." He said "don't worry about it. We're your family now." Then he pinned my cord on.
I will never forget that day. 5th week into basic, I got a letter saying that my girlfriend was leaving me. I wanted to just end it right there. My drill sergeant saw me, I handed him the letter, he helped me up, and hugged me so hard, then whispered into my ear, “You are family here, we won’t break your heart like she did.” I can’t thank my dad enough for saving me
@@EllielSantiagoI dunno, the wording just made it a bit ambiguous, because even if bros telling the truth you can't believe it because the tone was so.... straight faced, yet suckered punching from outta nowhere.
I was 17 when I left home for the Air Force. Spent all of basic without any contact from home. When I graduated my phone was turned off by my parents. Bank account was drained. When I finally got a phone and tried to contact home, phone numbers had been changed. Months go by and I’m almost done with Security Forces Academy and I’m injured. An injury that left me with a medical discharge. With no contact home and nowhere to go I was discharged and walked out the gate. Lucky me that I saved about $8,000 and got a rent house and found a job in aviation. 6 years later and I’m married, own a home, and have kids. Don’t give up hope, even when your only hope gives up on you.
18 years old, October 2018. Get a letter from my now ex. "I cant take the distance and not knowing when I'll ever see you again. I'm sorry, i cant do this anymore. And (lets call him Blue Falcon, someone who is no longer a friend) is here to take care of me. Im sorry." Immediately following that, broke down. My RDCs (Recruit Division Commanders for the Navy) start doing a muster. No one can find me, I'm silently having a breakdown in the head, door closed. I hear "Hey Razz, man, you in there?" I try to wipe away the tears and say "Yeah I'm good." "YN1 wants you in the fishbowl (the RDC office in the compartment." "Got it, be right there." I wipe my tears away, get in the fishbowl, just to get yelled at for not being at muster. "30 Seconds. Explain yourself." No words said, I hand him the letter. He looks at me, says, "Everyone, out. NOW." Shuts the blinds sits me down and we have a long talk about life. He probably saved my life that day and has no idea.
My uncle died while I was in basic, my drill hat was out and about and spotted me, he asked what the hell was wrong with me, I told him about the letter breaking the news about him dying in a fiery accident, he didn’t even waste time with it and patted my back, told me that shits tough girl but it’s gonna be alright and I needed to be the new rock of the family. He asked if I wanted to see my SDI in the duty hut to talk about it, but I told him no, he just smiled and I believe it was the first time I had ever seen that guy smile, thank god for him cause it made graduation so much easier cause nobody showed up for me, but he did, said he was proud of me and glad I didn’t quit.
Hey buddy I'm proud you pulled through. Losing someone is never easy but it can be a great fuel for the inner fire to keep roaring. Just know because you turned that lead to gold your Uncle is proud
I remember the day my dad died...i got in my dress blues for the veterans day parade my unit was participating in. I wasnt suppose to he there as my dad was in hospital. Master Chief was confused when i arrived and reported for the parade. When he heard why he put me as the one to carry the flag. As part of the memorial parade there was a 21 gun salute. It was for all of the fallen. And that now included my dad. The first shot shook me. And my 3 superiors started to move through the ranks. As the second shot rang out i remember falling. By the 3rd shot Commander had caught the flag and was holding it proud and true while Master Chief and Chief were holding me at attention. Master Chief leaned in and whispered to me "just hold your salute cadet, I've got you...weve all got you." It is a deep connection many don't understand.
Update. In October of 2023 my Master Chief passed away. Sadly I learned of it too late to attend but I will forever admire him and remember him for the impact he had in my life. He was a great man and mentor.
July 25th 2009 I lost my dad while I was on brigade staff duty. I sat there while the red cross message came in. Then when we did his memorial thr following March it hadn't truly hit me yet until the 21 gun salute. There I lost it and cried lime a bitch while wearing my Class As and saluting
One of my Drill Sergeants realized i had no confidence in myself. One day when i was really just having a bad day, i had my head down and was just in a really bad spot. He came over, told me to look at him in the eyes and said this, "Private, you better not be giving up because this is just the beginning. After everything you've gone through this far, you really going to be the reason you cant reach your full potential? You can do it because even if you dont believe in yourself, the army will always have your back. All i ask is you give yourself a chance, and trust in the process." I passed my run, and graduated BCT. i came in 45 seconds sooner than i needed. I threw up 2 times. But i never gave up. DS Williams, from Fort Sill, made me into who i wanted to be. Confident. Proud. Humble. Honest. Rest in Peace DS Williams. You'll never be forgotten.
The thing is the army doesn't always have your back. The military is great brotherhood. But they don't give a fuck about people who fought for their country once they're done with them.
Always remember the MEN might have your back but the MILITARY OWNED BY GOVERNMEN DOES NOT CARE ABOUT ANYONE BUT THEMSELVES… stop fighting for tyyrants and their wipd goose chases. They USE young men becuase they CAN BE MANIPULATED and sent into gruesome battle on the front lines. A seasoned veterant that knows the ins and outs knows how crooked our government is because of the things they are made to do. Some are crooked themselves and stay in it but the others see the crooked stuff and get the hell out of that mess. The proof is in the pudding… WE FIGHT FOR WE THE PEOPLE AND OUR FAMILIES. WE SHOULD NOT BE FIGHTING ALL THIS BS THAT OUR CROOKED GOVERNMENT PUTS US THROUGH WITHOUT ASKING AT ALL.
When I went to Basic, my girl had already left me, and spent the entire time never getting one letter. Mail call was pretty much miserable every couple of days, and I’ll never forget what my Drill did for me. On the last mail call before graduation, Drill Sergeant Perry handed me a postcard, stamped and addressed… From him. He actually wrote that he noticed I had never gotten a letter, and that things would always get better - He was right, and it actually touched the 21 year old me more than he’d every know. Thanks Drill Sergeant - This We’ll Defend!
When my son went to basic I asked him to let me know if any soldiers in his platoon didn't get any mail. About 6 weeks in one guy hadn't gotten any mail and my son wrote about it in his letters. I sent the guy a letter a week for the rest of basic.
Had my girlfriend at the time pass away in Basic and was found by my drill sgt in the hall. He didn’t chew me out or anything just sat on the floor next to me and just told me that everything happens for a reason and that it was my choice to let this make me stronger and that he will help me get stronger but also to have empathy, to help others. he gave me a prayer coin and I still have it to this day. Its still hard and i still think about her to this day but im thankful to have been givin the means to keep pushing forward.
God bless brother. Shes your guardian angel, inner strength, and protection all at once in your times of danger, need, happiness and safety. Shes with you. Prayers 🙏🏻
one of my marines was homeless in his own for a few years from 15-18. he told me that when he was in boot his senior drill instructor found out and they talked about it for a long time. the kid was just going through a rough time and had no one there to support him. his drill instructor was super kind to him and actually told his wife that story. she was so touched that she made him homemade toaster strudels and brought them at like 3 in the morning. they both offered their home up to him if he needed a place to stay on his 10 day leave or for RA. they said they were his family now, the marine corps is his home.
Chief in bootcamp told me "If you do everything in your power to talk to someone and they don't respond, it's not your fault cause you did everything" wrote my last letter to my ex and when I heard nothing back, I put my chin up high and went into the unknown knowing it wasn't my fault
Found the note in my car, took everything and left me holding the bag, left with 6 months unpaid bills emptied the bank account and left with the Kids. Thank god for my 1Sgt talked to me and calmed me down. He probably saved my life.
Gott bleibt an deiner Seite, auch in schwersten Zeiten wird er dir seine Engel schicken egal in welcher Art. Du musst sie nur erkennen. May God bless you.❤
Taking care of soldiers, an NCOs number one priority. When i was in Iraq my wife left me for a man she met online. SSG Billy Cavines saved my life and he didn’t even know it. All he did was sit with me in silence while i sobbed, that was in 2005, he is still one of my dearest friends even though he is retired and im about to retire
Yeah I get you, it's not good to be friends with retired people In all seriousness sorry to hear that man that's rough. Hope you've seen better times since.
I’m so glad you are safe my friend. God bless you and may He watch over you and keep you. May He give you the Ultimate Peace that is Jesus Christ. It would be good to seek Him if you haven’t my friend. If you seek Him, you will find Him. He loves you and He paid the ultimate price, He was the ultimate sacrifice for us and our wrongdoing. Jeremiah 20:11-14 says this, ”For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.“ Jeremiah 29:11-14 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/jer.29.13-14.NKJV He is reaching out His hands to you my friend, He wants to have a relationship with you
Anyone who ever needs a friend I’m here , I rather be up at 2 in the morning listening to your story then being sad to see another set of flags at a tombstone
Been there done both. I'd rather get a call at 2am and drive 30 minutes to the barracks to sit with my soldier and not go to another funeral or memorial. I got the call late one night and just started called one of my soldiers while I drove. I said "wake up the boys, go sit with him until I get there". They did. That soldier is alive and has a beautiful family now.
I was in basic when I found out my dad opted out. All I could do was stare in shock for 2 hours they told me. My friends tried to talk to me but I didn't respond. My drill instructor came up took the letter out of my hand read it and gave me a hug. Then I cried and cried and cried. Im so glad someone was there for me.
3am ait on the phone with my spouse 1000 miles away. His having a suicidal moment and I'm losing my mind with fear and crying my eyes out. DS took care of everything he told me just be with him the cops are on the way. Afterwards he begged the CPT and 1SG to let me take the upcoming four day to go visit my husband in the hospital. Couple years later I'm in my house with my husband asleep in bed me writing about my DS on some UA-cam short when it could've ended differently.
Thank you for staying with this man through thick and thin. Life's a gift, but it's not adressed to everyone. I'm glad you could make sure he got his gift.
This message is for anyone going to bootcamp. Your drill instructors are human beings. If you need serious help talk to them. They are there to turn you into a soldier sailor marine or airman. They are not hard on you because they are mean or dont like you. They want you to succeed. So don't be scared to bring personal issues or god forbid even a medical one to them. Because they will help you. I admire my navy rdc's to this day they really turned me into a sailor. Without their help i wouldn't be the man i am today.
Boy said Navy rdc lol. I told my drill sgt I was having relationship issues. He told me she was getting plowed by ten dudes, and then he told me to f* off.
Listen, as much as I want to agree, everyone, from trainee to general, needs to watch out for "THAT guy". We had one, and he crippled 3 guys during our cycle. Shouldering a guy down a ditch on a March, breaking a guy's hip chucking him off a top bunk, and rolling a pup-truck with two privates in the back, while drinking on duty. They're human, for good or bad, they're human. Gotta spot the difference.
15 years old, wanted to join my local fire company. Joined, went on my first call and seen some shit a 15 year old shouldnt see. Chief grabbed my shoulder and said "good job son, you made it. Youre doing what you need to do." That shit healed me and broke me all at once and i cant explain it. Ill love my current fire chief for life. He put my own house out at one point. A real hero. A legend.
I grew up an Army Brat. My Dad was a chaplain so my dad would always be there for the soldiers through their "dear john". Too many times my sister and I would watch young soldiers look for the one they loved as they returned home from deployment. Two decades later, I can still remember the excitement and joy fade to betrayal in several soldiers eyes. My sister and I made a pact that we wouldn't hurt someone in a way like that. To the significant others out there, you aren't the only one feeling the pain of separation. 😢
I remember when back in benning, half of the power outlets wouldnt work. I was only 19 and this was the first time i was doing stuff on my own. I relied heavily on my mom to keep my morale up every time we got a call. But since everyone needed to talk to someone, and our cycle was full. People rush to get to a charger. My phone was a shitty one that ran out of battery pretty quick, so needless to say i couldnt charge my phone. Hadnt talked to my mom in like 7 weeks in a row. So i was pretty emotional, emotional to the point that after it, i was a teary eyed mess when turning in my phone. one of the drills saw me and told me to come down to the office with a battle buddy after the phones were all turned in, he gave me 2 hours to talk to my mom. That day kept me in. I am forever grateful to him.
I have a phone story too. My recruiter had told me that cell phones were allowed so I left mine at home. We get our first phone call home and most of my platoon had brought their phones and got to use them. I had to run out to the payphones to make my call. I was at sick call one day for an injury and saw on the news that a bad storm was supposed to be hitting the area I live. The next day we got phone calls. I called home and no one answered. I started panicing because I didn't know if something happened because of the storm. When I went back to the barracks I was visibly upset and my DS asked what was happening. He told me to meet him in CQ after first formation in the morning. I met him and he let me use his cell phone to call home and see if everything was ok. It was. My family had been at the fair.
I also have a phone story! My family was very poor so the phone I had when I went to basic was terrible, couldn't hold a charge. I'd spend 9 of my 10 minutes at the farthest outlet waiting for it to get enough juice to turn on. Didn't even have time to call before they're yelling to turn in our phones. I was so embarrassed about not having a better phone that I didn't tell anybody. Still, got caught by one of the drill sergeants around when we were set to graduate. He asked why I was just sitting there and I had to explain the whole situation. They let me call my family that night I guess it's their job to know when somethings up, so I shouldn't have been surprised they found out. Though I am still surprised they cared
When I was in the military about to graduate no one was going to show up and my DI’s asked me if my family was coming. I said no one will be coming staff sergeant awkwardly and fighting back the tears he then said fuck them, we’re your family. I spent 3 months with these drill instructors and they became like older brothers to me. I will never forget that moment.
@@brysonbuck9709 they didn’t care enough to come but it’s no biggie. I’m doing great now and I’ve made enough friends to call them my family (which were ppl I met in the military)
Thank you all for your service. I knew nothing about the Military when i married my Warrior. I can't fathom what some of your loved ones do or not do in some cases. Breaks my heart. I had letters written before he left our driveway when he went on any deployment. Care boxes packed & hidden, ready to be mailed as soon as I could! I included extras for his guys/gals who got otherwise nothing. Our son had his passport at 5 days old, so we could join his Dad overseas. I moved households alone to be w him, leaving my family behind. Because HE was my family, my home, my heart. We had so many guys over for all holidays so they could have some home-cooked food, some moments of normal. My first Thanksgiving w him, we had 24 guys. I knew only 2 before dinner. My Husband died 21 years ago. I miss him. I'd be there at your ceremony in a heartbeat if i could. You deserve it. I'm thankful and proud of you all. From a proud Military Widow.
I was in the Marines once a life time ago. My old buddy that became a drill Sargent texted me in 2015 saying one of his recruits had passed boot camp. But she had no on no family no friends. The army was her family now. And asked me to be there and be the father and family she needed as she left the camp. Anything for a brother/sister in arms
Yeah...if she cheats, she's for the streets. No staying friends after that. If you respectfully break things off because they won't work for whatever reason, that's one thing. If she comes clean before it turns into something, else, says "hey, I just don't think this is gonna work with our situations" that's one thing. But "hey, I'm with this other guy now" should never be the first word and is grounds for complete loss of contact.
@kugelblitz1557 - Happened to me 3 weeks in to heading to Ukraine in April 2022. Left April 5. By April 30 she turned mean and cold and had a new guy. I consider myself lucky that she showed who she really was after being together 2 years. I was only going to be gone 4 months tops. Couldn't even make it 4 weeks.
@@ChadMcFarland_CanadaEHTeam she ain't worth your thoughts, man. Maybe she'll grow into a better person maybe not, but you've got your own life to handle now. Don't worry about her.
USMC 1988 boot camp. Went in tight before Christmas. Broke up with my girlfriend so we could both be free. Got back together a year later. Found out she waited on me the whole time. Sherry Jones I always loved you.
I remember when I was in middle school and one of our teachers gave us a bunch of blank cards and told us to write Christmas letters for soldiers and sailors who didn’t expect to get any. I probably wrote about 30 or 40 letters, writing out the entire story of The Night Before Christmas, because I thought it would be nice for them to get a story for Christmas. Now, as a Navy sailor of eight years, I treasure every single little card I get with a child’s scribbling handwriting telling me that they appreciate what I do, and hope that I have a happy holiday. I got a lot of letters from family when I was deployed, luckily. But I know there are still a lot of sailors and soldiers who don’t, and I hope they get some amazing Christmas letters from the kids in school.
Lost one of my good friends when I was in basic in 2006. I'll never forget that feeling of my battle buddy just bear hugging me and the DS calling us homos.... Then he saw the letter. He gave me the advice I needed at the time and I still talk to both of those guys today. DS is still a hard ass. Lol 😂
Media does not portray drill sergeants correctly. They care for you very deeply and wish for your wellbeing. My basic training drill sergeants were extremely hard on all of us, dogged us from chow to lights out almost everyday. When trainees would have a problem at home going on or going through a hard time, the drills were like a father to them. Drill sergeants are like fathers preparing you for war.
My brother was in the USAF for 12 yrs, I remember sending him letters and care packages during all of his deployments and trainings. One deployment in Afghanistan he wrote to us that his buddy's girl had left him via letter and he was really struggling, and asked if we could send him one or two letters and a care package. This buddy didn't have any family writing to him so his girl was the only one. From then on we made two care packages each week or so, one for my brother and one for his buddy, and we wrote letters to his buddy pretty often. We stuffed the package full of home baked cookies, chips and jerky, drink mixes, and toiletries. And my mom always wrote him a special note that she was just as proud of him as any mother, and he was like another son to her. My brother said he cried the first time he got one of her notes - the guy had never had someone really care like that. We kept that up for both of them until they left active duty, and we still check in on him now and then. He's married and has kids now.
Happened to me, and at 1 in the morning the drill took off his hat and let me vent. It was a moment I won't forget. Depending on what's going on at home, 1 year in BT and AIT can be extremely draining on someone's mental. I had 5 suicides around me throughout my time in BT and AIT. These little conversations can save lives. Suicide isn't just an issue of those whom have deployed. The army is extremely fun and depressing. Everything in-between. Thanks to all thr Drills who care. I met plenty who didnt.
@@1ice3690 I said 99.9% of the time because you got dudes who got out for over 2 years and decided they want back in. Well they have to redo basic training. Just like I would if I decided to go back into the Army.
@@HSHTERZdrill instructors (drill sgt's) really have seen a lot more than a lot of recruits going through basic and basic combat training and the day I found that out I was pretty surprised. I really thought when I was a kid that drill instructors or a drill sgt was a Sgt in the military who just wanted to be a instructor and never saw combat when I was a kid that knew only what my grandfather told me about (going into the army soon hopefully and hopefully my waiver will be passed since I passed my pulmonary function test and did wildland firefighting type 2 school and passed that with no problems)
My dad passed away the very same night that I arrived to Fort Jackson for reception. Needless to say, I wish I’d had a drill to talk to or something. Instead I just got thrown in the holdover bay until someone could “take care of me”. I mean in hindsight I understand that they all had their hands full with an entire cycles worth of trainees but still. That was one of the longest and loneliest nights of my life. So all this to say, be that person for others that you’d want for yourself if you needed some support.
120th was probably one of the roughest times in my life. On my first phone call home, I found out my sister had been raped. I'm sorry for your loss, brother. The things we went through in that shithole battalion was honestly baffling sometimes.
I would imagine that your dad felt nothing but pride that day. Good on you, mate. I continue, not just in my military career, but pushing to be better and do better every year. I know my grandparents (WW2 and Korea vets) and father (Vietnam and Desert Storm) died wanting the best for me. The best I can do for them is do the best they'd want of me. Until Valhalla ❤
Fort Jackson was a nightmare for me, DS Knapp in reception was the only DS that seemed to actually care about not only his job but the trainees aswell, I'm sorry about your dad brother, I know how it feels. I lost both my parents. If you need to talk I got discord
I Was 17 Years Old When My First Girlfriend Broke Up With Me... 4 Months Later I Just Turned 18, Joined The Greek Army, Went Through Basic Training And Then Enlisted In The Marine Corps. After Spending A Long Time There... I Met A Sergeant And He Said These Words To Me: ~ Don't Be Sad, He Will Understand One Day, Never Destroy Yourself For Anyone!! I Will Never Forget You Sir Sergeant!!! 380ΛΟΚ.
Haven't served but my grandpas dad was serving for the preparation of D-Day, and news struck at home, grandpas mom was dying of a brain tumour, but he was already in and ready for the landing in 2 days, he waited, and a couple hours before landing, a Corporal have him a letter, she didn't make it, One of the sergeants who were passing by asked why they weren't asleep, he showed him the letter, and he gave a memorable quote "If life doesn't go the way you thought it might, try a new path, and they will always have a happy ending." He died in the attack of Berlin, he was 34, the sergeant met my grandpa to deliver the news. May his soul rest well.
My best friend was in the military when his mom died. I was the one to tell him over the phone. He was stationed in Germany at the time and I wasn’t able to be there for him in person and I wish I every day I could have been. He told me one day that if it weren’t for the boys he served with he wouldn’t be here today. The military is a family as well as our protectors I will never forget the boys who brought my friend home.
Well, at least you got a letter. I never got one my whole time in. When I finally did get married, I thought maybe things would get better. Then I went on my first deployment, and on the day I returned home, no one was there to greet me. So I had my buddy drop me off at my place. The problem was what I found in my bedroom. I left shortly after and just let the years of pain flow. No one came. No one was there. I finished my 4 years shortly after and went home. Found that all my friends had left and I again was alone. I was on the verge of falling apart, then I found a younger man, who I later found out was also a Marine who had just lost his mother. I sat with him for a while, and we talked. We realized something that day, we Marines are all we have. So we both re-enlisted. I never saw him again as he went active, and I went reserves. But for the next 4 years, I made it my mission to make sure my Marines knew they had someone that would give his life for them. Even when no one else would. Now I'm a civilian again. To this day, my Marines still reach out to me. That's what sets those in the military apart. We are a true family. Brothers and sisters in arms. Don't ever walk alone. We got your six.
Father's a marine. I married my best friend from high school, a sailor. Being a military spouse or significant other isn't for the faint of heart...but I can't forgive anyone who dear johns someone or cheats. I make friends with current military folks and vets, you never know what they're going through or if they have family; having a friend that will have your back is everything, and I know it's hard from home. Over the last month, one of my marine veteran friends just had a horrendous breakup, took a grippy sock vacation, and is dealing with other things now...I've put him in contact with my dad (under my dad's request) so they can chat marine to marine. Waiting for him to reach back out, sincerely hope he's ok (my dad keeps asking if I've heard from him too)
I will never forget when we got off the bus at boot camp and lined up for the last call home before training and this dude across from me tried and failed 3-4 times to get a hold of someone and the RDCs started getting on him for taking a while and he finally got his grandma on the phone. He almost immediately started crying and said something to the RDCs. They immediately pulled him aside. Later that day we get put in a holding bay before our division is assigned and he is already there before us. We came to find out that his mom, dad, and sister and brother saw him off at the airport. On the way home they were hit and all killed by a drunk driver. We didn't see him after that night.
Reading these comments is breaking my heart. I'll never understand how our heroes are treated so poorly by those who were supposed to be unconditional love and support. To all of you that has served, thank you.
I remember in the last week of basic i was doing fire guard. Sds came in and told me to grab one of my battles. He said there was an emergency call. Told him to call his pregnant wife. She answers and we find out she had the baby. Sds let him facetime for a couple minutes and it was a beautiful baby girl. I will always be second hand grateful to that sds.
Had a buddy during basic get a Dear John Letter and a letter saying his grandmother died in the same day. My DS was a godsend. He helped the kid out. Got him on a bus the next day headed for home and talked with him all night long. I was his BB.
When I was in basic, I ended up in medhold due to a heart condition made friends with a lot of people there. You also get to hear peoples mental health stories or physical health stories so when I was able to return to a group, I was the one my MTI was sent to talk tofellow trainees who were starting to have breakdowns. I also escorted them to medhold if they had injuries when I graduated, I received a coin from hike command who came to visit for the ceremony. They told me if I didn’t have a military career I had a medical career.
I understand this deeply. I had a Drill Sargent that i thought hated me to the point that i thought he was going out of his way to make my time at AIT worse then anyone else. One day i got a peice of mail telling me that my grandmother (who helped my father raise me and my sister for 5 years) had passed away; wail I was still in basic training. Not only did he help me come to terms with it but he went above and beyond and found out why i never the message when it happened. I had him give me my blue cord when i fully graduated to tell him how thankful i was for it.
Reminds me of last day. Got my orders, showed up to the unit to final out, everyone was deployed so just me and RD NCOIC and CPT. Got my 214, NCOIC shook my hand and said “congratulations, job well done”. And that was it. Drove 14 hours home that night non-stop. No music. Just thinking about the last 11 years of my life and how I didn’t really feel like it mattered to anyone except me. That’s a hard thing to take. But you do grow from it. Because in reality, your service really does only matter to you and handful of others that truly care. You have to grow past it.
@@armybeef68 I don't think I know exactly what you mean. I keep the same values. I live by them. But if you devoted 11 years of your life to something and then one day it just... stopped... You'd have to be a sociopath for that not to affect you in some kind of way.
I only served 6, and it was just NG, but I agree, it's only going to be a big deal to you, and that it won't be much to those around you is definitely something you just have to get over. Learned that before I was even in a year. Not a single one of my relatives welcomed me back home, not a one thanked me for serving (not that I felt entitled to it, I was serving for myself and for my country as a whole, not for them). I was treated like crap and like my service was little more than novelty or "token". So many times I heard, "So, when are you 'playing Army' next?" It hurt, honestly, but now I just keep it out of my mind and focus on my girl and her kids, because, aside from my Army family, they are the only family that matters to me. Sorry for ranting and rambling, I tend to over-share when I am trying to relate. But I do want you to know, OP, that your service matters to me, and matters to your brothers-and-sisters-in-arms. Hooah 🫡💪
This is so heartwarming. It is important to remember not all of the kids (I think 18 to early 20s are still kids) have families or support systems, so empathy from a higher up goes a long way. I have heard so many great stories from people from broken homes who get father figures/big bros during the time they serve. But it is also tough on the families of the higher ups sometimes, like the DS missing quality time with his family. Incredibly self-less. ❤
That's the tradeoff we take when being in the military or a family member. We're there for each other when others would turn away. Would literally die for the ones next to us and their families. So when you get that time with them you soak it in and love a little sweeter. Quality over quantity any day.
I was 17 when we learned about PTSD in Vietnam vets in school. I realized I had never heard my dad say a word about it, so I asked him when I got home if it had been really traumatic. He smiled big and said "I loved it. It was such an upgrade from living with my violent alcoholic father; plenty to eat, structure, discipline and fair accointability while living in the beautiful tropics. Getting drafted was the best thing that ever happened to me."
All of my uncles and several cousins served. I knew the trauma that came with military life. And although it’s nothing huge I got a call one night while working for CPS about a high ranking officer who became suicidal one night in his home in from of this family. When I asked about what happened I found out how many of his family/service members responded to end that situation peacefully. Everyone was okay however by state law anytime a child is put in danger due to a firearm we have to open a case. I took the case to my supervisor and explained how PTSD effects service member and how they should not be punished for having emotions as it just increases the chances that they’re not going to get help. After talking and documenting all of this in the notes it was ultimately decided that instead of a case being open supports to help the family get through the trauma would be sent in. I’m so grateful for my Knowledge and understanding of our service members and even more grateful for what our service members put themselves through so we can maintain freedoms in our country. I’m so sorry to all of you who don’t have the support you desperately need when you work so hard. Know you are so loved and appreciated by so many out there! I’m one of them. ❤
I remember being 17 at boot camp when my buddy found out his baby past away. I held onto him for a long time until they eventually separated us and they took him somewhere. I never saw him again but I never forgot the moment. I hope he is doing alright.
My Man is in the Navy. To all girls there: If you want relationship with military Man you must be able to be alone most of the time. Relationship with military Man have impact in our whole life. Ther will be a lot of moments that will be changing your life plans and you can't do nothing about this. Loving military guy is easy. Distance is real struggle.
Distance can be hard on any relationship, but frequently I consider one factor that can be crushing. If they're stationed somewhere out of country, you never know if something with Kickstart and you'd have to hear it from the news due to timezone differences and mailing time frames. The anxiety would paralyze me, but until I get hold on it I'm not dating. It's something I'm fine with.
This is how EVERY soldier should be treated during and after active duty Someone to talk to someone to lean on someone to love and be loved back just as much 😢😢😢
Not just service also in normal life but there seems to be a lack of empathy and love now a days. You could blame it on social media or on the sad fact that most humans just don't care are piece of shit and only look out for them self.
Mine wasn't a DS, I was AF, but my sister who was also in the AF. Got engaged just before leaving for basic. Finished basic and came home from Tech School to find out he had a girl friend the entire time I was gone. Sister and I spent two days talking, then I handed him back his ring, and told him to go back to his girl friend, we were through. My sister is ten years older than me, and with that different life perspective, it really helped me figure out what I wanted to do about the situation. Five years later I met someone, also in the AF, and we've been together nearly 40 years. Giving that ring back was the best decision of my life, but it was a hard one.
Ill always remember my drill sergeants. They were hard asses on the surface but i could tell they cared. I hadnt been able to contact my parents for weeks and my ds showed me more compassion and understood me when i didnt say a word. He was amazing
Day before the final FTX i get a red cross message. Grandpa died. Took me a bit to get my head around it and to this day ill never forget it, DS White said he will be dead and buried when u get back but he will watch you graduate in 3 days from above. You can go home see family and others and restart Blue phase with a different platoon, or you can finish the mission and your grandpa will watch you graduate from above. It took some soul searching, but in the cosmic scheme of things grandpa was with me on that last ruck back.
I learned in basic with my TI (Air Force) I thought she was a hard ass who was on a power trip. When we graduated basic and was in our bay waiting for our different busses to ship out to tech schools. She walked in to a group of us and asked us if we could stack up all the chairs. We was shocked and thought this was a setup, but we did it anyways and I asked her why did she ask and not ordered us and her response will stick with me my whole life of because you’re in the real Air Force now. It was then I realized they was doing their job to get us ready in the little time they had. Amazing how your op ion of a person can change in a split second.
When i was in basic, i went all the way to graduation week without getting a single letter. When i left, my mom was drinking really heavy, barely eating, and it only got worse the closer i got to leaving. I watched every night as all of my fellow trainees got mail, laughing and crying from being home sick. Meanwhile, im sitting here wondering if she's okay, if she's alive, couldnt sleep for 2 weeks. Finally, one night, i get out of my bunk, go to the bathroom and just start bawling, couldnt keep strong anymore. Then my dear friend Gabriel comes in while hes on EC duty, i spill it to him whats going on. Next day, mail call comes and me and him go to our hard as hell MTI and explain the situation. MTI brings me into the office and lets me get my phone to call home. Phone turns out to be disconected cuz i didnt pay the bill while i was at basic, and the MTI gives me HIS phone to call home. Ill never forget you both Gabriel and MSgt Nelson.
I miss the “old army” as crazy as this about to sounds..it’s old to me. I enlisted in 2014 and THIS is what the Army USED to be all about. The drastic differences and changes I was watching the army go through forced my hand in deciding to separate from active duty.
@@armybeef68 that’s why I put old army in quotations and most civilian jobs aren’t enough to pay bills honestly. America is in a worse economic position than the Great Depression.
@armybeef68 @armybeef68 The "old" Army? Try 1991 young man. AND I was a 37 year old single father. Hope you realize that everyone will always say their version is better even if it wasnt.
@@armybeef68bud the army has existed for hundreds of years there is absolutely nothing old about your piddly ass 2003 running desert errands for Bush army
I was the only one not to go to the senior di to get out. He stated that at the end of boot camp. I kept up my spirits with the words a former active marine said... "I served my 4." Simple yet, proud. Kept me from that give-up point. I proudly served over my 4years ! Thank you, devel dog, for the encouragement.
Buddy of mine during rookies got his dear john. Said he saw it coming a mile away but he definitely appreciated all these dudes out in the smoke pit under the stars talking to him about it. Said it saved him from a lot of pain.
This was me when i got a red cross letter. I sat in between the bays and played myself in chess on my homemade board and pieces made out of pipe cleaners. The DS on cq found me, and we talked for a while. He wasn't mad because he was already told. I was denied to go home for the funeral. Didn't have a phone, so I couldn't call home for a while. I am thankful he took the time to talk to me. I wasn't myself for a while. It's hard losing someone so close to you and not having the chance to say good bye. Fucked up part is i called a week before. Nobody said anything to me. My grandma had a stroke the day before i called. My grandma loved me more than anyone in my family and i couldn't even say good bye. I still get teary eyed when i talk or think about it. Still haven't been by her grave. I go to the cemetery but can't get out of the car. I'm ashamed i guess. Made a promise I'd always be there when she needed me like she was there for me. Joined the army to make her proud. To prove that i wasnt a waste. To prove i could do more than just mess around with my friends. All i did prove is i couldnt keep the most important promise ive ever made in my life. I have failed. I am a failure.
Look man I don't know you I'm sure she'd be proud of you. You had no control over what happened. You'll see her again one day. Until then. I think you should go say goodbye properly. Get some of her favorite flowers and go visit her final resting place. Say goodbye properly. You'll never forgive yourself until you do. Once you get there you can break down and cry if you have to. She deserves flowers on her grave and you deserve peace of mind. All you have to do is take that first step out of the car.
Listen to me buddy, I don’t know a lot I’m a 16 year old. I’m failing school. I don’t know what I’m gonna do with my life. But I know that you’re not a failure. I know this is a fact, you were there for you grandma. You were there protecting her country so your family could have a peaceful and happy funeral. You protected the land in which she lays to rest. Without you fine men, there would be no funeral, no peace. I promise you man. That you ain’t no failure. Whether your Religious or not, your grandmother is up there and she knows that you kept that promise. I love you man. And thank you for keeping the west safe.
Brother,remember... It isn't your fault and you are a human,not a failure. You have a reason why do you live and only people who truly love you will see your efforts and cares,so does God. Peace be with you and we are proud of you! ❤ Look up and see how much you've envolved. It is hard to arrivewhere you did,so good job!
You are not a failure. Often times people in our lives want us to focus but cause us irreparable mental or emotional harm by denying us the opportunity to do something as simple as saying goodbye.
@@SkopedOTvery well spoken for a failing 16 year old. OP, you're not a failure because you couldn't be there at your families passing. You were securing the freedoms that allow us to grieve in peace. You should stop by, like the first comment said. Flowers or no, she has moved on, you are the one dealing with this mortal coil. You need to lift this burden from your shoulders, cause you have to be there to build the future, not get weighed down by the past. Do me a favor, tell her I said thank you for helping raise a fine young man that took time out of his life to protect me and mine, despite being absent for his family. It's much appreciated.
Is it bad I teared up a bit? These are the best drills the tough ones but can still be human when the situation calls for it god bless and protect all drill sergeants and their soldiers
Not at all I have been that drill trust me when I got home had it not been for my wife to lean on I would have been a basket case, and this happens at least once a cycle. It was one thing we where never trained to handle but most of the time we did.
I still remember that story of a sergeant just on his ass. For lacking. And later was told that his mother died. And that he left alone with no father is his life and now with no mother. He has no relatives and no friends. He was a gamer and to make his mother proud join the army. It was a sad story
@@ravenrogers7386 i wish I had been able to serve I wanted to be army 32B ( military police) do my first 6 years in as enlisted then go to school and get my commission and go officer but sadly didn't realize one of my lungs wasn't completely formed and I messed up my knees while in military school we had a former DS and this video reminded me of him alot i wanted to serve like my father and grandfather and his grandfather before him sadly I'll never get the chance
Not bad at all, hooah 💪🤘 it hit me the same way. Just the fact that you *wanted* to serve means a ton, friend. That you had a plan and a noble reason behind your desire to serve even more so. You may not have gotten your chance to serve, but I salute you either way 🫡💪 Hooah
Reading these stories brings tears to my eyes. My now ex boyfriend recently ended our relationship because hes going away to yhe army and is pursuing a career with the army. He also wants to eventually get his degree in engineering. Deep down, I think he ended the relationship because he doesn't want to go through something like this or hurt me by being gone. I come from a military family where you don't know when youre going to hear from your love one. I know its hard on the person. I hope and pray that he gets a DS like you.
History teacher in high school was a drill sergeant and then a battery commander in Kuwait. He was the hardest on me always, but it was bc he cared that much. He cared about each student like they were his unit. When my grandma passed away he showed up with my entire horticulture shop class in junior year. I'll never forget the man he helped me become
The way kids are these days, some of these new recruits are gonna get their first heartbreak in basic training. That's a tough thing to go through first time add that to a somewhat stressful situation as that training... definitely need extra guidance.
Damn Dear John letters rip your frigging heart out. Boys? If you find a loyal woman? No matter how much she may be a pain? Hold onto her because she's worth more than a truckload of gold. Mine was stepping out on me with a cop while we were in the Gulf. Ended up declaring bankruptcy, no cars, evicted over 80k in debt. Then after Mr. Wonderful dumped her she had the balls to try and get back with me. Nope. That door was shut and bricked over. Got misty watching this one.
All these heart warming stories... and all my brain goes is to how that battle buddy is probably going to be so pissed he got woken up from his 4hr nap that night to listen to someome elses problems.
Dunno bout you, but as soon as I hear it's a brother or sister going through shit, sleep disappears. As someone who's been on both sides of the emotional disaster, I'll listen all night if I have to.
I got a letter similar to this one in basic, good buddy of mine died in a car accident. I let it go in the showers one night. Not but ass naked, in full battle rattle water on completely soaked. My senior drill came up and asked what was going on. I handed him that waterlogged note. He asked if I showed anyone else this. I stated no, he said alright permission to touch, I said granted, and for the first time I saw the humanity in a drill instructor, he hugged me and said let it out. I lost it, and by the end of it all, I respected him a hell of a lot more after that. We were found a few moments later by our Fire Watch guys. He filled them in and saw how messed up I was. We just sat and talked. Saved my life that night, Tsgt... thank you.
I’ll never forget my Master Guns. I had lost the only person I ever considered my grandfather since my own died before I was born. I was down on my luck as a Cpl and my mom was flying to a place close to me and asked if I could get leave. My sergeant approved it saying he wasn’t hopeful. My Master Guns saw me a few days prior and talked with me about everything going on. My family my personal life the fact I never took leave and I worked hard for my unit doing a lot of shit. He approved it that day and got the CO to approve it an hour after. Man was a hero to me
my brother is 22 and he just came back from the military around Christmas it was so nice and a blessing to have him back. he got married at 20 then a couple weeks later he left and he got back around Christmas when he was 22 so he been gone for 2 years! Ik it may not seem that long but it was for me and my family! everyday I would pray for him and everyone else is the military or any branch of military that you our in! ❤❤
I've been married 41 years now, never looked back, no regrets, and she's been my strength through thick and thin, times away and long hours at work. Raised two amazing kids, (one Doctor one electrical engineer) You gotta work on your relationship, not everyone is as lucky as me.
I still think of my DIs 20yrs after being out and would be there for them immediately if ever needed. Boot camp was the first time I ever felt what ‘home’ was and becoming a part of my glorious and beloved Corps the first time I felt proud of myself and remains the proudest moment of my life.
As someone who served, passed basic training (in a different country of course and in the army of said other country) instructors have to identify that if a situation like this happens they HAVE to ensure that the recruit first and foremost is okay and ask if they want to talk about it ect. A lot of the time with these situations, it’s loss of family members that hit the hardest and the instructors have to support that recruit as much as they can
US Marine here, if our drill instructors found out someone's family died of wife left during boot. They would take that recruit in front of the platoon and smoke the dog piss out of them, and then us. I've seen them tell a recruit going through this shit to *unalive* himself. Idk why the corps can't figure it the fuck out.
@@Pineapple-co6feit’s crazy aye they need to get with the times in that regard you know but still be harsh to recruits in general but not when it comes to real fucked up personal matters
@@Pineapple-co6fe that’s probably why my hard-headed Marine family all told me to go AF 😂 glad I listened, can’t have a good marine/soldier if you they’re going through a hard time and can’t think straight
My dad went to boot camp while I was in the womb. When he heard my mom was pregnante, the day he was tj go to war, he said he’s done, he quits. Just so I can have a dad for the rest of my life. I always ask him questions, but now, all I say is “I love you”
I was single when I left for basic. My parents came to my graduation and my mom told me she was proud of me. That was the first time she had ever said it. My drill sergeants were great, but I didn’t have a special story where I needed extra from them. I’m glad they are there for people who need them. A lot of good men and women in our Army.
Yeah, I got one of those letters in basic. My drill watched from his desk at the front of the bay as we opened our letters that day, and saw the smile I had fade away. I was being dumped because the distance and that she couldn't handle the thought of losing me. 5 years gone in an instant, Drill called me over. "Private, explain that dead look you have right now!" The bay goes silent, and everyone's eyes were on me. I hand him the letter, he reads it silently, then stands up and places his hand on my shoulder and says, "Son, follow me. Let's go downstairs and talk." We got to the Commanders office, and he walks in, I wait to be told to enter. He motions for me to sit down and hands me a Gatorade. Here I am 8 years later dealing with a much worse heartbreak, and trying to keep moving forward.
I leave for the Fleet in two days, and unfortunately, most of the young Sailors here at Bootcamp lack the empathy of caring about others. Not even the higher ups seem to care either, so I can't even go to a Chaplain or someone close to talk about problems... I keep it all in in the end, no matter how hard it is, because nobody understand the mentality of leaving to "go to work" and possibly never returning. Good luck to all of yall!
Yep, been there done that, but when you find that one battle buddy or NCO who actually cares, stick with them, don't blow them off, I did, and I still regret it.
Thanks for being a government pawn. Takes balls to be gov slave. They they fuck you after you serve. You see how many homeless vets there are?? It’s messed up people who enlist should never be homeless
The biggest lesson you learn as a leader is how to be human. Yes you may be inconvenienced but the time is well spent and could literally be life changing.
I got this when I was in the hospital for 1 year almost brain dead after my injury while I was in the military.I had to sign so much paperwork for divorce. I was wondering why she never came to visit. We've together for 10 years so I personally know this pain. At least I recovered fairly well.
Mine (Drill instructor) told a recruit going through this to unalive himself after IT-ing him for finding him crying after a red cross call that his grandmother died.
I was in Poland cleaning my M4 when I found out my dad died. I never let my weapon touch the ground until that day. My squad leader knew something was wrong. Best squad leader I had. They sent me home within 2 days. Miss and love you pops 💪🏾
Honestly hearing all of these incredible stories, it just feels nice knowing that despite the harshest things they put you through, they will drop EVERYTHING to make sure you’re okay and address the issues immediately. No one should feel alone and no one should ever have to struggle alone, especially when you already feel so isolated
Reading these comments, I'm glad there are military members who care about their marines, soldiers, etc. That wasn't my experience. I broke my sacroiliac joint in the Marines, but for months, it went undiagnosed. I would complain about my back hurting to the point where i was fighting back tears just walking, and the doctors never found anything (they were only looking at my spine), and my entire command had made their mind up that I was malingering. I almost got court-martialed for it. I asked to speak to the chaplain because I was feeling suicidal (the only person who listened to me), and he instructed me to go to mental health, which landed me in the psych ward for a 72 hour hold. New doctor finally finds the broken joint, and I get released back to my command. Even with a confirmed diagnosis and physical therapy visits twice a week, my command still thought I was malingering because I wasn't "getting better fast enough." At this point, I was being stalked to see if I would stop limping when no one was around. I caught the people I used to consider my friends ducking out of sight when I'd spot them. New Marines and transfers into our shop would be pulled aside and told I was a "piece of shit malingerer, and don't interact with him." One day, I was having a really bad day and asked my sergeant for permission to go to mental health to talk to my therapist. My sergeant denied the request and instead walked me up to Sergeant Major's office to stand at attention for over an hour (limited duty limited formations/standing requirements to 15 minutes), and get screamed at the entire time. I am breaking down and crying in Sergeant Major's office, and my sergeant is smiling, almost laughing at my physical and mental pain. When I finally had the chance, I went to my mental health therapist and talked to her about it. She filed a petition for early dismissal or what it's called and forced me out with a General Under Honorable Conditions discharge. Reason: Condition that interferes with duty not classified as a disability, Condition: Adjustment Disorder. Years after separation, I have multiple diagnoses of PTSD chronic instead of adjustment disorder, no GI bill, or access to programs that require a straight honorable discharge. I haven't been able to find anyone who can help me with the process of a discharge upgrade, either. But at least the injury is still getting treated years later by the VA for free.
I was having some troubles in basic. Drill Sgt. Rivera took me and my battle I to his office for a chat. People forget that army Drills work really hard for their recrutes and actually care about them.
Im enlisted and fixing to go to basic in august. Im worried my girl wont stay. This scares me, and makes me cry myself to sleep just thinking about this possibility. But I know that the army, deeeeeeeep down, does care. As an E- whatever anyway. Pray for me?
When I was in basic training, I got a similar letter from my now ex girlfriend. That was one of the hardest moments of my life. If it wasn’t for my friends and the drill sergeants, who knows where I’d be right now. Good soldiers follow orders, great soldiers help carry you when life gets heavy. The army isn’t easy, but we’re always here for eachother.
Had one of the meanest RDCs you could imagine through boot camp. Ended up finding out we were his 1st push as a red rope. He was the only one of our three RDCs that got emotional the day we graduated and to this day I still am friends with him. (Been out for two years now.)
I had a battle buddy who got so depressed in basic he took a razor apart and slit his arm from bottom to top. I had just happened to wake up needing to go the the latrine and saw him sitting on the floor sobbing and bleeding saying goodbye to everything and everyone. I snatched him up and wrapped his arm and put a tourniquet on him. Took him to the ds office and he jumped up and rushed both of us to the hospital. Told me to stay by his side at all times. He made a full recovery and got discharged. Now he is a father to 3 kids and has a beautiful life. Every so often he contacts me just to tell me thank you. Last time they contacted was by his wife. She was crying because he had just told her the story behind it. And told me the name of one of their kids Roy which is one of my middle names. He had named his son after me And it broke me. (In a good way)
These stories are all touching but this one really got me
Thank you, Roy 🫡
Hooah.
How many middle names you got?
The honor. ❤️
Actually bawling😭😭🫶🏼
Never will forget. 17 years old, turning blue. No one came. Drill sergeant standing in front of me, proudest moment of my life but absolutrly heart broken. Tears in my eyes but not sobbing and he said "No one came did they?" I said "No, drill sergeant." He said "don't worry about it. We're your family now." Then he pinned my cord on.
Fuck yeah
Hooah!
Sucks im most likely gonna get some similar treatment since my parents dont approve of me goin
Damn
Even we're your brothers in the USAF. Heads up.
My wife asked me for a divorce while deployed in the desert.
No worries, headache gone.
I will never forget that day. 5th week into basic, I got a letter saying that my girlfriend was leaving me. I wanted to just end it right there. My drill sergeant saw me, I handed him the letter, he helped me up, and hugged me so hard, then whispered into my ear, “You are family here, we won’t break your heart like she did.” I can’t thank my dad enough for saving me
Your Dad was your drill sergeant??!!
@@LaUnicaEsperanzaI think he meant more as a father figure type person and not his actual dad
End over a girl dude grow a pair
@@EllielSantiagoProbably
@@EllielSantiagoI dunno, the wording just made it a bit ambiguous, because even if bros telling the truth you can't believe it because the tone was so.... straight faced, yet suckered punching from outta nowhere.
I was 17 when I left home for the Air Force. Spent all of basic without any contact from home. When I graduated my phone was turned off by my parents. Bank account was drained. When I finally got a phone and tried to contact home, phone numbers had been changed. Months go by and I’m almost done with Security Forces Academy and I’m injured. An injury that left me with a medical discharge. With no contact home and nowhere to go I was discharged and walked out the gate. Lucky me that I saved about $8,000 and got a rent house and found a job in aviation. 6 years later and I’m married, own a home, and have kids. Don’t give up hope, even when your only hope gives up on you.
Proud of you, man ❤
Sounds like you deserved better and got better. Their loss.
Wow you are strong. So glad you had your wits about you and thrived.
Proud of you brother
This makes me happy and sad because his story ended happy but mine ended sad but nonetheless I’m happy for you man
18 years old, October 2018. Get a letter from my now ex. "I cant take the distance and not knowing when I'll ever see you again. I'm sorry, i cant do this anymore. And (lets call him Blue Falcon, someone who is no longer a friend) is here to take care of me. Im sorry." Immediately following that, broke down. My RDCs (Recruit Division Commanders for the Navy) start doing a muster. No one can find me, I'm silently having a breakdown in the head, door closed. I hear "Hey Razz, man, you in there?" I try to wipe away the tears and say "Yeah I'm good." "YN1 wants you in the fishbowl (the RDC office in the compartment." "Got it, be right there." I wipe my tears away, get in the fishbowl, just to get yelled at for not being at muster. "30 Seconds. Explain yourself." No words said, I hand him the letter. He looks at me, says, "Everyone, out. NOW." Shuts the blinds sits me down and we have a long talk about life. He probably saved my life that day and has no idea.
I hate that type of shit if you can't be real and stay loyal and wait it out then don't ever date or get married. I'm sorry for you man.
@@sleepyhollow4272 it's more so an appreciation of my RDC that saved my life
Women
I’m so sorry to hear this, I hope life gets better for you. Thank you so much for your service ❤
@@nathanskakel2561 I'm better now. It's been 6 years, I've long since moved on
My uncle died while I was in basic, my drill hat was out and about and spotted me, he asked what the hell was wrong with me, I told him about the letter breaking the news about him dying in a fiery accident, he didn’t even waste time with it and patted my back, told me that shits tough girl but it’s gonna be alright and I needed to be the new rock of the family. He asked if I wanted to see my SDI in the duty hut to talk about it, but I told him no, he just smiled and I believe it was the first time I had ever seen that guy smile, thank god for him cause it made graduation so much easier cause nobody showed up for me, but he did, said he was proud of me and glad I didn’t quit.
Semper Fi!
Seeing “i think that’s the first time i saw him smile” made me smile
I’m 14 and im teary. God bless you and all other families of those who have and currently serve.
I’m tearing up from this
I’m so sorry for your loss, but I’m glad that you had such a great person by your side.
Hey buddy I'm proud you pulled through. Losing someone is never easy but it can be a great fuel for the inner fire to keep roaring. Just know because you turned that lead to gold your Uncle is proud
I remember the day my dad died...i got in my dress blues for the veterans day parade my unit was participating in. I wasnt suppose to he there as my dad was in hospital. Master Chief was confused when i arrived and reported for the parade. When he heard why he put me as the one to carry the flag. As part of the memorial parade there was a 21 gun salute. It was for all of the fallen. And that now included my dad. The first shot shook me. And my 3 superiors started to move through the ranks. As the second shot rang out i remember falling. By the 3rd shot Commander had caught the flag and was holding it proud and true while Master Chief and Chief were holding me at attention. Master Chief leaned in and whispered to me "just hold your salute cadet, I've got you...weve all got you." It is a deep connection many don't understand.
Update. In October of 2023 my Master Chief passed away. Sadly I learned of it too late to attend but I will forever admire him and remember him for the impact he had in my life. He was a great man and mentor.
@@rehabitathomesolutions9125 may he rest in peace
Im so sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was a good soul.@@rehabitathomesolutions9125
July 25th 2009 I lost my dad while I was on brigade staff duty. I sat there while the red cross message came in. Then when we did his memorial thr following March it hadn't truly hit me yet until the 21 gun salute. There I lost it and cried lime a bitch while wearing my Class As and saluting
It's not a 21 gun salute. You should know that
One of my Drill Sergeants realized i had no confidence in myself. One day when i was really just having a bad day, i had my head down and was just in a really bad spot. He came over, told me to look at him in the eyes and said this,
"Private, you better not be giving up because this is just the beginning. After everything you've gone through this far, you really going to be the reason you cant reach your full potential? You can do it because even if you dont believe in yourself, the army will always have your back. All i ask is you give yourself a chance, and trust in the process."
I passed my run, and graduated BCT. i came in 45 seconds sooner than i needed. I threw up 2 times. But i never gave up.
DS Williams, from Fort Sill, made me into who i wanted to be. Confident. Proud. Humble. Honest.
Rest in Peace DS Williams. You'll never be forgotten.
The thing is the army doesn't always have your back. The military is great brotherhood. But they don't give a fuck about people who fought for their country once they're done with them.
Rest in peace Williams.
Rest In peace Williams, you were a good man
Amen
Always remember the MEN might have your back but the MILITARY OWNED BY GOVERNMEN DOES NOT CARE ABOUT ANYONE BUT THEMSELVES… stop fighting for tyyrants and their wipd goose chases. They USE young men becuase they CAN BE MANIPULATED and sent into gruesome battle on the front lines. A seasoned veterant that knows the ins and outs knows how crooked our government is because of the things they are made to do. Some are crooked themselves and stay in it but the others see the crooked stuff and get the hell out of that mess. The proof is in the pudding… WE FIGHT FOR WE THE PEOPLE AND OUR FAMILIES. WE SHOULD NOT BE FIGHTING ALL THIS BS THAT OUR CROOKED GOVERNMENT PUTS US THROUGH WITHOUT ASKING AT ALL.
When I went to Basic, my girl had already left me, and spent the entire time never getting one letter. Mail call was pretty much miserable every couple of days, and I’ll never forget what my Drill did for me. On the last mail call before graduation, Drill Sergeant Perry handed me a postcard, stamped and addressed… From him. He actually wrote that he noticed I had never gotten a letter, and that things would always get better - He was right, and it actually touched the 21 year old me more than he’d every know. Thanks Drill Sergeant - This We’ll Defend!
Till the end!
When my son went to basic I asked him to let me know if any soldiers in his platoon didn't get any mail. About 6 weeks in one guy hadn't gotten any mail and my son wrote about it in his letters. I sent the guy a letter a week for the rest of basic.
@@thomaspike1475that’s awesome dude did he write back?
Our drill instructor would always tell us that if you’re family didn’t write to you it was because they didn’t love you 😂😂😂
@@titusyoung141 No, he didn't write back, but he did thank me at graduation.
Had my girlfriend at the time pass away in Basic and was found by my drill sgt in the hall. He didn’t chew me out or anything just sat on the floor next to me and just told me that everything happens for a reason and that it was my choice to let this make me stronger and that he will help me get stronger but also to have empathy, to help others. he gave me a prayer coin and I still have it to this day. Its still hard and i still think about her to this day but im thankful to have been givin the means to keep pushing forward.
So sorry man, that's aweful:(
Rest in peace to your girl man 💯 I hope one day youll be reunited together
God bless brother.
Shes your guardian angel, inner strength, and protection all at once in your times of danger, need, happiness and safety.
Shes with you. Prayers 🙏🏻
Why did she pass?
@@thesaddestdude3575dude really. Come on now..
one of my marines was homeless in his own for a few years from 15-18. he told me that when he was in boot his senior drill instructor found out and they talked about it for a long time. the kid was just going through a rough time and had no one there to support him. his drill instructor was super kind to him and actually told his wife that story. she was so touched that she made him homemade toaster strudels and brought them at like 3 in the morning. they both offered their home up to him if he needed a place to stay on his 10 day leave or for RA. they said they were his family now, the marine corps is his home.
Chief in bootcamp told me "If you do everything in your power to talk to someone and they don't respond, it's not your fault cause you did everything" wrote my last letter to my ex and when I heard nothing back, I put my chin up high and went into the unknown knowing it wasn't my fault
U fine now?
If you put in 100% effort and get null in return,
Your response is completely justified and chief was looking out for you
Found the note in my car, took everything and left me holding the bag, left with 6 months unpaid bills emptied the bank account and left with the Kids. Thank god for my 1Sgt talked to me and calmed me down. He probably saved my life.
Hugs, friend. All the hugs.
Gott bleibt an deiner Seite, auch in schwersten Zeiten wird er dir seine Engel schicken egal in welcher Art. Du musst sie nur erkennen. May God bless you.❤
That woman is evil for what she did to you.
big time fuck that lady im sorry that happened to you bro
God bless you. I wish you all the peace and happiness in the world.
Taking care of soldiers, an NCOs number one priority. When i was in Iraq my wife left me for a man she met online. SSG Billy Cavines saved my life and he didn’t even know it. All he did was sit with me in silence while i sobbed, that was in 2005, he is still one of my dearest friends even though he is retired and im about to retire
God bless you.
Yea, I did that for someone else, and he actually scared me when he stared off into the distance and started slapping his head like the 3 stooges.
Yeah I get you, it's not good to be friends with retired people
In all seriousness sorry to hear that man that's rough. Hope you've seen better times since.
As a DOOM fan I read that as Super Shotgun Billy and I was like “that is the most epic name ever”
I’m so glad you are safe my friend. God bless you and may He watch over you and keep you. May He give you the Ultimate Peace that is Jesus Christ. It would be good to seek Him if you haven’t my friend. If you seek Him, you will find Him. He loves you and He paid the ultimate price, He was the ultimate sacrifice for us and our wrongdoing. Jeremiah 20:11-14 says this, ”For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.“
Jeremiah 29:11-14 NKJV
bible.com/bible/114/jer.29.13-14.NKJV
He is reaching out His hands to you my friend, He wants to have a relationship with you
Anyone who ever needs a friend I’m here , I rather be up at 2 in the morning listening to your story then being sad to see another set of flags at a tombstone
Been there done both. I'd rather get a call at 2am and drive 30 minutes to the barracks to sit with my soldier and not go to another funeral or memorial. I got the call late one night and just started called one of my soldiers while I drove. I said "wake up the boys, go sit with him until I get there". They did. That soldier is alive and has a beautiful family now.
Y’all are great people.
I am not military but you comment makes me very thankful for you and your military brothers and sisters.
Me too. Please don't forget, you're not alone
My Co. just laughs at people’s hardships…I would probably want to stay in if I had a friend like you in the motor pool.
I was in basic when I found out my dad opted out. All I could do was stare in shock for 2 hours they told me. My friends tried to talk to me but I didn't respond. My drill instructor came up took the letter out of my hand read it and gave me a hug. Then I cried and cried and cried. Im so glad someone was there for me.
Holy fucking shit. Fuck that man, I am so sorry.
3am ait on the phone with my spouse 1000 miles away. His having a suicidal moment and I'm losing my mind with fear and crying my eyes out. DS took care of everything he told me just be with him the cops are on the way. Afterwards he begged the CPT and 1SG to let me take the upcoming four day to go visit my husband in the hospital. Couple years later I'm in my house with my husband asleep in bed me writing about my DS on some UA-cam short when it could've ended differently.
Thank you for staying with this man through thick and thin. Life's a gift, but it's not adressed to everyone. I'm glad you could make sure he got his gift.
You in the navy?
We are all green brother through thick and thin
what a beautiful thing to say. Keep the Flag up high!@@friendlyneighborhoodspider3962
The re is some who step up and do the right thing. Sadly we all hear of the toxic people.
This message is for anyone going to bootcamp. Your drill instructors are human beings. If you need serious help talk to them. They are there to turn you into a soldier sailor marine or airman. They are not hard on you because they are mean or dont like you. They want you to succeed. So don't be scared to bring personal issues or god forbid even a medical one to them. Because they will help you. I admire my navy rdc's to this day they really turned me into a sailor. Without their help i wouldn't be the man i am today.
I honestly wish I could like this more than once
@@justinmcdaniel5722I got you
Boy said Navy rdc lol. I told my drill sgt I was having relationship issues. He told me she was getting plowed by ten dudes, and then he told me to f* off.
Listen, as much as I want to agree, everyone, from trainee to general, needs to watch out for "THAT guy". We had one, and he crippled 3 guys during our cycle. Shouldering a guy down a ditch on a March, breaking a guy's hip chucking him off a top bunk, and rolling a pup-truck with two privates in the back, while drinking on duty.
They're human, for good or bad, they're human. Gotta spot the difference.
Retired Marine here, well said brother! 👊🏻Semper Fidelis!
15 years old, wanted to join my local fire company. Joined, went on my first call and seen some shit a 15 year old shouldnt see. Chief grabbed my shoulder and said "good job son, you made it. Youre doing what you need to do." That shit healed me and broke me all at once and i cant explain it. Ill love my current fire chief for life. He put my own house out at one point. A real hero. A legend.
I grew up an Army Brat. My Dad was a chaplain so my dad would always be there for the soldiers through their "dear john". Too many times my sister and I would watch young soldiers look for the one they loved as they returned home from deployment. Two decades later, I can still remember the excitement and joy fade to betrayal in several soldiers eyes. My sister and I made a pact that we wouldn't hurt someone in a way like that. To the significant others out there, you aren't the only one feeling the pain of separation. 😢
I remember when back in benning, half of the power outlets wouldnt work. I was only 19 and this was the first time i was doing stuff on my own. I relied heavily on my mom to keep my morale up every time we got a call.
But since everyone needed to talk to someone, and our cycle was full. People rush to get to a charger. My phone was a shitty one that ran out of battery pretty quick, so needless to say i couldnt charge my phone. Hadnt talked to my mom in like 7 weeks in a row. So i was pretty emotional, emotional to the point that after it, i was a teary eyed mess when turning in my phone. one of the drills saw me and told me to come down to the office with a battle buddy after the phones were all turned in, he gave me 2 hours to talk to my mom. That day kept me in. I am forever grateful to him.
I have a phone story too. My recruiter had told me that cell phones were allowed so I left mine at home. We get our first phone call home and most of my platoon had brought their phones and got to use them. I had to run out to the payphones to make my call. I was at sick call one day for an injury and saw on the news that a bad storm was supposed to be hitting the area I live. The next day we got phone calls. I called home and no one answered. I started panicing because I didn't know if something happened because of the storm. When I went back to the barracks I was visibly upset and my DS asked what was happening. He told me to meet him in CQ after first formation in the morning. I met him and he let me use his cell phone to call home and see if everything was ok. It was. My family had been at the fair.
I also have a phone story!
My family was very poor so the phone I had when I went to basic was terrible, couldn't hold a charge. I'd spend 9 of my 10 minutes at the farthest outlet waiting for it to get enough juice to turn on. Didn't even have time to call before they're yelling to turn in our phones.
I was so embarrassed about not having a better phone that I didn't tell anybody.
Still, got caught by one of the drill sergeants around when we were set to graduate. He asked why I was just sitting there and I had to explain the whole situation. They let me call my family that night
I guess it's their job to know when somethings up, so I shouldn't have been surprised they found out. Though I am still surprised they cared
When I was in the military about to graduate no one was going to show up and my DI’s asked me if my family was coming. I said no one will be coming staff sergeant awkwardly and fighting back the tears he then said fuck them, we’re your family.
I spent 3 months with these drill instructors and they became like older brothers to me. I will never forget that moment.
If you don’t mind me asking did they just not care enough or did you lose them?
@@brysonbuck9709 they didn’t care enough to come but it’s no biggie. I’m doing great now and I’ve made enough friends to call them my family (which were ppl I met in the military)
@@salmmadrid766 that’s good if they don’t care enough to go to something that big then they aren’t really family
Sounds like your family was already there at graduation.
Thank you all for your service. I knew nothing about the Military when i married my Warrior. I can't fathom what some of your loved ones do or not do in some cases. Breaks my heart. I had letters written before he left our driveway when he went on any deployment. Care boxes packed & hidden, ready to be mailed as soon as I could! I included extras for his guys/gals who got otherwise nothing. Our son had his passport at 5 days old, so we could join his Dad overseas. I moved households alone to be w him, leaving my family behind. Because HE was my family, my home, my heart. We had so many guys over for all holidays so they could have some home-cooked food, some moments of normal. My first Thanksgiving w him, we had 24 guys. I knew only 2 before dinner. My Husband died 21 years ago. I miss him. I'd be there at your ceremony in a heartbeat if i could. You deserve it. I'm thankful and proud of you all. From a proud Military Widow.
You are a hero
I was in the Marines once a life time ago. My old buddy that became a drill Sargent texted me in 2015 saying one of his recruits had passed boot camp. But she had no on no family no friends. The army was her family now. And asked me to be there and be the father and family she needed as she left the camp. Anything for a brother/sister in arms
I’m on duty away from my wife now and she has been my rock during this time away. I’m blessed to have her.
She getting railed bro. I'm sorry
So is her boyfriend
@@darkshines114right 😂
She’s getting her cheeks clappped lol
@@Patrick63718you two just ruined this guys year 😂
Letter starts out...
"Me and Jody went to movies, and then when the lights went out...one thing lead to another...we can stay friends..."
Yeah smh
Yeah...if she cheats, she's for the streets. No staying friends after that. If you respectfully break things off because they won't work for whatever reason, that's one thing. If she comes clean before it turns into something, else, says "hey, I just don't think this is gonna work with our situations" that's one thing. But "hey, I'm with this other guy now" should never be the first word and is grounds for complete loss of contact.
@kugelblitz1557 - Happened to me 3 weeks in to heading to Ukraine in April 2022. Left April 5. By April 30 she turned mean and cold and had a new guy. I consider myself lucky that she showed who she really was after being together 2 years. I was only going to be gone 4 months tops. Couldn't even make it 4 weeks.
@@ChadMcFarland_CanadaEHTeam she ain't worth your thoughts, man. Maybe she'll grow into a better person maybe not, but you've got your own life to handle now. Don't worry about her.
@@ChadMcFarland_CanadaEHTeam you dodged a bullet there, you could have had kids stuck with that thing
USMC 1988 boot camp. Went in tight before Christmas. Broke up with my girlfriend so we could both be free. Got back together a year later. Found out she waited on me the whole time. Sherry Jones I always loved you.
I remember when I was in middle school and one of our teachers gave us a bunch of blank cards and told us to write Christmas letters for soldiers and sailors who didn’t expect to get any. I probably wrote about 30 or 40 letters, writing out the entire story of The Night Before Christmas, because I thought it would be nice for them to get a story for Christmas. Now, as a Navy sailor of eight years, I treasure every single little card I get with a child’s scribbling handwriting telling me that they appreciate what I do, and hope that I have a happy holiday. I got a lot of letters from family when I was deployed, luckily. But I know there are still a lot of sailors and soldiers who don’t, and I hope they get some amazing Christmas letters from the kids in school.
Lost one of my good friends when I was in basic in 2006. I'll never forget that feeling of my battle buddy just bear hugging me and the DS calling us homos.... Then he saw the letter. He gave me the advice I needed at the time and I still talk to both of those guys today. DS is still a hard ass. Lol 😂
I was born in 06
@XavierTao-vw9uq we get it, we're old 🤪 Glad you're here.
@@XavierTao-vw9uq Stop making us feel old lol
@@Krexellmao I wasn't born til 2009 😂
Media does not portray drill sergeants correctly. They care for you very deeply and wish for your wellbeing. My basic training drill sergeants were extremely hard on all of us, dogged us from chow to lights out almost everyday. When trainees would have a problem at home going on or going through a hard time, the drills were like a father to them. Drill sergeants are like fathers preparing you for war.
My brother was in the USAF for 12 yrs, I remember sending him letters and care packages during all of his deployments and trainings. One deployment in Afghanistan he wrote to us that his buddy's girl had left him via letter and he was really struggling, and asked if we could send him one or two letters and a care package. This buddy didn't have any family writing to him so his girl was the only one. From then on we made two care packages each week or so, one for my brother and one for his buddy, and we wrote letters to his buddy pretty often. We stuffed the package full of home baked cookies, chips and jerky, drink mixes, and toiletries. And my mom always wrote him a special note that she was just as proud of him as any mother, and he was like another son to her. My brother said he cried the first time he got one of her notes - the guy had never had someone really care like that. We kept that up for both of them until they left active duty, and we still check in on him now and then. He's married and has kids now.
THANK YOU !
Happened to me, and at 1 in the morning the drill took off his hat and let me vent. It was a moment I won't forget. Depending on what's going on at home, 1 year in BT and AIT can be extremely draining on someone's mental. I had 5 suicides around me throughout my time in BT and AIT. These little conversations can save lives. Suicide isn't just an issue of those whom have deployed. The army is extremely fun and depressing. Everything in-between. Thanks to all thr Drills who care. I met plenty who didnt.
A lot of people forget that the DS is a human too. 99.9% of the time they have seen more shit than the troops in basic.
Well I'd hope a DS would have seen more shit than the trainee's
@@1ice3690 I said 99.9% of the time because you got dudes who got out for over 2 years and decided they want back in. Well they have to redo basic training. Just like I would if I decided to go back into the Army.
@@HSHTERZdrill instructors (drill sgt's) really have seen a lot more than a lot of recruits going through basic and basic combat training and the day I found that out I was pretty surprised. I really thought when I was a kid that drill instructors or a drill sgt was a Sgt in the military who just wanted to be a instructor and never saw combat when I was a kid that knew only what my grandfather told me about (going into the army soon hopefully and hopefully my waiver will be passed since I passed my pulmonary function test and did wildland firefighting type 2 school and passed that with no problems)
@snakejr9428 view my reply to the other person. It will make more sense. I did basic in 2015.
@@HSHTERZ I did and I was agreeing with you.
My dad passed away the very same night that I arrived to Fort Jackson for reception. Needless to say, I wish I’d had a drill to talk to or something. Instead I just got thrown in the holdover bay until someone could “take care of me”. I mean in hindsight I understand that they all had their hands full with an entire cycles worth of trainees but still. That was one of the longest and loneliest nights of my life. So all this to say, be that person for others that you’d want for yourself if you needed some support.
Your dad would be proud of you mate. Stay strong
You’re strong as fuck man… holy shit
120th was probably one of the roughest times in my life. On my first phone call home, I found out my sister had been raped. I'm sorry for your loss, brother. The things we went through in that shithole battalion was honestly baffling sometimes.
I would imagine that your dad felt nothing but pride that day. Good on you, mate. I continue, not just in my military career, but pushing to be better and do better every year. I know my grandparents (WW2 and Korea vets) and father (Vietnam and Desert Storm) died wanting the best for me. The best I can do for them is do the best they'd want of me. Until Valhalla ❤
Fort Jackson was a nightmare for me, DS Knapp in reception was the only DS that seemed to actually care about not only his job but the trainees aswell, I'm sorry about your dad brother, I know how it feels. I lost both my parents. If you need to talk I got discord
I Was 17 Years Old When My First Girlfriend Broke Up With Me... 4 Months Later I Just Turned 18, Joined The Greek Army, Went Through Basic Training And Then Enlisted In The Marine Corps. After Spending A Long Time There... I Met A Sergeant And He Said These Words To Me: ~ Don't Be Sad, He Will Understand One Day, Never Destroy Yourself For Anyone!!
I Will Never Forget You Sir Sergeant!!!
380ΛΟΚ.
Haven't served but my grandpas dad was serving for the preparation of D-Day, and news struck at home, grandpas mom was dying of a brain tumour, but he was already in and ready for the landing in 2 days, he waited, and a couple hours before landing, a Corporal have him a letter, she didn't make it, One of the sergeants who were passing by asked why they weren't asleep, he showed him the letter, and he gave a memorable quote "If life doesn't go the way you thought it might, try a new path, and they will always have a happy ending." He died in the attack of Berlin, he was 34, the sergeant met my grandpa to deliver the news. May his soul rest well.
My best friend was in the military when his mom died. I was the one to tell him over the phone. He was stationed in Germany at the time and I wasn’t able to be there for him in person and I wish I every day I could have been. He told me one day that if it weren’t for the boys he served with he wouldn’t be here today. The military is a family as well as our protectors I will never forget the boys who brought my friend home.
Salutes to your friend from a german❤🇩🇪🇺🇲
Well, at least you got a letter. I never got one my whole time in. When I finally did get married, I thought maybe things would get better. Then I went on my first deployment, and on the day I returned home, no one was there to greet me. So I had my buddy drop me off at my place. The problem was what I found in my bedroom. I left shortly after and just let the years of pain flow. No one came. No one was there. I finished my 4 years shortly after and went home. Found that all my friends had left and I again was alone. I was on the verge of falling apart, then I found a younger man, who I later found out was also a Marine who had just lost his mother. I sat with him for a while, and we talked. We realized something that day, we Marines are all we have. So we both re-enlisted. I never saw him again as he went active, and I went reserves. But for the next 4 years, I made it my mission to make sure my Marines knew they had someone that would give his life for them. Even when no one else would. Now I'm a civilian again. To this day, my Marines still reach out to me. That's what sets those in the military apart. We are a true family. Brothers and sisters in arms. Don't ever walk alone. We got your six.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!! WAAAAAAAAAAH!!!
Semper Fi mother fucker! Watch your front and 6!
Father's a marine. I married my best friend from high school, a sailor. Being a military spouse or significant other isn't for the faint of heart...but I can't forgive anyone who dear johns someone or cheats. I make friends with current military folks and vets, you never know what they're going through or if they have family; having a friend that will have your back is everything, and I know it's hard from home. Over the last month, one of my marine veteran friends just had a horrendous breakup, took a grippy sock vacation, and is dealing with other things now...I've put him in contact with my dad (under my dad's request) so they can chat marine to marine. Waiting for him to reach back out, sincerely hope he's ok (my dad keeps asking if I've heard from him too)
@@Tyler-BravoRUDE
I will never forget when we got off the bus at boot camp and lined up for the last call home before training and this dude across from me tried and failed 3-4 times to get a hold of someone and the RDCs started getting on him for taking a while and he finally got his grandma on the phone. He almost immediately started crying and said something to the RDCs. They immediately pulled him aside. Later that day we get put in a holding bay before our division is assigned and he is already there before us. We came to find out that his mom, dad, and sister and brother saw him off at the airport. On the way home they were hit and all killed by a drunk driver. We didn't see him after that night.
Reading these comments is breaking my heart. I'll never understand how our heroes are treated so poorly by those who were supposed to be unconditional love and support. To all of you that has served, thank you.
Bc lots of ppl are selfish and lack empathy.
I remember in the last week of basic i was doing fire guard. Sds came in and told me to grab one of my battles. He said there was an emergency call. Told him to call his pregnant wife. She answers and we find out she had the baby. Sds let him facetime for a couple minutes and it was a beautiful baby girl. I will always be second hand grateful to that sds.
Gotta be the best emergency I've ever heard of
Had a buddy during basic get a Dear John Letter and a letter saying his grandmother died in the same day. My DS was a godsend. He helped the kid out. Got him on a bus the next day headed for home and talked with him all night long. I was his BB.
When I was in basic, I ended up in medhold due to a heart condition made friends with a lot of people there. You also get to hear peoples mental health stories or physical health stories so when I was able to return to a group, I was the one my MTI was sent to talk tofellow trainees who were starting to have breakdowns. I also escorted them to medhold if they had injuries when I graduated, I received a coin from hike command who came to visit for the ceremony. They told me if I didn’t have a military career I had a medical career.
I understand this deeply. I had a Drill Sargent that i thought hated me to the point that i thought he was going out of his way to make my time at AIT worse then anyone else. One day i got a peice of mail telling me that my grandmother (who helped my father raise me and my sister for 5 years) had passed away; wail I was still in basic training. Not only did he help me come to terms with it but he went above and beyond and found out why i never the message when it happened. I had him give me my blue cord when i fully graduated to tell him how thankful i was for it.
Reminds me of last day. Got my orders, showed up to the unit to final out, everyone was deployed so just me and RD NCOIC and CPT. Got my 214, NCOIC shook my hand and said “congratulations, job well done”. And that was it. Drove 14 hours home that night non-stop. No music. Just thinking about the last 11 years of my life and how I didn’t really feel like it mattered to anyone except me. That’s a hard thing to take. But you do grow from it. Because in reality, your service really does only matter to you and handful of others that truly care. You have to grow past it.
This is probably the most accurate statement I could have read. I dealt with exactly this and you are 100% correct.
You might not think people care about your service, but you should know, people care about their children growing up safe, thank you for your service
Or you can embrace it and keep the same values and discipline you had when you were in, unless of course you were ate up.
@@armybeef68 I don't think I know exactly what you mean. I keep the same values. I live by them. But if you devoted 11 years of your life to something and then one day it just... stopped... You'd have to be a sociopath for that not to affect you in some kind of way.
I only served 6, and it was just NG, but I agree, it's only going to be a big deal to you, and that it won't be much to those around you is definitely something you just have to get over. Learned that before I was even in a year. Not a single one of my relatives welcomed me back home, not a one thanked me for serving (not that I felt entitled to it, I was serving for myself and for my country as a whole, not for them). I was treated like crap and like my service was little more than novelty or "token". So many times I heard, "So, when are you 'playing Army' next?" It hurt, honestly, but now I just keep it out of my mind and focus on my girl and her kids, because, aside from my Army family, they are the only family that matters to me.
Sorry for ranting and rambling, I tend to over-share when I am trying to relate. But I do want you to know, OP, that your service matters to me, and matters to your brothers-and-sisters-in-arms. Hooah 🫡💪
This is so heartwarming. It is important to remember not all of the kids (I think 18 to early 20s are still kids) have families or support systems, so empathy from a higher up goes a long way. I have heard so many great stories from people from broken homes who get father figures/big bros during the time they serve. But it is also tough on the families of the higher ups sometimes, like the DS missing quality time with his family. Incredibly self-less. ❤
That's the tradeoff we take when being in the military or a family member. We're there for each other when others would turn away. Would literally die for the ones next to us and their families. So when you get that time with them you soak it in and love a little sweeter. Quality over quantity any day.
@abellabarbie it's a lot less heartwarming when you realize the person that drill sergeant was texting at the beginning was this poor privates wife
Literally living out of my car as we speak. Haven't even been shipped off to boot camp, and my Marine Corps family has been my rock.
Sthu you would cheat if you had the chance too🤡🤡🤡 for the streets 😺🐟💦💥💥💥💥 you rn chame on you!
I was 17 when we learned about PTSD in Vietnam vets in school. I realized I had never heard my dad say a word about it, so I asked him when I got home if it had been really traumatic. He smiled big and said "I loved it. It was such an upgrade from living with my violent alcoholic father; plenty to eat, structure, discipline and fair accointability while living in the beautiful tropics. Getting drafted was the best thing that ever happened to me."
All of my uncles and several cousins served. I knew the trauma that came with military life. And although it’s nothing huge I got a call one night while working for CPS about a high ranking officer who became suicidal one night in his home in from of this family. When I asked about what happened I found out how many of his family/service members responded to end that situation peacefully. Everyone was okay however by state law anytime a child is put in danger due to a firearm we have to open a case. I took the case to my supervisor and explained how PTSD effects service member and how they should not be punished for having emotions as it just increases the chances that they’re not going to get help. After talking and documenting all of this in the notes it was ultimately decided that instead of a case being open supports to help the family get through the trauma would be sent in. I’m so grateful for my
Knowledge and understanding of our service members and even more grateful for what our service members put themselves through so we can maintain freedoms in our country. I’m so sorry to all of you who don’t have the support you desperately need when you work so hard. Know you are so loved and appreciated by so many out there! I’m one of them. ❤
I remember being 17 at boot camp when my buddy found out his baby past away. I held onto him for a long time until they eventually separated us and they took him somewhere. I never saw him again but I never forgot the moment. I hope he is doing alright.
My Man is in the Navy. To all girls there:
If you want relationship with military Man you must be able to be alone most of the time. Relationship with military Man have impact in our whole life. Ther will be a lot of moments that will be changing your life plans and you can't do nothing about this.
Loving military guy is easy. Distance is real struggle.
they mostly aint in love ,they just show off w uniform front of theire gf ,n maybe a lil lust for the power they think u have ,thats all
@@torhbakalit908 That's a bit rude. Completely discounting the sincere relationships. Yeah, you said "mostly" but we all know what you meant.
if they in the navy they wont be going for no girls i can tell you that...
They love a man in uniform till he has to do man in uniform shit
Distance can be hard on any relationship, but frequently I consider one factor that can be crushing. If they're stationed somewhere out of country, you never know if something with Kickstart and you'd have to hear it from the news due to timezone differences and mailing time frames. The anxiety would paralyze me, but until I get hold on it I'm not dating. It's something I'm fine with.
This is how EVERY soldier should be treated during and after active duty
Someone to talk to someone to lean on someone to love and be loved back just as much 😢😢😢
Not just service also in normal life but there seems to be a lack of empathy and love now a days. You could blame it on social media or on the sad fact that most humans just don't care are piece of shit and only look out for them self.
@@melle1996meijer yeah its really sad
Whats the world come to 😢
Lol, DS took him back to his office to smoke with with pushup until the kid was tired enough to sleep.
Mine wasn't a DS, I was AF, but my sister who was also in the AF. Got engaged just before leaving for basic. Finished basic and came home from Tech School to find out he had a girl friend the entire time I was gone. Sister and I spent two days talking, then I handed him back his ring, and told him to go back to his girl friend, we were through. My sister is ten years older than me, and with that different life perspective, it really helped me figure out what I wanted to do about the situation. Five years later I met someone, also in the AF, and we've been together nearly 40 years. Giving that ring back was the best decision of my life, but it was a hard one.
Ill always remember my drill sergeants. They were hard asses on the surface but i could tell they cared. I hadnt been able to contact my parents for weeks and my ds showed me more compassion and understood me when i didnt say a word. He was amazing
Day before the final FTX i get a red cross message. Grandpa died. Took me a bit to get my head around it and to this day ill never forget it, DS White said he will be dead and buried when u get back but he will watch you graduate in 3 days from above. You can go home see family and others and restart Blue phase with a different platoon, or you can finish the mission and your grandpa will watch you graduate from above. It took some soul searching, but in the cosmic scheme of things grandpa was with me on that last ruck back.
No matter the problem. Never face it without your battle buddy.
Sometimes it's hard I don't want to put that on them
@@chikntaco141 if the person you want to talk to has a heart, you’re never a burden ❤
"Tell you what..." is how you know you're about to be saved. Nothing bad follows those words from cadre.
I learned in basic with my TI (Air Force) I thought she was a hard ass who was on a power trip. When we graduated basic and was in our bay waiting for our different busses to ship out to tech schools. She walked in to a group of us and asked us if we could stack up all the chairs. We was shocked and thought this was a setup, but we did it anyways and I asked her why did she ask and not ordered us and her response will stick with me my whole life of because you’re in the real Air Force now. It was then I realized they was doing their job to get us ready in the little time they had. Amazing how your op ion of a person can change in a split second.
When i was in basic, i went all the way to graduation week without getting a single letter. When i left, my mom was drinking really heavy, barely eating, and it only got worse the closer i got to leaving. I watched every night as all of my fellow trainees got mail, laughing and crying from being home sick. Meanwhile, im sitting here wondering if she's okay, if she's alive, couldnt sleep for 2 weeks. Finally, one night, i get out of my bunk, go to the bathroom and just start bawling, couldnt keep strong anymore. Then my dear friend Gabriel comes in while hes on EC duty, i spill it to him whats going on. Next day, mail call comes and me and him go to our hard as hell MTI and explain the situation. MTI brings me into the office and lets me get my phone to call home. Phone turns out to be disconected cuz i didnt pay the bill while i was at basic, and the MTI gives me HIS phone to call home. Ill never forget you both Gabriel and MSgt Nelson.
I miss the “old army” as crazy as this about to sounds..it’s old to me. I enlisted in 2014 and THIS is what the Army USED to be all about. The drastic differences and changes I was watching the army go through forced my hand in deciding to separate from active duty.
The "old" army? try 2003 kid.
AND I was 34. Hope your civilian job is good enough to pay your bills. (It probably isn't)
@@armybeef68 that’s why I put old army in quotations and most civilian jobs aren’t enough to pay bills honestly. America is in a worse economic position than the Great Depression.
@armybeef68 @armybeef68 The "old" Army? Try 1991 young man.
AND I was a 37 year old single father. Hope you realize that everyone will always say their version is better even if it wasnt.
@@armybeef68bud the army has existed for hundreds of years there is absolutely nothing old about your piddly ass 2003 running desert errands for Bush army
@@XxWoWglitchesxXdamn y’all I’m in right now😂. 19yrs old!
I was the only one not to go to the senior di to get out.
He stated that at the end of boot camp.
I kept up my spirits with the words a former active marine said... "I served my 4."
Simple yet, proud.
Kept me from that give-up point.
I proudly served over my 4years !
Thank you, devel dog, for the encouragement.
Buddy of mine during rookies got his dear john. Said he saw it coming a mile away but he definitely appreciated all these dudes out in the smoke pit under the stars talking to him about it. Said it saved him from a lot of pain.
This was me when i got a red cross letter. I sat in between the bays and played myself in chess on my homemade board and pieces made out of pipe cleaners. The DS on cq found me, and we talked for a while. He wasn't mad because he was already told. I was denied to go home for the funeral. Didn't have a phone, so I couldn't call home for a while. I am thankful he took the time to talk to me. I wasn't myself for a while. It's hard losing someone so close to you and not having the chance to say good bye. Fucked up part is i called a week before. Nobody said anything to me. My grandma had a stroke the day before i called. My grandma loved me more than anyone in my family and i couldn't even say good bye. I still get teary eyed when i talk or think about it. Still haven't been by her grave. I go to the cemetery but can't get out of the car. I'm ashamed i guess. Made a promise I'd always be there when she needed me like she was there for me. Joined the army to make her proud. To prove that i wasnt a waste. To prove i could do more than just mess around with my friends. All i did prove is i couldnt keep the most important promise ive ever made in my life. I have failed. I am a failure.
Look man I don't know you I'm sure she'd be proud of you. You had no control over what happened. You'll see her again one day. Until then. I think you should go say goodbye properly. Get some of her favorite flowers and go visit her final resting place. Say goodbye properly. You'll never forgive yourself until you do. Once you get there you can break down and cry if you have to. She deserves flowers on her grave and you deserve peace of mind.
All you have to do is take that first step out of the car.
Listen to me buddy, I don’t know a lot I’m a 16 year old. I’m failing school. I don’t know what I’m gonna do with my life. But I know that you’re not a failure. I know this is a fact, you were there for you grandma. You were there protecting her country so your family could have a peaceful and happy funeral. You protected the land in which she lays to rest. Without you fine men, there would be no funeral, no peace. I promise you man. That you ain’t no failure. Whether your Religious or not, your grandmother is up there and she knows that you kept that promise. I love you man. And thank you for keeping the west safe.
Brother,remember... It isn't your fault and you are a human,not a failure. You have a reason why do you live and only people who truly love you will see your efforts and cares,so does God. Peace be with you and we are proud of you! ❤
Look up and see how much you've envolved. It is hard to arrivewhere you did,so good job!
You are not a failure. Often times people in our lives want us to focus but cause us irreparable mental or emotional harm by denying us the opportunity to do something as simple as saying goodbye.
@@SkopedOTvery well spoken for a failing 16 year old.
OP, you're not a failure because you couldn't be there at your families passing. You were securing the freedoms that allow us to grieve in peace.
You should stop by, like the first comment said. Flowers or no, she has moved on, you are the one dealing with this mortal coil. You need to lift this burden from your shoulders, cause you have to be there to build the future, not get weighed down by the past.
Do me a favor, tell her I said thank you for helping raise a fine young man that took time out of his life to protect me and mine, despite being absent for his family. It's much appreciated.
Is it bad I teared up a bit? These are the best drills the tough ones but can still be human when the situation calls for it god bless and protect all drill sergeants and their soldiers
I ugly cried. I've been that private.
Not at all I have been that drill trust me when I got home had it not been for my wife to lean on I would have been a basket case, and this happens at least once a cycle. It was one thing we where never trained to handle but most of the time we did.
I still remember that story of a sergeant just on his ass. For lacking. And later was told that his mother died. And that he left alone with no father is his life and now with no mother. He has no relatives and no friends. He was a gamer and to make his mother proud join the army. It was a sad story
@@ravenrogers7386 i wish I had been able to serve I wanted to be army 32B ( military police) do my first 6 years in as enlisted then go to school and get my commission and go officer but sadly didn't realize one of my lungs wasn't completely formed and I messed up my knees while in military school we had a former DS and this video reminded me of him alot i wanted to serve like my father and grandfather and his grandfather before him sadly I'll never get the chance
Not bad at all, hooah 💪🤘 it hit me the same way.
Just the fact that you *wanted* to serve means a ton, friend. That you had a plan and a noble reason behind your desire to serve even more so. You may not have gotten your chance to serve, but I salute you either way 🫡💪 Hooah
You're more than a Drill instructor. Your daddy, moma, Brother and friend. You wear many hats. With a heart of gold.
Reading these stories brings tears to my eyes. My now ex boyfriend recently ended our relationship because hes going away to yhe army and is pursuing a career with the army. He also wants to eventually get his degree in engineering. Deep down, I think he ended the relationship because he doesn't want to go through something like this or hurt me by being gone. I come from a military family where you don't know when youre going to hear from your love one. I know its hard on the person. I hope and pray that he gets a DS like you.
History teacher in high school was a drill sergeant and then a battery commander in Kuwait. He was the hardest on me always, but it was bc he cared that much. He cared about each student like they were his unit. When my grandma passed away he showed up with my entire horticulture shop class in junior year. I'll never forget the man he helped me become
A Leader Leads from the Front !!!
ALL DAY. 24/7/365
Dude, I am straight ugly crying. It hits so close to home and I was there. I still haven't healed from what was in this letter. I'm still broken.
Don't worry man, there are always people to talk to, your not alone, you will get through it
The way kids are these days, some of these new recruits are gonna get their first heartbreak in basic training. That's a tough thing to go through first time add that to a somewhat stressful situation as that training... definitely need extra guidance.
I cried manly tears. Full of love for my broken brothers
Damn Dear John letters rip your frigging heart out. Boys? If you find a loyal woman? No matter how much she may be a pain? Hold onto her because she's worth more than a truckload of gold. Mine was stepping out on me with a cop while we were in the Gulf. Ended up declaring bankruptcy, no cars, evicted over 80k in debt. Then after Mr. Wonderful dumped her she had the balls to try and get back with me. Nope. That door was shut and bricked over. Got misty watching this one.
All these heart warming stories... and all my brain goes is to how that battle buddy is probably going to be so pissed he got woken up from his 4hr nap that night to listen to someome elses problems.
Dunno bout you, but as soon as I hear it's a brother or sister going through shit, sleep disappears. As someone who's been on both sides of the emotional disaster, I'll listen all night if I have to.
"Hey, Pvt. You're looking a little sad... Maybe some push ups will cheer you up!" 😂
I got a letter similar to this one in basic, good buddy of mine died in a car accident. I let it go in the showers one night. Not but ass naked, in full battle rattle water on completely soaked. My senior drill came up and asked what was going on. I handed him that waterlogged note. He asked if I showed anyone else this. I stated no, he said alright permission to touch, I said granted, and for the first time I saw the humanity in a drill instructor, he hugged me and said let it out. I lost it, and by the end of it all, I respected him a hell of a lot more after that. We were found a few moments later by our Fire Watch guys. He filled them in and saw how messed up I was. We just sat and talked. Saved my life that night, Tsgt... thank you.
The letter says:
“Dear Bruce,
I’m going to marry Harvey Dent”
I’ll never forget my Master Guns. I had lost the only person I ever considered my grandfather since my own died before I was born. I was down on my luck as a Cpl and my mom was flying to a place close to me and asked if I could get leave. My sergeant approved it saying he wasn’t hopeful. My Master Guns saw me a few days prior and talked with me about everything going on. My family my personal life the fact I never took leave and I worked hard for my unit doing a lot of shit. He approved it that day and got the CO to approve it an hour after. Man was a hero to me
my brother is 22 and he just came back from the military around Christmas it was so nice and a blessing to have him back. he got married at 20 then a couple weeks later he left and he got back around Christmas when he was 22 so he been gone for 2 years! Ik it may not seem that long but it was for me and my family! everyday I would pray for him and everyone else is the military or any branch of military that you our in! ❤❤
and I still pray for the people till this day and I will pray for u even if ur not in the military! love yah!❤
Making men is about more than just breaking things.
That it is
Spot on brother
I've been married 41 years now, never looked back, no regrets, and she's been my strength through thick and thin, times away and long hours at work. Raised two amazing kids, (one Doctor one electrical engineer) You gotta work on your relationship, not everyone is as lucky as me.
I still think of my DIs 20yrs after being out and would be there for them immediately if ever needed. Boot camp was the first time I ever felt what ‘home’ was and becoming a part of my glorious and beloved Corps the first time I felt proud of myself and remains the proudest moment of my life.
No matter how hard assed Drill Sgt's may be, they are still people. Respect to all my old Drill Sgt's back at Ft. Sill
As someone who served, passed basic training (in a different country of course and in the army of said other country) instructors have to identify that if a situation like this happens they HAVE to ensure that the recruit first and foremost is okay and ask if they want to talk about it ect. A lot of the time with these situations, it’s loss of family members that hit the hardest and the instructors have to support that recruit as much as they can
US Marine here, if our drill instructors found out someone's family died of wife left during boot. They would take that recruit in front of the platoon and smoke the dog piss out of them, and then us. I've seen them tell a recruit going through this shit to *unalive* himself. Idk why the corps can't figure it the fuck out.
@@Pineapple-co6feit’s crazy aye they need to get with the times in that regard you know but still be harsh to recruits in general but not when it comes to real fucked up personal matters
@@Pineapple-co6fe that’s probably why my hard-headed Marine family all told me to go AF 😂 glad I listened, can’t have a good marine/soldier if you they’re going through a hard time and can’t think straight
My dad went to boot camp while I was in the womb. When he heard my mom was pregnante, the day he was tj go to war, he said he’s done, he quits. Just so I can have a dad for the rest of my life. I always ask him questions, but now, all I say is “I love you”
I was single when I left for basic. My parents came to my graduation and my mom told me she was proud of me. That was the first time she had ever said it. My drill sergeants were great, but I didn’t have a special story where I needed extra from them. I’m glad they are there for people who need them. A lot of good men and women in our Army.
Yeah, I got one of those letters in basic. My drill watched from his desk at the front of the bay as we opened our letters that day, and saw the smile I had fade away. I was being dumped because the distance and that she couldn't handle the thought of losing me. 5 years gone in an instant, Drill called me over.
"Private, explain that dead look you have right now!" The bay goes silent, and everyone's eyes were on me. I hand him the letter, he reads it silently, then stands up and places his hand on my shoulder and says, "Son, follow me. Let's go downstairs and talk."
We got to the Commanders office, and he walks in, I wait to be told to enter. He motions for me to sit down and hands me a Gatorade.
Here I am 8 years later dealing with a much worse heartbreak, and trying to keep moving forward.
I leave for the Fleet in two days, and unfortunately, most of the young Sailors here at Bootcamp lack the empathy of caring about others. Not even the higher ups seem to care either, so I can't even go to a Chaplain or someone close to talk about problems...
I keep it all in in the end, no matter how hard it is, because nobody understand the mentality of leaving to "go to work" and possibly never returning.
Good luck to all of yall!
Not sure when or if you'll get this, thank you for deciding to serve. There are people that care, most of all Jesus cares!
Yep, been there done that, but when you find that one battle buddy or NCO who actually cares, stick with them, don't blow them off, I did, and I still regret it.
Thanks for being a government pawn. Takes balls to be gov slave. They they fuck you after you serve. You see how many homeless vets there are?? It’s messed up people who enlist should never be homeless
The biggest lesson you learn as a leader is how to be human. Yes you may be inconvenienced but the time is well spent and could literally be life changing.
100%
Watching the Army treat their recruits is a whole different world than the Corps. I’ve always wondered why they were so happy until videos like these.
I got this when I was in the hospital for 1 year almost brain dead after my injury while I was in the military.I had to sign so much paperwork for divorce. I was wondering why she never came to visit. We've together for 10 years so I personally know this pain. At least I recovered fairly well.
I had a drill sergeant like this and he made all the difference in the workd
What was his name?
@@lawrencecherry5521 ds foster
So did I! Even over thirty years later, he's still an influence on my life.
Mine (Drill instructor) told a recruit going through this to unalive himself after IT-ing him for finding him crying after a red cross call that his grandmother died.
@@Pineapple-co6fe that drill should have been reported and dismissed.
Former Navy chaplain here.
You sir have a heart of gold. Any Army Chaplain nearby should be proud to work in your proximity. Bravo Zulu.
God bless you
I was in Poland cleaning my M4 when I found out my dad died. I never let my weapon touch the ground until that day. My squad leader knew something was wrong. Best squad leader I had. They sent me home within 2 days. Miss and love you pops 💪🏾
Honestly hearing all of these incredible stories, it just feels nice knowing that despite the harshest things they put you through, they will drop EVERYTHING to make sure you’re okay and address the issues immediately. No one should feel alone and no one should ever have to struggle alone, especially when you already feel so isolated
"its all shits and giggles until someone giggles and shits"
"Oh, you can't sleep, huh? Get down and do some push-ups, that should make you tired."
Reading these comments, I'm glad there are military members who care about their marines, soldiers, etc. That wasn't my experience.
I broke my sacroiliac joint in the Marines, but for months, it went undiagnosed. I would complain about my back hurting to the point where i was fighting back tears just walking, and the doctors never found anything (they were only looking at my spine), and my entire command had made their mind up that I was malingering. I almost got court-martialed for it. I asked to speak to the chaplain because I was feeling suicidal (the only person who listened to me), and he instructed me to go to mental health, which landed me in the psych ward for a 72 hour hold.
New doctor finally finds the broken joint, and I get released back to my command. Even with a confirmed diagnosis and physical therapy visits twice a week, my command still thought I was malingering because I wasn't "getting better fast enough."
At this point, I was being stalked to see if I would stop limping when no one was around. I caught the people I used to consider my friends ducking out of sight when I'd spot them. New Marines and transfers into our shop would be pulled aside and told I was a "piece of shit malingerer, and don't interact with him."
One day, I was having a really bad day and asked my sergeant for permission to go to mental health to talk to my therapist. My sergeant denied the request and instead walked me up to Sergeant Major's office to stand at attention for over an hour (limited duty limited formations/standing requirements to 15 minutes), and get screamed at the entire time. I am breaking down and crying in Sergeant Major's office, and my sergeant is smiling, almost laughing at my physical and mental pain.
When I finally had the chance, I went to my mental health therapist and talked to her about it. She filed a petition for early dismissal or what it's called and forced me out with a General Under Honorable Conditions discharge. Reason: Condition that interferes with duty not classified as a disability, Condition: Adjustment Disorder.
Years after separation, I have multiple diagnoses of PTSD chronic instead of adjustment disorder, no GI bill, or access to programs that require a straight honorable discharge. I haven't been able to find anyone who can help me with the process of a discharge upgrade, either. But at least the injury is still getting treated years later by the VA for free.
I was having some troubles in basic. Drill Sgt. Rivera took me and my battle I to his office for a chat. People forget that army Drills work really hard for their recrutes and actually care about them.
Im enlisted and fixing to go to basic in august. Im worried my girl wont stay. This scares me, and makes me cry myself to sleep just thinking about this possibility. But I know that the army, deeeeeeeep down, does care. As an E- whatever anyway. Pray for me?
If she truly cares, she’ll support you going to the military. And if it doesn’t work out, you’ll find someone that will. Stay strong, brother.
@@Aredel do my best
I will pray for you. My daughter leaves for the Army in 3 months and my son is currently in the Navy.
Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸
@valeriecastle1451 thank you
I could almost cry seeing this because I needed it so fucking badly 8 months ago. And everywhere I turned, nobody cared.
The same brother...
How you feeling these days bro?
I may not be millitary, but I do have blue blood. Everybody needs help. I'm always here. Even for the strangers.
I am here for you buddy…
You matter
When I was in basic training, I got a similar letter from my now ex girlfriend. That was one of the hardest moments of my life. If it wasn’t for my friends and the drill sergeants, who knows where I’d be right now. Good soldiers follow orders, great soldiers help carry you when life gets heavy. The army isn’t easy, but we’re always here for eachother.
Had one of the meanest RDCs you could imagine through boot camp. Ended up finding out we were his 1st push as a red rope. He was the only one of our three RDCs that got emotional the day we graduated and to this day I still am friends with him. (Been out for two years now.)