Poll: how many people here have served or are currently serving in any of the armed forces?

Question

How long did you serve for?

How much has it affected your personal relationships?

I hate not choosing a best answer myself but I'm going to have to put this one to the vote. Theres just too many fantastic answers, thank you all so much.

Answer 1

Navy for 15 years 4 months

EDIT- Thought that professionalism could see us through anything and things were cool as a couple and then with children on shore duty, but when I had to leave on a cruise and my husband was left with a newborn, 2 yr old, and 5 yr old............ Well, we made it through the cruise but the constant coming and going was a real strain. I got out to save my marriage and it is has been worth it. I have now been out over 4 years and our relationship is better than ever.

I do miss the Navy because I had loved it so much but it was my choice and I honestly believe that I made the best choice for me.

Answer 2

Active Duty Army Infantry 4 years
National Guard 6 years
10th year currently

relationships are a lot of work regardless of where you are or what you do. yes they can be especially hard with the added strain that comes with military life. I personally did not want a marriage while in the active duty military. So i got out, and went to guard. (I am not married yet but I did not want a marriage and military life when I have a family) I think it is a matter of personal preference. For me I understand the importance of volunteers for the military and the need for them, I personally however do not wish to put my family second to anything. As soon as I am married my military time will come to a close, as i said that is just my opinion. And everyones is different. I think relationships can survive just about anything it all depends on how important that relationship is to both of you that are in it. Hope that helps!! i can tell you more if you want just email me some questions about military if you want some more jeenious insight..hahahahah....c'ya!!

Answer 3

I served from 08 June 1972 to 17 May 1974 in the United States Navy. Attained Rate of Master Chief Petty Officer, with rating of Aircraft Maintenance Hydraulics Technician. Was discharged medically for becoming a diabetic type 1. I was 22 days short of attaining the 2 years active duty needed to become a US Navy Band performer, but that is the breaks. I still think my service was worth the effort, and I loathe people who undermine military veterans and their dedication.

Answer 4

I Proudly Served seven years US Army, 1 year US Army Reserve, 4 years US Air Force Reserve. I would still be serving but for a back injury that put me on disability.

Five years were served in Germany, three years in Ludwigsburg with A Company 34 Signal Battalion at Krabenloch Kasern. I was with the 3rd of the 75th Field Artillery, US Army Reserve, in Springfield, MO. One year I served in Augsburg with the 534th Signal Company and one year at Schwabstadl Kasern with the 534th Signal Company. I then came stateside to Head Quaters Company 2 of the 31st Infantry at Fort Ord, CA. Then I spent four years with the US Air Force with the 316th, until I ruined my back.

Answer 5

20 years, 6 months, and 10 days - United States Marines! I am recently retired.

Some relationships, especially those with people from my home town have fallen apart. That's natural tho. People I've met in the Marines, blossomed and we actively seek to keep them alive. I've met the best of people and the worst of people. I've seen and done things you wouldn't be able to dream up, or believe, but I wouldn't change 'em for anything.

My wife and I have been married for 19 years. Our relationship, like many others, have seen some rough times, especially those times I've been away, but we've made it through all that and I hope to be by her side the rest of our lives.

Hope this helps.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Answer 6

6 years 2 months USAF veteran. I've been out for over 2 years now and love being a civilian again. When I was in the AF, my wife was in the AF too and we spent less than 1/3 of our marriage on the same CONTINENT. Looking back, it was nothing more than me holding onto her letting go. She lost interest in me when she realized she couldn't change my mind about having children until I was in my 30's. Why anyone would marry someone thinking they can change them, is beyond me. Anyway, she found a guy that wanted her to bear his children, so they started dating while we were still married (lasted 8 months before I could get the divorce finalized) and she thought she was doing a good job of keeping this information from me. What she failed to realize is that I knew everything that was going on, and when I confronted her about it, she lied. I then showed her proof and she got mad at me...which I laughed at considering I had done nothing wrong. So from a relationship standpoint, I started out married and ended up divorced. The good news is that I learned a lot of lessons from that period in my life...yes, I'm still single!

Answer 7

I've never been in any branch of the Armed Forces, but I have a friend who is serving in the Armed Forces, I could probably vouch for him quite well, if you don't mind.

I think it effects every one differently, but for my friend he's currently on his Fourth tour in Iraq, from talking with him and lending him a shoulder when, or if he needed one, I've learned that he's taking the effects of war a little hard, he doesn't sleep very much at night, he's more tense than he used to be, he doesn't really laugh or kid around any more, his relationship with his wife became strained after his Second tour in Iraq.

She didn't like the idea of him going over seas and fighting with the possibility of dying, but he didn't want to drop out despite the effects it has been having on him.

I hope this helps.

Answer 8

9 yrs active USMC. Pilot, Forward Air Controller, Flight Instructor. Then another 3 1/2 in the IRR. Took me about 3 years to fully decompress. It was very tough on relationships. If I had gotten married while I was in, I'm sure I would have ended up divorced. Many of my friends did.

Answer 9

I am in now for 22 years and am currently in the Middle East, I love what I do and I perform my job with the utmost professionalism! I have been married twice, my first wife couldn't handle being alone. My current wife is very supportive because she has been dealing with the military her entire life. Her father spend 42 years in the military and met me about 6 months before he retired, so she knows the drill. I now have my oldest son serving in the military, my two older brothers retired from the military. So I guess it's been a way of life for us all.

Answer 10

woman Privateer, sure I even have served interior the protection rigidity ~ especially the U.S. Marine Corps the place I spent 10.5 years going to warm spots around the realm that culminated with the 1st Persian Gulf conflict. i exchange into adorned for wrestle strikes; I then went off to college. at present, all my medals are in a coffee can interior the basement. pleased with my provider, basically shop the wrestle stuff buried. Have a great day! Gerry