History...

DaKelliAB09

I really love history and history that has to do with the military.  Maybe it's just because I have such a HUGE respect for the military and for every branch. 
Do any of you come from military families? 
If you are in/joining or were in the military what was/is your biggest influence? 
Even if you don't come from military backgrounds, share your experiences and what you've learned (if it is something you can share of course and doesn't break any rules)  since dating/marrying someone in the military. 

   My grandpa was in the army and faught in WWII and was a POW.  We have an old leather binder that is full of newspaper clippings, letters and pictures from when he was in.  It's all so awesome and very interesting and the fact that we have that is quite amazing. He passed away when I was 2, so having that (my mom has always kept it) has made me feel more connected to him in a way.  I'm super proud of him.  I also had 4 uncles in the military, 2 army, 2 Corps. As of right now, I have 3 cousins in the AF 1 cousin in the army who last year on 9/11 raised the flad at ground zero and my brother in the AF and my FI who is in the Army and non family a best friend who is in the Corps.  Oh and even though I do have lots of family who have served or are serving doesn't mean I knew a lot about the military.  I'm still learning a lot!  and I do mean A LOT!!

I had thoughts about joining, but couldn't due to medical things, but I just really do have so much respect and am so thankful for those serving our country.

mob2689

I was always in to European History since I took my first trip there in 1980. The year the United States Boycotted the Olympics, which by the way I have an Olympic Bear. We(The United States) are mere babies if you will, when it comes to History since we were the "New World"

My Great-Great Grandfather was one of the 26 men that helped capture/assassinate John Booth.

Both my grandfather's had served. One in the United States Army, and the other in the Hungarian Army. Both during WWII, along with 2 Uncles. The one Uncle was a paratrooper and had his leg shot off in Europe, one of my Grandfather's were fighting in Germany and spent time in England. My other Grandfather, who was in the Hungarian Army became a POW in Siberia. His story is the most FASCINATING/Sad story I have ever heard.

My father was a Freedom Fighter during the uprising in Hungary which took place in 1956, and my ex father in law and Mr. Wonderful's father were both Korean War Veterans. One was severely wounded and the other not. 

My ex was Air Force who was deployed during Falkland War, and my son in law is in the Air Force and had been to Iraq and Afghanistan 6 times.

YoungDuo

I've always enjoyed American History..namely World War II. 

No one in my family has been career military but every man in my family has been in the military at some point except for one of my uncles. On my dad's side, we can trace it back to men fighting in the Civil War on the Confederate side (my lineage shows that we've always be in NC ). My mom's dad was British Army, my grandma's dad was British Army and was POW by the Germans for 4 years. My dad's dad was US Army during WWII. My Dad and uncle (his brother) were both in the Navy during the Vietnam War. My older brother was Navy during the early 90s. My younger brother is currently Navy. And my FI is Army.

I have so much respect for the men and women that serve our country. I don't feel like they get the credit they deserve, yet they keep on defending us. Being an FI (and eventually a wife) to a soldier, has really opened my eyes to the sacrifices the SMs and their families face on a regular basis.

KendallR10

My mom's dad was an officer in the army, and my dad was in the marine, my grandpa, my mom's step dad was navy. 

My biggest influance is my FI and my love for the medical field. 

The biggest thing I've learned is that military SOs (Some not all) feel as if they are entitled to something. 

SamiJoeB

My Grandfather was in the Navy during WWII.  He was a ball turret gunner, which I personally think is AWESOME!! My dad's side of the family didn't immigrate to the States until after WWI, but my mom's side has ties to the Civil War, confederate side.  I've always said that the Civil War was my "favorite" but mostly because of the strategy that both sides used I just find it all very fascinating. I know it's bad to have a favorite war, but hopefully no one takes offense to that.  H thinks that it's bad because it was a war within our nation, but I mean.. without it, would we be the country we are today? I don't think so!!

My mom always says that she wishes she'd joined the Navy, and my dad would have moved to Canada before he'd let himself get drafted.  He's just not a militarily minded person.  They were both hippies..  Other than myself I have an uncle who was also in the Navy for 12 years..

calindi

Nobody in my family is military.  Well, my Dad's sister married an Army JAG Officer, but he was reserves almost his whole career and it never was really a big part of his or his family's life.  I do remember hearing stories about how right after my Dad's sister got married, her husband was still AD and was transferred to Panama, and my Aunt ran around the house crying about, "Don't let him take me!" and apparently cornered a commanding officer's wife at some ball to tell her how awful it was that they were being sent to Panama.  That could have (and in my opinion, should have) backfired massively, but apparently it worked because they got shipped to Germany instead. 

FI's Dad is a decorated Vietnam vet on disability for wounds sustained in combat.  He has 2 purple hearts - got shot, got patched up and sent back, and got shot again.  FFIL hangs out all the time with a bunch of other salty old vets, including one former Master Gunnery Sergeant who is one of the most decorated Marines of all time, apparently.  So FI grew up hearing lots about the Corps and the military in general. 

This whole thing has been a learning experience for me, and I try to always learn something new.  FI's friends are impressed with the vocab I know and how much I've learned already, but I know it's just a tiny drop in a big ocean of unknowns.  I've truly learned to expect the unexpected, or prepare and accept the worst case scenario.

aor9487

I've been in the Air Force for about 6 years. My dad retired at 20 years. My grandfather (his dad) was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. My Great Uncle (grandpa's brother) was also drafted. My Uncle served one enlistment in the Air Force. My other Great Uncle served an enlistment in the Air Force, and a distant cousin got her commission in the Air Force. Out of our family, my distant cousin and I are the only women to join. I joined for a slew of reasons and I don't regret it one bit. FI is also Air Force, which is how we met. 

I'd say some of the most importants things I've learned is that flexibility is key. Things aren't always going to go as planned and you have to think quickly and outside of the box. Always have a backup plan to the backup plan! Also, because we get separated so much and have a little girl, we've learned to enjoy the little moments. We celebrate birthdays and anniversaries when we're all physically together. It's not a specific date that makes the event special: its the people you're with at that very moment. 

Beachy730

History was always my worst subject, and H thinks it's hilarious.  

I have no history of military in my family, other than my Papa who was in the Air Force during the Korean war.  But since then nobody in my family has been in the military, and I have one good friend that is in the National Guard, but that's it.  I actually used to say I'd never date or marry someone in the military, but clearly we all know how that played out...

The biggest thing I've learned is that I think the military should have a standard that potential spouses need to meet before they can marry into the military.  Seriously, some spouses are just unbelieveable, and I'll leave it at that.

ETA:  For me living in the military life though, the thing I have learned for myself is that your life is only as positive or negative as you make it yourself.  Yes, deployments can suck, and being alone for 6-12 months or however long isn't the ideal situation.  But if you sit and mope about it everyday, you're going to miserable, and that length of time will feel twice as long.  

DaKelliAB09

Thanks for sharing everybody!!   I really love reading and learning.  It's so interesting and I feel like service men and women past and present don't get the recognition they deserve.

It's also nice to hear your own experiences and what you've learned.  It's really awesome and very good advice.