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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Army Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
SFC Dennis W. Truman U.S. Army (Ret) (1983-2012)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY?
I grew up in the great state of West Virginia. All my male relatives had served during WWII, Korea and/or Vietnam. As a kid, I would sit around and listen to the older folks talk about their childhood and their time in the military. From these stories I learned what  great men were like, the decisions they made and the convictions of their hearts. I learned right from wrong and what right looked like. To reinforce these values, I was brought up in church and accepted Christ as my personal savior at the age of 12 years old. I learned that the greatest role a person can do in life is that of a servant to his fellow man. What greater role than that of a Soldier: Serving your fellow countrymen, protecting our way of life and promoting democracy across the globe crushing communism and fascism where ever it may be found.
Further influence came from the world of television and movies. I grew up watching WWII war movies and Westerns with men like John Wayne,  Clint Eastwood, Gregory Peck, Henry Fonda, and George C. Scott to name a few. My favorite television shows on the only three channels we had--ABC, CBS and NBC--were The Lone Ranger, Gunsmoke, Bonanza and Baa Baa Black Sheep.
As a kid growing up in the 70s and early 80s, we collected baseball cards and comic books. My first experience with the men of Easy Company was the SGT ROCK comics I had as a kid. My childhood heroes were my Dad, my Uncle Randolf, General George S. Patton Jr., Terry Bradshaw, Pete Rose, Richard Petty, and William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk. In addition to SGT ROCK, my other favorite comic book hero was Batman.
What do all of these people and characters have in common? As a kid they taught me that service to others was more important. Serving God and Country was the greatest role a person could accomplish.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK.
 I started out as a Combat Engineer (12B) in Company A 1092nd EN Bn of the West Virginia Army National Guard (1983-1985). After a couple of years, I transferred to the West Virginia Air National Guard and was assigned to the 130th MAC, RMS Squadron at Yeager Airport, in Charleston, WV (1985-1986).
After a year there and becoming bored with college, I transferred to the Active Army and started on a career path as a Military Policeman. First I served 7 years, (1986-1993), as a 95B and then in 1993, I reclassified over to 95C (MP Corrections NCO) where I finished out my career in that field. In 2003 the Army changed our MOS identifier to 31E.
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN COMBAT, PEACEKEEPING OR HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
My first experience in Combat Operations was in May-July 1991. I was stationed with the 527th MP Co out of Camp Pieri, Wiesbaden, Federal Republic of Germany. Our unit was shipped out to Iraq for Operation Provide Comfort and the Cease Fire Campaign in Norther Iraq. We flew from Germany  to Incirlik AFB in Turkey. From there we convoyed into Northern Iraq. Our mission was to help the local economy get on its feet and to protect the Kurdish people from harm from Saddam Hussein's forces. Some of the things I saw still haunt me to this day, but I left there knowing we did some good and we helped out a lot of people who really needed it.
My second experience in Combat Operations was in May 2009 - May 2010. I was sent down range in support of OIF, with a team of 31Es in Detainee Operations. I was glad to return to Iraq, as I had felt we never really completed out mission the first time we were here.  This deployment would be my last before I retired and it help me close a chapter in my life that had been left unfinished for so long.
I served as the Senior Sergeant of the Guard (SOG) at a major Theater Internment Facility, were we responsible for the custody and control, health and welfare of thousands of former enemy combatants. I believe we saved a lot of lives keeping these guys off the battlefield and may have changed the mindset of some by showing that we were here to help them and their country.
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
 The duty station I enjoyed the most was when I was stationed in Germany. The first time in Wiesbaden (1987-1991) and the second time in Mannheim (1995-1999). My family and I loved touring Europe and meeting different people and experiencing different cultures. My favorite time in Germany was during Christmas time.
My wife and I have discussed should the opportunity ever present itself, that we like to go back to Germany to live after my retirement and all the kids are out of the house.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
There are several memories that stand out but the ones that haunt me still today is during my tour in Iraq in 1991. One of our duties was pulling security on a local hospital. One day I was required to go to the roof and take over the M60 position.  As I had to make my way thru the hospital to the roof, there were bodies laying everywhere in different stages of wounds and bleeding, children crying and the look of despair on peoples faces. Once upon the roof, a buddy pointed out the courtyard below and you could see the blood stains on the walls where Saddam's soldiers had lined up the people and shot them to death.
Another of our duties was patrolling the streets to ensure civil compliance and to protect the citizens from violence. It never failed that children would come up to us and beg for food. They would try to trade anything for food including found munitions. They would sign by chopping their one hand into the bend of their elbow of the other arm while holding that arm out. From the bend in the elbow to the tips of their fingers was the correct length of an MRE packet.
The last memory I have of my tour in 1991, was when the people found out we were leaving. There was mass rioting and our command had us line up on the MSR in riot formations to keep the people from storming our camps. It was a frightening and sickening sight to see that the people we were sent there to help, had turned against us and we were abandoning them to Saddam's Army of terror.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICE YOU RECEIVED, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE ONE(S) MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
There are a couple I would like to point out that was meaningful to me;
My first Meritorious Service Medal that I received for my deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I served as the Senior Sergeant of the Guard at one of the largest Theater Internment Facilities in Iraq.  The duties and responsibilities I was given was challenging and personally rewarding in knowing that I accomplished a great deal by finally getting to do my part in the War of Terror AND by proving past former supervisors and commanders wrong, who could not separate their personal feelings from their professional responsibilities. Prior to this deployment, I had been cheated out of two previous MSMs, by supervisors who held grudges from years past and would not let their feelings for revenge go.
The Humanitarian Service Medal I received when I participated in the Hurricane Andrew Relief operations in Homestead, FL in October of 1992. We conducted joint law enforcement duties with the Metro Dade Police department, as well as, provided security patrols against looters, conducted traffic patrol and helped hand out food and water to needy people.
The Outstanding Volunteer Military Service Medal I received for volunteering over thousands of hours over a 4 year period with the Cub Scouts / Boy Scouts when I was stationed in Mannheim, Germany. I volunteered to be an Assistant Den Leader and Assistant Scoutmaster as my oldest son went thru the ranks. The time I got to spend with my son and to pass on what I could to other boys his age was a highlight of my time spent there. I can only hope I made a positive impact on those kids lives if only in a small way.
 Finally, the Basic Parachutist Wings, I received from attending Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA in Feb-Mar 95. We were in the process of closing down the Regional Confinement Facility at Fort Benning, GA and I was on orders to go Germany at the time. So the command decided to assign me to the Vehicle Registrations office for my last 3 months there before I shipped out. I had been stationed at Fort Benning, GA for almost 4 years and I didn't want to leave there without the chance of going to Jump school. I was 30 years old at the time and I wanted to see if I still had what it took to be a Soldier. So after 4 weeks of training and 2 concussions later, I received my wings.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
 There are a couple people who I would like to mention in this section.
Sgt. Major Janet Harris, we grew up together in the 95C field and became senior NCOs. There is no one I can think of that deserves this honor. We are both rough around the edges when it comes to our personality and most people either love us or hate us. There is no middle ground. She never kissed no one's butt and she spoke her mind whether you liked it or not. I don't have many friends but I consider her one of my dearest.
MSG Mark Provost, he was my rater in Iraq from May 2009- May 2010. He let me take the reigns and run with them. He trusted me and did not micromanage me. We didn't always see eye to eye but most of all he valued my experience, my input and my friendship. I will miss him. It is too bad we met so late in my career.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
This incident occurred when I was in Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. I was assigned to the 2nd Training Brigade, 2nd Training Battalion, Bravo Company from June - August 1983.
We had just come back from a long day of Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) training. In  those days we road marched to the range, trained all day, and then marched back to garrison. We were in the process of turning in our weapons when the whole thing went south for me in a hurry. I filed out of formation, up the stairs, into the arms room and turned in my weapon. As I was running out of the arms room, because, you didn't walk anywhere those days, a young female supply clerk walked out of the office into my line of sight. Now understand we hadn't seen a female in months and she was quite the number to look at. So I was running one way, while looking at her and not paying attention to where I was going. Suddenly my world came to a screeching halt as I ran smack into my Drill Sergeant. I hit him so hard that I knocked his Brown Round off his head. Needless to say he was not happy with me. His name was SSG Frogatt, he was a Vietnam Vet and all I can remember is his face look like a bullfrog when he would yell at you.
After what seemed like forever of doing pushups while having numerous Drill Sergeants screaming in your ears, I was told to return to formation leaving behind a pool of sweat on the floor. Shortly after returning to formation, Drill Sergeant Frogatt yelled for me to come see him on the runway above the formation. Upon arriving at the designated location, he instructed me to stand at parade rest and wait for further instructions. He disappeared into the arms room where I heard a magazine being placed inside a weapon and a round being chambered into the weapon. The next thing I saw was Drill Sergeant Frogatt coming towards me carrying a M16A1 with a 30 round banana clip inserted into the weapon. He started yelling at me and saying things I wont repeat here. (LOL!!) Then he gave me the weapon by shoving it into my chest ensuring I had a firm grip. He then proceeded to grab the barrel of the weapon and sticking the end of the barrel in his mouth.  He proceeded to yell at me telling me that I didn't have the balls to pull the trigger, that all of this training was wasted on me because I would panic at the time of decision and run the other way, leaving my fellow soldiers behind. It all seems like a dream now but I clearly remember putting the weapon up to my shoulder, moving the selector switch from safe to semi, taking aim and squeezing the trigger. It was the loudest sound I have ever heard in my life. His face went as pale as this page is white and his jaw dropped. He grabbed the weapon out of my hand and proceeded to yell at me and instructed me to return to formation. I was a hero with my peers for weeks after that. Looking back on it today, I am so glad he didn't really put a round in the chamber, my life would be so different now if he had. Besides that I will always chuckle when I remember this incident in my career.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
 I attended my retirement ceremony on Thursday, 8 Dec 2011, at the Frontier Conference Center on Fort Leavenworth, KS. I obtained my Bachelors of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix on Saturday, 5 June 2012. I wanted to expand my horizons and go into the world of business and get away from the correctional field. But, I have been unsuccessful up to this point and its time to get back to work. So I have accepted a job with the State of Kansas as a Correctional Officer at the Lansing Correctional Facility in Lansing, Kansas.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Currently I am a member of Iraq-Afghanistan Veterans Association, the Military Police Regimental Association and the Warrior Brotherhood Veterans Motorcycle Club. I am hoping to stay in contact with old Army buddies, networking for future employment and have these organization assist me if needed in my disability claims and benefits with the VA is needed.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
The Army has taught me adaptability if nothing else. As I have only been retired for a few days now, I still get up at 0500, conduct personal hygiene, have my coffee and then try to figure out what I am going to do with my day. LOL!
My  experience in the Army has taught me to respect differences in people and other cultures.
The Army has taught me a great work ethic and how to pass that work ethic on to my kids, who now have successful careers and marriages.
The Army has taught me how to be an effective leader and what it takes to influence people to get the job done.
The Army has taught me organizational skills which I used not only in my career but in my personal life both as a husband and a dad.
The Army has taught me how to be an effective trainer. This skills I have been able to use both in my career and personal life.
I try to approach my life in an organized efficient manner, to use my time wisely and get as much done in a day as humanly possible. Working long hours, 6 days a week, not forgetting to take Sundays off to go to church and spend time with the family.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
For those Soldiers who just came in out of high school or out of college without a degree, I recommend the following; While you are in strive to do your best, use the Army's TA program to help pay for you to get your Bachelors degree before you ETS out  of the Army. For those Soldiers who just came in out of college with a degree, I recommend the following; While you are in strive to do your best, use the Army's TA program to help pay for you to get your Masters degree before you ETS out of the Army.
For all three groups, since you have to do a total of 8 years anyway, I recommend you do all 8 years on active duty. Do everything to excel and get promoted to SSG as fast as you can. Once you have completed your 8 years of service, have been promoted to SSG and have completed your Bachelors or Masters degree, then go ahead and ETS. You have done everything, everyone has expected of you. You have gotten your college education and you have served your country. Now it is time for you to do what you want. Don't feel guilty about getting out at this point, because as soon as you are gone, someone else will take your place.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
 This website has helped me put my whole career on one webpage and helped me connect with old army buddies that I haven't heard from and lost track of over the years. Also this website is a great networking tool for veterans to get in touch with people and companies for employment reasons.
This website also helped me get in touch with people that my uncle had served with in Vietnam and I have been able to put them in touch with each other. It is nice to hear he was able to talk to some of his old army buddies as well.
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TWS VOICES
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