Pack, Michael, MSG

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I join because I felt a real need to serve my country. My dad served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and I felt that is where I needed to be.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I joined as a Military Policeman. I went to Germany following AIT. I was then deployed to Desert Storm.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Desert Storm was my first deployment. The mission that we had was to process Enemy Prisoners of War. We had 25,000 Iraqi Soldiers come through our camp.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My fondest memories came from my second deployment to Panama in 1994. The time that I spent there was really satisfying. We participated in Operation Safe Haven. We helped the Cuban Refugees that fled Cuba. We also had to quell a riot that broke out in Camp 1.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
When I was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant really stood out to me. I made the rank in less than 15 years. It was a definite milestone in my career.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
I received an Army Commendation Medal for my work during the second deployment to Panama in 1994-1995. I served as the Movements NCO, Hazardous Materials NCO and Airload Planner for the mission. It was a lot of work, but I loved it.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
CPT Bracero (Now Colonel) was the best Commander I ever had. He worked with me as his training NCO (SGT) to become a better Soldier and Leader.

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 am currently serving as the NCOIC of the Forward Support Element for the 104th Training Division at the US Army ROTC Leader's Training Course at Fort Knox.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Military life has made me a more organized and focused person. I have learned to take criticism as to make myself better by it.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Serve like you are going to make it a career even if you think you might get out in four years.

Communicate: not taking to your fellow Soldiers, NCOs and Officers will get someone killed.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
The Army is smaller than most people believe. The friendships that you forge will be a life long friendship.

*