Connolly, Mark, SFC

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I was about to graduate from high school and had no idea what I was going to do after that. College really wasn't in the cards at that time. My dad was a retired career Military Intelligence Officer and both my older brother and mom had served as well. So, I figured there were worse things I could do with my life and the Army would give me a chance to travel and figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

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?
After I came back from my first tour in Germany in 1980, Priscilla and I decided that we were going to get married. I had gotten used to the Army, liked what I was doing and was a good soldier, so staying in felt like the right thing to do.

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?
The only "official" operation I took part in during my entire Army career was Operation Uphold Democracy.

Operation Uphold Democracy (19 September 1994 â?? 31 March 1995) was an intervention designed to remove the military regime installed by the 1991 Haitian coup d'état that overthrew the elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My most favorite duty station was Fort Huachuca, Arizona because of the location, the weather and the time of our lives when we were newly married and had no children to worry about. Just a lot of good times and not a care in the world.

My least favorite duty station was Dhahran, Saudi Arabia due to the isolation from family and friends.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The camaraderie and shared experiences with my Brothers (and sisters) In Arms as well as the sadness of losing friends and coworkers. Those things will never be forgotten.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I'm most proud of the MSM (2-OLC) I received upon my retirement. The recommendation pretty well sums up the highlights of my career.

After that I'm most proud of being designated an Honor Graduate of my Basic Training cycle and the Commandant's Distinguished Graduate from my ANCOC class.

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?
That would be the ARCOM that I got for taking over as the Battalion S4 (it's a looong story) during the "Haitian Vacation" and carrying on in that role for another 4 months after we returned, until the new S4 OIC arrived.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
That would probably be CPT (now COL) Jason Vick. He was the new S4 OIC that arrived to relieve me after I took over the role during the Haitian Vacation. He was a gung ho, very positive leader and taught me some IT skills that I still rely on today.

LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
1SG George W. Brierley, Baumholder Germany (RIP)
Tom Malone, Baumholder Germany (RIP)
Dave Wiley, Baumholder Germany, would like to make contact.
Mark Poler, Baumholder Germany, would like to make contact.
SP5 Daugherty, Baumholder Germany, would like to make contact.

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?
I'll only say that it took place at the break of dawn in the woods outside Bayreuth, Germany. If you know me, you've likely heard the story. If you don't know me, you'll probably never hear it.

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?
Being a Quartermaster soldier I naturally gravitated towards the Logistics field.

I'm currently the IT Accountable Property Manager for the Defense Logistics Agency HQ at Fort Belvoir.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I'm a Life Member of the Night Stalker Association. The benefits I derive from being a member are the association with an elite group of soldiers and the chance to help comrades and their families in times of need.

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?
It's taught me that I can handle anything that comes my way using the good judgment and problem solving skills I learned in the Army.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Don't volunteer for anything;) Seriously though....listen to and learn from your leaders, especially the Senior NCOs. They know what it takes to succeed.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
It's given me a place to link up with all my former Comrades In Arms who I've lost touch with over the years.

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