Tell Your Military Story

Message from Army Generals

Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote in a commentary in 2013, "As a nation, we've learned to separate the warrior from the war. But we still have much to learn about how to connect the warrior to the citizen. We can't allow a sense of separation to grow between us."

Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Army Chief of Staff, wrote in the June-Sept 2015 Echoes Newsletter for retired soldiers the following: "As our soldiers return to civilian life, we want them to be able to positively influence the next generation to serve and to connect to the communities across the nation with its military."

I ask that each of you help tell the Army story because you are the critical link between the Army and the nation. It is you who can help to maintain the bond that connects our communities with our military."

Tell Your Military Story

Less than one percent of Americans serve in the U.S. military. Since ours has been an all-volunteer military for 42 years, the majority of the 99 percent don't come into personal contact with service members. Many would be surprised to learn how much responsibility a 22-year-old noncommissioned officer has or understand how important training and teamwork are for surviving combat or difficult peacetime missions. 

They may also be surprised to learn about the personal sacrifices and separation that military members and their families endure routinely. This is where retired military and veterans come in.

However, since few active-duty or retired military and veterans are trained or experienced public speakers, but these skills are not necessary to tell your story. Some key points to follow are:

• Know your audience. What you say to children is different than what you say to business or civic leaders.
• Connect with your audience. Listen first to what is important to them; then explain how what you did in the military affects their lives.
• Speak about your own experiences with conviction. Personal stories are the most effective. Few civilians will understand the technical part of your military duties, but they will understand teamwork, helping others and successfully completing a mission.
• Remember to tell them why you served; for family, friends, and neighbors and to protect our way of life.

It is important you select topics you can talk about. Here are a few:

• When you found strength in yourself or your unit
• When you or your team overcame a challenge
• When you provided disaster relief at home or abroad
• How being a service member made you feel.

Important Note: Together We Served is the perfect place to record your military service story.

Together We Served was designed to capture the service memories of our military veterans so they will never be forgotten. On the right side of your Together We Served Profile Page is a 14 part self-interview called "Reflections on Your Service". You can complete your Reflections one question at a time. Once completed, your Reflections are presented in a unique "Shadow Box" format, along with all your ribbons, insignia and badges, service chronology and photo albums. Your Shadow Box has your own personal web address which you can share with your family members and friends.

This is your chance to tell your story of your time in the service, in your own words and photographs, and leave a lasting legacy for your family and future generations of the people and events that made an impact on you during an important time in your life.

Log in today and start your Reflections. You will be glad you did.