The best information often comes from people who have been there. So we’ve collected video interviews detailing people’s experiences with the Military. Listen to parents discuss how they felt when their child brought up serving. Or see what veterans have to say about the qualities they developed in the Military. It’s all here, in their own words.
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Whether they were inspired by money for college or a deep desire to see the world, our subjects saw enlistment as an opportunity to claim independence and pursue career goals. See how military service helped fuel their ambitions and start them on the path to fulfilling careers.
No one ever said military service was easy—rewarding things seldom are. Follow our subjects through basic training as they discover untapped inner strength and complete increasingly challenging assignments with newfound ease.
Recruit training reinforces the importance of working as a team. Even as individuals develop leadership qualities, it's the group dynamic that keeps a unit working like a machine. Find out how the idea of teamwork—and friendships made during service—hold strong in civilian life.
The physical transformation that comes with recruit training is just the beginning. Many enlistees relish the responsibility that comes with military life, and see it as an opportunity to grow as a person.
After retiring from military life, the skills recruits develop carry over into civilian life. See how our subjects took what they learned during service and put it to work in the private sector.
Military parents, like the Services themselves, are a cross-section of modern America. Meet the moms and dads we talked to about their kids, the decision to serve, and the experiences they've had with the Military.
Most parents never forget the first time their child mentioned joining the Military. Hear their initial reactions and see how they came to support the decision to serve.
Recruiters can be a great source of information for young adults and their parents. Hear about real parents' experiences and learn what to ask.
For military parents, Basic Training is often the first time their child has lived away from home. Learn how parents cope with the demands boot camp places on them and their children.
Military service can have a dramatic effect on young servicemembers, both physically and mentally. Here, parents share how service helped their children develop confidence, determination, and more.
No experience comes without challenges, and the military demands can be high for both servicemembers and their families. In this clip, parents discuss what was difficult for them and how they found support.
Boot camp is just the beginning of the training that servicemembers receive. Here, parents relate what their children learned in the Services and how it has helped them prepare for a lifetime of opportunities.
When a young adult serves, his or her parents may find themselves faced with popular military misconceptions. Hear which misconceptions these parents encountered and what they did to set the facts straight.
We asked military parents, "What would you tell another parent whose child was considering service?" These responses provide valuable advice for families and a first-hand perspective on making the service decision.
"Everything started with the Military"
"I found a reserve of energy"
"Don't let the team down"
"I became a mature adult"
"It was the launching pad"
Meet The Parents
The Discussion
Recruiters
Basic Training
Transformations
Challenges
Learning
Misconceptions
Advice
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