VA Military Memories Competition Archives

CPT Joshua Gorczyca, U.S. Army (2017-Present)

What Habit(s), Good Or Not So Good, Did You Pick Up During Your Military Service That You Still Practise To This Day?:

In my years of service as an U.S. Army chaplain, rooted in a childhood spent among the values and rhythms of a Green Beret family, I learned the power of presence. My father, a retired Special Forces officer, demonstrated the art of being fully engaged wherever he was, whether in the thick of an overseas mission or at our kitchen table. That steady, attentive presence shaped me deeply, and it’s a habit I strive to keep alive in my own ministerial calling within our pluralistic organization.

EM3 Chandra M. Holland, U.S. Navy (1993-1996)

VA Military Memories Competition

What Habit(s), Good Or Not So Good, Did You Pick Up During Your Military Service That You Still Practise To This Day?:

Military service can leave an indelible mark on a person s habits and routines. From the first day of training, certain behaviors become ingrained, shaping not only how we approach tasks but also our mindset and work ethic. Many of these habits carry over into civilian life, and for me, they have been instrumental in running my veteran-owned business and have enriched my personal life as well.

JOC JoAnn Hellmann, U.S. Navy (1973-1996)

VA Military Memories Competition

What Habit(s), Good Or Not So Good, Did You Pick Up During Your Military Service That You Still Practise To This Day?:

A habit is defined as a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up. According to that definition, I d have to say the habit I picked up during my military service that I still practice today? My husband John! I met him during recruit training in Orlando, Florida in 1973 and we married in 1974. I often wonder if we re the only ones that went from boot camp romance to golden wedding anniversary, which we celebrated earlier this year.

CSM Michael H. Sweeney, U.S. Army (1969-1999)

VA Military Memories Competition

What Habit(s), Good or Not So Good, Did You Pick Up During Your Military Service That You Still Practise to This Day?:

Well, the Britannica Dictionary defines habit as: a usual way of behaving: something that a person often does in a regular and repeated way. With that in mind, the first thing that comes to mind, really the only thing, is waking up very early every morning. Sort of a given, isn t it? You know, We do more before 0900 than the rest of the world does all day , right? Well, this morning, like every morning, I woke up before 0500, and I have been retired from the uniform for 26 years and completely retired for over two years. That defines a habit that I have had now for over 55 years.

SSG Victoria Ryan, U.S. Army (1973-1988)

VA Military Memories Competition

What Habit(s), Good or Not So Good, Did You Pick Up During Your Military Service That You Still Practise to This Day?:

Throughout all of my school years and into early adulthood, participation in sports and any other physical fitness activities were non-existent in my life. Little did I know, that by joining the Army in late 1973 at the age of 23, my previous semi-sedentary lifestyle would become a thing of the past.

AX2 Tim Hinds, U.S. Navy (1963-1969)

VA Military Memories Competition

What Habit(s), Good or Not So Good, Did You Pick Up During Your Military Service That You Still Practise to This Day?:

This one was easy. It was life-changing for me. I may have posted this already but Im not aware how to enter it. I was chosen to be on what was called the J.J crew. We trained pilots and crew in operations of Antisubmarine warfare. Our air-craft was the P-2V Neptune. I was an AX-2, but we learned how to maintain all the electronics aboard the aircraft. My job was to preflight the aircraft scheduled for early morning missions. I was also an aircrew radio operator. On this particular early morning, I was testing the radio equipment. It failed so I did the obvious and replaced the radio module. That didn’t fix it, so I took the next obvious step, then the next, until I ran out of options. I was kind of a high-strung guy with more ego than brains. But my friend, also on the crew, asked what the problem was. I told him in an irritated , leave me alone manner. So he just went on with his tasks. A little later, as time was becoming an issue, he came over the wing beam and saw I was still struggling to figure it out. He then said “Still stumped in a friendly way?” Then he offered a suggestion and I snapped back, “I’ve got this I know how it works, I’ll get it, I don’t need your help!” He made a face, shook his head and went on, reminding me that the flight was scheduled in a half hour. I was getting nervous, and finally I tried his suggestion. It worked.