Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Serve.
How To Make It Through Basic Training as a Female
Women have just recently been able to join any branch in the military, which includes infantry. It's a huge step forward for women, but what does it really take to make it through the first step of becoming a soldier?
By Amanda J. Treible8 years ago in Serve
What to Know Before Getting Deployed
Getting deployed isn't something that most people are happy to look forward to — and who could blame anyone who's scared? When you go to war, you will end up in uncomfortable conditions, you will very likely see things you shouldn't see, and there's also a chance you might get killed.
By Riley Raul Reese8 years ago in Serve
Tough Love: How a Soldier's Advice Led to a Military Decision
My mom took the oath of enlistment at the age of 17. Just before she had retired at the age of 43, at the rank of Sergeant First Class — an E-7 in the Army — she decided to have a conversation with me after school, one that she would repeat time after time again — especially when I became a part of my high school's MCJROTC program. She told me that if I ever joined the Army like she did, I would regret it; more specifically, she said she would beat my ass. But why the negative reaction? Everyone in my family had expected me to follow in her footsteps and join, maybe even be a part of the Signal Corps like she was. But no: Sergeant Walker would not have it. "My child? Join the Army," she'd declare. "Over my dead body."
By Klyde Khalil Walker8 years ago in Serve
You're In the Army, Now!
Remember the old movies where the men joined the French Foreign Legion in order to forget? Well, I guess you could say she did the same when joining the Army. Her personal life was in an uproar from a break up to your place of employment for the last 4 years going, "Belly Up." In other words, she joined for all the wrong reasons but was determined to make the best of things. She was to go to AFEES, (Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station) in Boston first, then travel by subway to the airport to catch a flight to lovely Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina. This was her first attempt at navigating the subway system and she was having difficulty. She would ask someone which line to take, not realizing she also had to know which direction the airport was in. She took the green line, got off and found she had traveled the wrong direction. After some time doing this, she eventually set her bags down and burst out crying, partially from sheer frustration. A man working for the T spoke to her and explained how to navigate the underground. At last, she arrived at the AFEES building. When she finished her business and was preparing for her flight, she made a stop at a restroom to use the facilities and to freshen up before her flight. At one point, she set her eyeglasses on top of the waste basket in order to wash her face when she watched them slip off the barrel and smash on the floor. "Great," she thought, just what I need, I am nearsighted meaning I can't see far away and now I am visually impaired. What a way to begin your enlistment. She boarded the plane and settled down to await her arrival.
By Donna Gilchrest8 years ago in Serve
What Are Army Rangers?
If you are a fan of Navy SEAL movies and similar things involving the military, you've probably heard a lot of different roles you can play in the US military. The truth is that there are many high-ranking military groups that just don't get the press that others do.
By Cato Conroy8 years ago in Serve
History of the Marine Corps
Some of us know almost everything about the Marine Corps. What they do, how long they serve, etc. But, what about their history? Where did the Marine Corps really come from? Most of us don't know the history behind many of the United States Armed Forces, it's normal. But we should know the origins of these forces and how they came to be.
By Jacqueline Hanikeh8 years ago in Serve
Best Jobs for Veterans
Getting out of the military can be a jarring experience for many of our servicemen and women. Returning to civilian life can be hard enough, and while these brave men and women are trying to get their personal lives back in order, they have to worry about something that can be extremely stressful even under the best circumstances: finding a job.
By Joseph Farley8 years ago in Serve
Things You May Not Know About the US Marine Corps
For many people in the military world, joining the USMC was the best decision they ever made in their lives. They eat, sleep, and breathe military life — and they absolutely love it. For others, it's not a lifestyle they'd want to pursue. Even so, most people know a little bit about the US Marine Corps.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart8 years ago in Serve
