Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Serve.
10 Ways War Has Changed Through History
Whether we are considering the present tension in the Middle East, World War I, or the conquest of Alexander the Great, people should understand that war is as much a part of humankind as is needing food and water to survive. Despite your opinions, if Caveman A had beat Caveman B over the head with a rock instead of Caveman B hitting Caveman A with a rock, our entire genealogy could be so wildly different than it is today—you or I might not even be here. These territorial, race, religious, or ideological disputes have paved the way many countries have formed alliances, broke alliances, built their economy, or changed in several different ways. Because humankind has developed in so many drastic ways, the ways war has changed through the years has evolved with it. The differences are staggering too; no longer are we running down our enemy for miles upon miles and stopping the fight at dusk just to pick it up again tomorrow. Read on to find out some of the ways this catastrophic human invention has developed over the span of our existence.
By Ryan Whitaker8 years ago in Serve
Living the Life of a Military Girlfriend
This is my story. So hello, my name is McKenna. I am 18 years old, and I am currently in a relationship with a soldier deployed thousands of miles away from me. Some people are probably already thinking, how do you do it? Or poor you good luck getting through it. Funny thing is, sometimes I ask myself that same question everyday. I figured, writing this and sharing my day to day struggles with you all could help other women going through or will be going through the same thing I am currently. My boyfriend left a month ago, two days after my birthday and it still hasn’t really hit me yet that he’s truly gone. It’s a sticky situation with what information I give out, so let’s just say he’s going to be gone for awhile. Him and I have only been together for eight months, so this is quite the test for our relationship. I’ve had all kinds of things thrown out at me. All the sympathy, doubt, advice, etc. Everything you can think of I’ve heard so far. All the good luck to you, it won’t work out, oh you poor girl. It’s quite a lot to take in, also it doesn’t make anything better or worse. So most likely just saying nothing is the best response. When he told me two months into our relationship he was going to be deploying in the next few months I felt like my heart had completely shattered. I got into this new relationship feeling like I found everything I’ve ever wanted and more in a man and then I find out he’s leaving for months on end to go serve his country. How are us as women supposed to respond to something like this? That’s great? I’m so happy for you! Wow? We don’t even know what to say because in that moment we don’t even know what we’re truly feeling. There is so much physical and mental preparation for something like this. You also have to ask yourself if this relationship is something you seriously want to pursue, and is this worth waiting for? I feel like I had so many thoughts going through my head I couldn’t think straight. I’m two months into this amazing relationship with this great guy and he’s leaving in a few months to go halfway across the world. What am I suppose to do? Start over? No, I wasn’t that weak. I wanted this, I was happy. God just handed me a handful of things I didn’t know how to carry yet. Although it’s still rough carrying the weight of this sometimes, I’m doing it. I had mentioned earlier there is so much physical and mental preparation for something like this and I meant it. As much as you prepare for someone you grow to love to go away, it’s never enough preparation to say goodbye. I tell myself that I’ve been through a lot and this is just another mountain that I have to climb over, but sometimes it feels like the hardest one yet and it’s almost impossible. For any women who have been through this, you know what I mean. Long days, long nights, a lot of tears, a lot, and many mixed emotions. One thing I try to continue telling myself through these months he is gone is that this too shall pass. Nothing lasts forever, in some cases that’s a good thing. As for this deployment, that’s a great thing. I told myself this time in my life is where I can work on myself while the man I love travels the world. I can figure out who I wanna be and what I want to do with my life. I promised myself the day he came home I would have money in the bank, a good job, and a good head on my shoulders. I guarantee I can guess what half of you are thinking already reading through this. You’re 18, you are so young! Why commit yourself at such a young age. My only response to that, is I was forced as a child to grow up too fast. I have seen and lived through so much, that all I want anymore is to get my career started and settle down with someone who loves me just as much as I love them. So, just know that’s why I am where I am and am waiting for who I am waiting for. Throughout this deployment, so far, I have been so blessed with the most amazing supportive people. I can’t tell you how lucky I am to have his family by my side to go through this with. I can’t imagine things otherwise, but for those who don’t have that extra support. Don’t give up, it’s worth it. Call me crazy for being a month in and writing a story on something I haven’t even gotten halfway through yet, but I know what I’m facing. I know what to expect and I know what I signed up for. We as women know that once we go without seeing our soldier for days, weeks, months, some even years. We come to appreciate what we have so much more, every hour and everyday with them is just another blessing. As hard as it can be to be without him sometimes, I wouldn’t have things any other way. The most rewarding feeling for us, is the day they come home and we finally can say we did it. We welcome our soldiers home with open arms. Don’t give up ladies, keep your head up. Nothing lasts forever, and that includes these deployments.
By McKenna Vinson8 years ago in Serve
How Criminal History Can Affect Military Enlistment
"Criminal record" doesn't usually sound great to any employer, and the armed forces have especially high standards of morality. They are also given a lot of liberty to decide who they accept or deny. But "criminal record" can also mean a whole lot of things, and there's a big difference between minor traffic offenses and major felony offenses. But when you're looking to join the military services, there are a lot of factors to consider. So here's what you need to know about how your criminal history can affect military enlistment, and what your chances are of actually joining the military.
By Nicola P. Young8 years ago in Serve
Advice About Joining the Military. Top Story - September 2018.
A couple days ago I had a cousin that I don’t often talk to reach out to me on Facebook. After pleasantries she got to the real reason she sparked our conversation asked me if I could do her a favor. Her boyfriend has been thinking about joining the Navy as a Nuke Engineer; he wanted an opinion that didn’t come from a recruiter's mouth. That was something I could sympathize with, as someone who made the mistake of going in blind as a bat and trusting my recruiters' words like they were gold. I ended up in and out of the most exhausting, confusing, dangerous, and life changing four years of my life, and I wish I had twenty more to give.
By Michelle Stone8 years ago in Serve
10 Signs You Would Do Well in the Military
When considering a life of military service, it is important to know if you are prepared to live up to a different standard of fortitude. It takes far more than love of country alone to serve. Other than sheer patriotism, there are inherent signs that one would do well in the military. While physical and mental strength are certainly a given, one must be able to stretch these and other skills to their breaking point. Like a professional athlete, one must possess an unnatural acuity in a number of physical attributes. As such, it is important to define the necessary attributes you should display if you are to show signs you would do well in the military.
By Fred Eugene Park8 years ago in Serve
10 Awesome Military Traditions from Around the World
The military is a fertile breeding ground for official and unofficial traditions. The United States is particularly renown for its unusual traditions, but there are so many other countries with current and historical traditions that must be seen to be believed. From Scandinavia to Pakistan to Japan to New York, here are some of the most interesting military traditions from around the world.
By Joseph D. N. Kendrick8 years ago in Serve
10 Wild World War II Stories You Never Read About
World War II history reads a lot like an action-adventure story. There are bad guys, good guys, a fight to help save people from genocide, and tons of amazing tales of intrigue, espionage, and valiant acts during war.
By Skunk Uzeki8 years ago in Serve
10 Allegedly Haunted Military Bases
Though there is never conclusive proof, legends and eyewitness reports overwhelmingly indicate that ghosts and entities result, most often, from violent and premature deaths. Disturbing events of the past lead to strange occurrences in the present. Many such haunted sites include mental institutions, hospitals and clinics, and of course, battlefields and military bases. With respect to this last category, reports of haunted military bases have been heard across the country, and the world. The reports range from specific individuals whose violent or tragic deaths we have corroborated reports of, to simply creepy occurrences of objects moving on their own, winds blowing with no windows open, and brief glimpses of unknown individuals that disappear in a heartbeat. There's no denying that many disturbing things have happened at military bases throughout the world, and it seems, to many, that unfortunate souls still roam the halls, rooms, and streets where they died.
By Nicola P. Young8 years ago in Serve
Spouse’s Guide to Surviving Air Force Basic Training
When my husband came to me at 32 years old and said, “I think I want to join the Air Force,” I will admit I may have spit soda out of my nose and laughed so hard I peed a little. Then, I realized this man was dead serious. I couldn’t imagine why he would want to do such a thing at his age. But, after talking to a recruiter, taking the ASVAB test (that thing is hard if you have been out of school for 14 years) and signing all the papers, reality set in.
By Elizabeth Mayer8 years ago in Serve
Things You Should Never Say to a Military Wife
When discussing military life with military wives, there are some things you should never say to a military wife. Military spouses do not have it easy, and every single one will feel the same way about surviving deployment in their own way. They deal with many month deployments where they are separated from their loved ones, and the military family is put under a lot of stress and hardship. When speaking to military wives, there are certain things you shouldn’t ask or inquire about. It’s important to have the guidelines down ahead of time, especially if you aren’t familiar with the military lifestyle.
By Morgan E. Westling8 years ago in Serve
10 Traits Military Recruiters Look for in Potential Soldiers
So you may want to join the military? Bravery, courage, hard work, and selflessness are just some character traits that you can expect military recruiters to look for when they are assessing whether or not you'll make the cut. Some of the traits military recruiters look for, though, could surprise you, and they are definitely things you should know before meeting with one. Check out some of these in-demand characteristics needed to take advantage of all the career and educational opportunities that come along with joining the military.
By Brad Gould8 years ago in Serve
10 Signs You're a Military Brat
Being the child of a military member isn't easy. In fact, it's an experience you can only really understand if you've been there. Though it's a rare way to grow up, it's an amazing experience that will end up enriching your life, and help you appreciate the way you live.
By Buddy Brown8 years ago in Serve
