Interview with Chad Golden:

What was your role in the military?

I was a Construction Mechanic for U Navy Seabees. 

What force were you in?

I was in the US Navy. 

How long did you serve?

I spent nine years on active duty and three years on inactive duty. 

What was it like in the military?

I was always proud to say I was in. It always gave me a sense of purpose in something bigger than myself. 

If you could go back knowing what you know now would you do it again?

If you could go back knowing what you know now would you do it again? I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

What is something you would like to say to all of the teenagers who are thinking about joining the military? 

Its a great to get paid to see the world. A person can make the experience a good one or a bad one. 

What are some good memories if any?

 I spent a deployment in Spain while there I got see Christopher Columbus’s gave. I also got to ski in the German Alps. 

Did you make any good friends in the military?

I didn’t just make friends. I found brothers and sisters. 

On a scale of 1-10 what is the difficulty of military training?

The training could be as hard as easy as any makes it. The (mind over body) saying is a very true thing. A person can achieve a great many things if the never give up. 

Did you serve in any major wars?

I was there for the first invasion of Iraq in 2003 and went back for OIF II

Pictures of Chad Golden Back then and now:

Interview with Paul Jackson:

What was you role in the military?

My “role” when I originally enlisted in 1996 was a heavy equipment operator, then I reclassed when I re-enlisted after 9/11 as an infantry instructor.

What force were you in?

I was in active duty Army

How long did you serve?

I was in active duty Army 1996-98 then Reserves from 2002-2007, Total almost 8 years