Veterans represent a profound connection to all the sacrifices they made for our freedom. It’s important to honor their stories, experiences, and the values they can bring to their communities. All veterans have different backgrounds and have served in various military branches.
- The U.S Marine Corps (USMC) Definition – The maratime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditory and amphibious operations through combined arms, implementing its own infantry, artillery, aerial, and special operations forces. The U.S. Marine Corps is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. They play a major role as the first force on the ground in most conflicts. Today, Marines are stationed worldwide at all times, ready to deploy quickly whenever and wherever needed. They are known as the hardest branch in terms of the intense physical and mental stress the basic training demands. Marines are trained physically and mentally, instilling a “first to fight” mindset.
- The U.S Army (USA) Definition – A powerful fighting force defending and serving our nation by land, sea, and air. Elite groups within the Army, such as the Army Rangers and Special Forces, receive specialized training for advanced combat situations. The Army provides the ground forces that protect the United States, they participate in, or support, military operations, such as combat or training operations, or humanitarian or disaster relief. Operate, maintain, and repair equipment. Perform technical and support activities. The Army is the second toughest branch of the military in terms of physical training. Their basic combat training lasts 10 weeks and is known to be very intense, only bested by the Marines.
- The U.S Navy (USN) Definition – Naval force, military maritime fleet, war navy, or maritime force is the branch of a nation’s armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. The Navy’s five enduring functions are sea control, power projection, deterrence, maritime security, and sealift. The Navy can also be physically demanding, particularly for those in special operations like the SEALS. Aside from physical fitness, there’s also a significant amount of technical and educational training involved, as many Navy jobs are highly technical. This branch is the third on the list of the toughest of the 6 armed forces.
- The U.S Air Force (USAF) Definition – One of the major components of the United States armed forces, with primary responsibility for air warfare, air defense, and the development of military space research. The Air Force also provides air services in coordination with the other military branches. Airmen work to support all aspects of airpower, which includes five core functions: air superiority; global strike; rapid global mobility; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and command and control. The Air Force is the easiest branch physically, however mentally, it is the most challenging.
- The U.S Space Force (USSF) Definition – While the Space Force is a separate and distinct branch of the armed services, it is organized under the Department of the Air Force in a manner very similar to how the Marine Corps is organized under the Department of the Navy. The Space Force organizes, trains, and equips personnel to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint forces. To that end, the Space Force manages space launch operations at the East and West Coast Space Launch Deltas. Space Force are generally considered to have lower physical requirements compared to branches such as the Army or the Marines, mainly because many of their roles are technical or support roles. They emphasize technology, intelligence, and support roles. Qualifying for jobs in the Space Force requires a significantly higher ASVAB score – The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. It is administered annually to over one million military applicants, high school, and post-secondary students. Many enlisted airman careers are available with a minimum score of around 31, but it will take a score in the 60s to qualify for many of the jobs in the Space Force.
- The U.S Coast Guard (USCG) Definition – Safeguard the maritime environment by enforcing U.S. and international laws and responding to incidents. The Coast Guard regulates and inspects vessels and maritime facilities to reduce the risk of marine pollution incidents. A maritime security organization of a particular country. The term embraces a wide range of responsibilities in different countries, from being a heavily armed military force with customs and security duties to being a volunteer organization tasked with search and rescue without law enforcement authority. Coast Guard are often mentioned as “safer” choices as they typically see less direct combat than for instance, the Army or the Marines.
For example, William Sorg an Army Specialist 4, the typical rank to which privates first class are promoted after two years of service after serving during the Vietnam War. Mr. Sorg had been drafted for two years, one of which he spent deployed in Vietnam from August of 1969 to 1970. After his two years of service, Mr. Sorg left the army. Mr. Sorg says, “we answered Uncle Sam’s call and when it was time to serve, we did.” Coming back from deployment was relieving for him and his fellow soldiers as he described how when they were finally a few hours into the plane ride back home, they all cheered and hugged each other, happy to be home safe and sound. Mr. Sorg commented on how hard it was to be back in a calmer atmosphere compared to how stressful it had been in the army and how it had been somewhat difficult to adjust to certain noises and the fact that not everything wanted to scare or hurt him anymore. Now, Mr. Sorg resides in Elmore, Ohio helping his community and contributing his part by being the Elmore American Legion Commander, honoring other veterans and welcoming them with open arms, respect, and hospitality.
Another example of a newly added veteran in the community is Rodolfo Alarcon-Gutierrez, who still currently serves in the U.S. Marines as a Staff Sergeant (E-6), ranking above sergeant and below gunnery sergeant. This grade is normally achieved after 6 years in service. The rank of staff sergeant in the USMC was created in 1923 to coincide with the U.S. Army’s ranks. Mr. Alarcon-Gutierrez served in Afghanistan for seven months. He had been on reserved duty, similar to a part-time job because you keep your civilian job, receive military training near where you live, and only serve part-time for 6 years of his service, and in 2013 he switched to active duty. Mr. Alarcon-Gutierrez joined the Marines in hopes of defending and protecting our way of life. His family was worried when he enlisted being afraid of the dangers he would have to face day to day because of the Marines. After coming home from his deployment, Mr. Alarcon-Gutierrez described how it had been difficult to readjust to civilian life, having found it hard to relate with people who don’t understand what he and many others went through. At the same time how happy he was to be home again. Mr. Alacron-Gutierrez says, “I was uneasy and jumpy, any loud noises triggering me and causing me to drop to the ground for cover. I was happy and relieved to be back, but I felt like I didn’t belong.” Currently, Mr. Alarcon-Gutierrez lives in Elmore, Ohio with his wife, and five children, always striving to make a difference for veterans and civilians alike. He’s been the Toys–For–Tots coordinator for three consecutive years, working hard to bring all kids a little bit of happiness each Christmas and New Year’s.
Honoring veterans stories, experiences, and the values they can bring to their communities is important. Mr. Alarcon-Gutierrez and Mr. Sorg are only two examples of veterans who love to help and provide others around them with happiness and optimism. All around the country, some veterans are never appreciated.
