As a proud veteran, Troy Thompson of Salem New Hampshire was drafted into the Army in 1965. Upon being drafted, Troy Thompson was honored to be accepted into Officer’s Candidate School. His first role after graduation took him to Fort Knox, Kentucky where he served until moving on to attend office basis training at Fort Still, Oklahoma. During this time in American history, the next natural step was a tour in Vietnam.
Troy Thompson of Salem, New Hampshire was assigned to Vietnam as forward observer for the 11th Armored Calvary. Surviving several campaigns during the Vietnam war, Troy Thompson was promoted from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant. The tours were grueling and led Troy Thompson to lose his hearing in War Zone D during the TET Offensive under General Westmoreland. Like so many veterans of the Vietnam war, Troy Thompson was exposed to Agent Orange.
Some of the active-duty service, Troy Thompson of New Hampshire is most proud of is his time as military advisor to the Vietnamese. His services included arranging food and clothes to reach citizens in need all over the country. Troy Thompson also arranged medical services for injured Vietnamese soldiers. Troy Thompson is also proud to have trained many Vietnamese soldiers so that they could properly defend themselves. After completing his tour of duty in Vietnam, Troy Thompson was assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia to the 211th Field Artillery where he could train a new batch of soldiers for their Vietnam preparation. The unit under Troy Thompson of New Hampshire received the highest score in the Army Training Test to that point in history. Following another assignment in Fort Devers, Main, Troy Thompson elected to return to civilian life.
Despite the many difficulties and hardships associated with military service, Troy Thompson of New Hampshire loved his time in the Army, and it only strengthened his love of the United States. Through military service, people gain a true understanding of the importance of freedom and why protecting the ability to live free is paramount.
Troy Thompson on the Benefits of Military Service
While Troy Thompson of New Hampshire is partial towards the Army, he believes that military service in any branch can be an incredible way to grow as a person. His years were amongst the most rewarding in his life. This site will touch on the different ways citizens can benefit from military service. Future blogs will provide deep dives into particular benefits, but there are a few general points that Troy Thompson believes are important to note.
When a person joins the military today, they guarantee themselves an opportunity to learn an occupation. A job specialty is assigned to each new recruit. Many of the top military schools offer technological training that can serve a person well whether they want to serve for a lifetime or just a few years before finding a job as a civilian. Much like in the real world, soldiers typically get as much out of the Army or other military branch as they are willing to put in. For instance, the job assigned is provided based on the individuals’ physical abilities, mental aptitude, motivation, and determination.
There is a lot of room for advancement in the military. Unlike most civilian jobs, most people are promoted three different times during their first four years in the military. Promotions do not just come based off of time served, they are also based on performance, physical level, and the demand for certain jobs. Troy Thompson of New Hampshire encourages potential soldiers to discuss the best paths for advancements with their initial recruiter.
Those who are struggling with the financial burdens of a college education can often find financial assistance via military service. Several government programs are designed to help soldiers pay for college and even medical school. After 9/11, the GI Bill was put into place to help with loan replacements, tuition assistance, and even college credits provided to those who serve. All of these options can be discussed with a recruiter.
Other benefits of military service include access to health care, which includes medical and dental care, options to add family members to a medical plan for a small price and an ability to explore the world. The military can unlock opportunities that people would never experience as a civilian. Troy Thompson of New Hampshire cannot recommend military service enough for anyone looking to expand their horizons and unlock their full potential.