Interviewing Veterans
How long did you serve and where were you stationed?
Matthew Bartley- Three and a half years, Iraq.
Paul Warnke- Five and a half years, California.
Paul Pratt- I served from 20 January 1982 till 31 December 2010. Retirement date is 1 January 2011. Korea, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Australia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq. Heading to Korea with my new position in April. Spent a lot of time there mid career as the lead planner for Korean war plan.
Verna Pratt- As a female I joined the Navy at the age of 20 in 1981 and left for boot camp a week before my 21st birthday. I was 1 of 12 women to be assigned aboard a ship with 800 men. In the time that I signed the papers and finished boot camp, they started sending women to ships. I retired 17 years later with an early retirement, due to the downsizing of the military at that time. Lucky for me during my time in the Navy, there were very few war conflicts and it was a great experience for me. Oakland, CA, (went to Canada, Hawaii, Guam, Philippines and Korea by ship) San Diego, CA, Washington, DC, Pendleton, CA, Arlington, VA (with the Marines) (went to Japan).
What made you decide to join the military?
Matthew Bartley- Quite simply, I wanted to fight. At the time, I was not concerned with careers or benefits. I just wanted to fight in a war.
Paul Warnke- To fulfill my obligation.
Paul Pratt- I signed up in Jan of 1982 for OCS in the Summer of 1982. The Marine Corps was offering $180 a week for 10 weeks with no commitment. I did it for a Summer Job before my 5th year at West Virginia University. I wasn't going to join, but I had fun at OCS. It was the type of challenging environment that I thrived in. It was both physically and mentally demanding. So after finishing school, I accepted my commission in 1983.
Verna Pratt- It was the only way I could afford to move out of my parents home. I joined in 1981 at the age of 20.
Why did you choose what branch to join?
Matthew Bartley- I wanted to do grunt work and thought the Marines were a little too cultish for me so I joined the Army Infantry.
Paul Warnke- I joined the National Guard so i would not be shot at.
Paul Pratt- The Marines had a great reputation and the best looking uniforms and if I was going to join, I wanted to be "one of the few."
Verna Pratt- I wanted to join the Air Force, but they had a year waiting list, so I joined the Navy (5 month wait).
What was your time like while serving?
Matthew Bartley- It was the greatest and worst time of my life, you learn a lot about being an adult while still being treated like a child by leadership and the army hurts you in every way it can while serving with people that I would have died for.
Paul Warnke- Six months active duty, all training monthly w/ends.
Paul Pratt- It was easy when single. Totally able to focus on the mission and job at hand and did not have to worry about much. Then came marriage and family and it became challenging to obtain a balance between the Marine Corps and family. As I look back, there wasn't much balance. The Marine Corps was the priority only because it was my chosen profession and the way I was providing for my family. To continue to meet family demands you needed to get promoted. To get promoted you had to be proficient in your field and demonstrate total dedication. Both required a lot of time away from family and that did not even include deployments and temporary duty assignments. The time serving was rewarding but I was also blessed with a great wife who was understanding of the demands, probably from her time in the Navy. I was lucky. We are still married. Many get divorced due to the stress of the military lifestyle and long periods of separation.
Verna Pratt- It was the best thing I ever did. So many great opportunities.
How has returning to civilian life been for you?
Matthew Bartley- Returning to civilian life wasn't difficult for me after getting out, the sudden lack of structure was actually quite refreshing.
Paul Warnke- Great.
Paul Pratt- I cheated in returning to civilian life as I retired right into a job with the Marine Corps. So I spend a lot of time with Marines which I enjoy, but I no longer have the tremendous pressure of being on duty 24/7.
Verna Pratt- Because of my job (Dental Technician), I was lucky not to be in harms way.
Do you think veterans receive enough assistance like with healthcare, mental health, or jobs?
Matthew Bartley- Health wise, no, but I also think that part of it is that Veterans don't quite realize how much help there actually is out there beyond the VA. You just have to look for it. Job wise, yes. Though that is more of a case by case kinda thing.
Paul Warnke- Yes.
Paul Pratt- As a retiree, I think our benefits are great. I would have to have well over a million dollars in investments to collect what I do in retirement and the medical care through Tricare has been as good as managed care can be. Not sure what happens when I turn 65 and have to deal with Medicare.
Verna Pratt- Yes, but they have to take the time and research what is out there for them. It's not going to come looking for you.
Do you feel veterans receive the respect they deserve?
Matthew Bartley- Absolutely, but I feel it is important to ere against that "respect" turning into hero worship.
Paul Warnke- In the past during Vietnam, when I would show my I.D. they would say thanks for your service and then they spit at us. It has taken a turn for the better in recent years.
Paul Pratt- I think the phrase, "Thank you for your Service" has become trite. It's just what you say to Veterans. I think a guilt complex from our history during Vietnam. If they want to thank us for our Service then treat the Country and each other with respect and dignity. Don't litter; be kind; respect other's opinions even if theirs is different from yours. Sometimes I think America is becoming as nasty as some of the places I have served and I know we are better than that. We just need to work on it as a Nation.
Verna Pratt- In most cases, yes.
What are some benefits to being a veteran?
Matthew Bartley- Besides being able to sleep literally anywhere? Free meals a couple times of year, free college (up to a point) and that pride of having served.
Paul Warnke- I dont get many benifits being a reservist mostly retail discounts.
Paul Pratt- The retirement and health benefits are great. Those are the ones I enjoy the most.
Verna Pratt- So many business offer military discounts and it never hurts to ask. Education benefits, VA clinics and hospitals.
Looking back, do you feel you made the right decision joining the military, would you do it again?
Matthew Bartley- Without a doubt, I would have pushed harder to make it a career though.
Paul Warnke- Yes.
Paul Pratt- I would do it all again. Great life, lots of sacrifices, but in the end worth it. Hopefully, I contributed to making the country safer.
Verna Pratt- It was definitely the right choice for me. And I would do it again.
Do you feel too many politicians push for using military force, which can endanger the lives of those who serve?
Matthew Bartley- I think it's important to remember that the military is there for force, and while we all served with the knowledge that we are at the governments whim, the real tragedy is that they didn't seem to realize they had to do something with us when we got back.
Paul Warnke- No.
Verna Pratt- No, it's apart of the job.