The Dogtag Chronicles

Every good military story starts with, “So there I was…no shit.” Usually told over a pitcher of cold beer, it is how military members and veterans connect with each other. It is our therapy. It is also how we remember our fallen.

The more vets I talk to, the more I see what we have in common. Even across generations, so many stories are the same, just the names and the places change. No matter if it is the beaches of Normandy, the jungles of Vietnam or the sands of Iraq, there are many aspects of service that remain the same.

The idea for the website was inspired by the misconceptions that people have about the military experience. Most stories in the media about the military are quoted from a few people authorized to speak to reporters and unnamed sources. The average service member is not allowed to give his or her take on the story.

Now you can. This will be more than a collection of stories; it will be insights and reflections from the perspective of those that have served. The military perspective, unedited. You will not like some of it, but hopefully it will give people a better understanding of the military mindset. And if you don’t like it, no one is forcing you to read it.