Can you tell me about where you grew up and what it was like? What are some memories that stand out from your childhood?
Who are some of the most important people in your life? Can you tell me about them?
What are some of the important lessons you’ve learned? Can you describe something you are proud of in your life? Do you have any regrets?
How has your life been different than what you’d imagined?
When were you drafted or when did you enlist? What do you remember about the day you enlisted?
How did you tell your family and friends that you were joining the military? Are there any conversations that stand out from that time?
If you enlisted, what were some of the reasons that you joined the military? How did you choose your branch of service?
How did you imagine military life before you joined? How did your perceptions change after serving?
What was basic training like?
Can you describe a funny moment from boot camp? What are some of the things you remember about adapting to military life?
Where did you serve?
If you deployed overseas, how did you tell your loved ones you were being deployed?
How did you stay in touch with family and friends back home?
What are some things you remember most about your deployment?
If you saw multiple deployments, how did they differ from each other? How did you change?
Can you describe how you felt coming home from combat?
Was there anything you especially missed about civilian life?
Is there someone you served with that you remember fondly? Tell me about them.
What are some fun things you and your friends did together while you were deployed?
Did any of your military friends play pranks on each other? Can you describe a funny one?
Did you ever get caught breaking any rules? Did you ever get away with something you weren’t supposed to do?
Did you ever learn something about a fellow service member that surprised you?
When did you leave the military? What was that process like?
What were your first few months out of the service like?
Was there anything or anyone that helped you during the transition from military to civilian life? Do you have advice for others transitioning out of the military?
How do you think your time in the military affected you? What did you learn about yourself?
What are your hopes for the future?
What phrase or word will never be the same now that you served?
When you were first discharged, what are some things about civilians that were difficult for you to deal with?
Is there anything you wish civilians understood about military service?
What are some habits you developed in the service that you like? What are some that you dislike?
What are some things you miss about being in the service? What are some you are glad to have left behind?
How did you meet your husband/wife/partner? What was your first impression of them? How did you know that they were right for you?
What were some of the best times in your relationship? What were some of the difficult times? How did you deal with them?
What has been difficult to communicate to family and friends about your military service?
Do you have advice for other military couples?
If you have children, what do you want them to know about your military service?
Can you tell me about when you became a military family member?
How did your life change when your family member entered the service?
Do you have advice for other military family members?
Is there anything you wish service members and civilians understood about being the family member of a service member?
How did your identity change when your spouse entered service?
How did you imagine the life of a military spouse before your spouse joined? How have your perceptions changed since your spouse served?
Can you tell me about your favorite duty station?
If you have children, what do you want them to know about your time as a military spouse?
Is there anything you wish your spouse knew about your experience as a military spouse?
Do you remember your favorite place you lived? What was special about it?
How did being a military child shape your life?
Can you tell me about a person that you felt understood by as the child of a service member?
How would you like to honor or remember your parent that served?
Is there anything you wish your parent knew about your experience as the child of a service member?
Tell me about __________. What was your relationship to them? What did they look like?
What is one of your favorite memories of them? Do you have any funny stories about the two of you together?
How did you find out about their death? What has helped you most in your grief?
Do you have any traditions to honor them?
The Military Voices Initiative is made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Special thanks to Dignity Memorial for their sponsorship of the Military Voices Initiative broadcast on NPR in 2024
