Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
4:22 | Once arriving at Fort Stewart, Ken Morgenthaler had to adjust to the intense training that went on there. He looks back on those times fondly as putting him in the best shape of his life.
Keywords : training basic training difficult rigorous intense drill sergeant Fort Stewart punishment physical fitness
Ken Morgenthaler remembers his joining the military at a young age and thoroughly enjoying it. He found a sense of camaraderie with the members of his unit and respected his drill sergeants for working them that hard.
During training, Ken Morgenthaler tried to stay positive during the toughest moments of training. Keeping a disciplined mindset was key to getting through the rigorous times.
Ken Morgenthaler remembers getting the call to go overseas and feeling ready to get deployed. Once arriving in the Iraqi desert, the rough conditions of the desert were striking to Morgenthaler and his unit.
While driving the tank in country, Ken Morgenthaler had to face some difficult terrain that led to some complications. Though they took some mortar fire, the United States Air Force was extremely effective in taking out enemy combatants.
While driving the tank, Ken Morgenthaler faced more difficulties moving across Iraq. Once the war had been declared as won, Morgenthaler and some of his unit felt like they could have done more to insure no more future regional conflicts.
Ken Morgenthaler feels that Desert Storm vets are often misunderstood by civilians. It was a difficult time for many of them and living with the PTSD from wartime can be a constant struggle.
