Capturing Oral History: Encouraging Veterans
to Share Their War Experiences

There is much to learn from our nation's veterans. However, for some veterans, it can be difficult to talk about their war experiences. Families and friends have been known to be very curious but, because the veteran may not bring it up, they feel they shouldn't. Each veteran's experience with the war is an important part of history that should be passed on to future generations. The following questions were developed to help start a conversation.

1) What was your reason for enlisting, or were you drafted?

2) In which branch of the military did you serve?

3) What was basic training like?

4) What was your military specialty (infantry, artillery, airborne, armor)?

5) When you think about your war experiences, what is the thought that first comes to mind?

6) What was your best experience?

7) What was the worst experience?

8) Among your leaders and colleagues, whose story is the most compelling for you? What makes it so compelling?

9) How did you cope with the frustrations and horror of war?

10) What would you most like your family and friends to understand about your war experience?