America’s Troops Speak Out: 45 Things They Wish You Knew About Shipping Out, Coming Home, and How Their Lives Change

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“My favorite part is the first ten seconds. When you climb out of the F-15 and see your family for the first time, it’s like experiencing a renewal of your marriage, the rebirth of your kids. You’re so overwhelmed with emotion.” For more joy, read our funniest military stories of all time.
Air Force Maj. Jeremy Verbout, 37, 2000–present