America's latest Medal of Honor Recipient leaving the Army

He's heading back to college. I wonder what the ROTC cadets will think when they bump into him in the fall.

Probably won't even recognize him. He seems so down key that I have a feeling he'll grow a beard or something that makes him less recognizable.

I must say, I can't blame him for getting out, but somewhat surprised the Army didn't make him a really "sweet" deal to stay in. I imagine the offers from some companies are fairly significant.
 
I must say, I can't blame him for getting out, but somewhat surprised the Army didn't make him a really "sweet" deal to stay in.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Army didn't try to keep him in. But he was likely facing a career of desk/recruiting jobs going forward. For Infantry grunts, that's kind of tough to swallow.
 
From what I've read, I can definitely understand. He didn't seem comfortable with the attention. Seeing your buddies shot up isn't an easy thing.
 
Probably won't even recognize him. He seems so down key that I have a feeling he'll grow a beard or something that makes him less recognizable.

I must say, I can't blame him for getting out, but somewhat surprised the Army didn't make him a really "sweet" deal to stay in. I imagine the offers from some companies are fairly significant.

What "sweet" deal?

"early" promotion to E7
choice assignment - Hawaii(?)
Retention bonus unless he qualifies for it
direct commission to 2LT

That will all result in still being in the Army subject to deployment. If he was worthy of his MOH, he will not accept any special treatement I would hope

or

spending more time with his wife/family. I believe ultimately everyone has to make a decision what's important to them - career, money, fame, family, or whatever
 
What "sweet" deal?

"early" promotion to E7
choice assignment - Hawaii(?)
Retention bonus unless he qualifies for it
direct commission to 2LT

That will all result in still being in the Army subject to deployment. If he was worthy of his MOH, he will not accept any special treatement I would hope

or

spending more time with his wife/family. I believe ultimately everyone has to make a decision what's important to them - career, money, fame, family, or whatever

You've got a real brass pair for suggesting that anything he does or does not accept from the US Army would determine whether he was "worthy" of his MOH. His actions on the battlefield determine that. End of story.
 
I think the problem with forums is we read what we perceive.

I don't think Member was saying they were un-worthy of an MOH if they took special treatment.

I perceived it as giving respect that an MOH recipient would not want special treatment from the Army. That his decision was personal, based on what he and his wife decided as the best path for their family regarding career, lifestyle and finances. It had more to do with their private life than anything else.

As far as the ROTC aspect, I would highly doubt that he will be an ROTC student, but instead do something like OCS...let's be real, even if there was no OCS board, they would find a way to commission him in as an O1. The CNN link stated he is going GI Bill.

I also agree with KP, if he decided to do the ROTC route, this guy would keep it quiet...and honestly the avg 18 yr old would not put 2 +2 together and think he is Giunta the MOH...the only reason they would think that is because he has stated he is going to move to CO and attend college, Fort Collins no less. ROTC cadets would be on the look out for him in that area.
 
You've got a real brass pair for suggesting that anything he does or does not accept from the US Army would determine whether he was "worthy" of his MOH. His actions on the battlefield determine that. End of story.

Let me clarify, I respect SSG Giunta and I am not questioning his MOH at all.

If me try to tie it back to this forum. Being a graduate of SA means you have accomplished something special and you also represent your SA. So as a SA graduate, if you are a bad officer or do bad things, you are not setting a good example.
 
I've met only one MOH earner in my entire life and recall, to this day, my exact reaction when I did.

At the time, I was a newbie 2LT attending IOBC in Ft. Benning, GA. Two of my fellow 2LTs and I decided to take a weekend visit to Andersonville Civil War Prison to check it out. Enroute to Andersonville, all three of us were laughing, sporting Ray-Ban sunglasses, and listening to very loud music from the Violent Femmes.

After the tour, as we were leaving the main building at Andersonville, an elderly gentleman with a cane (obviously retired) dressed in civilian clothes came into view, walking slowly and quietly toward us on his way into the museum. When we got closer to the man, we then saw the blue ribbon hanging from around his neck. At that point, my friends and I stopped dead in our tracks and gave this man a very silent, sharp salute as he passed us (we had learned that officers and enlisted alike are supposed to salute anyone bearing the MOH, regardless of their rank and regardless of whether they're in uniform -- it's the medal, not the man). I never talked to the man, and never asked him his name. But this was probably one of the most moving encounters with another human being that I have ever had in my entire life, especially in the setting of Andersonville. The whole encounter lasted only a few seconds, but I will never forget it. The car ride back to Ft. Benning was much quieter as I recall.

That's why I was wondering what the ROTC cadets will be thinking when they eventually bump into this MOH earner on campus in the fall.

I don't think I've even shared this story with my family! It's a story that no one can really appreciate or understand unless you've served.
 
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If he has that Powder Blue With The Stars on his lapel they better stand up straight and salute as he walks by. Even if he doesn't display the award they better know and show the respect due.
 
He has stated he is doing the GI Bill
Giunta will leave in mid-June of this year. He and his wife are planning to move to Fort Collins, Colorado, where he will continue his education using the GI Bill, said Todd Oliver, a spokesman for Giunta's unit in Italy.

People are jumping to the assumption that he will go back AD or do ROTC. You can do the GI without wearing a uniform.

If I was to assume anything, SSGT Guinta will be like any older college student, and will blend in as a college student. Only the Bursars office will know him since he is doing GI.

He served honorably, he did his time, and it appears he and his wife want to just be "normal" people.

If you really care about him, than move onto a new subject. Let him live his life the way he wants, and don't make it fodder for your life. Respect him by respecting his wishes. Pretend to be in his shoes, would you want everyone yakking about your life choices when they are complete strangers? I think not!
 
I have met quite a few MOH receipents over the years throughout my career, incuding some of the original Tuskegee Airmen. And like parentesq, it was always MY honor to meet them and ender salute.

(BTW, NEVER call them MOH "winners" within their ear-shot. They will be quick to remind you that no one wants to or deserves to "Win" that honor, especially when most of them have seen friends and comrades killed while doing what they did that got them recognized for the honor. Most will simply remind you that they "received" that honor in memory of fallen comrades).

As to Sgt Guinta's decisin to leave the service? I ask that you perhaps view HBO's "The Pacific" series, which IMO gives a very good glimpse into what Sgt John Basilone was feeling after he received his MOH and was sent out on tour by the Army. I am sure Sgt Guinta had no use for similar treatment, and was in fear that was exactly what he may have faced had he stayed in.

Besides, he's done his time, more honorably than almost any here or currently serving. No one needs to question why he feels he needs to move on. He EARNED that right as well....
 
People are jumping to the assumption that he will go back AD or do ROTC.

Pima, I don't think ANYONE here assumes he is returning to active duty. So I'm not sure why you are reacting in the way you are. Everyone here has nothing but total respect for this guy and believes he has more than done his part. He will, however, encounter ROTC students even if he's wearing jeans and strolling around campus. I suspect that the ROTC Battalion will also invite this guy to speak to the cadets at some point.

Everyone also understands that this guy just wants to be a civilian rather than serving as a pencil-pusher in the military (they don't put Medal of Honor earners back into combat roles any more, whether enlisted or officer). That is PRECISELY why he left active duty, I expect.

So why all the hostility? Having a bad day?
 
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I would imagine the ROTC battalion won't even know he's on campus.
 
I would imagine that someone in the Fort Collins ROTC detachment reads CNN...
 
If he has it the way he most likely wants, as seen through his actions of being a humble man, I would imagine he would not make himself a large presence on campus. Has he said what school he is even going to attend?
 
Amazing young man

It appeared that being at the Super Bowl was not comfortable for him. What a humble and brave young man, and he has done enough. I can't imagine what he lived through and what he saw but whatever he chooses, he has my profound respect.
 
Through ROTC, I had a chance to hear Sergeant Giunta speak and watch him during a meet and greet at a national guard base. He is one of the most humble guys I've ever seen. I agree that he will probably not flash his Medal of Honor, and try to be a regular college student. But I also know a living MOH recipient was a big deal to my ROTC Bn, so I'm sure the cadre will take care of him.
 
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