Great Questions

Military Voices Great Questions List

Great Questions for Any Interview Pair

  • What are some of the happiest moments in your life? What are some of the saddest?
  • Who are some of the most important people in your life? Can you tell me about them?
  • What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
  • What are you proud of?
  • Do you have any regrets?
  • Is there anything you’ve never told me but want to tell me now?

Enlistment/Commission

  • When did you enlist / when were you commissioned? What do you remember about that day?
  • What were some of the reasons you joined the service? Were there any people/ events that shaped your decision?
  • How did joining the service affect your family/friends?
  • Did you have any fears about joining the service?

Military Life

  • What was your branch of service? What was your job/ assignment?
  • Tell me about your early days in the military?
  • How was military life different than civilian life? How was it different than what you expected? Was there anything you had trouble adjusting to?

Deployment

  • Were you deployed? If yes, how did you tell your loved ones you were being deployed?
  • Where were you deployed, what unit, and for how long?
  • Tell me about a time it was hard to be away from home. What helped you through?
  • Who were you closest to in your unit? Can you tell me about him/her?
  • Did you see multiple deployments? If yes, what changed from your first deployment to the others? How did you change from your first deployment to the others?

Life After Service

  • When was your date of separation form the military? What do you remember about that day?
  • Tell me about your first few months out of the service. What was that transition like?
  • What did you miss about military life?
  • Was there anyone (or anything) that helped you readjust to civilian life?
  • How do you think your time in the military changed you? When did you realize you had changed?
  • What did you learn about yourself?
  • What advice do you have for others transitioning out of the military?

Marriage, Partnerships, and Families

  • How did you meet your husband/wife?
  • How did you know he/she was “the one”?
  • What were some of the best times?
  • What were some of the most difficult times?
  • What advice do you have for military couples?
  • What has been a difficult thing to communicate to family, friends, or loved ones about your military service?
  • If you have children, what do you want them to know about your military service?

Remembering the Fallen

  • What was your relationship to _____?
  • Tell me about _____
  • What did _____ look like?
  • What is one of your favorite memories of _____?
  • What was your relationship like?
  • When did you find out about _____’s death?
  • How did you change after losing _____?
  • What has helped the most in your grief?
  • Do you have any traditions to honor _____?
  • Do you have any funny stories about _____? Any favorite jokes _____ used to tell?