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?