Start before recording
Ask the veteran which part of their service they would like to describe. An object can help start the conversation. Who else appears in a photograph? What happened just before it was taken? Let the speaker set the pace and pause whenever they wish.
Preserve the context
The Veterans History Project accepts accounts from veterans across branches and ranks, including people who never saw combat. Read its field kit before the interview so you have the release forms and recording requirements. Keep a copy of the interview for the veteran and another for the family.