Function/meaning of "would"

[Schlaufuchs]

I am learning German while providing English practice for the Germans I speak with.

I expressed the following thought during a conversation: "When I was in the Air Force, I would read Time magazine and write down all the words I didn't know the meaning of."

My German language partner asked, "Why do you use the word 'would' here? Why don't you just say, "When I was in the Air Force, I read [here, in the past tense] Time magazine and wrote down all the words I didn't know the meaning of."

I had no good answer, despite being an educated native English speaker. The expression just sounds better to my ear when I use the word 'would'.

Can anyone explain what the use of the word 'would' imparts in this expression, versus the use of the past tense alone?

Thank you! Rick

[Mr Greg]

Would implies that it is the occasional first choice of action/preference that occurs often.

The statement from your student implies it was a one time action. Would would of given it an occurrence.