Why Didn't You Join The Military?
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did not want any part of being like my Dad
he was a Navy drunk that did not support his kids0 -
Would never have passed the physical. 75 pounds overweight and I suffered a traumatic amputation of right foot at 15. 0 -
I graduated high school in 1976. My goal in college was to become an Airforce pilot. Carter was gutting the military at the time and there was just about zero opportunity for a pilot's slot so I never signed on the dotted line. 0 -
I got my draft notice right before Christmas in 68. I was all set to enlist in the Air Force if I passed my physical. That didn't happen. [:0] 0 -
My folks encouraged me to go to college instead. My father was a flight surgeon in the NAVY, left as a Commander after 10 years. he did not encourage any of his children to go into the military. 0 -
I graduated in 76 also. I went to sign up for the draft and they told me to come on a certain date. Before the date rolled around they discontinued the draft. When they reinstituted it I was to old.
I doubt I would have passed the physical anyway as I was born with a real mild case of cerebral palsy.0 -
In before: "I would have kicked my Drill Sgts ass!" 0 -
At the time, the only thing they could offer me was college $, which I had... and I did not want to commit 4+ years on a "is this the right choice for me" type thing. While I did very well on the ASVAB, I just wasn't sure about an MOS, and I know what happens with "undecided" 
30 years later, I do often stop and think "gee, I wonder what if..." and almost kinda regret not signing up. I've had quite a few students who were just out of active duty or were in the reserves and each and every one of 'em have been squared away and good learners who did their work, did it well, and didn't give any BS excuses. Kinda wonder where I would've ended up had I gotten a healthy dose of that at their age...0 -
quote:Originally posted by penguin
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Why dont you tell us why you didn't join the military, penguin?0 -
I graduated HS with a 4.0. I wanted to go into the Navy, and my parents and Guidance counselor, told me to go to college, then enter the military with a degree. I ended up getting married, and dropped out of college. I then started my own business and never looked back. Both my grandfathers and my father served. My grandfather's, both in WWII and Korea, and my father in Vietnam. Till this day, my one disappointment in myself, was not serving in the military. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by kimi
quote:Originally posted by penguin
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Why dont you tell us why you didn't join the military, penguin?
While I would like to say that, if memory serves me correctly, he served.0 -
My BallPark Frank stopped me...
You see I was just about ready to graduate high school and my then-girlfriend whom I married ended up pregnant. I figured with the family on the way I had to make some money, and a lot more money than what the military payed back then...
But my plans were to join the Marines..
So as you see, my BallPark Frank stopped me from joining the military[:o)]:0 -
I did join, but have always wondered what my life would have been like if I would have RE-ENLISTED and went for the pension!
There was a whole lot more of "I can't wait to get out" than there was "I want to stay in" when enlistments were up! The term "SHORT" was a free ticket home and it did effect my decision to go back to civilian life.0 -
My father is a veteran - all four of his brothers are veterans
My mother has four brothers all of which are veterans
I have 7 aunts - 3 sisters of my father / 4 sisters of my mother (all 7 are married and 6 of those 7 uncles are veterans)
My father was determined that his children would receive a higher education or trade school opportunities - that the next generation would start out in a better position earlier in life
Growing up during and after the Vietnam War there were many veterans somewhat dissatisfied and dissapointed and disillusioned with the government and the military and wanted their children to have different opinions
And while my father served on the draft board and on the later selective service organization well into the 90's and we were all registered properly the absence of inscription during my adulthood was also a factor
Mike0 -
Unfit for service due to multiple knee/leg injuries. Went to work for an alphabet agency doing way worse "stuff" than most military service. 0 -
I'm not sure why..........
I thought about the Navy. I had a serious girlfriend, and the area I grew up in was pretty anti military in 1977.
I feel like I missed out on a huge life lesson and boatloads of experiences.
Of course I also wish I would have stuck with Ice Hockey after high school. That damn girlfriend again.......0 -
ARMY 1966 to 1972 0 -
quote:Originally posted by GreatGuns
Bravo [^]
Yes??0 -
My dad was 71 and in poor health. My mom was legally blind. I graduated in 72 and my lottery number was high. Then Nixon ended the draft.
Dad died 2 years later and I helped my mom and little sister.
I wish many time I had joined. They would have gotten by somehow. I have the deepest respect for all who served .0 -
When I graduated from high school in 1978 we were in the midst of one of the worst economic downturns in history, and it only got worse from there. Job prospects were near zero and while I had a part time job working in a gun store, selling guns hardly seemed a likely career (how wrong I was [;)]). I scored high on the ASVAB and had solid, if not spectacular grades, and I wanted to join the Coast Guard. Since I knew how to type and I am highly organized, something along the lines of Yeoman or Storekeeper seemed like a good fit. Then as now, the CG is the most difficult branch of the Armed Forces to get into and I didn't make the cut. They were actually turning away people with AA degrees, so with a high school diploma I was SOL. The Navy recruiter's office was literally down the hall, and I was told I could enlist in the Navy on that very day, but that wasn't what I wanted, so I didn't do it. I went back to the gun shop and the rest, as they say, is history.
In the 16 years I've been in the forum, I think that this is the first time I ever told you guys about that.0 -
Almost did but decided I liked cattle farming more. If I would of left my farm would of been gone since no one else in my family cared for it. My grandpa was too old and my dad is a lazy drunk. 0 -
Drafted in '64. 0 -
Visceral hatred of authority 0 -
Dad was an Army Drill Sargent, had enough of that at home. Had a high lottery number, best friend shot dead in front of me and the perp walked, G/F broke up with me, and lost my job. Said FTW and disappeared into the Trinity wilderness and worked a gold claim. When I came home, the draft was ended. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by nemesisenforcer
Visceral hatred of authority
I did serve. Now have a "Visceral hatred of authority"0 -
Not a good idea to put a deaf man in the jungle can?t hear the bad guys sneaking up on you . Was born deaf in one ear and was 4f for the draft 0 -
quote:Originally posted by mark christian
When I graduated from high school in 1978 we were in the midst of one of the worst economic downturns in history, and it only got worse from there. Job prospects were near zero and while I had a part time job working in a gun store, selling guns hardly seemed a likely career (how wrong I was [;)]). I scored high on the ASVAB and had solid, if not spectacular grades, and I wanted to join the Coast Guard. Since I knew how to type and I am highly organized, something along the lines of Yeoman or Storekeeper seemed like a good fit. Then as now, the CG is the most difficult branch of the Armed Forces to get into and I didn't make the cut. They were actually turning away people with AA degrees, so with a high school diploma I was SOL. The Navy recruiter's office was literally down the hall, and I was told I could enlist in the Navy on that very day, but that wasn't what I wanted, so I didn't do it. I went back to the gun shop and the rest, as they say, is history.
In the 16 years I've been in the forum, I think that this is the first time I ever told you guys about that.
Very cool story! A friend of mine has a son in the Coast Guard now. I don't think the enlistment is as hard as it once was. I don't think he has plans on staying in, but that is all because of a girl (typical.)0 -
quote:Originally posted by us55840
Did not have to.
My Dad wanted at least one of his kids to go to college on his dime so I did.....two years and two quarters I went.
I wasn't satisfied with my direction so took a break from college with the full knowledge that in 1966, the draft was in full force.
Yup, within 3 months got drafted so didn't have to join and was 99% certain I'd get my "Greetings" from Uncle Sam.
[;)]
Some years after an honorable discharge, I returned to college on the GI Bill and working as much as I could with no help from Dad.
He was super pleased with me when I got a degree.....never forget the look on his face at graduation.
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That is so sweet. I love when you guys share a good dad story on here.0 -
Had some thoughts of serving but knew that I never could with my asthma. Hard to do the physical activities required if you can't breathe.[:(] 0 -
from about 6th grade on I thought I was destined to head to Vietnam countless times rescuers started coming to our schools with all the great things the military ( choose a branch ) had to offer
I graduated in 1975 so missed out on south east Asia ( depending on how you view it )
I was registered in the draft but that went away also
so I just never gave any thought to enlisting . if uncle Sam had sent me a note I was prepared to go .
I am 61 and still odd as it seems wonder about what I may or may not have missed by not going .,, or even still be alive now and I missed on part of a bigger brotherhood of the vets who served , if that makes any sense
my grandfather ( dads side ) was in WWI .0
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