Why Did You Join The Military?
When i was about 12 i decided i was going to join. My grandfather and my dad both served so i decided i would also.
I would have stayed 20 instead of 10 if it was not for my first wife. She hated the military way of life.
I would have stayed 20 instead of 10 if it was not for my first wife. She hated the military way of life.
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Living in Locust Fork Alabama seemed like the worst thing a person could suffer through when you are 17 with a bit of a wild hair.
Both my grandfathers were in the Navy....so I went down and joined. My mother didn?t believe me. She thought I was playing (another) prank on her when I told her I needed her to meet me at the bus station with 6 white pair of cotton underwear. It?s all I could remember on the list of crap to bring.
I?m so glad I went in. I grew up a lot. 4 years later I was ready to stay in, but my mother wanted me to come home.0 -
I believe citizenship requires service. I chose the Army after college. I am 78 yrs. old and remember WWll. All my cousins served. One was captured and was 3 yrs. in a German POW camp. He was one of those "Penguins" that the movie "The Great Escape" was based on. He never said. We did not know until after his death. Many of my high school classmates served in the military or public health because that is what you did. Those days are gone and the environment now seems to be similar to the atmosphere prior to the War Between the States. 0 -
Signed up before graduated from HS. Was sure I'd be drafted. Turned out I wouldn't have, My # was 306. I regretted it at the time, but glad I did it now. Learned much more than I would have screwing off at home. 0 -
I too took on a 6 month delayed enlistment before graduating HS. The USAF promised me training in the mechanical field and on one and two engine fighter jets.
The war in Vietnam was still going but was nearly at an end. The stateside base I was assigned to was training South Vietnamese pilot's.
I have no regrets for making this life commitment at such a young age and would gladly do it all over again, exactly the same way if such a chance could ever possibly happen.
My late father in law's story about joining the Navy during the Korean War is one I need to share with you all!
He had already graduated high school living in urban Detroit. Working two part time jobs, one a bakery and the other an orange juice bottleing plant. He still managed to find the time to be out and about frolicking in the neighborhood. The early street gangs of Detroit used to wage some pretty bloody battles. Blacks vs whites, from rock throwing to some fair gun play.
He had been involved in one of the lesser violent uprisings and got caught and thrown into jail. At his hearing a few days later, the judge told him that the bus going from his jail to Jackson State Pen made two stops. The first, was the USN induction center. His choice![^]0 -
So I could choose as to what branch and MOS I wanted to go into. Didn't want the government to decide for me. 0 -
Right out of high school,in a dead end job,went to the Navy recruiter and wanted to be a avation machinist mate.They found I was color blind so no aircraft mechanic.Choose something else.I didn't even know what the SeaBees were but found out pretty fast. 0 -
Two days before my draft notice arrived I was in boot camp. As a second year electrician apprentice, I was guaranteed a slot in the SeaBees as a Construction Electrician. Went to "A" school in Port Hueneme, California, then to VN. Must have done them a good job there, because I got two field promotions, and my E-5 caught up with me when I got to Puerto Rico. Spent 2 years there and got out after a total of 4.
Wouldn't trade my service time for anything. Proud to have been there!0 -
Grew up listening to jump stories from favorite uncle. He made 3 jumps with the 82nd in WW2- including Normandy. Walked into recruiter's office at the ripe old age of 17, never looked back. Now have son that is a retired marine, grandson 10 years in Army Special Forces, granddaughter in Navy.
Why did I do it? Leaning towards temporary insanity- but at the time, seemed like a real good idea. Liked to idea of being part of something special. Still do. [:p]0 -
Thanks to all who serve...
Pops and Gramps both were Army vets. Brother and I had good #'s in 1970 so we had options on the urging of family to enlist.
We both opted out since Nam looks bad at the time.
Kudos to those that did join!0 -
To be honest, to get out from under my dads control. I admit I was the black sheep of the family (as a Constitutionalist, no chance of a SCOTUS confirmation).
I had already been accepted to a theoretical physics program and attended collage orientation. (guess I somewhat deserved an old nickname of "Einstein", and a more recent "Sheldon Cooper" as mathematics and the sciences came as second nature to me)
I am glad that I went into the Navy and attribute being able to finally "grow up" when I had kids on the way to that experience.0 -
Both my Dad and my Uncle were in the Army Reserves after Korea before Vietnam.
I followed in their footsteps. I was already accepted to a college but always wanted to serve in the military.
Did so well on the ASVAB I could chose any job I wanted. Being a dumb 17 year old I chose Heavy Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic as I didn't know anything about mechanics.
6 years of the reserves during the 1990's was enough for me, felt it was time to move on with my life and did so.0 -
Crushed the ASVAB and recruiters were hammering my door down. That and my family history serving in the Military.
Recruiters made it sound good, and working for minimum wage wasn't doing it for me. So I took a pay cut and did more hours, LOL.0 -
Just got out of Juvenal hall in Bakersfield Calif. 2nd time there in less than 6 months.
Walked to the recruiting office (it was a Saturday) and the only ones working were the Marines. Told them I wanted to join, They sat me down and had me watch I isn't a Rose Garden. Film to weed out those who really don't want to join.
I asked How soon can I go. They did not do the ASVAB there So on Monday they took me to the Big office in L.A. For a High-school drop out I scored extremely high. Was told I could have any job I wanted.
Pick Heavy Equipment Mechanic, and was shipped out the very next Monday. I was at MCRD San Diego.
20 years later I retired.0 -
It was kind of simple for me I had a low draft number. Also did the delayed entry to get the school I wanted.
Being in the Navy saw about 12 different countries and the Artic Circle. Used my benefits to get my degree which was good because could not afford school otherwise.
Stayed for 10 years, would have done more but it was so fu**** up with Jimmy Carter as president I could not take it any more.0 -
The Iranian hostage BS cheesed me off to no end and it was a done deal. 0 -
Family tradition, mostly 0 -
Mom gave me a choice, miltary or college. I chose college, she asked how i was going to pay for it. She did let me choose which branch. 0 -
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