Posted on 12/30/2005 8:15:40 AM PST by FlatLandBeer
What age did you join the Military and why? What motovate you? Any regrets?
What would advise a young person to do these days?
I enlisted in the Air Force in 1971, at age 17.
I supported the war in Vietnam, but wasn't sent due to my skill code (nuke weapons).
My motivation was getting out of the house with 8 younger siblings.
No regrets, as I'm still in Aerospace.
Great thread!
Worked for me. Thanks to the planets aligning on the day I took the ACT, and the fact that the applicant pool was greatly diminished due to Vietnam, I was awarded a 4 year Army ROTC scholarship.
What a great deal! I received a great education at virtually no cost: tuition, books, lab fees, etc. were all covered, plus a $100/month stipend (I think it's 200/month now).
I had a 4 year commitment, but served a bit over 8. It was a great experience, and I don't regret it one bit. Whenever I have the opportunity, I extol the virtues of ROTC to kids. I even mention it to the 6th graders that I teach at my parish, just to plant the seed.
Nowadays, that scholarship would be valued at over $120,000, considering that Gonzaga University costs about $30K per year. Back then, it was $10K-12K (mid 70s), and there was no way I could have afforded that.
The Army also paid for my masters degree, via the GI Bill.
volunteered to USMC at 17 out of high school .. no regrets
Joined the Navy at 17
Joined the National Guard at 34 (thought I wanted to set some roots)
Joined the Army Reserve at 39
Naval Aviation was the most challenging and the most fun but as others have said before me, each branch has it's own flavor, I miss them all.
TT
That deserves a PING and MEGA-DITTOES!
Became a USN officer @ age 24. It was more or less my "family business." My only regret is that I'm no longer in the service.
Yo! Check it out.
My only regret is that I didn't get to stay around long enough to fight radical Islam.
I know what FIGMO means but what does OMFIG mean?
Enlisted US Navy at 17, right after HS ('60). Did fine in school but wanted to serve my country. Served in Kodiak, AK then in the fleet on two aircraft carriers with w/ADM Thomas Moorer's Flag, which doesn't mean anything, I was STILL a regular sailor--no breaks! I think the world of the late ADM Moorer. I'm very thankful to have been able to do that.
-My mom (who had done medical missionary work) gave me a couple of books by Dr. Tom Dooley got me thinking about SE Asia and going there to help the Vietnamese.I was in 6th grade at the time and worried the war would be over by the time I was old enough to go fight in it.
-My dad was an officer in the US Navy for 23 yrs and fought in WWII, Korea and a number of small campaigns and operations.I guess when it comes down to it I wanted to be like my dad.
-A friend (from high school) I admired who was two years older than me joined the Navy and became a corpsman and was killed in RVN in 67.I wanted some payback.
-I also wanted to win some medals to make my dad proud of me and to get girls.
Joined at age 18 with 10 months pre-enlistment signing so I could get the GI Bill from the Vietnam era, enlisted dec 1976, left for Parris Island Sep 20, 1977
I got out in 1981
No regrets about joining, but regrets about things I did while in and regret getting out.
I am proud of being an Air Controller, but wish I went grunt instead now, It gives me better bragging rights as a Marine. :)
17.
Idealism and patriotism.
Wanted to do domething to help society and to challenge myself.
Great education, too (service academy).
By the end of my service obligation, X42 was president and he was destroying the morale of the military. I got out. I was so soured by serving under x42 that I thought "never again".
But a decade later, after completing law school, my idealism and patriotism kicked in again in the wake of 9/11 and I volunteered again at age 36. And I am still in.
No regrets at all, in the end. It is a privelege to serve under this president, as it was to serve under President Reagan.
Graduated college with a Master's Degree in psychology in 1979 (Carter Administration). My best job opportunity was running a Planned Parenthood Clinic at $10K per year.
Considered PhD work but had no more money. I stumbled across Armed Services Scholarships for medical professionals. I applied but was turned down but they offered me flight training instead. Go figure!
Opted for Surface Line and after driving destroyers they made me an intelligence officer. Iran-Iraq War (been there), Khadaffi's Line of Death (crossed it), Grenada (was there), Desert Shield/Storm (8 months at sea), Afghanistan strikes I (1998. Did those too). Rose through the ranks to Captain and commanding officer of a major intelligence command.
One helluva wild ride.
17, and celebrated my 18th birthday at MCRD San Diego. I was a long haired pussy and I realized I needed to toughen up. Boy did I, and no regrets.
I joined the Army at 17 and had to have my Dad sign the papers for me to do it. I became a tanker just like my Dad was in Korea. He was proud of me and thats why I did it. The Armored Cav (1/11 ACR) were some tough SOBs. I enjoyed the hell out of it for four years. Got out a buck seargent, loafed for 6 months then joined the Coast Guard and stayed in for another 18 years. I told my Dad during a rough patch in my first enlistment that it would either be 4 yeras or 20+. (Those Clinton years were the toughest!) No use in wasting anymore time without reaping the benifits.
I wouldnt have changed very much at all. All my duty stations were good because of the people, not because of the location.
You will be hard pressed to find a more rewarding career than serving your country.
EVERY person graduating High School should join a military service for at least one hitch. Move as far away from home as you can and prove to yourself that you can make it.
Advice?:
1. Dont work on the heater system in an M-1 in sub zero weather (no matter how cold you get) without disabling the Haoln fire supression system first. The IR sensor is just in the right place to be smacked with the crescent wrench when it slips off of the exhaust flange bolt. (Halon frostbite to the eyes hurts for about 2 weeks).
2. Dont trust your platoon Sgt when he tells you the breech block is locked in place with the chain fall (that he failed to get replaced because its broke!) and its ok to remove the firing pin with your index finger. (BIG TIME ouchy boo boo!) Then make sure that the doctor that sewes your finger back on hasnt been practicing psyciatry (sp) for the last 8 years and is working the ER just to keep his quals up.
3. Wear your ear plugs more than everyone else.
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