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What age did you join the Military and why? What motovate you? Any regrets?

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?


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: airforce; army; coastguard; draft; fun; job; marines; motivated; navy; recruit; stupid; usmilitary
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To: FlatLandBeer

I joined the marines at 18 to get out of my hometown and because I didn't have money for college. I gotout in 87 and joined the army in 94. Been in ever since. It's a great job even with deployments and such. I retire in 2009 and can start my second career teaching high school. I love being able to serve my country. The only low point was serving under Clinton.


181 posted on 12/30/2005 6:11:46 PM PST by rfreedom4u (Native Texan)
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To: MamaB

My Dad joined in 51 and stayed until 71. Three of my brothers and one sister also joined. Between the six of us we covered all four branches. To my knowledge not one of us regrets it. My Dad says he wishes he would've stayed for another 10.

Semper Fi!


182 posted on 12/30/2005 6:18:30 PM PST by rfreedom4u (Native Texan)
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To: FlatLandBeer
I was 23...joined the Army with my husband of 3 years, on the new "Married-buddy-plan." We were told we'd have no kids...haha..so we both enlisted.

The Army was wonderful to us! They totally kept us together, and we lived in places we would never have otherwise even seen.

I love my country. The only reason I exited the Army was because we DID have children.

:-)
183 posted on 12/30/2005 6:25:56 PM PST by bannie (The government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.)
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To: All

Thank you to each of you, and your families, from the bottom of my heart.

Each of you is an inspiration, a great American and a hero.

I am overwhelmed. There are just no words that adequately express my gratitude.


184 posted on 12/30/2005 6:26:10 PM PST by pollyannaish
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To: FlatLandBeer

Technically, I joined in 1964 when I enrolled in NROTC. I recieved my commission in USMCR in 1968 when I graduated. I was on active duty through 1971. Served in RVN 5/69-7/70. It was the best thing I've ever done. My service in the Marine Corps has influenced my life more than anything except my Christianity and my family. I joined partially for patriotic reasons, partly for family reasons (many combat vets in my family) and partly because I had a desire to be part of an elite organization, to be the best at something meaningful.


185 posted on 12/30/2005 6:29:21 PM PST by clintonh8r (If you don't support the mission you don't support the troops. Period.)
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To: FlatLandBeer
I enrolled in the USMC Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) in my freshmen year.

I had a very low draft lottery number and my local board had fumbled the ball on my student deferment - sooooooo I had to make a move.

I completed OCS during my college summers and received my commission after graduation.

The Basic School then off to Pensacola for Flight School; I graduated the week of the Saigon Evac.... talk about good timing.

I had a couple of unique assignmements -- sooo even in Carter's "peacetime" got to play in a couple of real world places.

I had a great tour of duty which paved the way for my commercial career.

Semper Fi...

186 posted on 12/30/2005 6:44:27 PM PST by Wings-n-Wind (The answers are out there; Wisdom is gained by asking the right questions)
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To: FlatLandBeer

ROTC Commission 1954, Air Force pilot training then pilot Strategic Air Command. No regrets and feel I would have missed it all had I not served.
Wonderful background. Extremely good travel opportunity and life experience.
My career in civilian life was greatly enhanced by by time in Air Force.
Would definitwely do it again.


187 posted on 12/30/2005 6:45:19 PM PST by southland
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Comment #188 Removed by Moderator

To: FlatLandBeer
Army ROTC at 18. 2LT in 1990. Dewey eyed idealism.

5 years in Military Intelligence in Clinton's Army made me wonder why the hell I ever did it.

Watched the Trade Centers bombed in 1993. Watched the Embassies in Africa blow up. Watched American bodies desecrated in Somalia. Watched the Khobar Towers explode. Watched us aid the terrorists in Kosovo. Watched the USS Cole blow up. Watched us blow up an aspirin factory in Sudan while bin Laden escaped to Afghanistan.

Finally, 9/11 made me feel ashamed of my service in Army MI.

I helplessly watched the ball get dropped that led to it--thanks State Department!

In 1995, I swore I would never wear a uniform again.

Joined the National Guard in 1999. Go figger....

189 posted on 12/30/2005 7:00:35 PM PST by Cogadh na Sith (There's an open road from the cradle to the tomb.)
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To: FlatLandBeer
Commissioned in 1966 at the age of 22...
Field Artillery (17 years);
Military Intelligence (2 years);
Chaplain (10 years)

LiteKeeper
Chaplain, US Army, retired

190 posted on 12/30/2005 7:16:50 PM PST by LiteKeeper (Beware the secularization of America)
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To: FlatLandBeer

I joined a year after HS. I have enjoyed everyday since 18 Jun 1981. This is and has been a great way of life. I am proud to bear the title United States Marine!


191 posted on 12/30/2005 7:26:11 PM PST by XtreMarine
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To: FlatLandBeer
Joined the Army in 1971 after a year in college. I spent that year arguing with the draft dodger antiwar hippie maggots on campus. Decided to put my money where my mouth was.
Best thing I ever did.
Spent most my tour in Germany. Traveled as much a possible.
Loved it...Grew up and learned skills I still use.
Postal Clerk in the Army...Postmaster today.
192 posted on 12/30/2005 7:27:11 PM PST by weston
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To: FlatLandBeer; RaceBannon
Got out of high skool in 1965, wasted most of a year in college, and hit the yellow footprints (USMC Boot Camp) on July 27, 1966 as a two-year enlistee....I wouldn't have done it had the Marine Corps continued to insist on four year 'sentences'.

Unlike most others here, I do NOT remember my two years very fondly - (I also got screwed...there was a Leap Year in the mix which screwed up my short timers calendar).......but I'd do it all over again, with emphasis on those two years, if I had my life to live over again.

(Only a Marine can understand that sentiment, I suppose)

193 posted on 12/30/2005 7:31:06 PM PST by ErnBatavia (I post in slang..live with it or ignore it - reader's choice.)
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To: FlatLandBeer
I joined at age 18, right out of high school, because, well thats what you did in '59 if you didn't plan to go to college.

Chose the Air Force, thinking they had good training schools, and travel opportunities galore, and it would be an easier life than other branches. I was right on all counts, and ended my first enlistment in Spain, working commo/crypto, Top Secret clearance, all the responsibility I could handle, and feeling pretty damn good about my decision to join the Air Force.

Re-enlisted and stayed for 22 years, and using training received in the AF, started a career in data processing where I worked until retirement.

Best decision I ever made was visiting my "friendly" (lyin SOB) recruiter!

194 posted on 12/30/2005 7:32:06 PM PST by Don Carlos (Democrats: Home-grown surrender monkeys.)
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To: FlatLandBeer

21 and I needed the money.


195 posted on 12/30/2005 7:32:12 PM PST by Junior (Identical fecal matter, alternate diurnal period)
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To: clamper1797

Good for you. My nephew (17) has just signed up with the Navy; he's got a nine-month wait before he begins training as an underwater welder. I don't know what led him to this decision; I'm just proud and grateful that he made it. GO NAVY!


196 posted on 12/30/2005 7:32:22 PM PST by CaliGirlGodHelpMe
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To: FlatLandBeer

My dad got me to join the Naval Reserve at age 17 in High School, to avoid being drafted into the Viet-Nam conflict. I vividly remember the two weeks of Naval Boot Camp at Great Lakes and the 2 weeks afloat on a ship on Lake Michigan....boy, did I ever get seasick. I then had a choice....to go to a Military Academy or go in the Navy as a Seaman.

I was accepted to The United States Merchant Marine Academy and upon graduation, also became a Naval Reserve Officer. I aided in the Viet-Nam Seal Lift effort.

No regrets, and I really wish they would have mandatory two year military duty for all US citizens. It would be good for all concerned....more especially, our Country!


197 posted on 12/30/2005 7:39:25 PM PST by TheLion
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To: Wilum

Your story brought tears to my eyes. A big THANK YOU to you and to all the military guys and ladies on FR. What a great thread!!


198 posted on 12/30/2005 7:41:58 PM PST by CaliGirlGodHelpMe
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To: Chieftain

Your's was a great post. I was so moved, I missed the Munich part. ha. Hell, if they can't take a joke.

I was a hippie during the Vietnam Era and was never in the military. But I am very proud that even in those crazy days of demonstrating I NEVER demonstrated against the war.
When everyone went on their marches against the war...I went home and listened to the Beatles. Even back then I was anti Commie and pro military.
Guess that was due thankfully to my parents influence.


199 posted on 12/30/2005 7:43:46 PM PST by Recovering Ex-hippie (Proud to be a right wing, nut job!)
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To: FlatLandBeer

Joined the Navy at 18 in 1968. Reason? It's a family tradition and the cops were after me.


200 posted on 12/30/2005 7:47:49 PM PST by dljordan
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