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

[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?

[Gumlegs]

I was aboard USS Juneau (LPD-10). I think that whole class has been scrapped by now.

[corlorde]

Joined the Army using the delayed entry program at age 17, went into Basic right out of High school, where I stayed until I broke my back in Alaska, 16 years active. I regret nothing.

11B3P

[Chieftain]

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 joined the USMC at age 18. I had graduated high school at 17 and asked my dad to sign for me and refused. At 18 I enlisted in the USMC for 4 years - my dad told me I was a fool and he was gonna have to bury me. How's that for a show of support? (my dad never was good with words, but I knew he was worried about my welfare). I wanted to serve my country in uniform, but not in the Navy as most all my family had been in, and not in the Army because I saw all the boots in downtown Louisville as I grew up, (Army boot camp was in Ft Knox not far from there).

I decided on the Marines because they had the reputation of being the toughest, so I wanted to prove that I had what it took. I digress...

I listened to Hanoi John Kerry on TV as he testified LIED before Senate committee (it was daytime drama, they actually preempted the soaps for that TRAITOR!), the day I shipped to boot camp. I was appalled by his comments and didn't know what to think as I got on the plane to MCRD San Diego. I had followed Lt. Calley's trial for the My Lai massacre just a few weeks prior. I digress... again.

I was an airdale Jarhead and got sent to Cherry Point, NC. Can you spell B-O-R-I-N-G? After 2 moths there I volunteered for Vietnam and was on my way! The first terrorist attack by the Islamofascistjihadists (the Berlin massacre of the Israeli Olympic team), occured while I was flying over the pole to Asia.

Was warmly welcomed to Vietnam by the VC with a rocket attack just hours after arriving in country. Woke up in the middle of it with a helluva hangover (from drinking all night in Japan during a layover), and crawled under the cot till everything settled down - missed a direct hit on the bunker where I should have been. (One "Get of jail FREE" card wasted there for sure!) I digress once more... dangit!

OK, where was I?? Oh yeah, left Bien Hoa for "The Rose Garden" in Thailand, (Nam Phong). Can you say HOT AND HUMID? Finally left there in 1974 for Iwakuni, Japan where I spent the next 3 years. Since I have digressed so much let me summarize the remainder of my USMC career: I stayed in the Marines for 22 years and retired as a Gunnery Sergeant!

Regrets? I had a few, but then again too few to mention... I did what I had to do, I did it all, without pretension.. I've laughed... Oops, there I go singing "My Way" again - sorry about that, I digressed AGAIN!

Would I recommend military service to a young person? Well, to me the Marine Corps was the best thing that ever happened, (next to my sons being born). But I am lucky in that I served 22 years and came out with almost all the parts I went in with. Some are not that fortunate. I believe that EVERY VETERAN deserves the thanks of the citizens of this country - they earned it with their service and sacrifice!

My twin sons are about to follow in my footsteps as they ship off to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego January 9, 2006. I hope their career is as interesting as mine was!

Semper Fi!

[Little Bill]

Signed up in '65, 19, most of our fathers served in WW2 and it was something that you did, unquestioned.

I did two tours and probably had the same experiences. I learned how to judge people and how they would react to pressure, a hard school.

[Larry Lucido]

I was 25 when I joined the Michigan National Guard. Joined for the educational benefits and to contribute to national defense. Ultimately came away with something far more valuable than just the pay and benefits.

[Larry Lucido]

So you know how it feels to be called the "old man" in your basic training unit.

[R. Scott]

I volunteered for the draft at age 19 and was drafted one month later. Every male in my family line served as far back as the colonial wars. It must have been a genetic thing. I have absolutely no regrets and served 20 years, 8 months and (I think) 6 days.

[R. Scott]

I just scrolled through the posts – I wonder what the response would be on the DU site.

[samm1148]

I joined the Air Force in 1984 at 23. Mainly at that time I looked at it as a job and an escape from Appalachia. I retired from there in 2004.

Somewhere in there I turned patriotic and got a real appreciation for my country. I suppose a lot of if was going to other countries and seeing poverty then recalling some of the bellyachers in this country saying they were "poor".

I met some of the finest people I've had the privilege of knowing while in the service. It was a great adventure where I did things I could never have done as a civilian.

[5Madman2]

Joined at 18 after dropping out of HS twice. Needed to make some changes cause I was on the fast track to Attica, and I just really didn't like the thought of saying "Honey, I cleaned the cell" for 7-10 years

Stayed over 21 years, and don't regret it one minute. Was and Air Force cop for the whole time, and now work for the State of TX as a cop. The military got me on the right track

[RVN Airplane Driver]

Joined the Army at 18 in 1961 because I had very little direction and in those days you had a minimum of two years facing you unless you were 4F...everybody served. Thought I would get it out of the way...started college while on AD and eventually ended up as a clerk at a NCO Academy in Ft Riley, KS....greatest bunch of mentors a young man could have and to this day am eternally grateful. Got out and went to college, graduated from the University of Illinois in 1967 with a commission in the Air Force. Went to UPT and they said I couldn't see...medically eliminated and interservice transfer in 1968 to the Army and got my wings in 1969. Flew 200+ missions in RVN..then to Germany for an RR tour flying for the MI folks..REFRAD...stayed in the reserves for a few years....and then the dumbest thing I ever did.. resigned my commission... Oh well, I am proud of my achievements and even more proud to have served with America's best. Do it again...?? In a heart beat.

[Poser]

I was 19. I got drafted.

[BamaAndy]

eighteen--enlisted in the Marine Corps, 1969, to join the armed forces in a just war. No regrets, only pride--it also admittedly paid for my college education. Its the one thing I'm very proud of doing--always will be.

[fightin kentuckian]

Honestly? It was 1985 and I had just spent four semesters at the local junior college working of a double major, Booze and Broads. I had a grand total of 21 hours and was on academic probation.

A good friend of mine, Jeff, was home on leave and talked some sense into me and then introduced me to his recruiter, SSGT Hardesty. It those two had not intervened I would have ended up a bum back in the mountains.

I've been in 18.5 years, have a wonderful family, home and life.

[RVN Airplane Driver]

I've been in 18.5 years, have a wonderful family, home and life.

Good for your...Thank you for your Service.

[Godzilla]

I was awarded an ROTC 2-year scholorship in 1980. After graduation in 1983, I spent the next 10 years serving our country. With my knees and hearing going fast, and the now impeached, military hating president starting his first term, it was time to get out. I have no regrets and have found the experiences I had to be invaluable in my current life.

[Drew68]

I enlisted in the Navy at age 34, 8 months. What motivated me? It was the second craziest thing I'd ever done in my life. It was basically an impulsive decision. I had always wanted to serve when I was younger but never got around to it. I was at a pretty low point in my life when I learned the cutoff age was 35. I jumped at the opportunity.

Do I regret it? No. Well, sometimes when the days are long and the work is hard and the seas are rough I ask myself what am I doing here. In the end though I have seen the world and married the woman I love (first craziest thing I've done in my life) a woman who I met in port who I never would have known had I not joined the navy.

And serving on a Nimitz-class nuclear powered aircraft carrier *is* pretty cool!

[Sci Fi Guy]

Army, Age 19, Re-enlisted once.

Reasons: way too many to list

I think that everyone who is able should at least enlist in the reserve or guard. Great experience, Only regrets are not going into combat arms, and getting out.

[Lancer_N3502A]

I was 17 and joined the Army in 1984. I loved my 4 years of service and would be happy to do it again.

Funniest two things that happened to me while I was in was (1) was threatened with jail because I hadn't applied for selective service and (2) was threatened with jail for not showing up for jury duty in Florida while I was in Korea.

I feel that it is the duty of every American to serve at least 4 years in the military and anyone who doesn't for other than a disability is not only unAmerican, but a coward.

[Redleg Duke]

I enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard at age 17 in 1964...before Viet Nam spun up. My Dad, two Uncles, an Aunt and a Step-Grandfather had either served or were serving in it. I never regreted it, and served in the Guard and Reserve for 32+ years.

It was tough during and after Viet Nam until Reagan turned this country around. I met and served with fine men and women from WW-II vets, on up.