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.
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.
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.
I was 20 years old and received my draft notice, 1969.
What motovate you?
My cousin, a career Army Officer, had me thoroughly convinced that if I was drafted, I would be Infantry and be sent to Viet Nam. Being the smart intelligent person I thought I was, I enlisted to get "The job of my choice," and asked for Aircraft Maintenance. I got Helicopters and beat everyone in my Basic Training Unit to Viet Nam by about three weeks.
Any regrets?
No.
What would advise a young person to do these days?
While Military Service isn't for everyone, I encourage young people to serve our country in some capacity.
I never joined but my father was in for 26 years.
We were in Japan 81 - 91 (Yokosuka and Misawa) got a hell of an education compared the kids in the States. During this time my father was on the Midway (Tip of the sword baby!).
My father is very successful as a civilian.
My father is my hero.
FLB,
I was 17 when I enlisted in the Army in 1988. I was in the Dleayed Entry Program so didn't ship 'til 1989; I turned 18 in basic training, Ft Dix NJ.
What motivated me was an urge to escape from the nowhere town in the nowhere region I grew up in. Money for school later was also pivotal in making the decision, but I would've left anyway one way or the other. I also wanted to prove that I could do it.
I regret that I wasn't in better shape when I shipped, because in basic I really took it hard. But I don't regret any aspect of my service, aside from not saving more $$ or taking greater advantage of opportunities. It was that service that allowed me to be the man I am. I know alot of other posters feel the same way, too.
I recommend military service to any younger person who asks. But I try to give more specific advice if I can. If I know the person's interests or limitations, I might recommend one branch over another, or a certain MOS or duty station, but yeah I never talk people out of it, that's for sure.
G
I enlisted in the USAF at 17, and spent 8 years active duty. Regrets, heck no, I served under Ronaldus Magnus!
As for advice to young folks, I'd say do it. My service made me grow up and think about what I wanted to do in life. Going to college at 26, I was light years ahead of my classmates, except one. He and I were both USAF vets, and vied for top GPA every semester.
I joined on the delayed entry program for the Army at age 17. 1 month after graduation I was in basic training at Fort Knox, KY. Went overseas to Germany for 2 years, and served in Desert Storm with A co. 2/67 AR, 3rd Armor Division. Spent 4 years in the Army and have not once regretted it. Joined out of sense of duty and didn't really want to go to college. I am a 3rd generation Combat Veteran. Proudest moment was myself, my dad, and my grandpa all at the VFW, all members. Now I work for a government contractor testing new military equipment for the Army. Very rewarding job, making sure the soldiers get the best possible new equipment.
Enlisted in the USAF at 18. Had always wanted to go Army but my Dad(WWII Infantry) said they probably wouldn't take me because I'm legally blind in one eye. The AF took me and I volunteered for Vietnam. They sent me to Korea. I volunteered again and went to Vietnam directly from Korea. Re-enlisted in Vietnam. Served a total of 49 months overseas in my 6 1/2 years. Still regret not staying in.
Drafted in 1967, age 23, two months after graduating from college and getting married. Went to Infantry NCO school at Benning and went to VN in 1968 as an E-6 Staff Sgt.
See post #2 from Casloy. He captures my sentiments exactly.
Nothing like a few firefights to focus your mind on what you would rather be doing.
enlisted at 22 in april 75 vietnam ended in may, wanted to serve my country and learn about the world, 3 years as army military police, 1 year army reserves, 12 years in the airforce reserves air cargo. would do it again and encourage all to serve and learn.