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 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.
Went in just after my 18th birthday in July of 1964. Spent 10 years active and 17 reserves. Went to OCS in the Army in 1966 and retired as a LTC in from the Reserves. Served in VietNam and would still be in if they didn't think I was too old. (almost 60) Go for it. Best think a young person can do.
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.
I was 17 when I joined the Army right out of High School. I went in because I felt it was my duty to serve my country. The only regret I have is that I went in just as the Vietnam War had ended (1975), the Army was totally "broken" and that a$$wipe Jimmy Carter was president. It was not a good time to be a soldier as the Army was rife with drugs, low morale and piss poor equipement. I served for three years with a military intelligence unit in the 82nd Airborne.
I've often wondered what a different path my life might have taken if I had served in the 1980's when President Reagan was in charge...the lesson learned here is that who is president DOES make a difference on the morale of the troops.
I joined the USMC in 1959 on my seventeenth birthday. At first I thought I had died and gone to hell, but I have never had any regrets. If I had the chance, I would do it all over again and never change a thing.
a derivation of:
Oh My God I'm F****d!
perhaps?
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.
I joined the Navy six months after graduating high school in 1976...arrived boot camp San Diego RTC November 1976...I still remember seeing thousands of guys coming in right before the year ended, in order to take advantage of the old GI Bill which expired Dec. 31...going in the military was the best move I ever made!
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.
LOL I know what you mean about the heaters and halon bottles. I was an M1A1 tanker myself. Greatest thrill taking 67 tons 40mph across the open desert, ooohhh what a rush.
HOO-AH!
I screwed around for quite some time. Kept my dependent's ID by attending just enough college to remain eligible. The day they took it away was really odd. I signed up for Army ROTC a year or two later later, mostly at the urging of CSM Gamecock who told me "Son, be smart and get a commission." He got my silver daughter after I was commissioned. He kept it by his bedside til he died 10 years later.
My 14 year old daughter just announced that while she doesn't have any intention of joining, she will marry a soldier one day. (Hope she doesn't have him picked out just yet.)
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