Veterans what prompted YOU to serve your country?

My fear when going to high school in the mid 60s was getting drafted before I could graduate and join. No one in my family had been drafted and I certainly didn't want to be the first. I think my father would have disowned me if I got drafted instead of enlisting. Its always been that way.

All the kids in my senior class were worried about being drafted, knowing most would (I graduated in '66). I couldn't understand that, I couldn't wait to enlist.

After spending three years in the Army, including a tour in Vietnam as an infantryman with the 101st, I joined the National Guard, remaining until I retired in 1992. My only regret is retiring when I did, I regretted it. Its easier to get out then get back in after you retire.
 
I tell people that "sure, a lot of guys volunteered. But I was invited!"
 
The best I remember, it was because I was young and dumb and full......
 
I graduated college with a degree in Journalism and a loathing for journalists. My Dad had been in the Army Air Corps during the big one, so I applied to Air Force OTS. Much to my surprise, they took me.

When I showed up for Navigator training at Mather AFB, I asked what would happen if I flunked the training. "We make you a cop and send you to Minot."

Nine months later I realized they really weren't kidding.

It all worked out - the hunting was good in North Dakota, and I wanted to be a cop anyway.
 
sigp220.45 said:
I graduated college with a degree in Journalism and a loathing for journalists. My Dad had been in the Army Air Corps during the big one, so I applied to Air Force OTS. Much to my surprise, they took me.

When I showed up for Navigator training at Mather AFB, I asked what would happen if I flunked the training. "We make you a cop and send you to Minot."

Nine months later I realized they really weren't kidding.

It all worked out - the hunting was good in North Dakota, and I wanted to be a cop anyway.
Click to expand...

You know....Hunter S. Thompson was a journalist in the Air Force at one time.......................Just sayin'.............:D
 
I would love to say that I had a sense of duty, or that I felt obligated to serve. The truth is I received a letter that started:

"Greetings from your President,
You are hereby ordered to report...."

Nothing like getting a letter from your President to get your rump in gear.
 
A socially acceptable way to leave (and get paid for it), the GI Bill, and because I thought it was the Right Thing to Do. i was 17 at the time, didn't register for Selective Service until after my release from Active Duty.
 
Greetings:

Graduated college, got this letter from my draft board that my friends and neighbors has selected me....reported to the induction center, passed all the mickey mouse, and got selected for the USMC. One of the "chosen" Marines. At the time, "oh, sheet!", now, proud to have worn the eagle, globe and anchor! 1969-1971. 0311! OoRah and Semper Fi to all my Marine brothers and sisters on our birthday tomorrow and to all of the veterans of all conflicts on Friday!
 
A combination of...

things: 1) I graduated college and didn't want to go to grad school; 2) no money; 3) draft deferment expiring. I tried to go Navy OCS and was dinged on eye sight; same with the Army so I just waited for the draft. Funny thing was after I got in, the Army kept asking me to go OCS or even apply for a direct commission. But by that time I had a girl friend and didn't want to extend.

My direct ancestors have served in about every war since the Revolution. I don't remember that influencing me back then, but I think about it now. One of my daughters proudly served in the Navy recently on the USS Carl Vinson.
 
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Was an Army brat my whole life, born in Japan, lived in Germany and various posts in the US. My grandfather served in WWI. My brother enlisted, went to OCS in '68 and spent two tours in Viet Nam. Plus a 4 year Army ROTC scholarship didn't hurt. All that, plus a totally worthless degree in Political Science. But hey, the Army said I had to graduate... so I ended up spending most of my adult life in uniform.
 
I was looking for a new job and when I interviewed, I was always asked if I had been in the Military. When I replied no, they all told me that they didn't want to hire me and then leave if I got drafted. I decided to go into the USAF and that's what I did.
 
After graduating in the WV coalfields in 1951 and seeing nowhere to go, plus there was a war going on, it seemed like the right thing to do. About halfway thru my tour in Korea I received my draft notice.:)
 
deralte;
Same as you; I knew that the only thing that awaited me were the coal mines, and the draft. As a kid, I read everything I could get my hands on about the Navy. Any Navy. And I really wanted to go to Hong Kong. Don't regret a minute of it.
 
My GrandFather graduated from Naval Academy in 1921 and retired in 1951 as a Rear Admiral.

Father served in WWII (enlisted) and then in the Kentucky National Guard (Officer).

Draft ended just before I was eligable. Decided if I had to go to war, I would rather be an officer than an enlisted, so in my sophmore year at EKU, I signed my contract for the advanced program in the ROTC and graduated/commissioned 2 years later (1978) and retired 28 years later (2006).
 
at 19 wanted to be a police offficer. spent 3 years as a military police in the army 1962-1965 got out and became a police officer for 25 years
 
When I first went in the Army (1960) it was just pretty much accepted that unless there was something medicly wrong with a man at age 18he joined a service. The only question was which one? Myself I got my Dad to sign for me at age 17. I didn't like school and the Army was a way out. (back then if you could pass the written test they didn't care if you had a GRADE SCHOOL diploma, much less high school)
 
Heard rumors that they had a good photography school, and knew for a fact that the Navy had produced the best basic photography text ever written (because I had studied them all). Things worked out well enough, and after a while it kind of grew on me. 25 years.
 
I felt the need to, even when I was on guard duty in the rain walking around the battalion motorpool I always thought I can say I served. I loved being in the Army and enjoyed most of the stuff I did. This weekend I am going to a reunion of DMZ Vets in Milwaukee. One of the places we are going is the Zablocki Veterans Center.
 
Wasn't making it in high school so I dropped out and joined the Navy. Got my draft notice at Bainebridge MD attending class A radio school.


Ted
 
I joined to escape from my mother.
Recruiter talked me into accepting a fun and interesting MOS that, unfortunately, had no practical outside application.
 
Graduated High school 1961. No jobs to speak of except the local manufacturing plant. My brother and I both went into the Navy. Never regreted it. Well maby a little while I was in boot camp. 4.5 yrs in the navy and 18 yrs in the air national guard. Would do it all over if I had to.
 
Very interesting thread. For me it was a family tradition, just seemed like the thing to do. My dad is a 30 year Navy vet. I grew up listening to stories of exotic places and wild adventures. I guess it rubbed off on my brother as well, he's now a master chief and just hit the 26 year mark.
 
This non-veteran can answer for at least some of the veterans.

Some of you served in relative comfort

Some of you served in one hell hole after another.

You served to protect me and my family so we could breathe the air of freedom.

Thank You Veterans, no matter why you served!
 
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Enlisted in the Navy exactly one year after Pearl Harbor. I was 17 and had more Patriotism than sense. Never regretted it.
 
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