Veterans what prompted YOU to serve your country?

One grandfather was army in WW1 in France. Other grandfather was navy in WWII in the South Pacific. An uncle in the navy in WWII. An uncle in the army in WWII (D-day invasion). Dad was in the Navy during the Korean conflict. One uncle in the Marines in Vietnam (2 tours). One uncle in the Air Force in Thailand during Vietnam. One aunt in the Air Force. Two brothers in the Air Force - one was in the first gulf war. One cousin in the army in Iraq. It is simply something we do - service to our country. My grandfather who was in the army was really excited that I picked the army over the navy!
 
When I graduated from high school, you had a "military obligation". Now this was post Korea and pre Viet Nam. I was in a high school senior class of about 350 and over fifty boys left for Army basic training.....the morning after high school graduation.

It was never "will I serve"....but "how will I serve."

Now that was just the Army and I have no idea how many may have gone to other services.

I did have at least one hero, a Marine fighter bomber pilot that serve in WWII and Korea. In WWII he flew SB2C Helldivers, in Korea, Corsairs and post Korea in the reserves he flew F9F Panthers out of Olathe Naval Air Station.

When I was learning to fly, he rode with me a number of times and showed me the "Marine way to do it"...if you know what I mean?

This fellow just passed away a few months ago. He was one hell of a Marine....and a man's man.
 
My parents immigrated to America in the late 1940s to escape communism. I grew up watching TV shows like "Combat!" and "12 o'clock high", and even as a youngster, I knew I would serve in the US armed forces when I was old enough as part of my patriotic duty to our great country. I reached my 18th birthday in 1974, disgusted that the Viet Nam war was over, and that I was cheated out of my chance to go to war and serve the USA. I joined the Army a year later, and left reluctantly 5 years later as I was one of the last of the GI Bill recipients, and it was "use it, or lose it". Oddly, I have 2 brothers and neither shared my love or sense of duty to our country. I tried to re-enter the Army after 9/11/01, but it was not to be (I'm a disabled vet and the Army would not let me waive my disability to return to active duty.) I still get a lump in my throat when I hear "The Star Spangled Banner", and I salute the flag. God bless the USA.

Warmest regards,

Dave
 
As a kid growing up in the 50's and early 60's, I pretty much expected to go into the military - and with a lottery number of 12 in 1970, I enlisted in the Navy. Aced all the entry tests, and got to pick my rating (AT). Those were ten of the most interesting years of my life !
 
My father was a newly retired USN CPO(there was no SCPO or MCPO then) and WWII veteran. His younger brother was a MCPO who eventually retired with a 30 year career. With few exceptions, every male in my family served I believe. I grew up in Norfolk, Va. and most all my friends were navy brats. I just never considered doing anything else after HS. I graduated on a Friday and the following Monday I was on the bus to Richmond and the induction station. It was just the family business. I wasn't idealistic. I just didn't want to hang around and do some boring job and wasn't a good enough student for a scholarship and was the son of a retired CPO so my folks couldn't afford to pay for college. Besides that, I wasn't motivated for another four years of school then. I wanted to join the Navy and see the world! So, I did.
 
I graduated from high school in 1962 and Dad broke my plate shortly after. I was too lazy to work and too scared to steal so I joined the Army on June 15, 1962. I guess it was lucky timing as I got out in June of 1965 just in time to watch a lot of my old school pals get drafted and sent to Vietnam.
 
I signed up for a delayed enlistment in February of 1969 in my senior year of high school. Got my dad to sign for me as I was barely 17 and one week after graduation I was on the bus to Fort Ord for Basic Training. Served 3 years with the Army Security Agency and managed to get an Associate of Arts degree while on active duty. Did a lot of growing up those three years which served me well. (o;
 
like many of the others here i was drafted. the experience helped prepare me for the rest of my life.
 
I joined the Marines to avoid the military draft. It was a good move on my part and the responsible thing to do. I miss wearing the uniform of my country.
-sevensix
 
My story is a little different, I suppose.

I managed to miss too much school to graduate with my High School Class in 1965. IIRC, one could miss up to 40 days and still either go on to the next level or graduate. But, I missed too much.

It wasn't my fault, really. It's just that I discovered girls and how soft and sweet they were and how much I liked to be with them at the beach or other places (any place but school). So, I started skipping classes with a bunch of other kids, half of which were my favorite play things-girls.

It all caught up with me in February of '65 and my choices were to repeat my Senior year or quit. I quit and went to join the Marine Corps.

I went to the recruiter's office at 8AM and waited for him till almost noon. The Air Force guy and the Navy guy tried to seduce me away, but I held out.

Then, about noon, I decided the Marine was a no-show and talked to the Army recruiter. "All you want to do is carry a rifle?
We can take care of that!"

And he did. :rolleyes:

I still like girls just fine, but, if I could go back in time....

Bob
 
Funny as it may sound, I joined the Corps out of laziness. I was working 2 jobs, and realized I wasn't really going anywhere, but I knew I didn't want to be working so much, so I went to see the recruiter with a friend who had already signed up. Funny thing is, he skipped town and was never seen again prior to his ship date.

Now, that's why I joined, but not why I stayed. I hit sixteen years last week, and looking back, I can't say I wish I would have done anything else. I love being a Marine and I don't like to think about what I will have to do in around 4 years when I have to leave. I'm hoping I'll love recruiting duty so much that I'll want to hang around and can get stationed around home.

What has really driven me for the last 12 years has been the multiple challenges I have been faced with in the Corps. I thrive on challenge, and the Corps has fed my hunger. Just a few weeks ago I completed the Martial Arts Instructor Course. At 35, I was several years older than everyone there and lots of folks said I probably wouldn't make it. I did, and it was the best challenge the Corps has provided me to date!!
 
I joined the Kansas National Guard in 1979 after quitting school, all I wanted to do was to be a mechanic but folks were dirt poor and couldn't afford to send me to school, so I signed up to be a Field Artillery systems mechanic to get the paper. Got a good enough job as a diesel mechanic when I got back from Basic, enjoyed the time in the field with the unit...then got in a spot of trouble with the law over some BS with the new wife's ex... long story short, Army recruiter took me out of county lockup to MEPS where I signed up for Army Infantry.

Did my hitch there and was out for a few years, but moved back to Kansas where the old Guard unit guys immediately visited me and got me back in with the promise of more school. Ended my time in service in 2007 due to hearing loss which the VA denies was service related, still working on that one, but acquired five MOS qualifications, a Hazmat course, three Diesel turbine courses and a couple of awards in that time.
 
I enlisted in the Army after winning the Lottery . . . back in the days of Nam.

Lottery number 004. Many times I wish I'd made a career out of it . . . I'd be long retired and have another twenty plus in my current job too! Live and learn.
 
Father retired in '64 as an O5 with 20. I always felt the citizen had an obligation to serve. I applied for the early commissioning program in '69 and was accepted. When I graduated in '73 went on AD as an O3 with duty at NOB Norfolk, Army CPT on Naval Base and boss was an AF O5 in the pentagon. On the phone the Navy folks assumed I was a Navy CAPT. Was transferred to Ft Monroe and served another year and a half on AD. Army went on a big physical fitness kick and I do not run for anybody. Enjoyed my time and the people I worked with. I always thought that doing away with the draft was a bad idea, provided it was administered impartially(not sure now that it was). Citizens could see how the system worked or didn't work and could then intelligently try to make it better.

Evening retreat still sends shivers down my back.
1700 Local. Retreat. - YouTube
 
In 59 the choice after High school was a low paying job until the draft caught up with you,so three of us joined the Marines. One became a clerk, one went to Recon and the other field wire. And we never looked back. I now have a Son Who became one of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children during Desert Storm .
 
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