As do we all.
Veterans what prompted YOU to serve your country?
- Thread starter oldafsp
- Start date
As do we all.
straightshooter1
US Veteran
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.
I still like girls just fine, but, if I could go back in time....
Bob
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.
I still like girls just fine, but, if I could go back in time....
Bob
mtb1bkr
US Veteran
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!!
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!!
writerinmo
US Veteran
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.
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.
tom turner
US Veteran
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.
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.
mwtdvm
Member
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
Evening retreat still sends shivers down my back.
1700 Local. Retreat. - YouTube
And most of us miss being able to FIT into the uniform of our country ;D
m75rlg
US Veteran
Joining up was the easiest way to avoid the draft in 1971!
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 .
HS graduation June 1966, 2 years college, 2 years sheet metal apprentice. May 1970 my lottery number is at 118, local draft board is at #123. I was just laid off from work because of the Nixon economy. Option #1: Join the air force today. Option #2: You will be in the army June 1, 1970.
Basic training at age 22 is a real physical and mental challenge. Tech school was a walk in the park and almost fun. During my first year on active duty my ex-wife paid more Federal income tax than I earned in total pay. My income went from $160 / week clear to $115 / month gross. Promoted to Staff Sargeant (E-5) with a date of rank 1 year and 11 months after the Nixon wage freeze is resolved in a court case. Served as an aircraft mechanic on KC-135, B-52, FB-111A, and F-4D. Served in Plattsburgh, New York and Udorn, Thailand. I was in Thailand from October 1973 until August 1974 serving a total of 4 years and 3 months.
In 1974, only 9% of the guys who made E-5 during their first enlistment got out of the AF. I am part of a proud minority and have never regretted for 1 second that decision to get discharged at Travis, AFB.
I graduated with a mechanical engineering degree in December 1978 from U of Wisconsin paid for in part by the GI bill. I did not have any student loans to repay at graduation.
Basic training at age 22 is a real physical and mental challenge. Tech school was a walk in the park and almost fun. During my first year on active duty my ex-wife paid more Federal income tax than I earned in total pay. My income went from $160 / week clear to $115 / month gross. Promoted to Staff Sargeant (E-5) with a date of rank 1 year and 11 months after the Nixon wage freeze is resolved in a court case. Served as an aircraft mechanic on KC-135, B-52, FB-111A, and F-4D. Served in Plattsburgh, New York and Udorn, Thailand. I was in Thailand from October 1973 until August 1974 serving a total of 4 years and 3 months.
In 1974, only 9% of the guys who made E-5 during their first enlistment got out of the AF. I am part of a proud minority and have never regretted for 1 second that decision to get discharged at Travis, AFB.
I graduated with a mechanical engineering degree in December 1978 from U of Wisconsin paid for in part by the GI bill. I did not have any student loans to repay at graduation.
desto
Member
I got a GI JOE when I was about 5, 1969...dress blue uniform, I wanted to be a Marine ever since that day.
GRIZZLYBEAR
US Veteran
I got Drafted
dcxplant
Member
Reagan's first inauguration. We were headed for Penn Ave with two ladders and some boards to make a make a grandstand, and as we made our way, there were Marines posted here and there.
There was one in particular that caught my attention, and he was the epitome of a Marine; square jaw, broad shoulders, and very intense ice cold blue eyes. He stood motionless and had the stern expression of duty and honor. His uniform was gleaming and immaculate.
Me being a first class smart alec, I said "hello" and tried to engage him. It was like I didn't exist. It made a lasting, ney, permanent, impression on me that a person could have that much self-control and discipline.
At that moment I knew I wanted to possess that kind of skill.
My senior year in High School I enlisted in the Marines, and at 17 found myself on Paris Is. What a wake up call for a 17 year old irresponsible punk!!
There was one in particular that caught my attention, and he was the epitome of a Marine; square jaw, broad shoulders, and very intense ice cold blue eyes. He stood motionless and had the stern expression of duty and honor. His uniform was gleaming and immaculate.
Me being a first class smart alec, I said "hello" and tried to engage him. It was like I didn't exist. It made a lasting, ney, permanent, impression on me that a person could have that much self-control and discipline.
At that moment I knew I wanted to possess that kind of skill.
My senior year in High School I enlisted in the Marines, and at 17 found myself on Paris Is. What a wake up call for a 17 year old irresponsible punk!!
ridgerunner609
US Veteran
I got out of High School and tried College for a year and it wasn't for me at the time so I Enlisted in the Corps. I didn't like the options around home as far as jobs went, it was be a corrections officer which I did after I got out or work one of many minimum or barely above minimum wage jobs. Then I decided to go to school on the GI Bill.
MacGuffin
Member
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Didn't really like high school. Why would I like college? But, the prevailing wisdom at the time... go to college. So, I did. ...for about a month! (What a waste of money!) What then? I drove to the USMC recruiter and signed the docs.
That was during the Reagan years, which was a good time to be in the military. I did a four-year tour, and then decided to give college another shot. What a difference a little discipline makes!
Semper Fi!
That was during the Reagan years, which was a good time to be in the military. I did a four-year tour, and then decided to give college another shot. What a difference a little discipline makes!
Semper Fi!
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
What "prompted" me to serve? In 1968 there were still a lot of notices being mailed out, inviting us to attend a "pre-induction physical examination". I received one, got on the bus, spent two days undergoing testing and physical examinations, got on another bus to basic training, and about a week later I was allowed to call home and let them know where I was.
In a demonstration of government efficiency, I was sent another draft notice a year later while I was in Vietnam. I showed it to my First Sergeant and told him that I had to go to Kansas City right away. That didn't work.
In a demonstration of government efficiency, I was sent another draft notice a year later while I was in Vietnam. I showed it to my First Sergeant and told him that I had to go to Kansas City right away. That didn't work.
Seneca
US Veteran
Married June '67, draft notice Oct '67, Infantry graduation Feb '68, Nam June '68. I now consider it an honor and a privilege to have served my country. This is a great and good country, despite the pimples and blemishes; I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. God bless America and all who serve(d) to keep it free!!
