Veterans what prompted YOU to serve your country?

[Engineer1911]

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.

 

[desto]

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]

I got Drafted

 

[dcxplant]

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!!

 

[ridgerunner609]

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]

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!

 

[LoboGunLeather]

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.

 

[Seneca]

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!!

 

[22shtur]

I couldn't wait to join the military, be a bad *** and travel the world. After 7 years active duty, and now 33 years reserves, I'll be retiring next year at age 60.