What was the reason you joined the US Military?

Honest truth - I joined because the path I was on would have ended in jail or death for me. In this order - Wife started an affair with my Brother, brother would not take her in, and I had a son with her, so I couldn't throw her out, nor could I move elsewhere, as she had no job, and I had to provide for my son, and could not afford two residences. My ex wife and brother began to attempt provoking me into a violent response, starting arguments and baiting me, in which I would walk away from. My friends offered a coping mechanism, cocaine. Another friend introduced me to "cooking" the cocaine into crack. Within weeks, I was sucking a glass stem daily, and a few weeks later, I lost my job because of it. I had a sizable bank account to make ends meet for a short period, but i was spending money on cocaine as well, so it didn't last that long. eventually, I stopped paying rent, and thats when my brother finally took her in, but seeing my son would cause great problems, as they still tried to provoke a violent response from me. I eventually got an eviction notice, and went on a binge, I woke up in a strange place, surrounded by strangers, and glass stems, and had an epiphany. I had no where to turn to, My family was not an option, my wife was not an option, and my friends were of no help. no matter what I did, I was going to lose my son if I continued down this path, either I would be in jail, or I would die either through drugs, or a stupid chance encounter with the people I was associating with, As I was walking back to my home contemplating all of this, I saw the recruiting station. I was 29 at the time, and I spoke to a SSG about options, what the age limit was for enlistment, and what would be the fastest MOS to ship out with. Turned out it was Infantry. I and the SSG had a conversation with my landlord, and we came to an agreement, I could stay until I shipped in exchange for everything in my home. The SSG also helped me clean up and held me to my word about staying clean and get to MEPS ready. he helped a lot during that ordeal. The hardest part was walking away from my Son, to go wherever the Army needed me, and not be able to see him as much as I wished. It was the best decision I ever made in my life.

I wanted to fly for the Air Force since I was about 10 years old. I joined the Civil Air Patrol Cadet program as soon as I was old enough and stayed with it through high school. When I started college, I took Air Force ROTC (all male students had to take ROTC or physical education for at least 2 years). I applied for and received an Air Force scholarship for my JR and SR years--a good thing because my folks ran out of money for tuition. This was in the days before easy student loans. I commissioned at graduation and went to pilot training about 6 weeks later. Completed pilot training in July 1971. First dream complete.

SFC Michael Hasbun, I didn't do it for the money. I wanted to fly. My salary as a 2LT was about $400/month. If you figured a 40 hour week (HA!), we were making about $2.50/hr. A big raise from the $1.25 I was making before I went into the Air Force.

I joined the Army Reserve because it was the best opportunity at the time. I told my recruiter I wanted to go straight to college so I could become an Officer. Then I found out I could be a full time college student and still be part of the military through the Reserve. Now, I’ll have prior enlisted experience, 6 years towards a reserve retirement, and be paid more than other Lieutenants when I commission. Plus, $10,000 was pretty sweet as well.