Anyone else feel like they joined the military too young?

2018-03-12T20:57:40-04:00

Anyone else feel like they joined too young? For me, I enlisted at 17, shipped out right before i turned 19 and got out about a year and a half ago at 22.

Although I had a great career, deployed a few times, made some great friends and had an overall blast I feel like maybe 18 was too young to leave home. I absolutely loved being a Marine, and I never thought this at the time, looking back however I feel like I definitely would have made a better overall Marine and appreciated the experience more had I joined now at 24. Anyone else feel similarly?

I don't really have many regrets from my time in but honestly I am pretty sad that my time is up. I was never the most motivated, I skated more than my fair share, and complained about literally everything with the best of em, but I loved every miserable second.

Civilian life isn't that hard, however its been over a year now and I still feel like I am not 100% adjusted to being a normal person yet and don't know if I ever will.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 9:01 PM

2018-03-12T21:01:53-04:00

No I don't

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Mar 12 at 2018 9:03 PM

2018-03-12T21:03:27-04:00

Joined at 18 reported at 19. Would do it again.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Mar 12 at 2018 9:04 PM

2018-03-12T21:04:12-04:00

If anything, I wished I had joined earlier. I didn't enlist until I was 24.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 9:05 PM

2018-03-12T21:05:58-04:00

I joined at age 17 and it was the best thing I could do at that age.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 12 at 2018 9:12 PM

2018-03-12T21:12:42-04:00

I had to think about that for awhile....I dont kmow if being too young is the essential point, though I can understand why you raise the question, certainly. I think what frequently happens is that one often joins on the basis of incomplete info, with inadequate time to research all the svcs, and find out about where specific work with is done, and by what groups. I often wish I'd waited and done grad school beforehand, so as to have not needed to have worried about it, and also to have gone clinical before going in, so I could've been on the clinical side, not the line side. Further. I only found out much later about the USPHS Commissioned Corps, which I do wish I'd gone into instead, as I'm quite convinced, in retrospect that I would've been far more suited for that SVC, certainly. I think a combination of sheer ignorance, born of sheer overeagerness, tends to make one join at what might ne a wrong point, combined with a fundamental ignorance of what basic question a to ask, as well as just simply not knowing ahead of time what might conceivably go wrong with one's plans or hopes, despite one's best efforts. Those are my thoughts, such as they are, obviously, such thohpghts are certainly biased in my own mind by what happened to me, which, clearly, might certainly not ne the norm for he majority of those seeking to go in, of course...I alsomwemt straight from an Army ROTF program to USAF OTS, and found, perhaps not unexpectedly, that those I was at he school with, who were prior enlisted, did better if only by don't of prior exposure and acclimatization to service life as enlisted before going commissioned...that I do think carries, a good deal of truth, also, in retrospect, certainly...I'd considered going enlistedmwith !y bachelors and tryuing for an OCS after going in, esp anavy nuclear program, however, ISAF OTS said yeah, so my father convinced me to go, I just wish many times I'd known more beforehand, and taken more time as to where I'd have asked to ne assigned, I was given that option, between five installations, the one I went with had me in an environ!ent I was trained for, however, not on the clinical side, as I'd hoped...a recruited had offered!e thst chance, however. I ignorantly passed on it, not realizing till only much later the overall effect of such a precipitous choice without taking such adequate time to explore every possible option well beforehand, so far as humanly possible.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 12 at 2018 9:13 PM

2018-03-12T21:13:28-04:00

In other words, I dont regret going, certainly. I just wish I'd done a netter job of preparing and choosing beforehand, that's all, honest.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Mar 12 at 2018 9:19 PM

2018-03-12T21:19:41-04:00

Joined up at 19 and boy did I need it,no regrets

Response by MAJ Don Bigger made Mar 12 at 2018 9:22 PM

2018-03-12T21:22:14-04:00

DEP at 17, left for MCRD shortly after 18th birthday. Don’t think it was too young. Still would have chosen the Corps, but I do wish I had been more aware of career field (MOS) options. Of course, maybe I was. Maybe my recruiter went over all of it with me. After all, it was 48 years ago. :)

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 9:26 PM

2018-03-12T21:26:43-04:00

Sgt Joey Ski Military life changes you forever. Once a Marine, Always a Marine. I joined when I was 18 in 1968, and was 22 when I was discharged in 1972. I have no regrets about joining. There was no love for the military back then, but keeping very busy helped with the adjustment to civilian life. I was working full time and going to school full time, and did not have much time to think about anything but work and school. You are a veteran and will gradually adjust to civilian life, but you will always be different than those that have never served.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Mar 12 at 2018 9:34 PM

2018-03-12T21:34:11-04:00

Hated school, joined Navy at 18 and four months. Spent the next years in Navy classrooms. No regrets, my predominant memories are positive, even when learning the hard way how to be a good sailor. 21 years later, had some regrets about retirement, but it all worked out well for me in the private industry.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Mar 12 at 2018 9:42 PM

2018-03-12T21:42:38-04:00

Sgt Joey Ski: The best thing I ever did was to join the Army. I enlisted at the age of twenty-three; and, have never looked back. Became a professional in the Army: and, as such, have used that professionalism as: a photographer, as a singer, as a Facebook coach of seven groups.

Response by TSgt David L. made Mar 12 at 2018 10:17 PM

2018-03-12T22:17:11-04:00

I worked and didn't join until I was 20. I almost felt a step behind the younger kids at times. I also found humor in shit that the younger guys didn't see either, but that might have just been my personality!
You may never adjust or feel normal. No doubt you did shit that your peers will never know, nor would they understand.
You could always go back. Different service, different job? Maybe complete yourself again. I almost got out a couple of times but when ETS came near I couldn't see myself doing anything else and being happy.
Good luck, Sgt Joey Ski.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Mar 12 at 2018 10:43 PM

2018-03-12T22:43:01-04:00

I wasn't doing well in college, except for drinking beer. Enlisted in the Navy in April, '66, went to boot camp in August. I feel it was a great maturing experience. After I got out in '70 I went back to school and never earned less than a B grade and then only two of those.

We are all different and our experiences are internalized differently so it is very hard for one of us to say definitely that you should have done anything differently.

I think complaining is a part of military service, regardless of your branch. Think I started on the first morning boot camp and probably didn't stop until I convinced the local Naval Reserve, after I got out, that I was not going to their f&&&ing meetings an hour and a half away.

All things being equal, and maybe not everything, I'd do it all again.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Mar 12 at 2018 10:47 PM

2018-03-12T22:47:12-04:00

Enlisted two weeks after high school. Turned 18 a few weeks after Boot Camp. No regrets.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 10:54 PM

2018-03-12T22:54:57-04:00

I go back and forth on this. I joined at 17 and I went to Basic about a month after high school graduation. At times I wish I went off to college right away like my friends, but I was veering down a bad path my senior year of high school. I was partying way too much and I probably would have drank my way out of school within a semester. When I finally didi make my way back to school I had matured a bit and I ended up being an honors student instead of a dropout.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Mar 12 at 2018 11:36 PM

2018-03-12T23:36:26-04:00

It took me a few years to adjust fully back to civilian life and get past all the second thoughts and that was just service during the Cold War. The longer you stay a civilian the more your going to see that was a life of sacrifice like none other. Maybe you'll pass a ARNG Convoy in the rain or sleet or maybe you'll watch your 401(k) jump in one year to several times what you made in one year as a Private. Sooner or later though, you will cross the threshold of not regretting leaving all that much.

Also, I ETS'd at 26 or 27 and the reason I seperated is I started to get the feeling life was passing me by, 2 years as ARNG and another three Years Regular Army Infantry. It was definitely in my mind, do I really want to do another 15-17 years of this? Do I want to keep moving assignments all over the country and world? Answer was no and I really wanted to use my college fund. So made the decision to exit.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Mar 12 at 2018 11:40 PM

2018-03-12T23:40:13-04:00

Sgt Joey Ski I joined one moth after finishing high school I was seventeen. Definitely one of the best decisions I made in my life.

Peace!

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Mar 12 at 2018 11:47 PM

2018-03-12T23:47:49-04:00

I cannot wait to be done and stay in one place longer than three years and if I was to turn 17 again, I would enlist again. Been a great ride and is something I will always be proud of.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 13 at 2018 1:59 AM

2018-03-13T01:59:05-04:00

I think its a rather personal thing. I don't think a person who is living with their parents much past 18 is growing that much as person. Living at home, particularly if your family is loving and supportive, is comfortable on the one hand but you don't develop the self reliance skills you need to be truly successful in life. Getting out on your own makes you grow because you will face difficulties and have to learn how to overcome them. Just my opinion.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Mar 13 at 2018 2:17 AM

2018-03-13T02:17:26-04:00

Joined DEP a month after turning 17. Went to boot camp the very DAY after I graduated. No regrets. Best thing I could have done at the time. Only regret is not making it a career.

Response by MSG David Malone made Mar 13 at 2018 4:11 AM

2018-03-13T04:11:01-04:00

I joined the Army at 29, when the draft was still in effect! I was 2 years older than my basic training Cdr; a Cpt! My fellow trainees called me “old man.” I graduated with the American Spirit Honor Medal, signifying top battalion trainee! I must admit I spent some time during basic encouraging my fellow “teen trainees” who it seemed at the time were easily discouraged and “wanted to return home and mama,” even the few National Guard trainees who were scheduled to return home following their 8 weeks of basic anyway! I retired as a Master Sergeant in ‘91. I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything, to include an uninterrupted weekend with Britney Spears! And considering my affection for her, that’s saying a lot! Grrr!

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 13 at 2018 6:51 AM

2018-03-13T06:51:25-04:00

Joined the year I turned 19, went to basic the next year turned 20, 5 months later.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2018 8:30 AM

2018-03-13T08:30:36-04:00

I turned 18 on Parris island. I look back on it now and still think it was the right decision. I got out after 5 years and went to college where I did very well because A) I was older and B) I had more discipline than any other college freshman. Had I gone to college first, I would not have done as well but might have taken my enlistment more seriously at times. So I think that being young is just that, and we all have to go through it. We have to make some mistakes and live a little bit before we start figuring some stuff out. I'm 40 now and am still learning. The difference between now and when I was 18 is that now I'm fully aware that I don't know everything. You couldn't have convinced me of that 22 years ago.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Mar 13 at 2018 9:13 AM

2018-03-13T09:13:01-04:00

Sgt Joey Ski If you still have it in you... why not come on back?

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Mar 13 at 2018 9:22 AM

2018-03-13T09:22:45-04:00

Went into DEP at 17 and shipped out several months after turning 18. For me it was a good thing as I was itching to get out from under the parents (that had nothing to do with joining). The military lets you get out and experience life beyond your parents and offers a safety net that prevents one from completely screwing up unless one is just an utter screw up.
Still have not 100% adjusted to being a "normal" person.

Response by LTC Robin Gronovius made Mar 13 at 2018 9:45 AM

2018-03-13T09:45:48-04:00

I was convinced to join ROTC at 18 and liked it. I enlisted in the Guard at 19, commissioned on active duty at 22, retired at 47. If I was older when I first joined, I may have been a little wiser in my earlier career. Not that I made bad decisions, t's just that I may have made better ones.

For you, it is not too late. You have the GI Bill, you can go to college, get a degree, go through ROTC or OCS and reenter as an officer. It's also not too late to reenlist.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Mar 13 at 2018 10:31 AM

2018-03-13T10:31:16-04:00

Yes, 24 was way to young!

Response by CPL Mark Andersen made Mar 13 at 2018 11:22 AM

2018-03-13T11:22:41-04:00

If I had not enlisted at 17, I would not be the man I am today. No regrets, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Response by SPC Patricia K. (Williams) Elliott made Mar 13 at 2018 11:34 AM

2018-03-13T11:34:44-04:00

My 11 years in the Army was very fulfilling. I did a lot of growing up and became who I am today because of the Army. Never regretted being in and often find myself wishing I had stayed but at that time of my life I had become a wife and mother and was heading in another direction. I don't think joining at 17 or 18 is to young and often find my self recommending the military to those young people who have no sense of purpose or idea of what they are wanting to do! If I weren't so old and out of shape I'd do it again!!

Response by MSG Charles Turner made Mar 13 at 2018 11:42 AM

2018-03-13T11:42:41-04:00

Sgt Ski,

I too joined at 17 years young. Where I was maybe a bit more naive that the others, I think I was more open to some other areas and it helped me advance and later when changes came (as they always seem to do). My time may have been different as well as I joined when Vietnam was ending and the RIF (Reduction in Force for Officers and NCOs was in effect). Most Junior grade NCOs were my age or a year or two older and we had hardly any E-6 and E-7s in my early units. The military was wide open to me and I stayed a career and retired at 37, when I seen then next "wave" and the changes coming with it.

So I would say "No", I felt I joined at just the right time. Well At least for me.

~ole Sarge~

Response by SPC Stiv ChenRobbins made Mar 13 at 2018 12:58 PM

2018-03-13T12:58:09-04:00

I started at 26, and wish I would have started a bit earlier. I don't know how well I would have done at 18, though; I was terribly unfocused and undisciplined (though the Army fixed what was left of that, when I finally did go in). Still, I can't help but think if I had started at 18 I would have gone career, with all the good and bad that would entail.

Response by Jordan Gaudard made Mar 13 at 2018 2:07 PM

2018-03-13T14:07:52-04:00

Sgt Joey Ski I joined at 21 years old, and I wish I joined right out of high school. Of course I know I probably wouldn't have the same job, or anything that I have now. Really wish I could do it all over again, because I've loved all the 11 years I have in.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Mar 13 at 2018 3:58 PM

2018-03-13T15:58:03-04:00

Nope. I went in after college - enlisted. I was one of the older ones. Most people in my basic platoon were 18, 19. One who became a good friend joined at 17. Turned 18 there.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2018 3:59 PM

2018-03-13T15:59:53-04:00

I suppose I could "legally" claim I was 17 when I swore in...though whether or not Annapolis "counts" is debatable.

Even if I consider 20, the age I was when commissioned...it was far too young.

If I could go back, and start at 24 , if not 25...I'm certain myself, and the Navy would've got more out of the experience. If they'd waiver a 40 year old in, they'd probably get a lot better from me in some aspects...so long as I could run less, and think more :)

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Mar 13 at 2018 4:25 PM

2018-03-13T16:25:18-04:00

I enlisted at 18 and went active at 19, I got out at 39 and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 13 at 2018 5:19 PM

2018-03-13T17:19:24-04:00

I went in a month after my 17th Birthday and never regretted it

Response by SMSgt Mark Gildersleeve made Mar 13 at 2018 6:44 PM

2018-03-13T18:44:12-04:00

Enlisted 4 days after I turned 18, left for basic couple months later...No regrets....

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2018 10:19 PM

2018-03-13T22:19:29-04:00

What’s normal? What are you expecting?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 13 at 2018 10:25 PM

2018-03-13T22:25:30-04:00

You do know that several men enlisted and fought in WWII when they were 14-15.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2018 10:44 PM

2018-03-13T22:44:45-04:00

Enlisted ^ went straight to boot camp at NTC Great Lakes four days after high school graduation. My family couldn't afford to keep me and there were no jobs in the small town where I grew up. So, I enlisted for four, then a six year reenlistment (with a commision before I completed nine years). The rest was history.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2018 4:49 AM

2018-03-14T04:49:11-04:00

I'm months away from retiring at 37...so no.lol

Response by LCpl James Schleich made Mar 14 at 2018 12:26 PM

2018-03-14T12:26:41-04:00

Being younger made it easier in boot camp. We had 8 people over the age of 21 in my platoon and none of them made it through. Being older would have been better once I hit the Fleet.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2018 6:34 AM

2018-03-15T06:34:37-04:00

I wouldn’t say I regret it however I wish I would’ve waited a year. I joined in January of my senior year and left 4 days after I graduated in June I was 17, my MTI’s made me dorm chief all throughout basic I had to try to relate to these people who were anywhere from 18 to 32 and get them to listen to someone who had very little experience in the world. I turned 18 in tech school and almost had the same situation. I just think that if I had waited a year I might have had a better understanding of how the world really works. I mean in all honesty the military is probably the easiest job/career on earth especially today. From what I’ve seen, no civilian job offers the same security that the military does. That’s just my two cents

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Mar 15 at 2018 6:45 AM

2018-03-15T06:45:47-04:00

Sgt Joey Ski
Good question but something to think about. If you had waited until yo were 24 would you have gone in? Or would you have started a career and a time away messed up your career. If you made Sgt that fast you must hae done something right. Thanks for your service. You did serve, many don'r and no body can take that away.

Response by Sgt William Pilgrim Jr. made Mar 15 at 2018 6:49 AM

2018-03-15T06:49:22-04:00

Nope Joined at the right age enlisted at 17 had a delayed entry when I turn 18 and loved the Marine Corps..

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Mar 16 at 2018 8:09 AM

2018-03-16T08:09:47-04:00

I joined the reserves when I was 17 and went active duty when I was 19. I still had some growing up to do, we all do at that age, but I don't regret a second of that. There are some civilians who never seem to mature beyond that of a teenager.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2018 9:22 PM

2018-03-16T21:22:47-04:00

Signed my contract on my 17th birthday, swore in at MEPS 4 days later and still going 33 years (in 2 weeks) later.

Response by PO1 Don Mac Intyre made May 13 at 2018 7:45 PM

2018-05-13T19:45:33-04:00

Joined at 17. Left for boot at barely 18.
Served until I was 38. No regrets. Not one.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made May 16 at 2018 5:24 PM

2018-05-16T17:24:25-04:00

I joined at 17 and I am retiring at 52. Life gave me a crazy hand and the military was the only option. I thank God for the structure, discipline, and military family!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 1:49 PM

2018-05-17T13:49:21-04:00

I enlisted 2 days after my 18th birthday and was 18 at basic and AIT. Would do it all again.