Are you the only one in your immediate family, who joined the military?

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:15:34 -0500

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Nov 5 at 2015 11:17 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:17:31 -0500

Papa was in the Navy; however, I am the only child in my immediate family- who joined the military. I am the oldest of three boys; and a sister.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Nov 5 at 2015 11:19 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:19:44 -0500

Nope, my father is retired Air Force

Response by PO2 William Smith made Nov 5 at 2015 11:20 AM

PO2 William Smith — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:20:56 -0500

Dad was Army in WW2, I was Navy during Vietnam, and is serving in the Air Force since 2002.

Response by LTJG Robert M. made Nov 5 at 2015 11:21 AM

LTJG Robert M. — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:21:50 -0500

Out of my brothers & sister, I am the only one who served. Dad was army WWII, grandfather & great grandfather were both USCG.

Response by SSG Buddy Kemper made Nov 5 at 2015 11:26 AM

SSG Buddy Kemper — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:26:43 -0500

3rd generation Infantryman and combat vet. Low test scores and/or too many John Wayne movies, perhaps?

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Nov 5 at 2015 11:26 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:26:44 -0500

Yes. Mu two sisters thought I was foolish. Now my retirement check is more than they make each month! Also my medical benefits are way better than theirs! So who's foolish now?

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Nov 5 at 2015 11:40 AM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:40:05 -0500

Nearly every male on both sides of my family has served or is serving in the Armed Forces.

Response by MSgt Daniel Attilio made Nov 5 at 2015 11:42 AM

MSgt Daniel Attilio — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:42:59 -0500

My dad was USAF then Texas Air National Guard, grandfather was USN, uncle was USN and my little brother is USAF. I'm the only Marine in the bunch.

Response by SGT Lou Meza made Nov 5 at 2015 11:43 AM

SGT Lou Meza — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:43:12 -0500

I have two brothers who served in the Army . My son also served in the Army . He spent his time in Berlin Germany . And of course I also served in the Army .

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 5 at 2015 12:07 PM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:07:15 -0500

My Dad served in the Navy, but of my older sister and younger brother, I'm the only one who enlisted. My sister truly wanted to join, but was diagnosed with a disqualifying mental health disorder.

Response by 1LT David Moeglein made Nov 5 at 2015 12:12 PM

1LT David Moeglein — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:12:19 -0500

There is a long history of military service in my family. My two brothers did not serve, and neither have my children. I am grateful for having served. I think it makes me a better American.

Response by SPC Todd Hanson made Nov 5 at 2015 12:15 PM

SPC Todd Hanson — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:15:11 -0500

My mom was navy, oldest sister navy. I joined the army then my middle sister followed me to the NG

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 12:17 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:17:49 -0500

Yes, but that is thier loss. My sister went to Berkeley to protest Iraq while I was in Fallujah. Winner, Winner, Chicken dinner

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 5 at 2015 12:18 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:18:39 -0500

My family was full of teachers, so I joined the Army. Little did I know being a leader is also being a teacher in the Army.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Nov 5 at 2015 12:27 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:27:44 -0500

Two of my brothers were turned down. One because of polio as a child and one for having too many dependents. My third brother entered through ROTC at Texas. Otherwise almost everybody has served since my grandfather during WWI. Since my grandparents were immigrants I really don't know what they did before coming here. Currently several nephews are career and one recently retired as a Coast Guard CPO.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Nov 5 at 2015 12:28 PM

SSG Todd Halverson — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:28:06 -0500

Nope, Grandpa did a few years in the Army.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Nov 5 at 2015 12:32 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:32:42 -0500

Grandfathers were both Navy during WWII. My dad was drafted for Vietnam but failed the physical due to an injury in high school. Neither of my sisters served. HOWEVER, if you jump to cousins and great aunts and uncles, my family has a strong military history.

Response by SGT James Hastings made Nov 5 at 2015 12:52 PM

SGT James Hastings — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:52:56 -0500

My father was in the US Army 1930-1932 and later served 1944-1945. He was wounded fighting in Alaska in 1945. My step-father served with Patton as a Medic, from 1941 through 1945, first in Africa and then in Europe. After that he was in the reserves and called up in 1950 with the 40th Infantry Division from California serving in Japan until 1952. My son served in the US Air Force from 1973 through 1979, most of it in the Pentagon as a computer programmer.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 5 at 2015 12:59 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:59:58 -0500

No SPC Margaret Higgins I am not the only one in my family who has joined the military. One of my sons also enlisted in the Army and was an infantry soldier in 3/75 Ranger.
My paternal grandfather and his brother served in the British Army in WWI as well.

Response by WO1 Jose R. made Nov 5 at 2015 1:04 PM

WO1 Jose R. — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 13:04:33 -0500

Yes, my mom adopted 5 of us, and has 3 natural born ( three are about 20 years older than the five adopted). I am the only one to join.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 1:06 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 13:06:41 -0500

I consider my immediate family, my husband and our children. In that sense, yes I am the only one. But if you consider my parents and siblings, my Dad served in the Navy but did not retire.

SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" Hey look! It's the OH...Original Hood. ;)

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Nov 5 at 2015 2:44 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:44:20 -0500

SPC Margaret Higgins - I am an Army brat who comes from a long line of military family members. Great-grandfather, on my father's side, and all great-granduncles were Army officers, grand-father and all my grand-uncles were Army officers, father was on active duty as an officer for 42 years, as were 4 of my 5 uncles. One of my brothers was an Artillery officer, getting out as a Captain, and another was an Engineer 2-star. My sister was an Air Force nurse (Major) and my son was an Army Military Police Captain. Even on my mother's side of the family (she is French), most of my male ancestors served in the French military. I am very proud of all of them...

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Nov 5 at 2015 2:50 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:50:52 -0500

Negative, all three of my boys have or are serving as well.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 2:54 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:54:40 -0500

Does being drafted count?

My Dad joined the Navy, Stepdad drafted into the Army - both WW-II

My step son served in the Army.

In my generation I have two cousins who retired from the military and myself. Another 2 cousins served.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Nov 5 at 2015 3:00 PM

SSG John Jensen — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:00:29 -0500

Dad enlisted because he had a REAL LOW draft #, and I was the only one of the 3 sons to join, and there was the bit where I was the only one without a college degree and the only on with a job!!

Been doing the geneology thing and near as I can figure am the only one in the entire family tree to retire from military.

Response by SPC Brittany Jenkins made Nov 5 at 2015 3:11 PM

SPC Brittany Jenkins — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:11:31 -0500

Yes l, I am the only one of my siblings to join. However, my father, grandfather, and great grandfather were also in the army.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Nov 5 at 2015 3:12 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:12:30 -0500

Only one and most likely will be the only one.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 3:18 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:18:03 -0500

I got married recently, and because of that, the closest person in my family tree (relative to me) was my wife's grandfather. I'm the only one that I can find that served in any branch. It gives me a sense of pride, knowing I may inspire the generation that will come after me.

My cousin's daughter is almost three, and I could retire by the time she's able to join. Who knows?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 3:32 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:32:29 -0500

Yes

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 3:37 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:37:32 -0500

My grandfather was drafted into the Navy and served for 4 years during and after the Korean War but as far as I know I am the only person in my family to have joined Voluntarily. My grandfather passed away several years ago but my grandmother always tells me how proud he would have been, I just wish he could've been around to at least have seen me graduate from BCT.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Nov 5 at 2015 3:40 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:40:13 -0500

Yes. Devastated my Dad as he wanted me to go to college first. But as I succeeded in life, he got over it. As for two of my siblings, they could care less about the military or veterans. However, once my nephew went into the Air Force (thanks to my encouragement) my brother was all about veterans and the military. My 3rd sibling idolized me, he was 5 at the time. When I retired at 55, my siblings were envious. The irony, I never bragged about my accomplishments (except when my younger brother would compete with hourly salary-he stopped when I began making more than him). Was referred to by some in the family as "lucky." Not sure how much luck had to do with the friggin' hard work I put in and my family endured.

Response by PO2 John Crutchfield made Nov 5 at 2015 3:42 PM

PO2 John Crutchfield — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:42:37 -0500

My dad was a combat pilot in the Pacific in WWII. That said, none of my brothers and sister were interested in the military. As the youngest sibling, I joined the Navy in 1987. Aside from my Dad, only one brother thought it was a great idea. I'm still working in the same field today as when I enlisted in 1987.

Response by SSG Ray Strenkowski made Nov 5 at 2015 3:50 PM

SSG Ray Strenkowski — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:50:37 -0500

Yes. My father had deferments during Vietnam. Some of my Uncles went on both sides. My great Uncle was an MP in the Philippines during WWII.

I do have a cousin in the Air Force. Does that really count though?

Response by LTC Jeffrey Strickland made Nov 5 at 2015 4:55 PM

LTC Jeffrey Strickland — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 16:55:14 -0500

My Father was in the Army in WWII. I have an uncle who commissioned me into the Army, and a step brother who preceded me into military service. I consider all of those to be immediate family since my uncle was more like a father nad my step-brother was and is the closest sibling.

Response by CSM Carl Cunningham made Nov 6 at 2015 1:49 AM

CSM Carl Cunningham — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 01:49:10 -0500

That I am......and I was fortunate enough to achieve the rank of Sergeant Major. Maybe I will start a trend, however, I will not force my children to join.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Nov 6 at 2015 12:34 PM

SSG Ed Mikus — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 12:34:55 -0500

Well none of my siblings joined but one of my grandfather served several uncles served and retired multiple cousins served and more extended relatives served as well

Response by MSG Kevin Elliott made Nov 6 at 2015 9:08 PM

MSG Kevin Elliott — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 21:08:56 -0500

My father and both grandfathers served in WWII. Two of my sons served too. One in the Army and one in the Air Force. Sleepless nights when one was in Iraq and the other was in Afghanistan.
One of my wife's uncles served and died in Viet Nam. One of her nephews is in the Army Reserve.

Response by CPO Michael Railey made Nov 12 at 2015 1:43 PM

CPO Michael Railey — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 13:43:18 -0500

Between guards and active duty in Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, had my Father, Brother and number of Uncles and cousins that were in the military.

Response by RADM Jay Yakeley made Nov 12 at 2015 4:33 PM

RADM Jay Yakeley — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 16:33:04 -0500

No, my grandfather was in the Navy, my dad commanded VPB-128 a bomber squadron in WWII and also flew in the Korean war. My brother was an attack pilot in the Navy.

Response by BG Mike Bridges made Nov 13 at 2015 1:54 AM

BG Mike Bridges — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 01:54:05 -0500

Yes, but it was who I was meant to be. My Uncle was KIA/1967 RVN when I was seven, and I promised to grow up and take his place. Turned into a 34 year, 7 months and 22 days tour of duty.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Nov 13 at 2015 8:43 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 08:43:48 -0500

Nope Father retired Air Force, I am retired Army!

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Nov 15 at 2015 12:11 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 12:11:40 -0500

my dad, his dad and my step-father were all in the military. None of my siblings nor our children have joined.

Response by LTC Jason Carter made Nov 19 at 2015 2:08 PM

LTC Jason Carter — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 14:08:20 -0500

Nope. A lot of my relatives have served all the way back from the Civil War to present day. GG Grandfather in WWI, Great uncle in WWII, uncle in Vietnam, dad in Vietnam era as well. Now, it's my turn to serve.