Have you ever thought you should have enlisted in a different branch?

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 09:56:32 -0500

As the anniversary of my retirement approaches, I've been reflecting on my time as a service member. I loved my time in the Air Force and wouldn't trade the experiences for anything in the World. Each service component is a vital cog in the DoD machine and they do that very well. One theme seems to keep popping up in my memories. Several times over the last few years of my service I was told I was to “gung-ho” for the Air Force and “Hey Sgt Holt, this isn't the Army or Marines”. It got me to wondering, would I have been a better fit in another branch? Has anyone else ever had thoughts similar to this?

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Dec 15 at 2015 10:02 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 10:02:18 -0500

I actually was trying to get in the Airforce but my scores weren't high enough so my destiny was to be in the Army. I do have one regret, not taking the Army serious enough to get more schooling so I could have at least retired at a higher rank, big difference in pay lol.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 10:13 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 10:13:04 -0500

As a young man, I came very close to joining the Navy. I was all about wanting to be a Nuc on a submarine.
Life (OK, a girl) got in the way, and by the time I decided I still wanted to join, the proverbial ship had sailed.
Life would have been very different if I had gone the other way.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Dec 15 at 2015 11:05 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 11:05:12 -0500

LOL, I changed my perspective a few times...
When enlisting the first time, there was no question. Marines. Needed what they were selling-DISCIPLINE. That has followed me (and benefited me-Oorah)
Having bounced around a bit, I have found that the Air Guard is a great home, and proud as hell that I will be retiring before too long from a long and adventurous career.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Dec 15 at 2015 12:44 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 12:44:39 -0500

At the time that I joined most people didn't have much choice. Due to Vietnam everything but the Army had long waiting lists and you were likely to get drafted while you were waiting. For me it turned out fine because I loved the army. However if I had really had a choice I might have joined the Coast Guard instead because I have always loved boats and the water and they do lots of great things during peace time.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 12:57 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 12:57:02 -0500

No, but I regret leaving the Marines and joining the Army. I've been in the Army over twice as long as I was in the USMC and still feel as I don't quite "fit in."

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 15 at 2015 1:31 PM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 13:31:12 -0500

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P Not even a little. I'm 3rd-gen Navy, and I love everything about my time in, the traditions, the connection with our past. Plus, I still do it as a Merchant Marine.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Dec 15 at 2015 3:25 PM

SGT Patrick Reno — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:25:08 -0500

Only once. When I was at Benning my brother who was in the Air Force was at Tampa Bay. Went down and spent a weekend with him. Being in the Air Force had never crossed my mind until we went into the mess hall to eat.

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made Dec 15 at 2015 9:12 PM

SGT Lawrence Corser — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:12:56 -0500

just to get more of the ladies. sadly the Infantry was very male.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 9:17 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:17:13 -0500

Not a single day! The only regrets I have had during my military career were a couple days during basic think what the hell did I get myself into but I attribute this to the fact that I was nearly 27 and had given up a lot of freedoms. The other was that I didn't start my schooling earlier in my career.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 15 at 2015 9:20 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:20:38 -0500

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P Of course not! I always wanted to be a 1SG in the Army as Burt Lancaster was in, 'From Here to Eternity'!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 9:59 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:59:33 -0500

Well, I served in two (Air Force active and Army Reserve. Never regretted the AF until I was forced our. And, the Army sends me my retirement pay every month.

I did two training stints at army posts while in the AF. Fort Leonard Wood and Ft Belvoir. It was not as nice as the AF bases where I served.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Dec 15 at 2015 10:09 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 22:09:29 -0500

Never. Before enlisting I had heard that promotions in the Air Force were hard to come by and I was not thrilled with the idea of rice paddies. All things being equal I would do it again.