I've heard it said that a legacy of service is the most important reason folks join. Is this true?

CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 08:01:37 -0500

So I have heard that more than any other reason, the reason people serve is that there is a history of service in their family. For me, my late fought in Korea, and my Uncle in Vietnam. My grandparents have a history of service as well. Is this true in your experience?

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 11 at 2013 10:01 AM

SFC James Baber — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 10:01:16 -0500

I would think that would've been true a generation or two ago, but not maybe so much in today's society. Myself it was a partial reason, my father retired from AF, he had three brothers that served various forces, both grandfathers served WWII and Korea, and great grandfather on father's side served. So it is generational for most, but it is also how you were brought up to think about service to country as well.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2013 11:59 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 23:59:22 -0500

Although I joined after my brother did, it was largely for selfish (read: monetary and job opportunity) reasons. It was not until AFTER I joined that I found out that both of my Grandfathers had served in the Military...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2013 12:54 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 00:54:26 -0500

Both my grandfathers served in WWII and my dad was crash rescue during Vietnam in the Marines. Many years I was told that I didn't have to do a career but I was give to the country. Both me and my two brothers are serving and glad everyday.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2014 10:58 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 22:58:06 -0500

I came from a long legacy of family members who served. I grew up in a military household for my early childhood. My wife is form a military family as well. Before I joined, I was always interested in military history. I was a teacher out of college, and always spent time to tell my students about real "heroes." While I had no problem with kids liking athletes or musicians, I wanted to realize what a real hero does and how they give of their time, talents, and lives. We spent time in class each week reading the Medal of Honor citations. It was very eye-opening for them. Then, I realized that I spoke of service, but had never actually served. I wanted to lead by example. I still hear from many of my past students and am encouraged to see the impact those lessons had on them.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 31 at 2014 9:30 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 09:30:10 -0400

I'm sure a paycheck, stability, healthcare, space A travel, commisaries, the PX, dental, BAH, BAS and SGLI, the GI Bill and Tuition Assistance have at least SOMETHING to do with it...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 10:38 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 10:38:35 -0400

My father, grandfathers and two uncles all served in the Army during wartime. I can trace my family history back to Colonial times. Part of my family were Loyalists and moved to Canada during the Revolution, and the rest stayed in New York and supported the rebellion. My 3x Great Grandfather served in the Iowa Infantry during the Civil War.

Almost 19 years ago, I joined the Army for the college money.

Response by SPC David Wyckoff made Apr 14 at 2014 9:29 AM

SPC David Wyckoff — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:29:14 -0400

I have no evidence and I can't prove any of my theory but as I listen more and more to this thread and threads like it I am convinced that there is a core of families that are sending their members to serve. Of course they aren't the only ones, but it just seems that many of the SMs today and in the past are military generational. I can go back as far as the civil war so far. I will probably eventually find them in the revolutionary war as well because they arrived in 1625.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Nov 11 at 2014 8:32 AM

SSG Tim Everett — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:32:32 -0500

All of my great grandfathers are WW1 veterans. Both of my grandfathers were WW2 veterans, both were Army Air Corps. One also served in Korea. My father and my uncle are Vietnam vets, one was Navy and one is a Marine. My cousin (the Navy veteran's daughter) is a sailor. Both my sisters and my brother are Marines.

It runs in the family.