If you didn't choose to serve in the military, what would you have done instead?

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 21:42:41 -0400

Most of us made a conscious choice to serve in the military for a variety of reasons. If you went back in time and chose a different path, what would you have done instead?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 9:48 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 21:48:11 -0400

Judging by what most of my "friends" form High School did.... go tot jail, work senseless jobs, live on welfare?!?!?!?!?!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 10:08 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 22:08:49 -0400

Oh God... Who knows. Probably would have stayed in college for graduate school and eventually did some job that didn't involve jumping out of helicopters.

Translation: I would have been incredibly bored.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 10:19 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 22:19:34 -0400

I'm pretty sure I would be locked up for Grand theft..... maybe destruction of private property. ......not like I had a warrant out for my arrest during basic for that stuff....lol just taking a shot in the dark..

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 10:35 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 22:35:31 -0400

If I had chosen a different path, I would have probably still be in an Alabama trailer park, waddling around with my barefoot kids, trying to find the SOB who stole the license plates off my '93 Cavalier...again.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 13 at 2014 7:26 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 07:26:12 -0400

I think I would have concentrated more on my civilian career and finished my Masters in Computer Science.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 7:50 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 07:50:36 -0400

Well sir you would understand this one seeing you are from Cranston... being that RI job market sucks ass the only jobs i would go for is Local PD's, Trooper academy, or Corrections the best bet it is secure, get paid pretty decent and its clean living... i work 2 jobs to go to school and with 7.40 an hour didn't cut it for me i could barely pay for my insurance and gas to go to school... as for everyone else they are either Selling Drugs, jail or working senseless jobs because RI doesn't believe in helping it young adults they believe in helping there own pockets haha

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Oct 13 at 2014 8:46 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 08:46:00 -0400

I love Radios and Telecommunications so I would have done something in the field but my options would have been very limited having only a HS Education. Now that was enough to get my foot in the door and the Military put me side by side with the Leaders in my chosen Industry. My Officers were the Cream of the Crop in Telecommunications, Computers and Intelligence. They made me a Telecommunications Manager, a Computer Communications Specialist and Tactical Intelligence Operator and I owe them everything.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Oct 13 at 2014 8:46 AM

SPC Christopher Smith — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 08:46:51 -0400

If I could go back knowing what I know, I would have waited and taken the 50k a year job that was offered to me the first day of Basic. Had to pass on it because I was stuck at Ft. Sill.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Oct 13 at 2014 9:41 AM

SGT Richard H. — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 09:41:55 -0400

For me, it came down to joining the Military or being one of the Avengers, but the Iron Man job was already taken by Tony Stark, so the Military won out on that choice.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 10:01 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 10:01:23 -0400

For me it was either the Army or assassin/mercenary. I really only chose the army because it has way better dental insurance coverage.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 10:06 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 10:06:09 -0400

I would have probably become the poster child for wasted potential. I grew up in a low income, lower class environment, so the military turned out to be a great vehicle for me to rise above all that I was to become what I am today.

The confidence alone instilled in the confines of Fort Benning so long ago has made the difference between where I am and where I could be. Without the military I'd probably be wearing a sleeveless Dale Earnhardt shirt, drinking cheap beer, and whipping my 14 kids with a switch.

Response by SGT James S. made Oct 13 at 2014 11:21 AM

SGT James S. — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 11:21:45 -0400

I would have gone into masonry construction like my father.

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Oct 13 at 2014 1:29 PM

SPC David Shaffer — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:29:21 -0400

I would have gone to college and tried to take over the world mwa hahaha!

Response by SFC William (Wardog) Ragsdale made Oct 13 at 2014 3:12 PM

SFC William (Wardog) Ragsdale — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 15:12:43 -0400

I would have ended up in jail or prison, my mother told me as soon as I could talk I wanted to be a soldier

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 3:49 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 15:49:25 -0400

I would have probably ended up a Gypsy or a Pirate.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 13 at 2014 5:42 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 17:42:52 -0400

Since I grew up playing Army or Cowboy and Indians, if I could not have been a soldier I guess I would have had to be a cowboy because I don't think being an indian is an actual job title?

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Oct 13 at 2014 6:02 PM

SPC James Mcneil — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 18:02:14 -0400

I would probably have gone with the Navy instead of the Army. Maybe. But I would have actually joined the military sooner.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 6:38 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 18:38:24 -0400

I would have gone directly to college rather than enlisting and going to BMT 6 days after graduation, and I would have retired from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a Police Officer.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 13 at 2014 8:34 PM

SPC David S. — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 20:34:20 -0400

1) stunt man
2) professional bull rider
3) or a dare devil in the circus

and if all that fell threw a rodeo clown

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 9:36 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 21:36:06 -0400

I like to think I would have been a covert agent for the DIA or CIA but then I woke up!

Response by Sgt Jennifer Mohler made Oct 13 at 2014 9:37 PM

Sgt Jennifer Mohler — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 21:37:41 -0400

I would have been a music major.

Response by SrA Marc Haynes made Oct 13 at 2014 9:46 PM

SrA Marc Haynes — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 21:46:36 -0400

American Gigolo
Until I was arrested for assault with a dead weapon!

Response by SPC Daniel Edwards made Oct 13 at 2014 10:10 PM

SPC Daniel Edwards — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 22:10:55 -0400

Been homeless. Literally. I have worked just about every conceivable job out there that didn't require experience, education, prior training, or knowing someone to give me a hook up. I had terrible credit, bills piling up, and nowhere to turn.

Ok, after thinking about, I probably would have became a commercial underwater welder.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Oct 13 at 2014 10:39 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 22:39:22 -0400

I would've been helping SGT Private RallyPoint Member look for her plates off that '93 Cavalier...

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 13 at 2014 11:33 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 23:33:03 -0400

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca I had a promising future as a failed criminal with propensity for substance abuse......

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Oct 13 at 2014 11:34 PM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 23:34:33 -0400

I probably still be at McDonald's or still trying to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles....so basically a waiter somewhere.

Response by CPT Louray Robinson made Oct 13 at 2014 11:33 PM

CPT Louray Robinson — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 23:33:36 -0400

FBI

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 11:57 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 23:57:25 -0400

Believe it or not, through my middle teens and into my early 20's, I was a lead singer in a rock and roll band. Yeah, I know...at that age, who wasn't?

But we actually were in a position to go places. We started off playing high school dances, and anywhere else we could find an audience, but it wasn't too long before we had more bookings than we had time. We had serious interest from regional labels and had some steady local radio play from our self produced album.

Flash forward 30 years, and my original drummer and original lead guitarist are now both working, professional musicians...still doing today, what we did together, back then.

If I hadn't joined the Army when I was 22, I'd probably be a musician / singer today.

Response by MSgt Chris Adams made Oct 14 at 2014 12:13 AM

MSgt Chris Adams — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 00:13:10 -0400

Honestly have no clue. Spun my wheels for a year in college trying to figure out what I wanted to major in.

Military was my choice before I even got out of high school.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Oct 14 at 2014 12:16 AM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 00:16:30 -0400

Which time? Seriously, I was in a long time ago, got out, re-called for Desert Storm. Got out again. Came back in in 2007 when Michigan's economy when to hell. I spent the 16 years I was out, doing Design Engineering stuff. Got downsized and came down to feeding and housing my family...so yes, I would of still been a Design Engineer.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2014 4:16 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 04:16:45 -0400

I'd be working in the Construction Industry while pursuing becoming an Architect.

Response by MAJ Christopher Daily made Oct 14 at 2014 6:06 AM

MAJ Christopher Daily — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 06:06:50 -0400

Wildlife Trooper for the state of Alaska!

Response by LCpl Karen Lowes made Oct 14 at 2014 8:54 AM

LCpl Karen Lowes — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:54:30 -0400

Growing up with a parent as a psychologist, I was dumbfounded in boot camp when the drill instructors didn't want to hear about my thoughts/feelings. They put me in the "Rose Garden" as soon they could, and it took a few visits before I got the idea. With my sassy mouth, would have been suited as a lawyer or Kevin Hart's wife.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2014 9:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 09:16:59 -0400

I think I'd be in jail, all my buddies from High have been locked up for various reasons. There no reason to think I'd be different.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Oct 14 at 2014 9:23 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 09:23:00 -0400

When I enlisted I was in college majoring in Chemsitry/Pre-Med, but would have probably dropped the pre-med eventually and went into chemical engineering... aside from that, who knows, but I have no regrets as far as choosing an Army career goes.

Response by SFC William "Bill" Moore made Oct 14 at 2014 9:23 AM

SFC William "Bill" Moore — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 09:23:29 -0400

Making and running Moonshine, or working in some damn chicken plant. I would have went with the Bootlegger plan!

Response by SFC James Barnes made Oct 14 at 2014 9:28 AM

SFC James Barnes — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 09:28:55 -0400

I would have finished my degree and probably ended up working exactly where I do now for the railroad.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2014 10:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:18:51 -0400

If i didn't choose to enlist I would probably of ended up in prison or worse. I was what you would call a terrible teen. I was on a bad path to severe substance abuse. Sad thing is my friends at the time are almost all gone passed on. Lost four in one night not long after I left for the Army. They were under the influence driving at high speeds. Hit a telephone pole. Lost a few more from overdose and suicide. About the only one left that I hung out with has been in and out of prision like a revolving door. So when I say I'm very thankful that I enlisted. I am, then I chose a career in law enforcment after the Army. Shocked everyone from my youth. I believe it altered my life.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2014 10:52 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:52:42 -0400

For me, this was my second choice. A member of my family has been in the american armed forces as far back as when we put feet and soil and told the British what they could do with their taxes. In my infinite wisdom as an 18 year old, that could do anything, I decided to break the chain. I was going to do college on my own and be a millionaire by 20 for sure. And you know what, it only took me 8 years to figure out that i probably wasnt going to have a degree finished or be a millionaire. Either I didnt have the money or the time to even set foot in a class room and I was done flipping burgers to earn maybe a 10 cent raise a year. So I called up a recruiter. Since that day, everything has just clicked for me. Not one single day goes by that I dont wonder why I hadn't listened to my family. This is who I was supposed to be, it is in my blood and an indelable part of my soul. I would love to be able to go back and slap some sense into 18 year old me. That guy was just being a stubborn idiot.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2014 11:20 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 11:20:14 -0400

From the rising costs of higher education combined with the stress to pay off student loans I think I would be working two jobs in a vacuum or still living with my parents.

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Response by SFC John E Miller Jr made Oct 14 at 2014 12:02 PM

SFC John E Miller Jr — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:02:14 -0400

Teaching farming and agriculture

Response by PO1 Ken Johnson made Oct 14 at 2014 12:27 PM

PO1 Ken Johnson — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:27:10 -0400

One of two paths...

In one, I'd be either doing life without parole, or on parole right now.

The other one {and the one I'd like to think would be the real one} I'd be a retired school teacher, either math or U. S. History.

If Jimmy Carter hadn't cut the military budget on his first day in office, I'd be a retired Civil Engineer Corps officers. I had been accepted to NESEP and on my way to NROTC but the program was cut and the cut line was you had your letter from the university dated prior to his swearing in day. My letter was dated about two weeks after....

Response by Cpl Brett Wagner made Oct 14 at 2014 1:23 PM

Cpl Brett Wagner — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 13:23:20 -0400

I probably would have been doing time in the Crossbar Hotel.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2014 2:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 14:28:15 -0400

I probably would've wound up as a career security guard.

Response by PFC Edward Mott made Oct 14 at 2014 4:47 PM

PFC Edward Mott — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 16:47:13 -0400

I'm not even sure. I had no scholarship, and my parents weren't going to pay for me to go to school. Not to mention, they were kicking me out when I hit 18, so I had to do something fast. Boy am I glad I did, though. Wouldn't have met the people I did, nor opened up all the opportunities I have today.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Oct 14 at 2014 5:38 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 17:38:20 -0400

Probably would have finished my degree in Electrical Engineering and became a boring person.

Response by PO2 Tamera Pantejo made Oct 14 at 2014 7:21 PM

PO2 Tamera Pantejo — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 19:21:51 -0400

I would have finished college earlier.

Response by MSgt Kevin Willoughby made Oct 14 at 2014 8:11 PM

MSgt Kevin Willoughby — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 20:11:12 -0400

Either a Deputy Sheriff or auto mechanic. Glad I did 25 in the Air Force. Never would have seen the countries and continents I have been on if I did them. Well, if I stayed at home to do them that is.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2014 8:16 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 20:16:06 -0400

Well I started off as a math teacher teaching algebra in high school before going AGR. I was going to try out for police academy if I did not get teaching job. So one of those two.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Oct 14 at 2014 11:43 PM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 23:43:57 -0400

I would have probably been a full time drunk and part time jail bird. Most likely doing odd jobs to support my habit between incarcerations.

Thank God for the Marine Corps!

Response by SPC Fred Lytge made Oct 15 at 2014 12:17 AM

SPC Fred Lytge — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 00:17:52 -0400

I would have probably be doing what I have mastered..Home building"..and kicking myself for not serving...I am already kicking myself for not staying in..

Response by 1LT William P. Fanning Jr. made Oct 15 at 2014 11:49 AM

1LT William P. Fanning Jr. — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 11:49:31 -0400

I would probably be dead from something stupid - I credit the military with giving me the tools to get this far. I often wish I could put that uniform back on - but sadly I think I am too old.

Response by A1C Thomas Leary made Oct 15 at 2014 1:47 PM

A1C Thomas Leary — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:47:10 -0400

I have no idea whatsoever what I would be doing if I hadn't gone into the military. I wanted to be a sheet metal worker like my Dad, but he discouraged me, saying that he would "Break every f*ing bone in (my) body, and then disown (me)" if I did, so I had no real plans. I got lucky when the Air Force told me I was going to be a "Surgical Services Specialist" (I still love that term more than"Surgical Technologist"), and have been working as one for almost 30 years now in total, spending the last 25 years working on a Labor and Delivery unit doing C-Sections. Although when I eventually retire, I would like to make Backpacks and Tents and the like as something to keep myself busy, and maybe make a little extra money.

Response by MSgt Dennis Dudley made Oct 15 at 2014 4:49 PM

MSgt Dennis Dudley — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 16:49:42 -0400

I probably would still be working for Loews theatres, and still going to night classes. This would have to do until I could find out what I want to be when I grow up. BTW, still haven't really found it. I wonder if I could study cardiothorasic surgery online, with labs.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2014 5:38 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 17:38:44 -0400

Truthfully, the military has given me a lot. I met (and continue to meet) amazing people that I would never had a chance to meet and visa versa. Would not have met the love of my life nor seen the many great things I have seen, places I been, gathered the knowledge I have now and love life.

I would have probably gone to college and had a job working wherever I could; such as a customer service job or rancher. Money to travel wouldn't have entered my mind, so the furthest I would have been may have been Mexico or Canada. I never thought about it very much but my peers have since had children, married, divorced, struggled and sadly some abuse substances. I would have fallen in that same category... Struggling to find a decent man on the reservation, perhaps a child, and only seeing the outside world though the web.

Wow. That was actually kinda sadder than I meant. Not saying it's a bad thing nor putting down the way people choose to live their life. Just not for me. I want adventure!!!

... A bit more honest than I intended, but hey... Not an uncommon story.
I really love my life now and wouldn't trade it for the world!!!!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2014 9:57 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 21:57:13 -0400

I think i would have ended up working on my Family farms and augmenting that with a specialty trade such as Butchering or carpentry. Nothing better then working with ones hands.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 16 at 2014 7:56 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 07:56:36 -0400

I have to imagine I would be a very succesful male model ;)

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Oct 16 at 2014 10:35 AM

Maj Kim Patterson — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 10:35:49 -0400

If you read my profile, I think this would become obvious. I wanted to be a nurse from my toddler years. A sibling death and other family factors didn't permit me to follow this dream early but the GI Bill did. Btw, my mother was orphaned and raised by a nun who happened to be a nurse, mom followed and became a nurse, I am a licensed BSN, RN and my daughter and several of her friends are either nurses or on their way to becoming nurses. I always said that when I retired from conventional nursing I would become a cruise nurse and see the rest of the world. Cancer has destroyed this dream and there have been recent incidents on the news that make me glad I missed those specific trips. But I crammed as much nursing in as possible frequently working in more than one job, and have passed on this passion to the next generation. I'm not sure which I miss more; the military or nursing. A couple good things: I never knew there was any other way to make a bed than with square corners and the medical world uses the 24 clock.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2014 12:58 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 12:58:44 -0400

Knowing how my family works and how they went down their paths I would prob have followed them getting myself in trouble and working at a crappy job living with the parents.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2014 3:01 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 15:01:22 -0400

Great question--either Peace Corps or daily news reporter--got reporter gig with Stripes, so that was Karma.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2014 4:23 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 16:23:42 -0400

I would probably be killing myself to pay off a HUGE student loan for culinary school and scraping by to make ends meet or... still working on a farm with dad or something... UGH

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Oct 16 at 2014 5:01 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 17:01:14 -0400

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca , Sir I wold have done what I did anyway, with less life experience, become a law enforcement officer. Lifelong dream. Realized thanks to the Marine Corps and Army.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2014 7:59 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 19:59:49 -0400

Wish I had joined. One of my few regrets is not doing it earlier.

Response by Cpl Peter Martuneac made Oct 16 at 2014 9:06 PM

Cpl Peter Martuneac — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 21:06:11 -0400

I honestly don't know. I was born to be a Marine, at least for a few years.

Response by 1stSgt Jack St. Onge made Oct 17 at 2014 12:33 AM

1stSgt Jack St. Onge — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 00:33:19 -0400

Was never even a question with me Major. From the time I got my first set of Army men, I knew I was destined to serve. Good question though.

Response by SN Maureen McClain made Oct 17 at 2014 1:42 AM

SN Maureen McClain — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 01:42:57 -0400

I wouldn't have known what to do. Scholastically, I was a failure in High School. My Parents were firm on sending me to Jesuit Schools, (an easy transition to Military life). I took my little asfab test and this was probably the first test I ever passed and I did well. It was uncommon for a female to join the service at that time. Anyway, the Navy forced me to "man up" and I changed. Following my military experience, I went back to school and as they say, I killed it! I wish more people would consider the military as an option.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 2:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 02:52:16 -0400

I didn’t join right away after high school, like the typical path. I went and finished college and then when I couldn’t find a job (what do you do with a BA in English anyways?), I joined to have the Army pay of my student loans.
After I served for 8 years on Active Duty and had all my student loans paid off, I ETS’d, said the heck with the Army! Yet there I was a year later, joining the Reserves to be able to use the Troops to Teacher funds to get my teaching certificate.
As a Reservist, I have the best of both worlds. I get to teach high school English when I want to and play Army when I want to; I’m in the IRR, no drills.
I get to do both, while now using my TA to get my MA in Military History (concentration WWII) and move on hopefully to instruct at the collegiate level.
Having students is a lot like having Soldiers. They need reassurance every single day. They seek praise when they think they’ve done something well. They try to blame someone else when they’ve done something wrong. Thank goodness my students are in high school and can’t drink yet. Sometimes driving is enough of a struggle!
Both students and soldiers are great, they keep you in touch with “what’s happening,” especially when you feel like you’re getting older. Today’s youth is truly encouraging to me. I love to be able to be a mentor to both students and Soldiers that have come into my life.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Oct 17 at 2014 4:20 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 04:20:24 -0400

Auto mechanic. Thats what I was before I enlisted. I'd be modifying licence plates so nobody can steal them.

Response by LCpl A. Chapman made Oct 17 at 2014 8:21 AM

LCpl A. Chapman — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 08:21:13 -0400

I could have attended college, as my parents wanted, but it was the path I chose for myself to enlist. They didn't care for my choice at first and tried talking me out of it, but I'm content with the path I chose in life.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 7:50 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 19:50:15 -0400

I would have gone to college right after high school and I would have taken it for granted, because I had no idea how good I had it.

Response by SSG Leonard J W. made Nov 10 at 2014 9:52 AM

SSG Leonard J W. — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 09:52:08 -0500

I would have opened a car customs shop. I have always had an affinity for cars: new, old, and other. Working on cars for me was enjoyable, but I also found that I loved changing things about them. It's always neat to see a car that someone has customized to fit their personality, whether it's a fiberglass dashboard or uniquely built-in sound system in the trunk.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2014 8:37 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 20:37:27 -0500

Maj Petrarca...I would have been a mercenary journalist instead of a military journalist....OK, maybe a combat correspondent....Washington Post....Time, Newsweek....something that would let us tell a soldier's story....

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jul 1 at 2015 7:09 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 19:09:07 -0400

I think I would of tried to go to school, I wanted to Park Ranger when I was 18.

Response by SSG Stephan Pendarvis made Nov 4 at 2017 12:47 PM

SSG Stephan Pendarvis — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 12:47:05 -0400

whew! That is a tough one. I think I would have become a writer like I have dreamed as a kid. I could also see myself as a photographer...I did it a few years while in the Army...still do a little of it.