Was the military good for you? Why or why not?

2021-08-30T23:15:03-04:00

I joined the Army when I was 17 to escape a bad family situation and to earn some college money and I fulfilled my contract and ETS'd three years later because I felt like I was just too stubborn and independent for an Army career. But looking back on it nearly 50 years later, the Army was really good for me and to me. It gave me a stable life for three years while I grew up some and kind of got my act together. It taught me electronics, which helped me innumerable times in my career. I learned what a good leader is from so many great examples, and what a bad leader is from a few bad ones. It taught me lessons that made me a better husband, father, employee and friend, and gave me a wealth of stories to turn to if conversation ever flags. I had a chance to serve my country and stand tall with my fellow Vets. How about you? What did you get out of the military? I'd love to hear your story.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Aug 30 at 2021 11:22 PM

2021-08-30T23:22:02-04:00

The military overall was good for me. I certainly did grow up during and after college. It prepared me well to deal with the unexpected using the best common sense and information available at the time. It certainly helped make life long friends!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2021 11:54 PM

2021-08-30T23:54:36-04:00

SPC David Roberts Good and bad. Like my Father before me, I wanted to serve my country. I enlisted knowing that I would go to Vietnam. In Vietnam, I was in the bush when I heard that we had landed on the Moon, and I thought that the Space Program would be a good career. When I left Vietnam, I was in Okinawa when I learned that my best friend had been killed the day after I left country. Stateside, we had a bad drug problem and I decided to not re-enlist. I started work as an Operator at a chemical plant on the Houston Ship Channel. I started college and between my G.I. Bill and my high paying job, I was able to save money and buy a house. Once I earned my degree, I worked on the Space Shuttle Program for 33 years.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 31 at 2021 12:01 AM

2021-08-31T00:01:41-04:00

In retrospect my army career was a dream. A good one! You see, often our brains dump out the bad stuff and remembers the good stuff. I think about flying across the desert on my 70 ton M1 tank. I don’t think about the fact we slept in the desert. Just the fun stuff.

I got lucky and went to an excellent army aviation regiment, then jumped on M1 tanks. I got to play with nice toys, and I even got paid for it. I appreciate the fact I had to learn the tactics. There is an art and science to war. For example a whole tank company starts all the tanks at one time to discourage tank counters. This makes so much sense. Tank and infantry tactics are very similar. Some of movement formations are the same. Tankers also bound to the enemy. 2 tanks set, other 2 tanks bound.

I eventually became a staff officer as a MAJ, and I realized I missed the soldiers and NCOs. I was a leadership experiment. I learned the first step to taking over a unit is creating the culture and adamantly saying what the collective standards are. It worked like a charm, so I felt had to reward them innovative ways like letting them fly in Blackhawks. I am absolutely thrilled with my leadership experiment.

My operational objectives for the unit we’re met. The soldiers provided world class support. The whole COC took care of the soldiers. We pushed for professional and personal growth. The soldiers and NCOs had tight relationships in regards work or NCOs helping a soldier or even the family. And we had fun!

What more can I expect? If you love your soldiers, they will love you back. It’s so simple.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Aug 31 at 2021 12:46 AM

2021-08-31T00:46:00-04:00

If someone had told me I’d Enlist in the Army in 1983, I would have thought they had lost their last functioning brain cell!
I graduated HS in 1974 and from UNC-G in 1978. A BA in Psychology wasn’t in demand; however I did manage to become a Probation/Parole Officer in 1981. (seems my desire to take a course on Juvenile Delinquency led to a minor in Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice.)
After two years spending countless hours in Judges Chambers with Attorneys making plea deals inspired me to become a lawyer. I was very comfortable in the Court Room and never lost a case nor was my input ignored by Judges.
My issue became financial and my Dad suggested the Military. Five of my six Uncles and my Fad served during WWII. My Uncle Ensign Eugene A Greene was a dive bomber during the Battle of Midway. My Dad was Army Air Corps during WWII and AF during Korea. He was a bombardier.
I went to the recruiting station in Fayetteville and, even though I hadn’t taken the ASVAB, the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps were definitely interested in a college graduate who wanted to Enlist! My original choice was AF, but the recruiter made me angry and I made him very angry when he received my ASVAB scores. I was also interested in the Navy. My deciding factor was actually the length of the contract and not having to cut my waist length hair. My contract was Basic, AIT, OCS, and then Airborne.
I was injured in Combat Basic in January 1984 and still managed to graduate, only 125 of the females who started Basic with me graduated. AIT was easy (75C, Personell Management. I was still suffering from my injury, but managed to survive. During my out processing physical, it was finally diagnosed I had broken my anterior and superior right pelvic bones. There went OCS and Airborne. I was offered a medical discharge after AIT graduation. I opted to stay in and awarded a P3 Profile. I could still keep my MOS, however, my contact had to be rewritten. I worked the E7 Promotion Board while awaiting my new contract and PCS orders.
Ft McClellan Alabama was a great duty station! I worked Monday through Friday 0730-1630 in a skirt!
After 18 months, I came down on orders to Germany. Unfortunately, no one at McClellan knew anything about this post in Germany!
That was due to the fact it was a NATO Combat post in northern Germany closest to the Berlin Wall! Why would you send an injured female with a husband and three month old baby to a Combat Post! (needs of the Army)
Northern Germany was freezing and I was once again NCOIC of Enlisted Promotions for the entire (3500) post. I loved my job and working with the Infantry, Artillery, Tankers, and 2/1 CAV was always exciting! My Unit hated me because I arrived in highly startched BDU’S and spit-shined boots! I did come from TRADOC and now I was 2nd Armored Division (FWD)...Patton’s Unit from WWII.
After 18 months of freezing, pain, frustration, constant alerts, and 12 hour days; I requested a medical discharge. I flew TDY to the Medical Board and got 20% service connected rating and an Honorable Discharge.
I didn’t go to law school, instead I obtained two Masters Degrees from
ECU and worked for the Marine Corps as a behavior therapist at Camp LeJeune.
I learned numerous lessons in the Army. I built upper body strength and knew paper processing isn’t difficult nor does it takes weeks!
My Army background was a plus while working for the Marine Corps. I just had to learn the difference in rank.
A learned dedication and determination.
The most important thing I learned was: “Adapt & Overcome”.
I don’t fit a minute regret my decision, even though it took me thirty years to reach 100% service connected.
My one regret was being stationed at Ft McClellan as it was a toxic waste dump and the water and soil were literally poisoned by PCB’s from the Monsanto plant beside the Post. PCB is one of the chemical components of Agent Orange.

Response by A1C Robert Underwood made Aug 31 at 2021 12:48 AM

2021-08-31T00:48:03-04:00

Yes, it was, I just wish I had paid attention to what was going on and tried to learn more.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 2:18 AM

2021-08-31T02:18:26-04:00

Been serving on and off for the last 21 years with currently 17 years active federal service. Always wanted to serve, just wasn't sure to what extent when I was younger. The longer I stayed with this career, it is simply a regular job more or less now and I realize that even in uniform I can still have a pretty damn enjoyable life and tons of personal freedom after the work day is over. It has taken me to more countries than states, given me a stable decent income. And a stable family life that my wife and child still get excited about where we may be getting assigned to next. I am extremely grateful for making it this far and most likely a better life I most likely would've had if I got out and never returned. Looking forward to retirement in three short years and starting a new chapter with my family continuing to be by my side.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Aug 31 at 2021 9:01 AM

2021-08-31T09:01:27-04:00

It was and it helped me focus, learn goal setting and overcome setbacks in a more effective way. Failure is not final. Unless you quit.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 31 at 2021 9:23 AM

2021-08-31T09:23:59-04:00

Damn Right It Was!!! I went in a seventeen year old, non Hiigh School Graduate and retired as the soldier I had wanted to be. I still live outside a Fort and my wife shops at the Commissary.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Aug 31 at 2021 9:42 AM

2021-08-31T09:42:41-04:00

I think I was lucky to be in the United States Marine Corp as Vietnam deployed Marines were still active. This was a time before compassion and sensitivity training. We still had regular gas.
The Marine Corp motivated me to excel and prepare for Murphy's Law. Murphy shows up every Marine Corp day. But with kind words and determination, I move forward from my rally point across the line of departure to accomplish the mission. I mean, accomplish my civilian puke goals.
UP IN THE MORNING WITH THE RISING SUN...

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 10:00 AM

2021-08-31T10:00:45-04:00

I joined to physically fight for freedom. Lack of knowledge landed me in a job that does nothing close. I'm working my way to a tually doing something for this country now.

Response by CWO3 Randy Weston made Aug 31 at 2021 10:58 AM

2021-08-31T10:58:59-04:00

I have to say that the military made me the man I am today. Upon graduating high school, my choices were farming, logging, or the Navy (submarines). My Dad was a retired ENC (SS) that had done 4 war patrols. The economy was not the greatest in 76, so I tried the Navy. My first boat was a fast attack and we went places we weren't supposed to be and did things we weren't supposed to do. That part was fun.
Being post Viet-Nam, drugs were still a problem and although I made friends that are still friends today, life on that boat was challenging. Op tempo was high and 16 to 20 hour days were the norm. By all things as they were, I was going to get out. I did get married prior to EAOS and had to look hard at where I was going to go. I had a Master Chief ask me what it would take for me to re-enlist. I told him to be stationed in the North West, home. He came up with orders to Pre Commissioning crew Michigan SSBN 727, the 2nd Trident submarine. The catch was I would have to go to New London, Ct for a year while it was completing being built. We decided to give it a try.
When I arrived to my new boat, the crew was very different than the one I had just left. These guys were professionals and took their job very seriously and they were good. Later on I have adopted a quote by Winston Churchill as my mantra. "If you want to be great, surround yourself with great people." This was my first instance where this was true. Once we got into getting the ship ready to go to sea, I didn't mind the 18 hour days, because these guys were the best of the best. It was great. So at 8 years and finally orders to shore duty (instructor) I re-enlisted for the last time (didn't know it was the last) as I knew I was going to do 20.
While teaching the submarine emergency diesel engine, I was offered an opportunity to attend a certification course for Diesel Engine Inspector (DEI), a very difficult school. Only 7 out of 33 were certified. Next thing I knew, I was being transferred to Guam as a surface DEI. While there at the repair facility, I had an XO that was a prior enlisted Marine. He convinced me to apply for the CWO program. I did and was selected. So they dismantled my enlisted service record and I started my new life as a Commissioned Officer.
At this point, my plan was to retire at 20 and although a little late, I did retire at 21 years. If I was to change anything, I should have stayed for 30, although my life went pretty well from that point to now.
One thing I learned in the transition from military to civilian is that the principles of quality leadership is not as important and in a lot of cases were not valued. Once I learned this, I made it my mission to instill the key principles of leadership into every job I had. I have had success in the civilian world and have actually made an impact. Without the military, I would not have been able to achieve what I have today.

Response by SFC Kandi Temple made Aug 31 at 2021 11:45 AM

2021-08-31T11:45:23-04:00

Absolutely. There were no opportunities where I'm from, college was a stretch, even though I was a very good student. The military gave me a backbone, taught me how to be a leader, and (even though it took a long while,) taught me how to care about other people. I've never lost my military bearing, and I've carried what I learned throughout whatever I've done since leaving. There are many gold nuggets and valuable lessons learned in service.

Response by SSgt Michael Anderson made Aug 31 at 2021 12:18 PM

2021-08-31T12:18:25-04:00

I spent three years in college, majoring in Psychology, with no idea what I was going to do when I graduated. Psychology was just a way to pass time for me.. Some of the enlisted people at the local AFROTC unit suggested that I drop out and enlist in the Air Force, which I did. I was an Administrative Specialist for three years, before I cross trained into Supply. When I got off of Active Duty, I got a job as Logistics Analyst in the Federal Government (along with joining the local Reserve unit). I retired from the Federal Government (with 30 years) and worked with various Government contractors until I decided to completely retire in 2013. The military was a good decision! I ended up out earning many of my friends who went to college with me, and now, I'm comfortably retired and enjoying life! I do kinda regret not doing the last year in school to get that degree, though....

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Aug 31 at 2021 1:38 PM

2021-08-31T13:38:11-04:00

Ditto. I enlisted and then did another 22 years.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 2:26 PM

2021-08-31T14:26:30-04:00

I like how my life has turned out, and if I joined younger I wouldn't have relationship and two young boys. However, having joined at 38 I recognize I would have benefited greatly in life had I joined younger.

Let's skip all the obvious education and training benefits. Let's even skip the learning to go your head straight period of growing up.

It took me a long time to learn the BS in life, and that not everything has to be perfect, to set priorities of what matters and what isn't worth the hassle to deal with. People have their personal agendas, and people you look up to aren't always there for your best interest.

Had I joined in my late teens or even right after college I probably would have fully clued in 10 years sooner.

Example:
In BCT a kid lost a blank round of ammo. Drills told us to maintain our 3 rounds or we'd hate life. Anyway, there was an extra platoon's worth of supplies down the hall, and I simply took him there while on fireguard and reallocated a blank round from the non used platoon to our platoon. Problem solved. The kid was freak'n out, and I probably would have too. But he learned to look at other pathways to solve things than go crying to mommy and daddy (or Drills in this case).

A more complex example would be having problems getting an Admin process completed. Some PVT might get turned around in a process, be told to do another action and spin his wheels jumping through more hoops. Another solution could be just waiting for the clerk that rejected the action to go on break/lunch or get in another line and see if someone else will simply do it, or help the process along.

I can go on and on, here's one more:
Weapons cleaning and turn in at the end of AIT. It's a weekend. There are civilian contractors and green suits clearing weapons for cleanliness for turn in. There's also a big game on TV and cadre are missing it. Turn the weapon into a green suite or Drill. They get paid the same and are burning up a weekend. The Civilians get paid by the hour.

I had a much slower process in life to learn these lessons. The military is inundated with this constantly. One can't make a full career without knowing how to game the system, and folks that are the administrators of the system. This applies to everything in live with things like the DMV, education admissions, insurance companies, corporate employers (the bigger they are the more like the military they operate). So I would have learned all that much sooner if I joined sooner.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Aug 31 at 2021 4:28 PM

2021-08-31T16:28:17-04:00

I think my military time was less "good for me" than it was "I made it good for me."

I definitely benefitted: Retirement, cheap health care, leadership skills, world travel / cultural exposure, education benefits, and more. But.....

Many of those benefits could have been acquired either through putting in the same time at a less hazardous job or through putting in less time at a more lucrative job and investing that money in myself. Or even a combination of both.

I chose to make a career of the Army, and because I made that choice, I then chose to make the most out of my career.

Yes, the Army made me grow the F up. But I am pretty sure "life" would have done that anyway. Yes, the Army developed my leadership skills. But I already had some when I joined, and I am a management minded person - I would have progressed regardless of the employer (and have at almost every civilian job). And so on.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2021 9:25 AM

2021-09-01T09:25:15-04:00

I did three really, really smart things in my life.

1. Married my wife.
2. Finished college.
3. Joined the military.

Response by PO1 Tim Grace made Sep 1 at 2021 9:39 AM

2021-09-01T09:39:51-04:00

I decided on a Navy career early - I was 13 at the time. This was during Vietnam and I was fascinated with the events. I wrote all 4 branches (Coast Guard didn't even come to mind) looking for information. Army & Air Force responded with what basically amounted to: "Go away kid, you're bothering me." No response from the Marines. The Navy sent me a photo of a cruiser (I don't remember which one) and a bunch of info regarding the Navy and encouragement to follow up when I was of age. That kind of sealed it as to the branch.
Fast forward several years and I entered the Navy's delayed enlistment program at the start of my senior year in high school, with the caveat that I graduated. Four days after graduation, I was on a bus headed for Great Lakes, IL.
During my first enlistment I met my wife (also active duty Navy), had a kid and bought a house while attached to an EA-6B squadron at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. I reenlisted while aboard the USS America. When I transitioned to shore duty, I stayed at NAS Whidbey at the training detachment.
When it came time to transition back to sea duty, my options were limited: Any ship I wanted out of San Diego. California was the absolute LAST place I wanted to be. Even though I was qualified for NEC's covering all of the avionics for A-6E's and EA-6B's (less the jamming equipment), my primary was the Cal Lab, and squadrons don't have those. I separated at the end of my enlistment, before being transferred.
Overall, the military was very good for me. It gave me the structure I needed, not to mention the training needed to land a decent job in medical electronics (from which I now retired).

Response by SPC Amanda Mitchell made Sep 2 at 2021 4:23 AM

2021-09-02T04:23:46-04:00

I think I would say the thing I got from the military was an internal clock, or better put being able to function on little or no sleep. Still with me 30 plus years out. I can't sleep longer than 5 to 6 hours. Have been known to be up 24 hours and still perform my tasks at work. The other thing is working through pain to get the job done. I have worked with broken toes and a foot, not to mention bad knees, and hip pain on most days. Just put it out of mind and show the youngsters up at work.

Response by SSG John Eroh made Nov 13 at 2021 4:07 PM

2021-11-13T16:07:54-05:00

I would have to say both. I enlisted in 1966 right out of high school into the Army Signal Corps for Fixed Station Communications. I loved my job and it spurned a 30+ years career in various electronic fields. I'm no a licensed amateur radio operator because of it. I got paid to live in Germany for 6 years allowing me to do (give a castle tour) and see many places that a tourist doesn't do or see. Same with 3 tours in Korea where I got to have some meals in private homes (not girlfriends).

That check coming in every month has come in handy. Between Medicare and Tricare-for-Life my late wife's care for a stroke last July and cancer treatments which going by the paperwork from Medicare & TFL was billed well over $200 K didn't cost me a penny. We have one of the top rated VAs here where I get great care and free meds. The Pain Clinic has taught us to deal with our pain with no or a minimum of the opioids.

The bad was the time away from my family and the toll it took on my body, especially Agent Orange. Eleven years in, a orthopedic doctor told me I would still have bad knees but it would have been another 20 years before I was where they were at if I wasn't in the Army. Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam gave me diabetes which gave me a stroke in 2001 in my 50's.

Overall, I would do it again.

Response by COL Robert Gilbert made Nov 26 at 2021 8:46 PM

2021-11-26T20:46:47-05:00

The Army was good for me. Entered the Army in 1977 as a PFC and retired in 2011 as a COL (O6). I became a Combat Engineer with additional specialties in Civil Engineering and Topographic Engineering. I learned things I had never thought about and did things I never thought I could do. It was a great experience, of course there were ups and downs, but the ups far outweighed the down. I still maintain contact with many of my military buddies.