Were you the first one in your family to join the military? Or do you come from a family where service is common?

SN Vivien Roman-Hampton — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 16:26:16 -0400

How did you loved ones react to your decision to sign up?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2017 4:28 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 16:28:21 -0400

There has been at least one person in every generation of my family (on my mothers side) that has worn the uniform.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 28 at 2017 4:30 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 16:30:06 -0400

SN Vivien Roman-Hampton Nope Not the First to Serve. Uncle Bob (Robert) and Uncle Bill (WIlliam Eugene) on Dad's Side were in the Navy during WWII. Uncle Fred Wesling on Moms Side was in the Navy Vietnam Era. Dad was in the Marines Between WWII and Korea. Parents weren't thrilled but Dad was Glad I went into the Navy and Not the Marines Like He Did.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2017 4:41 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 16:41:29 -0400

I was the first to serve since my grandfathers served in WWII. Everyone was proud of me but my mother was not crazy about the idea because well, she's a mom, and the thought of her favorite child (I have 3 sisters) getting hurt didn't sit well with her. But she'll admit now that it was a good decision.

Response by SPC Jon O. made Jul 28 at 2017 4:55 PM

SPC Jon O. — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 16:55:32 -0400

Both of my grandfathers, all my uncles except one, three cousins and my older brother served. I was the last one from both sides of my family to serve. Some of my best memories are from my years in the Army. Great question.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2017 5:06 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 17:06:42 -0400

Son of a retiree and a veteran

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 28 at 2017 5:14 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 17:14:59 -0400

Third to join.

Response by CPT Michael Christenson made Jul 28 at 2017 5:26 PM

CPT Michael Christenson — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 17:26:54 -0400

I was drafted into the Army, was asked during basic tng, if I would consider going to OCS, I was and acting E-5, same thing when I went to AIT trg, I was an acting E-5 at that time, so I
better make up my mind and go to OCS, after that I went to Airborne Training, the a friend asked me to go to Special Forces Training and I did. My father was a P.O.W. in the Air Force during WW II, My grandfather was an Army cook during WW I. I guess it just runs in my family.

Response by TSgt Floyd Wilson made Jul 28 at 2017 5:33 PM

TSgt Floyd Wilson — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 17:33:03 -0400

Cousins, older sister, two younger brothers. (Army, Air Force, Navy, Navy.)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2017 5:34 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 17:34:41 -0400

Blew everyone’s mind when I mentioned I was joining and no one believed I’d actually do it. First one, followed two years after by my younger brother. I’ve been in for about 5 years, and commissioned for 2, and my mom still doesn’t really believe anything I tell her about being an officer, and feels that I’m exaggerating everything I say lol.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jul 28 at 2017 6:24 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 18:24:52 -0400

My father did ROTC in college, but resigned when his mother became ill. He was the first person to get close to joining the military before me. I still have his OD green boonie cap with his ranger tab on it. But no, I was the first person in my family to serve. My mother didn't want me to either. I had scholarships to go to college and I tossed them aside to enlist. I figured that I had my whole life to go to school and I wouldn't need the scholarships at that point because I would have my GI Bill, but you are only young once and I wanted to do something worth while with my youth.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2017 7:05 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 19:05:09 -0400

Father, both grandfathers, uncle, sister, both great grandfather's all served. I am the first officer in the family though

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Jul 28 at 2017 8:53 PM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 20:53:05 -0400

My grandmother had four sons serving during WWII, my mother had three sons serving during Vietnam but since then we've had none of the family enter the service.

Response by SSG Steven Mangus made Jul 28 at 2017 9:09 PM

SSG Steven Mangus — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 21:09:08 -0400

First to volunteer. My father was drafted during Vietnam and both my grandfathers were dock workers during WWII.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2017 9:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 21:09:32 -0400

SN Vivien Roman-Hampton , My brother went NAVY, my sister and I ARMY. My father, uncles and grandfather on his side all went ARMY, some Marines. My moms side was more DOD contractors and Politicians in DC. I contracted under my Great uncle who was a Gen in the ARMY while active. My grandfather and his best friend on my moms side were on death row in prison during Vietnam and was contracted freedom for service for a mission in Vietnam. His best friend didn't make it back, but it wasn't because of a fatal shot or anything. He was scratched by a cat that had been feeing off of the dead and the bacteria in the cats nails killed him. After he passed away at 72 my grandma showed me a Purple Heart with his name engraved on the box. I didn't know they gave those to people who weren't enlisted. But then again he never said what the mission was. Just that he hated cats for killing his best friend in Vietnam.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Jul 28 at 2017 9:28 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 21:28:09 -0400

I am far from the first in my family. My grandfather immigrated just in time for WWI. My father was a pilot during WWII, my step-father was as BM1 and most of my uncles also served. One was a Warrant Officer who was killed in Europe. My mother was a civilian employee at the San Jacinto Ordinance Depot at Houston. One brother went the ROTC route. There are several who are currently serving and one retired as a Chief Petty Officer in the Coast Guard last year. I was the first one since WWII and my parents were not at all happy about it largely because of my uncle being killed in WWII. By the time that the younger generation started joining she had gotten over it.

Response by PO3 Greg Gehrke made Jul 28 at 2017 11:44 PM

PO3 Greg Gehrke — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 23:44:37 -0400

Nope, not in my family, Great Uncle was 3 war vet WW2/Korea & VietNam, ATC Air force, Grandfather won Bronze star on Guadal Canal Father was Fighter Pilot in Korea, Brother was F-4 Mechanic in Viet Nam, I was in the Silent Service myself..long history

Response by MAJ Don Bigger made Jul 29 at 2017 12:00 AM

MAJ Don Bigger — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 00:00:25 -0400

My family fought in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, WWII, and Korea. My dad was a jumpmaster with the 82nd Abn, and had two combat jumps in WWII (Sicily and Salerno). He was a Company Cdr at the Chosin Reservoir in Korea with the 31st RCT/Task Force Faith. So, my family didn't blink an eye when I enlisted in the Marines

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Jul 29 at 2017 7:27 AM

CWO3 Dennis M. — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 07:27:10 -0400

I was born in 1947, and I guess I fall into the baby Boomer generation of Post WWII. Our neighborhood was almost 100% Post WWII Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen or Marines. My father was a Navy Gunners Mate in WWII. My Uncles were all in the war too. I was greatly influenced by what they all did. I was an only son, and by 1966 I enlisted in the Navy, which was close to the height of the Vietnam war. My Mother was not too happy about my enlistment. But, my Father was very happy because I was a bit on the wild side as a young teen in the late 50's early sixties, but we were all "Greasers" so to speak. After I told him I enlisted, he said "Good, maybe now you will grow up!". I guess I did grow up, I entered as an E-1, retired as a CWO-3, and spent 23 years in the Navy.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Jul 29 at 2017 11:18 AM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 11:18:03 -0400

3rd generation Marine

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2017 11:35 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 11:35:33 -0400

My dad, grandfathers, and uncles served. But in a plethora of cousins, I was the only one to join. I swore in six days after my father was killed by a drunk driver, and some family members thought that was a bad time to go. But one reason I signed up was to honor my father's service in Vietnam. What better time to do it than right then?

They were all very proud of me, and very appreciative of my service.

Response by LTC Robin Gronovius made Jul 29 at 2017 11:38 AM

LTC Robin Gronovius — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 11:38:49 -0400

My parents immigrated to this country from Holland, but were both from Indonesia. As children, when Indonesia gained its independence, all people of Dutch ancestry had to evacuate. I was born in the US a few years after they arrived. Joining the military was always something I wanted to do and when I got to college, an ROTC cadet who was in the dorm room next to me convinced me to join. I liked it, but originally just planned on going into the Guard after college. I got commissioned on active duty and planned on staying my 3 year tour in Germany, returning to the States and then going back to the Guard. I never made it back to the Guard and just stayed on active duty until I retired after 24 years.
Obviously, my mother and sister were not on board with my decision. My father and brother were ambivalent to it. My youngest stepson joined the Army when he graduated high school. My stepdaughter became an Army wife after marrying her younger brother's high school friend. All of them graduated from Fort Knox High School where a good number of children enter military service.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 29 at 2017 5:19 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 17:19:14 -0400

My family has a history of service as far back as I know. of my father's side: my dad and one of his two brothers served in the USAF. My youngest uncle came of age During VOLAR. His Dad served in the Pacific in WWII as an Army infantryman. Of my mother's side: her sister's husband was among 5 brothers (all Army, one went to Vietnam as a LRRP). Her father did not serve in WWII, he was a welder churning out liberty ships and escort carriers. One great uncle fought in WWI. I know little of others beyond them.

Of all my "peers" (cousins) I am the only one of 8. My sister did not serve either. So 1 of 9 of this generation.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2017 2:45 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 02:45:11 -0400

My uncles, (4) on my dads side were Vietnam vets. 1 Marine, 2 Airmen, and 1 Army Ranger. My dad was Army. I was Army. You could say it's a family thing haha

Response by SP5 Gregory Brown made Jul 30 at 2017 2:29 PM

SP5 Gregory Brown — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 14:29:43 -0400

Someone from every generation in my family has fought in every war back to1640.

Response by SN Shawn Wilson made Jul 31 at 2017 12:18 AM

SN Shawn Wilson — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 00:18:35 -0400

my father was a jar-head, my brother a jar-head, my niece is a jar head, both my grandfathers were swab jocks, three great uncles also swab jocks, I was a swab Jock, an uncle who was a ground pounder, a cousin who was a swab jock, a younger brother who was civilian air patrol, i was told i was a man when i joined,

Response by SN Vivien Roman-Hampton made Aug 1 at 2017 7:34 AM

SN Vivien Roman-Hampton — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 07:34:34 -0400

Thank you everyone who shared your story! It was so awesome to read these.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Aug 1 at 2017 9:05 AM

SGT Mark Halmrast — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 09:05:51 -0400

Mom and sister cried.

Grandfather (Army, arty) fought in WW1...went in place of his brother.

Father (Army, arty) just after Korea.

Father in law and I served in same battallion 30 years apart (2/505, 82nd), so that was cool.

But yeah, the women cried.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2017 9:22 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 09:22:22 -0400

I have a brother also in the Air Force, a cousin on my mom's side in the Army National Guard, and a cousin on my step mom's (raised since I was 4) side in the Air Force, and grandfather on step mom's side who was in the Navy in WWII.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2017 4:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 16:04:13 -0400

7th generation and counting. When I have children, I will humbled and honored to have them serve as well.

Response by SGT Peter Hayes made Aug 1 at 2017 4:05 PM

SGT Peter Hayes — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 16:05:06 -0400

no not the first or the last my grandfather served in Army WWI. My father In Navy WWII And The Army in Korea all my uncle served. And both my son served. One is still serving In the Army

Response by SGT David Petree made Aug 3 at 2017 4:09 AM

SGT David Petree — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 04:09:02 -0400

Dad was drafted , I joined when it was NOT fashionable to do so. Dad was thrums up Mom did not want me to go.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Aug 3 at 2017 9:50 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 21:50:00 -0400

Sort of a family tradition. First record was a forebear who delivered cannon balls to the Continental Army at Valley Forge; have a painting of my Great Grandfather in his civil war uniform; Grandfather in WWI; one uncle killed in WWII, two additional uncles, several cousins and my Mom and Dad served in WWII; cousin in Korea; cousin, both brothers-in-law and myself in Vietnam; son-in-law pulled two tours in Iraq.
As my Dad dropped me off at the train station to report he said "Be careful son, I'd feel a lot better about this if there wasn't a war." Mom said, "Promise me you won't get a tattoo or start smoking." Didn't have the heart to tell her I was already a smoker, but never got the tattoo!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2017 10:39 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 10:39:50 -0400

I was the very first to join, US ARMY then my Uncle joined army in Poland, that's where I'm from. He is now higher ranking then I am lol only because he got a masters degree.

Response by SFC Bill Meeler made Aug 4 at 2017 11:21 AM

SFC Bill Meeler — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 11:21:00 -0400

I have always said that I served 20 years Navy then 20 + years Army. My father was a 30yr Navy man. I was born in a Navel hospital. I was the first sibling (and eldest) of 3 to join, I served over 20 yrs Army, my sister and her husband served 20 years Air Force, and my brother served 10 yrs Army. Most of my Uncles served during WW II, Korea or VN, (1) Air Force (1) Marine, (2) Navy, and (1) Army Reserve.

Response by Cpl Kenneth Snyder made Aug 7 at 2017 6:31 PM

Cpl Kenneth Snyder — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 18:31:02 -0400

My Dad got a Purple Heart at The Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, he was Army,
5 Uncles on my Mom's side were in the Navy, one of them was onboard the USS Maddox in The Gulf of Tonkin in 1964,
My younger Brother was in the First Gulf War, Army
I am the only Marine.

Response by PO3 Rick Lewis made Sep 12 at 2021 1:14 PM

PO3 Rick Lewis — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 13:14:06 -0400

I guess in my family it's common. My grandfather served in WW1 , my father served in WWII, and I served in the Vietnam War.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jul 19 at 2022 10:33 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 10:33:30 -0400

I'm far from the first, two relatives served in the French and Indian War when We were a British Colony, three marched with the minuteman Militia to battle the British at Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts on April 19th 1775. Others served in the war of 1812, the Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, Korea and the n Me in Vietnam. I can find no record of any relative that ever served in the US Civil War but if that's the case it's the only one We missed. I'm pretty proud of My families service to our nation.

Response by CPL Larry Frias Jr made Jul 19 at 2022 1:24 PM

CPL Larry Frias Jr — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 13:24:51 -0400

Dad volunteered my older brother in the late 60s USNavy and then I got volunteered in the USArmy early 70s …not only was service to the United States mission critical but that service had to be in harms way to count …so yes it was a family thing

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Jul 19 at 2022 7:01 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 19:01:31 -0400

My step-grandfather was in the Army Air Corps WWII. I had an uncle who joined the Air Force in the 60's. He was kicked out with an undesirable discharge after about six months. (Imagine that, an undesirable from the Air Force, he must have been one hell of a screw up!)
My oldest brother joined the Marines followed by me and then my next older brother. At one point we were all stationed within fifty miles of each other, Camp Lejeune, New River and Cherry Point, North Carolina.
My family didn't make any scene over our enlistments. They was probably glad to get rid of me at seventeen! One less mouth to feed!

Response by SSG Jack Scott made Jul 19 at 2022 7:29 PM

SSG Jack Scott — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 19:29:42 -0400

Long line of military my family came to America in 1720. Fought in the War of Independence and 1812. From there every war to Afghanistan. Great great Grand fathers fought in the Civil War for the cause against Northern aggression. Spanish-American war, war one World War II in the Pacific, Korea and Vietnam! Myself USMC Beirut Lebanon 83, Gulf War and Army in Afghanistan. But…… I Forbid and told my son NOT to seek Military Service due to the Democrats and leftest destroying our Country. I told my son our family has done their duty to Country! Let the liberals fight send in the Pelosi’s, Sanders and AOC’s of the the Left. We did our time and are taking a knee for a Generation or two!