What did you do before the Military?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 16:22:28 -0400

Prior to the military, I was an accountant for a customs broker. The company was responsible for organizing the necessary paperwork for shipments that crossed the US/Canadian border, and I would tabulate the costs and such for doing so. It was a good job, but just wasn't what I wanted out of life. I wanted something more fulfilling.

What about you? Were you fresh out of high school? Still in high school? A butcher, baker, or candlestick maker?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 4:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 16:41:58 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member In my case, I am currently an Accountant. I joined to the Reserve on my third year of College. At that time I was a Junior Accountant in a medium accounting firm.

Response by SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. made Oct 29 at 2014 6:42 PM

SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 18:42:46 -0400

Besides band in highschool, I was a newspaper delivery boy and my last job was packing orthodontic equipment and supplies of a supply company. Mostly counting different sized rubber bands for braces. Kind of dull on that one but made my own money rather than rely on grandparents and parents.
My 2 bits.

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Oct 29 at 2014 9:24 PM

1SG Mike Case — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 21:24:05 -0400

I was running sewer lines before joining the Army. We either installed new lines or fixed old existing ones. Great pay but no medical. The three things you needed to know were sh!^ rolls downhill, don't chew your fingernails, and payday was on friday.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 10:00 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 22:00:36 -0400

I was a part time sales associate at Hastings Entertainment trying to work my way through college.

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Oct 30 at 2014 11:47 AM

SGT Javier Silva — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 11:47:44 -0400

I actually joined the Navy under the Delayed Entry Program, so I was technically still in high school when I joined. After that, I entered active duty about two months after I graduated. Haven't looked back since.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 2:15 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 14:15:10 -0400

I was enrolled in ROTC in a High School, mainly so that I could play Soldier and run around school grounds in camouflage :-). I had no intentions of joining the military and went to a community college after High School to study engineering. Working 30+ hours a week at a large grocery store and trying to share an apartment with my sister were not compatible with my school expenses. I enlisted in 1988 for the GI Bill and College Fund benefits. I wound up staying in Germany following my active duty enlistment but I did use the college money to pay 1/2 through my masters. 25 years later, I am still here where my initial enlisted tour started, but I have changed military status often (AD enlisted, USAR enlisted, USAR officer, AGR officer, To USAR officer) and I changed civilian employment often as well (DA civilian, contractor, to expat).

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 3:22 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 15:22:37 -0400

Making windows for a window and glass company. I was 18 just out of high school and wanted something better. And the Marine Corps was calling.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 6:40 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 18:40:22 -0400

I was a Motorcycle Police Officer on my island Puerto Rico until last year 2013 that I retire with 21 years in service as police officer.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 6:44 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 18:44:29 -0400

SSG Houde--Army Brat, College ROTC Student, Basic Training...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 6:48 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 18:48:15 -0400

College student and had worked in the motorcycle/atv sales industry. Reserves now. Had a myriad of jobs since; State Corrections, Armed Private security, Firearms sales, Car/Truck Sales...

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 7:15 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 19:15:45 -0400

Fast food, both management and crew, working haunted houses, and helping my mom. It wasn't bad, but I needed more than a job, and I wanted out of my home town. I know I made the right decision.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Oct 30 at 2014 7:30 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 19:30:20 -0400

I was in my second semester of college. As a friend and I were sitting outside during lunch, a recruiter stopped by to talk to both of us. I was originally going to finish my degree first and then I enlisted shortly after. Likely one of the best choices I made in my life, despite my first plan of working for an education at the time being incomplete. I received more in the Army by serving and still obtained a degree. Had I not joined, I may have just worked some minimum wage job for a while until I graduated college. From there on, who knows where I could have been back then.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 7:44 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 19:44:55 -0400

Before the military I attended high school. I signed up on the delayed entry program in the middle of my senior year, then I joined up (active duty) one week after graduating.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 9:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 21:17:40 -0400

I delivered pizza while I was in high school but a week after graduation I was on a plane to basic training. My mother did 26 years in the army and I saw how good my life was from what the Army did for my mom so I joined and I now have my own family that the Army is taking care of.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Oct 30 at 2014 9:40 PM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 21:40:24 -0400

After High School, (in WA) I worked for a logging crew. When trees are felled, they are brought to a landing area, where they are loaded on trucks. Prior to being loaded, they have to be limbed and "bucked" to length. I was that guy. Job title was "Buck Sawyer". One summer of that was enough.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Oct 30 at 2014 10:30 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 22:30:23 -0400

I was unemployed and two years out of High School.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 12:49 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 00:49:15 -0400

I joined the Navy over fifteen years after finishing college. Before joining the Navy, I worked in bookstores (clerk, supervisor, and assistant manager), banking (teller, supervisor, and assistant to the savings vp), education (short and long-term substitute teacher, classroom teacher), and ran my own candle making business.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 12:13 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 12:13:56 -0400

Wildland Firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Oct 31 at 2014 12:40 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 12:40:39 -0400

Much as my dad always said this, "Jack of all trades, master of none". i was at enlistment a State of Texas licensed Termite and Pest Control Technician, otherwise known a KILLER of those pesky cockroaches and rats. However, I did work in the home alarm installation field, additionally in the Hydrostatic Chemical Injection and Extraction systems of the Oilfield pipelines also. I for some reason wished to become a police officer and HPD would not entertain the idea of my becoming one, so the US Army did.

Response by MSgt Scott Gaston made Oct 31 at 2014 12:51 PM

MSgt Scott Gaston — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 12:51:15 -0400

I was a Senior in High School...Signed up for the Draft in January of 1975 when I turned 18, Enlisted in March of 1975 in the Delayed Enlistment Program, and went active May 30, 1975 6 days after my High School Graduation...I guess in answer to your question, Football, Wrestling, and Baseball, some study and working KFC in Fort Payne, Alabama in between...

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Oct 31 at 2014 1:09 PM

SSG Maurice P. — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 13:09:33 -0400

The first time i went into the Marine Corps was 1969 i was 17...........before that i was serving time as a juvenile in a reform school called boys republic in california,where Steve Mcqueen did time as well before he went into the Marine Corps. The second time that i went into the MARINE CORPS was 1975 prior to that i had hitched hiked around the united states working all kinds of odd jobs my favorite was travelling with the carnival with murphy brothers shows...

Response by Cpl Matthew Wall made Oct 31 at 2014 1:13 PM

Cpl Matthew Wall — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 13:13:57 -0400

I signed on the dotted line when I was a Junior in HS and my parents had to sign also. A week after graduation I was headed to MCRD San Diego.

Response by COL Timothy S. made Oct 31 at 2014 2:37 PM

COL Timothy S. — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 14:37:00 -0400

I've been fortunate throughout my life to have belonged a number of organizations with published and well defined values. I was in Cub and Boy Scouts from 2nd grade through graduation from high school and attained the rank of Eagle. I was in band in Middle and High School which instilled discipline and a work ethic toward achieving goals. And finally, I to was a college student at Stephen F. Austin State University in Northeast Texas studying Radio/TV Communications and military science. If was at SFA that I was introduced to the Army Values. 28 years later I retired as a full Colonel.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Oct 31 at 2014 3:24 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 15:24:10 -0400

Surfed, jumped freights, street raced, played late night poker, worked a bit in my dads office maintenance business and chased after Suzy rottencrotch. I was an accident waiting to happen.

Response by SPC Robert Mcdonough made Oct 31 at 2014 6:15 PM

SPC Robert Mcdonough — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 18:15:09 -0400

Truthfully? I worked at a Wendy's as a fry cook, Even though fresh out of high school at 16 (Yes I jumped grade levels) I still did not know what I wanted to do. The thing that inspired me to join the service was my grandfathers death, He was a retired Master Sergent of the Vietnam war.

Response by PO2 Brian Lathe made Oct 31 at 2014 6:59 PM

PO2 Brian Lathe — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 18:59:07 -0400

I was in high school prior to the military. I actually joined the military at age 17. I graduated in June and entered the military in November. I worked at my fathers restaurant during the "waiting" time.

Response by SFC Kevin (Ishmeil) Barnett (Retired) made Nov 1 at 2014 11:18 AM

SFC Kevin (Ishmeil) Barnett (Retired) — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 11:18:40 -0400

I was a Bus Operator for New Jersey Transit, and also ran "Hapkido School of Martial Arts"

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Nov 1 at 2014 12:41 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 12:41:58 -0400

Does such a time even exist? :-) Childhood, High School, College, Army.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 1:17 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 13:17:34 -0400

Man, this could take a while haha let's see, I worked for Sony Playstation, worked at the Playboy Mansion and then worked for Apple most recently before I enlisted. I enlisted at the age of 32. It was the only thing in life that I wanted to do and wouldn't be able to do for much longer. I love being in the military and especially love being infantry.

Response by MSG Gene Potocki made Nov 1 at 2014 1:22 PM

MSG Gene Potocki — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 13:22:57 -0400

High School Student, working as a bagger at a supermarket.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Nov 1 at 2014 1:59 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 13:59:45 -0400

Went to college, where the counselor told me I should consider the Military, because college really wasn't working out.
One of best decisions.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Nov 1 at 2014 2:32 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 14:32:18 -0400

I joined the first time two weeks after graduation. Got out and recalled for Desert Storm in '91. Got out again and until coming back in in 2006, I was a R&D Designer. Looking forward to getting back into that field once my MEB is completed.

Response by 1stSgt Daryl Allen made Nov 1 at 2014 7:12 PM

1stSgt Daryl Allen — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 19:12:27 -0400

I signed up for the draft the month before I graduated. I worked the summer months for a local factory and traveled all over TN and North MS for them doing inventory and general maintenance. Then in mid August while picking up some parts for the plant I ran across an AF Recruiter and got him to assist me in getting into the delayed enlistment program and to hold a slot as a Security Police Specialist. I was initially scheduled to enter in March 73 when my father returned from Korea, but situations changed and I entered in to AFBMTC Lackland AFB, TX, November 72. While in basic my draft number came up and I was to report to the Selective Service Center ASAP. Gave the letter to my TI who took care of it along with several others. Never looked back and enjoyed my 20 plus years.

Response by Cpl George Goodwin made Nov 1 at 2014 8:46 PM

Cpl George Goodwin — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 20:46:45 -0400

Was a junior in college and working in an awning parts manufacturing facility.

Response by SSgt Tim Ricci made Nov 2 at 2014 2:22 AM

SSgt Tim Ricci — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 02:22:47 -0500

I grew up on a Ranch in Montana!

Response by SGT(P) Karen Lonn made Nov 2 at 2014 10:31 AM

SGT(P) Karen Lonn — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 10:31:21 -0500

Well I had several jobs, none of which I was passionate about. They ranged from childcare, McDonalds, ski lift operator at a local ski resort, and housekeeping.

Response by PO1 James Maynard made Nov 2 at 2014 10:37 AM

PO1 James Maynard — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 10:37:29 -0500

Before I joined the navy I worked in security for a grocery store and before that I worked in private security were we worked for different companies on a contract bases.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Nov 2 at 2014 10:40 AM

PFC Zanie Young — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 10:40:45 -0500

I maintained vending machines while in high school before I joined. It was satisfying work, and when I got the call, it was a very unpopular decision, but my peers and supervisors wished me well.

Response by Capt Lee Shellko made Nov 2 at 2014 12:13 PM

Capt Lee Shellko — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:13:08 -0500

I worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the Federal Correctional Institution in Milan, Michigan.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2014 12:34 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:34:05 -0500

I started working at a bar in DC at the age of 14 as a bar-back and washing dishes. Then after a year or so of that, I worked at McDonald's until I was 16. In 9/11/2001, as a senior in high school, I saw just how ugly the world could be. Soon after I made the decision to join the military.

Response by PO3 Jonathan Cooper made Nov 2 at 2014 2:52 PM

PO3 Jonathan Cooper — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 14:52:11 -0500

I hope this doesn't come off as bragging, but I spent 2 years overseas in the Republic of Moldova as a Peace Corps volunteer, teaching health education to middle school/high school students, running after school activities, training coaches for Model UN teams, and occasionally assisting at the local health clinic. Felt like it was more exhausting than anything else I've done, but it was totally worth it and makes my military service much easier.

Response by Col Paul Schubert made Nov 2 at 2014 5:28 PM

Col Paul Schubert — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 17:28:29 -0500

I had 3 letters in high school on the North Shore of Chicago. Soccer, basketball and golf. Did well in school; went to Tulane after graduation (though probably could have gone to better schools, though Tulane not bad). Ran out of money in New Orleans, had fight with my dad on money, ran off and joined the USAF, 29 July 1974. Had taken AFROTC classes at Tulane. Got into Academy after one year. Had around 60 semester hours by time I got to USAFA.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Nov 3 at 2014 8:33 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 08:33:25 -0500

Prior to enlisting, I was a college student attending the University of Florida on a 3-year ROTC scholarship, so I was aspiring to be a Soldier then as well....I dropped out after my sophomore year after reaching a state of educational burnout, went home and worked at a lumber yard for about 7 months before I enlisted....

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Nov 3 at 2014 9:12 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 09:12:41 -0500

I joined the Army as a delayed entry as a Junior in High School. I had a paper-route, worked as a lifeguard in the summers, and cleaned a business 1x per week. School graduation end of May, left for basic training in july.

Response by SSG Jason Cherry made Nov 3 at 2014 12:00 PM

SSG Jason Cherry — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:00:31 -0500

Jeez, what didn't I do before the military.

Cashier, bagger, carriage shagger, stockperson, shoe salesman, making fruit platters, deli counter, plumber, welder, electrician, carpenter, mason, HVAC, furniture building, cabinetmaking, electronics repair, computer assembly, web developer, and the most fun was a semi-pro E-sports competitor, playing Counter-Strike.

Response by TSgt Joseph Popper made Nov 3 at 2014 12:17 PM

TSgt Joseph Popper — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:17:54 -0500

High School Student

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Nov 3 at 2014 1:23 PM

SGT Thomas Lucken — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 13:23:03 -0500

I started college in the fall of 81 and was working full time running as a stock clerk. Decided I was burned out on school and damn sure was going no where as a Stock Clerk. So I went on delay entry in 81 and entered in 1982.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 5:54 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 05:54:54 -0500

Punk Rock bands and baking or Punk Rock Baking, whichever works really.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 10:52 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 10:52:51 -0500

Web Developer with emphasis on back-end server side programming languages and SQL database management. Before that it was various high-school type jobs while I earned money to put myself through college. Before that (grade school to high school) I did Boy Scouts of America where I became an Eagle Scout.