What was the deciding factor in your decision to become a member of the armed services?

2017-11-14T12:35:10-05:00

As a college student and soldier, I often find myself discussing my decision with fellow students. They generally assume that I joined to pay for school, yet this is not the case. For me, it was a desire to be there in times of natural or military crisis on US soil. What was your deciding factor, and was there a specific occurrence which drove you to a recruitment office?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2017 12:43 PM

2017-11-14T12:43:15-05:00

Practically a family tradition. Also, GI Joe and John Wayne.

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Nov 14 at 2017 12:48 PM

2017-11-14T12:48:19-05:00

I had always planned on joining the military. Our family has a long history of Army veterans. As I made it to my senior year in high school I thought my parents expected me to go off to college next. When they saw my lackluster attitude attending the different college nights at school my stepdad suggested the military was also an option if I wasn't ready to go to college quite yet. I bit on that opportunity immediately and was so blinded by the opportunity to join I didn't see the shenanigans my mother played. Later in life I was read in to the fact my mother told my stepdad the only recruiter he was allowed to take me to was the Air Force as she new I would have gotten myself into the Infantry or in armor with the Army.

Response by 1LT Kevin Chapman made Nov 14 at 2017 12:49 PM

2017-11-14T12:49:09-05:00

Military service was a vital family tradition with the guys on my dad’s side. All of them served in a war and all were 11B prior to my dad. Service wasn’t push on me by my father, but it was something that I was passionate about doing for myself.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 14 at 2017 12:50 PM

2017-11-14T12:50:45-05:00

I've said this a few times before on RP. I wanted to be a pilot since I was in grade school. I oriented my life in that direction including joining the Civil Air Patrol and picking a university with AFROTC. I volunteered for pilot training, passed the physical, completed the year-long course, and in July 1970 my wife pinned the silver wings on my chest. First part of my dream was complete.

I joined during the Vietnam war. I wasn't a popular war, but I believed I should defend my country. Fortunately for me, but unfortunately for my career, I wasn't ordered to Southeast Asia. I plunged into the Cold War as a C-130 pilot and later on as a staff officer. I wouldn't trade my military experience for anything.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Nov 14 at 2017 12:55 PM

2017-11-14T12:55:58-05:00

People telling me I couldn't do it.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Nov 14 at 2017 1:07 PM

2017-11-14T13:07:02-05:00

PV2 Aidan Piombino-Mattis: My deciding factor was that I was homeless. I stayed in a warehouse; before I joined the Army in Fresno, California. I am very successful now; however. I coach six groups on Facebook; help people with my love and I am a photographer. -Most Triumphantly, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2017 1:08 PM

2017-11-14T13:08:57-05:00

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member My father died serving his country when I was seven. Like my father, I am a patriot. I also believed that supporting South Vietnam was a just cause. I would do it again.

Response by SN Ron Jett made Nov 14 at 2017 1:20 PM

2017-11-14T13:20:54-05:00

My dad was career Navy, also had uncles and grandparents who served. The military was always in my future. I was a big fan of the Marines, and it was my intention to join the Corps. However Nam was on the horizon and I was a minority enlistment which required my parents signature. My dad said he would sign foe me to go into the Navy or AF. For me the AF was not an option, so I went into the Navy. Marines and Army was a no no because of Nam, ended up in Nam anyways on river boats.

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Nov 14 at 2017 1:36 PM

2017-11-14T13:36:49-05:00

I watched 9/11 happen live when I was in Junior high. At that point I was going to enlist straight out of high school. I compromised with my parents to go through school and ROTC to become an officer. I secretly enlisted during my sophomore year of university.

Response by TSgt Thomas Monaghan made Nov 14 at 2017 1:49 PM

2017-11-14T13:49:55-05:00

I flunked out of the University of Maine and my Father was chairman of the board of Trustees for the Umaine system. It is amazing what fear drive you to do. It was also the other than my kids the best decision I ever made.

Response by PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM made Nov 14 at 2017 2:04 PM

2017-11-14T14:04:44-05:00

I was born in AMERICA. As Second Generation NAVY there was no doubt about if I was going to enlist or not. DAd was a Seabee in WWII and Korea who was in the pacific during WWII and was on a Turn Pull dressing the beach every time MacArthur decided he did not like his return to the Philippines, One Uncle was in a Mine Sweeper in Operation Neptune clearing the path for the D Day Invasions and their younger brother was a bomber navigator in a B-24 in the Army-Air Corps putting tons on target over Germany and Italy. So it was a No Brainer that My oldest Brother and I would enlist. It's not just a Family thing, it's an American thing.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Nov 14 at 2017 3:20 PM

2017-11-14T15:20:41-05:00

My deciding factor back in 1965 was that I needed a straight path to follow, following high school I found myself in dead end low paying jobs ,drinking too much ,involved with people that didn't have my best interests at heart,all in all a street corner punk .The decision to join the Army was one of the best ones I've I ever made, never regretted it .

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Nov 14 at 2017 4:12 PM

2017-11-14T16:12:59-05:00

Broke, with no job prospects.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 14 at 2017 4:14 PM

2017-11-14T16:14:40-05:00

The war was on.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Nov 14 at 2017 4:31 PM

2017-11-14T16:31:36-05:00

I Was Tired of "F**king School" I wanted to Play with Radios, I Love Electronics, I Love Radios, I Love Antennas. What did the Navy Do? Put Me back in School but Taught Me How to Type on a Mod 28 TTY taught Me Cryptography, "Need to Know" I Got to Know Everything. 21 Years a Navy Spook working for the Naval Security Group (NSA). What was Not to Love! School? Unfortunately/Fortunately You Have to Play Along After A-School I Attended Many More Schools I Learned Computers PDP-11/70 , Xerox (Key Operator), I Earned NECs (MOSs) in Telecommunications Management, ADP (Computer) Communications. Tactical Intelligence. I think I've Completed Every Damn Remote Learning Course in Navy Intelligence and Cryptography. I'm on the "Call" list for FEMA for any Nuclear Oops in the Kansas City Metro. You Think Outside the Box? You're BiPolar, You're Asperger's Syndrome, I can't think of a Better Job. SHALL WE DANCE!

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Nov 14 at 2017 5:01 PM

2017-11-14T17:01:27-05:00

I was drawn by providing service to my Country and State. I entered the military a bit “later” in life due to circumstances and opportunity. I had wanted to enlist for many years, Hell as far back as I could remember...all the way back to my childhood. Despite my successes in life prior to enlistment I always felt that something was missing and not finished. And despite my deep sense of patriotism I felt as if I wasn’t truly a citizen because I hadn’t served our Country.

So, when I saw the opportunity I jumped at it head first and held on as if my life depended on it. I’m proud of my journey. I now salute our flag with a deeper understanding and since of pride. The sentiment that I have when I talk of our Army and the Armed Forces of the United States often makes me well up.

Fortunately, I had great support at home or none of this wouldn’t have been possible.

And, the rest is my history.... “I am an American Soldier.”

Response by CW5 Edward "Tate" Jones Jr. made Nov 14 at 2017 6:48 PM

2017-11-14T18:48:33-05:00

I grew up in a Catholic Orphanage in Lackawanna, NY. I graduated from high school at age 16 and became the orphanage's "go'fer" for nearly a year. I was too young to sign for a college loan and too young to work anywhere significant. At 17 the options were the Steel Mills as a 5'6"/120 lb'er or the Army. I had a judge sign my authority to enlist within a few days of my birthday and off I went to Fort Dix by train. Ultimately I spent 33 years active Regular Army; rose from e1 through E7, WO1 through CW5.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Nov 14 at 2017 6:48 PM

2017-11-14T18:48:44-05:00

Part of it was that 9/11 happened during my Senior year of high school. I also wanted to sere my Country and be a part of something greater than myself, and I just felt as if it was what I was supposed to do.

Response by SSG Diane R. made Nov 14 at 2017 7:04 PM

2017-11-14T19:04:59-05:00

Adventure, travel and a sense of purpose. I wanted to be part of something greater than myself.

Response by 1stSgt Mack Housman made Nov 14 at 2017 8:24 PM

2017-11-14T20:24:01-05:00

I came from a poor family and our little town offered very few jobs and low pay. I wanted some job security and an education.

Response by SGT David T. made Nov 15 at 2017 8:23 AM

2017-11-15T08:23:44-05:00

For me, I needed a job. I was a high school drop out living out of my car. I had a job that paid me just enough to still be broke. My sense of patriotism developed later on. When I enlisted, my whole idea was to go shoot stuff up for 3 years and go home ( I enlisted as Infantry initially). Nine years later I got out. Funny how it didn't go according to plan lol.

Response by MAJ Raymond Haynes made Nov 16 at 2017 1:36 AM

2017-11-16T01:36:05-05:00

I was flunking out of school and it was the only way to withdraw without my current grades.

Response by SP6 Grant Hegranes made Aug 8 at 2018 6:30 PM

2018-08-08T18:30:34-04:00

Purely selfish reasons. I finishe a semester of college and did not have the money for another. There was the looming draft (1964). The benefit of three hots and a cot was very appealing plus the possibility of travel but the most compelling was the opportunity of learning a new trade and finally all of the male members of my family had served in WW2 so in a way it was tradition.

Response by SSgt Rick Waterbury made Aug 13 at 2018 10:45 AM

2018-08-13T10:45:39-04:00

My motivation to join was from belief in duty and obligation. My father, my grandfather, many respected cousins and uncles served in the military. Nobody would have criticised me for choosing a easier path. It was my internal feelings of honor for family and country that influenced my decision. I have never regretted that decision because I have honored my family and earned their quiet respect.