What was the reason you joined the US Military?

SN Craig Ralston — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:13:38 -0500

I joined during the cold war, I had a non existent home life, I was living with friends and on the streets when necessary, I couldn't see my life getting any better in the future, I was 17 years old and had no future.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2021 4:21 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:21:50 -0500

SN Craig Ralston My father was an Air Force Captain who died when his plane crashed. I also wanted to serve our country so I enlisted. Additionally, I felt that aiding South Vietnam was a just cause.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 27 at 2021 4:32 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:32:50 -0500

Same as everyone else. The money and the benefits. (I know, right now someone is losing their mind, screaming that they didn't join for the money. That same person would not have served if it was charity and unpaid. Everyone serves for the money).

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 27 at 2021 4:41 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:41:46 -0500

I wanted to fly for the Air Force since I was about 10 years old. I joined the Civil Air Patrol Cadet program as soon as I was old enough and stayed with it through high school. When I started college, I took Air Force ROTC (all male students had to take ROTC or physical education for at least 2 years). I applied for and received an Air Force scholarship for my JR and SR years--a good thing because my folks ran out of money for tuition. This was in the days before easy student loans. I commissioned at graduation and went to pilot training about 6 weeks later. Completed pilot training in July 1971. First dream complete.

SFC Michael Hasbun, I didn't do it for the money. I wanted to fly. My salary as a 2LT was about $400/month. If you figured a 40 hour week (HA!), we were making about $2.50/hr. A big raise from the $1.25 I was making before I went into the Air Force.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2021 4:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:56:31 -0500

I joined the Army Reserve because it was the best opportunity at the time. I told my recruiter I wanted to go straight to college so I could become an Officer. Then I found out I could be a full time college student and still be part of the military through the Reserve. Now, I’ll have prior enlisted experience, 6 years towards a reserve retirement, and be paid more than other Lieutenants when I commission. Plus, $10,000 was pretty sweet as well.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jan 27 at 2021 5:14 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:14:52 -0500

Having already failed out of college and failed out of a serious long term relationship, what did I have to lose?
I was young, dumb, and aimless. Plus, I wanted to serve my country.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jan 27 at 2021 5:21 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:21:21 -0500

Honest truth - I joined because the path I was on would have ended in jail or death for me. In this order - Wife started an affair with my Brother, brother would not take her in, and I had a son with her, so I couldn't throw her out, nor could I move elsewhere, as she had no job, and I had to provide for my son, and could not afford two residences. My ex wife and brother began to attempt provoking me into a violent response, starting arguments and baiting me, in which I would walk away from. My friends offered a coping mechanism, cocaine. Another friend introduced me to "cooking" the cocaine into crack. Within weeks, I was sucking a glass stem daily, and a few weeks later, I lost my job because of it. I had a sizable bank account to make ends meet for a short period, but i was spending money on cocaine as well, so it didn't last that long. eventually, I stopped paying rent, and thats when my brother finally took her in, but seeing my son would cause great problems, as they still tried to provoke a violent response from me. I eventually got an eviction notice, and went on a binge, I woke up in a strange place, surrounded by strangers, and glass stems, and had an epiphany. I had no where to turn to, My family was not an option, my wife was not an option, and my friends were of no help. no matter what I did, I was going to lose my son if I continued down this path, either I would be in jail, or I would die either through drugs, or a stupid chance encounter with the people I was associating with, As I was walking back to my home contemplating all of this, I saw the recruiting station. I was 29 at the time, and I spoke to a SSG about options, what the age limit was for enlistment, and what would be the fastest MOS to ship out with. Turned out it was Infantry. I and the SSG had a conversation with my landlord, and we came to an agreement, I could stay until I shipped in exchange for everything in my home. The SSG also helped me clean up and held me to my word about staying clean and get to MEPS ready. he helped a lot during that ordeal. The hardest part was walking away from my Son, to go wherever the Army needed me, and not be able to see him as much as I wished. It was the best decision I ever made in my life.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2021 5:23 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:23:54 -0500

I didn't know any better

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 27 at 2021 5:25 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:25:16 -0500

I had degrees in Finance and Accounting but I did not want to be a bean counter. I wanted a diverse career which I experienced: Aviation, Armor, Finance, Budge, and National Disaster. It was after I joined that that I grew into the role of being a leader, taking care of soldiers, being tactically sound, and service to this great country. I won't apologize for not having those requisite traits when I joined.

Before I joined I asked myself what would I do if I was grunt officer and was told to take some damn hill in Vietnam knowing it would be dangerous and we would not hold the hill. I answered it with I would make a recommendation, follow my orders, and be in the front with the soldiers. The military needs good order and discipline. Perhaps another unit is relying on us. Then I became comfortable with the idea of joining the army.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Jan 27 at 2021 6:12 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 18:12:50 -0500

College Loan Repayment. Then they got me to stay with duty station of choice and reenlistment bonuses. Then at 10 years I had my daughter, she got diagnosed with her medical stuff, now I need to stay until at least 20 to retire for TRICARE.

When I was little, my dreams were to be a writer or a professional basketball player...never did the Army come into my mind until senior year of high school. Talked to an ROTC recruiter. That fizzled out so I did college on my own. Then heard about this things called College First they had where you could enroll in DEP with 2 years of college left, get a monthly stipend and then just join the Army after. I did that specifically because they said that they would give me CLRP.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2021 6:45 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 18:45:42 -0500

For a life altering change!

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Jan 27 at 2021 7:44 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:44:21 -0500

I was seventeen, in a very dysfunctional home filled with mental and physical abuse. I tried running away from home several times my teenage years but it made the situation worse. I wanted to move out but my mother wouldn't let me go live with my grandparents (where I wanted to go). My step-father said my only way out before my eighteenth birthday was the military. I was planning to join the Marines anyways, they just made the decision come faster. My mother signed the papers, I left and never went back again.

Contacts were about once every three to four years. I haven't seen her or talked to her since 1991. She doesn't even know she has three grandchildren. My son looked her up and says she is still living, who cares? Very cold I know, but I will never forgive her for the way she treated me or my father for the numerous beating I encountered over the years I lived with him.

The Marine Corps was my ticket away from home. I figured if I got killed in the war nobody would know the difference anyways. She wasn't getting my life insurance!

The military turned out to be the best decision I could make. It got me back on the right track. I still carry the values I learned when I was on active duty.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jan 27 at 2021 7:52 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:52:32 -0500

I wanted to be the first kid on my block to get a confirmed kill. I wanted to go to new and interesting places, to meet new people, and kill them....Actually, I needed to get my act together and I have always loved our country. That and my father was retired from the Air Force.

Response by PO3 Michael Johnson made Jan 27 at 2021 10:00 PM

PO3 Michael Johnson — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 22:00:55 -0500

It was better than being drafted. The lottery started just as I went in and it turns out my number was so low that if I would have waited I would have been drafted and the Army was not where I wanted to be in 1969. So the Navy is where I ended up. Not a bad gig. I actually missed it after I got out.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2021 11:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 23:16:26 -0500

Lived in a small town full of dead end jobs and trouble was easy to find. I figured if I didn’t get out jail was a high probability. The Marines was a way out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2021 4:11 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 04:11:21 -0500

Tried joining as soon as I was eligible to out of HS; I broke my leg in 3 spots and couldn't. By the time I recovered I was already in college and figured i'd do that stuff.
Fast forward a few years, and I decided I never wanted to grow old wishing I would have served and fought for my country in a time of need. I left my career and joined the Army.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2021 6:51 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 06:51:21 -0500

...my dad told me to...

Response by CWO3 Randy Weston made Jan 28 at 2021 10:02 AM

CWO3 Randy Weston — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 10:02:54 -0500

I grew up in a small farming community in Oregon and at that time the Vietnam war was coming to a close. College was not an option because of money and my family just didn't think college was viable for us. My Father was a retired submariner as was my step Grandfather who raised me in my High School days. So submarines were a large part of my life as well. In my Senior year of HS, I looked at my options. Logging, Farming and the Navy were the only viable options. So, I followed the men who raised me and enlisted when I was 17 to go active in 6 months upon HS graduation. Upon nearing my EAOS, Carter was the president and had our economy in the crapper, so I reenlisted and the rest is history. Loved it!!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2021 5:33 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 17:33:45 -0500

They offered free college and a chance to get paid to get shot at. Seemed pretty cool to me.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Jan 29 at 2021 1:59 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 13:59:27 -0500

To get the hell out of Norfolk, Virginia.

Response by SSG Pete Rogers made Jan 30 at 2021 9:20 AM

SSG Pete Rogers — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 09:20:38 -0500

The reason for joining? Goal achievement? Making a dream come true? What is it called when that’s all you wanted to do since you were a little one? While kids in high school were stressing about the SAT, I was geared up for the ASVAB.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 1 at 2021 12:45 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 12:45:02 -0500

SN Craig Ralston I was 18 Tired of School. Wasn't Learning anything I wanted to Learn. I Sucked at School but barely managed to Graduate. I wanted to Learn about Radios. I'm a Geek thru and thru. I Obviously hadn't thought things through thou. What Did the Navy Do with Me? Sent Me to a Lot of Schools, Several NECs (MOSs) Later. I think I Made a Good Choice and Career Out of It.

Response by LCpl Sidney Green made Feb 8 at 2021 11:32 PM

LCpl Sidney Green — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 23:32:42 -0500

"Because I ain't got no place else to go." Seriously, I was going through a flux in life and needed purpose and direction. The military seemed like the best place to accomplish that.

Funny story, I actually didn't chose the Marine Corps, rather, it chose me. I had shown up the the recruiting office 4 days in a row waiting to see the Navy recruiter. After noticing me for 3 of those days, the Marine Corps recruiter asked me who was I waiting to see, and I said "the Navy recruiter, but it doesn't look like he's interested." The Marine Corps recruiter said, "that should tell you something", and invited me to wait in his office. As you probably guess, the rest is history.

Anyway, the first day I woke up in the barracks and realized where I was (I thought it was just a dream), the first thing that went through my mind was "what was I thinking; and how do I get out of this place." When I look back on those days I realize it was the best decision I ever made in life. If I had to do it all over again (despite the many bad times) I wouldn't hesitate for an instant.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2021 12:26 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 00:26:32 -0500

My reasons are...and in no particular order: Family tradition, needing a sense of purpose, John Wayne and GI Joe

Response by 1SG Harold Piet made Mar 5 at 2021 2:47 PM

1SG Harold Piet — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 14:47:30 -0500

I joined for service to the US, sad that I missed the Vietnam war. I come from a poor military background and knew then and still that my only hope to get ahead in life was through a career in the military.

Response by SPC Henry Francis made Mar 23 at 2021 11:22 PM

SPC Henry Francis — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 23:22:18 -0400

Adventure and to get away from home... and school. I was 7-days 17 in 1972, had been expelled from my HS for a profanity laden tirade I let loose at the Dean of Boys... after about 20 minutes of trying to reason with him to keep him from paddling me for leaving school sick the day before. I was sick, he DID NOT paddle me. My brother was in the 82nd so that’s where I wanted to go and did. The Army insisted that I get my GED and even ordered the classes. That was completed before my AIT was. The Vietnam Era GI bill paid for my college after I got out. I never was in a combat zone. I did earn the EIB though.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2021 9:16 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 21:16:59 -0400

I joined for two reasons but the second reason is more important to me:
1) To help pay for college.
2) I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself and make a difference in people's lives. It's why I wanted to become a teacher as well.

Response by LTC David Merritt made Apr 18 at 2021 10:27 AM

LTC David Merritt — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 10:27:52 -0400

I had just graduated from medical school, and wanted to be an astronaut. when I interviewed they told me I needed to either be a test pilot, flight surgeon, or get my PhD in a space related science. The Army said they would make me a flight surgeon if I would sign up. Got into Special Forces, became a flight surgeon, got my scuba quals, ABN, CMB, CAB, and had so much fun I forgot to reapply till I was too old to be guaranteed a launch if I switched. no regrets.

Response by SFC Dwight Beaver made Apr 18 at 2021 10:46 AM

SFC Dwight Beaver — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 10:46:09 -0400

I wanted to join the Army when in my early teens, 13/14..Two brothers were in the Army; 1 went to vietnam. I wanted to serve my country and dod so for 22 years and wish i could do ot again

Response by PO2 Gerry Tandberg made Apr 19 at 2021 9:51 AM

PO2 Gerry Tandberg — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:51:58 -0400

I had graduated from HS with a less than stellar GPA and working at a landscape nursery for less than a dollar an hour. I was not college prep material and did not have any idea what I wanted to do in life. So my father; a WWII Navy veteran with a college degree talked me into joining the Navy in the Fall. The Navy decided I might make a good Aviation Electrician. I buckled down, kept my nose clean and graduated near the top of my class. I loved serving as an ATKRON and later as a flight crewman after joining the USNR. I was able to attend several secondary schools during my tour. Looking back, I'd say that joining the military gave me a jump start on life, confidence, a good education, and an opportunity to travel to places I've not visited since. It was during that time I became a man instead of a dumb-ass.

Response by SPC Mark Stevens made Apr 21 at 2021 10:22 PM

SPC Mark Stevens — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 22:22:13 -0400

I joined back during the Reagan era. The MX missile was touted as a final deterrent, and we all knew that Russia was going to come at us through the Fulda Gap. I had been studying my history, and decided that like the old Romans, I was going to earn my citizenship through service. My family had a history of military service (the Army specifically), from My grandfather during WWII, and my mom as full time NG. I went into the Delayed Entry program in August of 84, and went to basic 2 weeks after I graduated HS, still 17. I was determined if things went south during the Cold War, then I was going to be one of those who was going to meet it head on. I was privileged to be in West Germany when the wall came down, instead. I truly believe that my decision, along with that of thousands of other soldiers, airmen and -women, devil dogs, and sailors of my era, was part of what brought that wall down. Desert Storm was another episode that I was privileged to be a part of, horrendous as some of it was. We who Served and Serve, it is a mantle that those who haven't served don't and CANNOT understand. While I don't deny them their right to forgo it, I believe they are ultimately poorer for not having taken up the responsibility.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Jan 24 at 2022 5:06 PM

SSG John Jensen — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 17:06:40 -0500

Recently my brother said that after Dad’s mental abuse, the Army couldn’t have been good for me - I replied ‘if you’re going to run away from home, it’s best to go to a place where they’re going to feed you and give you a place to sleep’ - he stared at me and said ‘that’s Brilliant!’