When you were a kid, did you WANT to join the military?

2014-10-18T17:31:10-04:00

When I was a kid, I wanted to do stand-up comedy. My heroes were George Carlin, Abbott and Costello, and Jerry Lewis.

In 1983, a judge gave me a choice of military or prison, I opted for the military record.

Who out there always knew they were going to join the military?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2014 6:36 PM

2014-10-18T18:36:24-04:00

Not me. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a police officer. I'm glad I made the decision I did, however, to join the Army after high school.

Very interesting that as late as 1983, a judge gave you, PO2 Rocky Kleeger, the choice you mentioned. I thought that sort of thing stopped before 1983. I'm guessing you are glad you chose the military.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Oct 18 at 2014 7:11 PM

2014-10-18T19:11:39-04:00

I always played Army with my friends when I was in elementary school. By the time I was in middle school, I was leaning heavily towards the US Navy. By the time I was in high school I thought about the service but didn't join. I did enlist after I graduated HS and while I was attending college in the fall. It has been one of the best choices for me in my life to serve.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2014 8:02 PM

2014-10-18T20:02:19-04:00

From the time that I was 10 years old, I've wanted to be in the military. I used to tell my dad that I was going to be a Marine, and he'd chuckle. I was enthralled whenever the recruiting commercials came on, and still am. Sometimes there'd be groups of Sailors walking through downtown Milwaukee on the weekends, and it was a highlight of my life to go up and shake hands with one of them.

I could never understand why other kids wanted to be an actor or a teacher, when they could be a warrior instead.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2014 5:32 AM

2014-10-19T05:32:44-04:00

I came from a military family, so it was always something I wanted to do. Plus, in college, I got into reading books like "Hotzone" and "Outbreak" and decided military science was what I wanted to do.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2014 5:44 AM

2014-10-19T05:44:12-04:00

When I was little they told us girls we could be either . . . a teacher, a nurse, or a secretary.

I wanted to be a nurse so I could touch, comfort, and make real difference in people's lives.

When I got my diploma in nursing . . . well, our troops were wounded and dying in S E Asia.

So . . . I volunteered to help . . . packed my bag . . . flew off to God knows what and where.

I grew up fast . . . saw, felt, heard, smelled, and learned more than I ever thought possible.

Strangely, I loved it because my training and experience helped so many people every day!!!

Nothing has ever lived up to the intensity, hope, sadness, and reward of those early years!!!

Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Oct 19 at 2014 5:44 AM

2014-10-19T05:44:49-04:00

No. I was into my my carrer as a mechanic with an associates auto/diesel degree. He brought home a flyer one day when I was 23. I signed up a few days later without even the slightest mention to him. I went through all the testing, interview and medical without him knowing. I called my dads work and left a message with his secretary, "March 1 1994" nothing else. She later told me he knew what it meant and almost started to cry. Second generation.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Oct 19 at 2014 11:16 AM

2014-10-19T11:16:47-04:00

Yes, I always loved the 'movie' version of war. When I was a kid it was only the slasher films that were gory. So seeing John Wayne, Lee Marvin, James Stewart, Steve McQueen, and the list goes on, all fighting the enemy was cool. We would play WWII or whatever. Later as I grew up and the Chuck Norris and Rambo type films got popular it just added to it. So in 1989, sat down with my parents and the recruiter, was told how wonderful it all was and the rest is what it is...

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Oct 19 at 2014 11:16 AM

2014-10-19T11:16:27-04:00

Growing up I was exposed to many military members including MG John Liset, USAF & COL John Glenn, USMC to name a few. Family friends who can around often and had many good insights to give. It really did not move me towards military service at that point, but certainly gave me plenty of information to work with.
After a year at college that grade wise did not measure up as it should, John Glenn suggested that I look into the National Guard as a way of 'growing up, learning self-sufficiency, and getting my head on straight. SO, November of 1979 I set out to succeed and the rest is - as they say - history.
I did not know I would end up in the military, but I'm forever grateful that I had many looking out for my best interests who steered me in that direction.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Oct 19 at 2014 11:20 AM

2014-10-19T11:20:42-04:00

I knew from about the age of 5 that I was going to be a Soldier, mostly I think in deference to and in honor my Grandpa Spangler who served in WWII and Korea...when I was in high school I planned on the officer side of the street, even received a nomination to the USMA but due to too many applicants was not selected, so I earned a 3-year ROTC scholarship to UF but dropped out after my sophomore year because I was burned out on school. Enlisted in '87 and fulfilled my ambitions of being a Soldier for the following 26 years!! Tanker, Best Job I Ever Had!!!

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Oct 19 at 2014 11:34 AM

2014-10-19T11:34:36-04:00

Well, I am not sure how to respond to this question. I do have a visual aid that might help. I was 2.5 years old when my parents had this picture made. Do you think they might have influenced me in any way?

As I told SGT Private RallyPoint Member earlier, I do remember seeing some Sailors walking down the street in Milwaukee, probably on Boot Liberty, and thinking how good they looked.

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Oct 19 at 2014 12:50 PM

2014-10-19T12:50:30-04:00

yes i wanted to be a united states marine corps Gysgt ...........................

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2014 2:10 PM

2014-10-19T14:10:49-04:00

I have always wanted to be in the military, just took me a few more years than the average person to join. I really wish I would have joined earlier in life, because I would of been only a couple of years from retirement by now.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Oct 19 at 2014 4:01 PM

2014-10-19T16:01:53-04:00

I grew up during the JFK period and when he was killed my eyes were more focused on the burial SM then anything else.
I was a Martial Artist at the time and when my Step Father would me my weekly allowance I would spend it on Military Aircrafts, Aircraft Carrier, submarines models all the time.
Every day the news was about the war of Vietnam. Back then I recall seeing a Movie about a hippy who joined the Marine Corp and how the DI would force him to do every kind of physical exercise just to break him, but never did, because the hippy was using mind over matter. Any ways I never once thought of joining the military, until one day a few or my friends were talking about joining the Army and I decided to go alone.
That same day I actually signed documents to join. I was 17 at the time and since I wasn't doing very much in the civilian life (Like working), I was determined to join. My mother said she wasn't going to sign, but I told her if she doesn't then I will have tata (My little sister) forge her name on the document. That afternoon the Army recruiter was on his way to my home, and brought the documents. I looked at my mother in the eyes as to say do it. The Army recruiter told her there was no war, its peace time, well she signed. I was physically ready, mentally prepared and ready to go NOW!.
On june 1976 I walked to the recruiting station and the recruiter took me to FT Hamilton, during the trip he asked me if I was sure I really wanted to go in. I said yes.
When I arrived at the reception station 2400 hrs that night, it felt like home.
Basic (With the movie I seen years before) was a piece of cake. I loved DMC, firing weapons, I never spoke of my civilian life, for me it was all too easy, I had fun. On permanent party, I was well accepted by every one. I think I almost caught a heart attack one time when the NCO'S would tell me jokes, because it was too funny. My NCOIC's during field problems must of had a blast with me because they seemed to like the idea that I was able to grasp the jokes, I was always very respectful to all of them, always helping them in what ever they were doing. When I notice one of them getting burned out (Night Driving)due to sleep, I would almost demand to take over the driving so they can get rest, and when I drove I would push it to keep driving just to make sure they are well rested. One thing for sure was that I was spoiled by them. I didn't know how life worked, but for me it was more like I was groomed in life to be a SM with out me knowing or being told. But for me my past made it possible for me to feel as if the military was my real home. JFJ, Martial Arts, Military models, respect to my Mother and step Father whom was a former Marine, I had a very peaceful life.

Response by PO1 G. Leslie /Stiltner made Oct 19 at 2014 4:35 PM

2014-10-19T16:35:10-04:00

Well Gee!! I knew in the 5th grade when my dad rejoined the Army that I was going into the Army!! Despite how adorable I look in this picture in my sailor suit, while visiting my God Parents. Any how ever we lived in Clarksville TN and I had gotten myself in a little trouble and the Army recruiters were not interested in doing a Felony Waiver, they had plenty of qualified people to choose from without doing any extra paperwork. So After being put off time and time again by the Army recruiter I found myself at the Marine Recruiters office. He did the Waiver but it was so half ass that it was denied. He traded me to the Navy Recruiter for a Non Grad female that the Navy could not put in because she had no GED. So I ended up going Navy and have never looked back or regretted my Choice!! I did 13 1/2 years and would have retired had I not had to take a Hardship discharge when my daughter was born with a Heart Defect and required Open heart surgery at 5 days old. With two other toddlers at home and dad transitioning to shore duty and me to sea duty there was no way dad was going to be able to deal with three little ones while mom was going on deployment for six months. Sometimes God works in mysterious ways. As it turned out his shore duty was so time consuming that he was away from home more than if he had been out to sea. He did stay in the Navy and retire after 22 years. Now our first born is in the Navy SN John Stiltner he also is a member of RP.

Response by SFC Gary Fox made Oct 19 at 2014 5:06 PM

2014-10-19T17:06:52-04:00

My father made the Army a career before retiring with 21 years when I was 16. I spent my youth playing Army. Every Halloween I would dress as a soldier. I enlisted right after high school. My son now serves in the Army. He's currently a Drill Sergeant at Ft. Jackson and was promoted to SFC last February. He now has 12 years in. I did 25 before retiring.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 19 at 2014 5:38 PM

2014-10-19T17:38:06-04:00

It is all I ever wanted to do. I think I watched to much "Combat" on tv.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2014 6:16 PM

2014-10-19T18:16:37-04:00

I started knowing in junior high school.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Oct 19 at 2014 6:42 PM

2014-10-19T18:42:06-04:00

I loved Electronics from the get go. I was always taking apart and putting back together electronics and modifying them. No I wanted to work on Radios and the Navy let me do that and then some.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 19 at 2014 6:54 PM

2014-10-19T18:54:54-04:00

Most of my childhood memories are of playing Army or watching Army shows and movies. I cannot say I wanted to, but I was easily recruited.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Oct 19 at 2014 7:14 PM

2014-10-19T19:14:37-04:00

I didn't really think about it, but I did enjoy playing Army with my big brother, even if he did cheat. :-) I actually wanted to be an actress. LOL!

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made May 15 at 2015 9:54 AM

2015-05-15T09:54:56-04:00

No. Both my parents served during WWII(Dad/Army, Mom/WAVES) but they never encouraged me to consider the military one way or the other. The only other military member of my family was an uncle in WWI. My parents stayed Stateside during their time in. The only advice my Dad gave me was if I did decide to join the military, "Anything but the Marines!" He never gave me any reasons. I remember asking my Mother if "McHale' s Navy" was anything like how the Navy was. I wound up choosing the Army after receiving a low draft number.

Response by PFC Dalton Rupert made May 25 at 2016 9:47 AM

2016-05-25T09:47:34-04:00

I can honestly say when I was a kid I did want to join the military, I grew up a history buff and watched and read almost all there was in my small town about WW1, WW2, and Vietnam. Every weekend I would be talking with the vets in our town and ask their opinions. So from a young age I could say yeah I did want to join.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 10:48 AM

2016-05-25T10:48:39-04:00

I wanted to join the Army after seeing The Longest Day as a kid. I wanted to be a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. That's exactly what I did. I loved every minute of it.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2017 9:55 AM

2017-05-25T09:55:45-04:00

I come from a Military family so it was Written in stone for me. I didn't even learn to drive before I took the oath.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2017 10:12 AM

2017-05-26T10:12:47-04:00

well my whole family was in and I could ruck march and stay in step as soon as I could walk so it was written for me. just joined a few months ago

Response by CW3 Kim B. made Aug 26 at 2018 5:41 PM

2018-08-26T17:41:02-04:00

Absolutely, I saw the ROTC cadets from Ohio State and wanted to be one of them.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2020 2:19 PM

2020-01-01T14:19:39-05:00

Lol no I definitely didn’t. I come from a military family, my father is a retired mustang officer. I ended up enlisting in 2011 and now I’m a mustang myself. Guess you can’t fight fate!