Why did you pick the service branch you joined?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:33:28 -0500

What were some the deciding factors that made you join the military service branch that you did?

Was it education, tradition, the recruiter, a buddy, drafted, see the world, sail the ocean, be on the water, action, be in the sky, etc.

What was your motivation?

I chose the Army, because I was headed in the wrong direction and I had a one hell of a recruiter that convinced me the Army was it!

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Feb 16 at 2016 11:37 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:37:51 -0500

Well I was trying to actually get into the Airforce originally but my scores weren't high enough so I then joined the Army.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 16 at 2016 11:39 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:39:25 -0500

I chose the Navy but they were so tangled in their bureaucratic red tape that they didn't finish processing my application until four hours after I enlisted in the Army. The Army knew a good thing when they saw it and moved with more alacrity. (Sadly, they were wrong. I wasn't such a great catch and they too wished I had joined the Navy.) Still, I'm proud to have been a soldier. Sailor, airman, or Marine would have been an honor as well.

Response by COL Jeff Williams made Feb 16 at 2016 11:42 AM

COL Jeff Williams — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:42:26 -0500

My Father was USCG in WWII serving in North Atlantic and South Pacific. He said if you go in, you must go in as an officer, they get the bigger rooms on a ship. I instead chose the Army. I liked tanks, you could stay warm and dry in the winter and you didn't have to walk.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 11:44 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:44:22 -0500

Marine corps recruiter in 2003 didn't return my calls and was tough to catch in the office. Army recruiter next door walked outside at the right moment and could give me an 11x contract so army it was. My dad was a Navy Corpsman and as much as I admired what he did for 21 years, I wanted to be the guy with the guns that got the mission done. Service has been in my family back to WWI that I can trace so far so it was a natural choice.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 11:57 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:57:34 -0500

Because the Air Force recruiters ignored me and didnt want to do any kind of leg work.

Response by SGT William Howell made Feb 16 at 2016 11:58 AM

SGT William Howell — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:58:35 -0500

I joined the Army because I had been out of the Navy for 11 years and when I saw the Twin Towers brought to the ground I wanted to kill the bastards and their friends that did it. I wanted to make sure I saw their faces as I did it. You can't do that from a ship. PC it is not, but it is the truth. I can honestly say the Army does make dreams come true!