7 responses so far ↓

• 1 tech10171968

  I’m not going to lie, my reasons for joining were purely economic. I’d run out of tuition money and at the time the job market was flat. I knew I had to support myself somehow, and I didn’t want to make a “career” out of flipping burgers, so (being from a military family myself) I figured the Service was my only remaining option.

  Funny thing happened after I joined, though; after boot camp I came to the realization that I was now a part of something bigger than myself, that the job I held was more important than I could ever know, and that I was now part of a proud and distiguished tradition. Not only that, but the military gave me a skill which would later pay off tremendously when re-entered civilian life, and I got the chance to see places where most people will never have the opportunity or good fortune to visit in their entire lives.

  Sure, I would have loved to be able to finish my university studies, but do I regret having served my country? HELL NO! And I would do it again if I had the chance.

• 2 greggblack0590

  I have a certain passion for the service that I picked up from my grandfather and other family members. My grandfather passed away due to cancer, but I will never forget what he taught me. He was and still is a great man. A true hero. He was, to my knowledge a cook in the Air Force. However, after some through researching I have found that his “job” entailed much more than simply cooking. He fought in the tail end of WW2, Korea and the beginning of Vietnam. It was by will alone that my grandfather pulled through all that. I really miss him and he is my biggest reason for joining.
  So I signed up fairly late in life, at the ripe old age of 24. Hey! That is old when you get to your basic training and realize that you’re surrounded by a bunch of guys who literally just left mom and dad. The worst part about reception/basic training is that if you have bad eyes they assign you these sexy Basic Combat Glasses (BCG’s) to wear, we all called them Birth Control Glasses for obvious reasons. Reception only lasted a few days it was 100 times worse than basic in my opinion mostly due to all the standing around and the “hurry up and wait” mentality. There was no action, just plain robotic procedures.

  Basic Training the first day was exciting and somewhat of a nightmare. They split you up into your platoons, again surrounded by all these really young guys and I’m thinking “what do I have in common with these people”. After the bus ride, you have to run (you run everywhere I would later learn) with this humongous duffle bag on your back all the way to your barracks where then we would dump it all out as fast as possible (everything was done fast as possible).
  The hardest time was during the first phase (red phase). The Drill SGTS are trying to break you down, so they can build you up. You also have to learn the basics real quick like how to keep your mouth shut in line, fireguard duty, keeping your smart-book on you at all times, and other activities that instill discipline. It was hard for me to get used to the snappy routine I was so used to taking long showers, taking my time to get ready. The showers are usually cold by the way; there are no private stalls everything is in an open bay type area. No one really makes any eye contact during these times but everyone has something to say or a story to tell. It was at this point I thought that I may have made a mistake but I would later learn that this decision was probably one of the best decisions of my life.
  Classes could be a pain if you have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and you’re tired. Did I mention the 0500 (that’s 5 AM for you civilians) wake up call? Most of the instructors sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher and a lot of what they said went in one ear and right out the other. I tried my best to not bob my head around by taking notes, it was hard but like anything you get used to it. You can’t take a nap, because you’ll get a huge slap on the desk or sent to the back of the room to get “corrective training” (push-ups). Getting smoked was fun at times, and a lot of times we did things just to get smoked for motivational purposes. But other times you may get the entire platoon in trouble and that’s always bad. The drill sergeants want you to work as a team and eventually you want to work as a team as well. Either way, it was a good workout and I almost always felt great afterwards.
  White phase was my favorite, because I got to shoot or blow things up (insert some loud Tim Allen grunts here). I shot 36 out of 40 in a multiple target pop-up range which I’m very proud of. I took out a bit of frustration in hand to hand combat where I put all my effort into trying to take that person down as though I were really fighting. Well, minus the dirty moves of course, like poking eyes out, etc.
  Running, believe it or not was my specialty. For an old guy I did better than all the young bucks. I ran two miles in less than 14 minutes. That comes with a downside though, because my push up event was terrible. The best advice I could give anyone would definitely be to QUIT SMOKING. It will make your experience in basic much, much easier if you’re physically prepared.
  In Blue phase, I had to take a bunch of tests like navigation, which will be useful in the future when I need to find the local race track or coffee house or when the internet is down. I also had a chance to experience the tear gas chamber. The reaction to tear gas is basically like real strong onions x10. Snot comes out your nose, tears from your eyes, and you’re drooling. Then they take a picture of you as your walking out of the chamber real sexy. The photo goes into the basic training yearbook for your company!
  The last is a 6-mile march, a 3-day campout in the middle of the woods, then a 12-mile march back in muddy terrain at night. Basically, it’s the last test in basic, and then it’s a piece of cake after that. The road marches were always challenging but I always gave it my best to stay up with the group. I really appreciated the people who pushed me forward. Moral support is the best thing you can give to your platoon during these times.
  I remember when we reached our destination and had to build our tents in pitch darkness. No one in our platoon was allowed to bring flashlights. When we finished it started raining. I felt like a poor, starving and soaked kid curled up in the tent.
  We paired up and dug a huge foxhole, stayed up at night to plan ambushes then we got ambush “the enemy”. Then we marched the 12-mile back home. It was from shortest to tallest. My buddy and I are about 6’2” – 6’3” so we were the first ones in line to lead the whole platoon. We followed the glowing lights of the DS marching a couple feet in front us the whole way. I swear, sometimes I wanted to fall off to the side and die but I was surprised that the only times I stopped were when the company stopped twice. My mind was kept occupied by hearing the DS talk and tell stories of wars in the past, and his experiences. It reminded me of my grandfather and I knew I couldn’t give up then.
  On graduation day I was very happy and my family was very proud of me and crying. It will be a feeling I carry the rest of my life, knowing I accomplished something that I’ve always wanted since I was young. I could feel the pride of my grandfather looking down on me that day.

  I was transferred to Ft. Gordon, where I was trained as a Microwave Systems Operator Maintainer 31P. Advanced Individual Training (AIT) was … AWESOME! My AIT was a total of 10 months long; therefore it counted as a PCS move. As a result I was authorized to bring my family if I wanted but I felt it was better for my daughter to stay where she was to complete 2nd grade without the stress of moving. AIT afforded me the opportunity to develop not only my technical skills but also it was the first arena that I was allowed to use my leadership abilities. Although I wasn’t the honor grad in my class I certainly didn’t fall behind and counted the entire even as a success. The drill sergeants there were much more relaxed than those I experienced in basic training and I felt more than comfortable bringing them any concerns or problems I may have had. The experience gave me a great respect for my immediate chain of command.
  We did a lot of physical training. We had to run 3 miles every other morning and do workouts in between. It was all worth it, because afterwards, I actually had a physic that I could be proud of and that further demonstrated my professional appearance.
  Again after graduation my family came to see me again further my professional career and it was at this point I began to really feel like a professional soldier. Before this I had no conception of what being a professional was but I knew I didn’t want this feeling to end.

  Off to Ft. Benning I go to learn how to be an AIRBORNE soldier. OH MY GOD! What was I thinking? Well AIRBORNE training takes all of 3 weeks to accomplish. Week one is ground week, this is where they separate the men from the boys. Week two is tower week; this is where they separate the fools from the men. Week three is jump week; this is where the fools jump. Let me tell you something, when you step out of that first high performance aircraft I thought I would forget everything they taught me. I was wrong. My training took over and I executed all my tasks in order and all correctly and had what I look back on as one of the most terrible landings I could ever have. But as you will learn, any landing you can get up and walk away from is a good landing, so I guess it wasn’t as bad as I thought after all. After the fifth jump from a high performance aircraft, regardless of the type of landing you have, you are AIRBORNE! Now I have accomplished something more than my grandfather had taught me or influenced me into I now felt a great feeling of personal pride and accomplishment by completing something that pushed my limits or what I thought were my limits.

  Welcome to Ft. Bragg NC, Home of the AIRBORNE. That was the first sign I saw as I drove my family into what I had built up in my mind to be the beginning of an awesome adventure for all of us. I was assigned to HHC 51st Signal Battalion (AIRBORNE) “The Oldest and Finest”. Even better yet I was further assigned to the Electronics Maintenance Shop (EMS) so I get to work on everything and take everything I touch apart HOAH! The experience and knowledge I gained during my time with the 51st was an invaluable tool for me later during other assignments. My family benefited from our move as well. The unit had an excellent Family Readiness Group (FRG) and they definitely were instrumental in the improvement of the quality of life for my entire family. When I arrived at Ft. Bragg in August of 1995 I didn’t know what to expect. But because I had some very excellent leadership, I was able to adapt quickly. I quickly found out that my training at AIT, while it was very technical, was not all inclusive. I quickly established myself as one of the lead technicians and by the time I had left I had earned the rank of specialist.
  In November of 97 I was transferred to Yongsan, Korea. This time I wasn’t able to take my family but I would be allowed to come home after 6 months for mid-tour leave. In Korea I found even greater challenges and quickly adapted again to a very increased level of responsibility. Korea only last for a one year or at least did back then. So in November of 98 can you guess what station I got reassigned to? You guessed it, Ft, Bragg. Back to the same ol’ shop and the same ol’ people. To tell ya the truth they still had my name on my truck and I was the last guy to sign for my toolbox. Well I guess that’s what ya get when you’re AIRBORNE. Thankfully I did not go back on jump status; I had had enough of that before I left to go to Korea. While stationed at Ft. Bragg this time however my level of responsibility more than doubled. I was chosen by my top level chain of command to participate in, and be attached to, the 82nd AIRBORNE Inspector General Office for the purpose of inspecting all of the divisions signal equipment. Soon after that I was deployed to Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Six months later I was again deployed this time to Iraq in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. But I wasn’t done yet, approximately eight months later I was again deployed back to Iraq in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM III. I know this sounds like a lot of time away from my family and friends but in actuality it was my wife and family that totally supported me during all of this. They know how much my Army career means to me and how much it means to me to be in the SIGNAL CORPS.
  Throughout all of my travels and all of my accomplishments thus far I have been able to build quite a collection of awards and decorations. However, I didn’t get in the army to get awards and decorations but some of these items have a special meaning for me and I keep them with me at all times. The reason I joined the Army was to make something better of myself than when I started. The Army has educated me, given me practical real world experience, and has definitely taught me to be a better person for all the experience. When I finally do retire from active federal service I will look back and not regret the last few years, but instead will be able to and have the right to say I did everything I could to help defend the nation that my grandfather set me on the road defending when I was just a little boy. Most important though I believe that the work I do today will help secure a better future for tomorrow for my children and my children’s’ children.
  I would like to end with a quote: “I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, for the people, by the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principals of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag; and to defend it against all enemies” William Tyler Page

• 3 allen a

  I was drafted and wound up in viet nam fighting slopes.It was a good war until the fu*ck*ing liberal democrats became generals and started to run the war.we did not loose the war there,the liberals did!It became a political nightmare with politically correct rules of engagement that killed many of our guys.I did ok since my team ignored the bullshit and did whatever had to be done to wipe out the enemy! HOOAH !

• 4 Submariner 1

  Patriotism,

  Give back for what I’ve got here in the US. What we have is worth fighting for, and freedom will always have a very high cost.

  We have it incredibly well here, and the more countries I visit the more I KNOW this.

  PO1/SS USN 11 years.

• 5 Airbound Gabe

  my grandad served in the 65th Infantry Regiment during WWII and my dad’s cousin fought in Vietnam (RIP both). I’ve seen them proud and sad sometimes when i was a kid. but i joined because i was tired of college and wanted to do something bigger than myself. so i joined the army ROTC and i’ll be on my way to become a paratrooper. i know i might be killed while deployed but it’s better to die for something than live for nothing.

• 6 dude

  I’m not going to lie. My first motivation for joining is $$ then country.
  $$ for school and hopefully a skill related to what I want to do in the civilian field. That’s why I want to join the National Guards.
  In all honesty if the Marine Corp offered the same incentives, I would be there in a heart beat. Being older, I don’t have the luxury of time on my side, so I have to be selfish and go with what’s best for me.

• 7 Too Old For Idol

  I joined for one simple reason; I wanted to serve my country and allow our citizens to continue to live in the freedom we so enjoy. And, I had a ball doing it. There’s not a day that goes by that I wish I couldn’t go back in time and do it over again. Just to be with the super men and women I served with for nearly 30 years for another period of time would simply be unbelievable.

  But time has gone for me now. However, it is so fantastic to read comments like yours and of greggblack0590 answer to you on this forum. I know the mission will be carried on by you fine soldiers and we will continue to have the greatest country in the world. I hope you guys stay in and continue your service as heroes.

  I am damned proud of you.