Why did I join

[Tom Bryant]

Why did I join?... My Dad was a WWII Marine Corp Veteran, from Texas and after marrying my mother, decided this city she was from, was a good place to raise his family... So he settled in San Diego, which is by all means is a military city, where I grew up... He did his boot here just like I did at MCRD but he was a regular and I did boot as a reservist at 18 but went regular later, during Vietnam... Why did I become a Marine?... You didn't want me joining the Navy... Did ya!... In the words of Hank Williams Jr... Its a family tradition!... Brother Glen

My grandfather was in WW 1; My father in WW 2, My uncle in Korea, I was in VietNam. I understand family tradition (and Bocephus)! I am also glad I had daughters who didn't want to join any of the military services.

 

[Rob_BW]

1. Lots of reasons. A way to get out of a small town with no job prospects. Family tradition. A way to pay for college.

2. The Army recruiter had a normal haircut, and offered a slot at Airborne School. The Marine recruiter had a high and tight that I just couldn't fathom.

3. 18

 

[tyndale1946]

1. Lots of reasons. A way to get out of a small town with no job prospects. Family tradition. A way to pay for college.

2. The Army recruiter had a normal haircut, and offered a slot at Airborne School. The Marine recruiter had a high and tight that I just couldn't fathom.

3. 18

Okay Rob cut to the chase, you just wanted to jump out of an airplane!... Brother Glen

 

[atpollard]

I tried to join the Army when I was 18 to get away from the gangs and get an education. The Army was unwilling to offer anything except a rifle at the North Korean border, so I declined the volunteer army (but did score in the top 1% on that enlistment test). Later in College, they were more interested in offering OCS, but I had already worked 30 hours a week to attend college and didn’t see any benefit in their “too little, too late” offer.

 

[JonC]

Okay Rob cut to the chase, you just wanted to jump out of an airplane!... Brother Glen

Every service member who rides in a military aircraft wants to jump out sooner or later.

 

[Salty]

Every service member who rides in a military aircraft wants to jump out sooner or later.

Speak for yourself.

I have never seen a need to jump out of a perfectly working aro-planeee

 

[JonC]

Speak for yourself.

I have never seen a need to jump out of a perfectly working aro-planeee

I have not either....of a perfectly working one that is

 

[Roy]

About 1973 or 74 while tdy at Ft. Bliss, I was taking a cab in El Paso and talking to the driver. He was of Mexican descent and he told me that prior to WW2 he tried to join the Army but the recruiter just called him a wet back and refused to take him. He said that when the war broke out, he didn't have to ask to join. They just drafted him and took him.

 

[Roy]

I tried to join the Army when I was 18 to get away from the gangs and get an education. The Army was unwilling to offer anything except a rifle at the North Korean border, so I declined the volunteer army (but did score in the top 1% on that enlistment test).

What year was that? Are you saying that infantry was all that they offered? And you were guaranteed Korea? I joined in 72 and was given a wide choice of m.o.s. Wasn't guaranteed any station.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Recruiters may say they can guarantee some specific MOS but they can't. You have to earn it.

 

[Salty]

Recruiters may say they can guarantee some specific MOS but they can't. You have to earn it.

Technically that is true: you are correct if they do not meet the standards of the MOS - they can be reclassified. But the vast majorities do acquire the MOS they signed up for.

On another pov - - You could be awarded any MOS - but the does not mean you are guaranteed to work in that MOS.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Jump school is earned, Sniper school is earned. Special forces are earned through several tests. They might be able to say infantry but that includes so many MOS's that it is worthless because they can't guarantee for example 11-Bravo.
Recruiters only want 1 thing... recruits.

 

[Roy]

Recruiters may say they can guarantee some specific MOS but they can't. You have to earn it.

I know what you mean. They guarantee the training. Wheather or not the training is successfully completed is another matter.

 

[Salty]

From the OP

1) Why did you join the military

2) Why did you choose the branch you did

3) How old were you when you went to Basic/boot, ect

any more good stories?