When you first entered the military, did you think or know that you would make a career out of it?

Isn't this one of the questions we privately ponder from time to time? I wasn't sure about making a career when I entered the Navy, but the longer I was in and the more I experienced and grew, the more I enjoyed my contribution and felt like it was purposeful. The family was not enamored with frequent and long deployments so I gave in and separated after my first hitch. A really good Navy buddy stayed in contact and convinced me to join the reserves, the rest is history. I found myself back on active duty and making concessions for both career and family. Its been a bit of a longer road to where I am today, and my peers are a decade younger than me, but that's OK as it keeps me young myself. It has become a lifetime career with only 5-years out of uniform with two separate careers, enlisted and commissioned, and when I retire in a few years from now it will be strange to not wear a uniform everyday, no doubt!

When I first joined, yes I planned on a career in the military. But, after 10 yrs and still being a SPC and at the end I had a not so good attitude so I got out. Spent 5.5 yrs out but came back in. Now I am in it to win it or until I am dead or the Army no longer has a need for me....whichever may come first only time will tell.

SPC Margaret Higgins - That was my plan since a very young age. I don't remember ever wanting to do anything else.