Posted on Oct 18, 2014
When you were a kid, did you WANT to join the military?
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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?
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?
Posted in these groups: 
Enlisted
Enlisted
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
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PO2 Rocky Kleeger
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
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
Cpl James O'Rawe
Yes I did, I wanted to follow in my fathers footsteps. Plus I thought that it would help me get a job once I got out.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
I know that there are so many Soldiers who are happy you made the decision to join the Army. Thanks for your Service and your dedication to your patients.
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PO2 Rocky Kleeger
Wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it
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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 (Join to see) earlier, I do remember seeing some Sailors walking down the street in Milwaukee, probably on Boot Liberty, and thinking how good they looked.
As I told SGT (Join to see) earlier, I do remember seeing some Sailors walking down the street in Milwaukee, probably on Boot Liberty, and thinking how good they looked.
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SGT (Join to see)
CMDCM Gene Treants, that's adorable. It was your destiny to serve in the Navy! Probably a little of your parents' influence, your proximity to Lake Michigan, and the fact that there's almost nothing sharper than a Navy unifom.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
I hated hats then, I hated hats all through my career, and I hate hats now. I sometimes wear one of my 30+ ball caps or other hats (and my favorite hats are Greek fisherman's hats) but I have stetsons and other hats (even russian fur hats). Still hate hats and yet I have so many! go figure.
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PO2 Rocky Kleeger
I know the feeling. The only hats I have left are my command ball caps. However, I did buy a Veteran's hat, and I wear it once in a while
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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.
I could never understand why other kids wanted to be an actor or a teacher, when they could be a warrior instead.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
Wow SGT (Join to see) when I was about 6 years old (that would have been 1953) I remember looking out of the window of our apartment above our restaurant, The Universal, at 35th and National in Milwaukee, and seeing three Sailors walking down the street in step. I knew I wanted to be a Sailor from then on.
That's Right Shelby, Milwaukee! Small world, isn't it?
That's Right Shelby, Milwaukee! Small world, isn't it?
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