Did a family member serving influence your decision to serve?

SSG Sherman Rivers — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 20:51:45 -0400

I was heavily influenced by the fact that my father served 22 years and was a green beret. I was further influenced by the fact that my older brother was serving as a paratrooper in Italy. I was further still influenced by the fact that my older sister served in the Army. Ultimately it was something that I really wanted to do but having a rich family military history and growing up as an Army brat had a lot to do with my decision to serve as well.

How about you?

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2014 8:57 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 20:57:18 -0400

Great question, I recall an experience at a resident school where the instructor paused to ask the audience how many were "legacy" or from a military family, I recall that almost every hand in the audience went up. Very interesting, I'm sure different splits for different crowds, although it did make a point and a strong impression. Definitely got me thinking, and family definitely had an impact on my decision. Again, great question, and I look forward to hearing others answers on this one!

Response by MSG Brian Breaker made Sep 1 at 2014 9:32 PM

MSG Brian Breaker — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 21:32:08 -0400

SSG Rivers,

I joined because my role model is my father. When I was 12 years old I tried on all his filed gear one day and said I am going to join the Army.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2014 10:17 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 22:17:37 -0400

I am the first from my family. I hope that I can be the reason that my children join later on though. Great topic!

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Sep 1 at 2014 10:23 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 22:23:03 -0400

I always wanted to serve in the military. I had several member serve in the past and I'm currently the only one with the longest tenure so far. Maybe it was my two uncles who are Vietnam Vets and they are proud that I'm continuing the family tradition still.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Sep 1 at 2014 10:30 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 22:30:43 -0400

Absoultley my parents inspired me to the utmost to join. the best advice ever.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 1 at 2014 10:53 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 22:53:37 -0400

SSG Sherman Rivers What a great family history of military service you hail from! My grandpa was a Corporal in the Army during WWII. Dad was in the Merchant Marine Academy.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2014 11:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 23:41:24 -0400

My dad. And grandfathers' grandfather...all the way back to the Rebs.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 12:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 00:52:08 -0400

My dad, an uncle and a grandfather were all in the Navy at one point and a great uncle who retired from the Air Force. I was the first one in my family to join the Army, it was something that I had wanted to do since I was ten years old. I am also the only one who has stayed in beyond one enlistment, been in a total of 17 years and I've got 7 more to go. I hope my daughter will follow my footsteps.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 7:48 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 07:48:10 -0400

Both Grandfathers were US Army.. my father was U.S. Army, and then of course I joined making me a 3rd generation Soldier. Like someone posted up above I am the only one that did more than one enlistment and the only one to make it past SGT (E-5). I wouldn't say that there service inspired me though. I joined the Army because I had no interest at the time in furthering my education. I figured as long as I could graduate High School, that anything the Army threw at me would be easy. "I hated algebra". Hopefully my son will follow along to become a 4th Generation Soldier, however I will only let him go if he choses the officer side of the house. I have worked to hard for him to have to.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 9:04 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 09:04:27 -0400

My father was 24 years Active Air Force (Ret. MSgt), my two oldest brothers both chose the Army (One Ret 1SG and one currently a Sgt). My uncle was in the Navy for a short period of time and I have many cousins throughout different services. Also my grandfather joined the Army after Pearl Harbor, he was living in Ewa at the time and witnessed the attack. I would most certainly say my family influenced me indirectly to join, even though I am the first female to do so. I hope to one day earn the respect as they all did for their service (and hopefully reach the rank my oldest brother accomplished lol best memory of my oldest brother and I was when we were both deployed I was promoted and he was able to pin my rank because he was passing through).

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Sep 2 at 2014 12:45 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 12:45:42 -0400

My Dad ........... 28 years active duty. Gave me the option of getting a job and paying rent or joining the service. Decisions Decisions........

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Sep 3 at 2014 5:58 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 17:58:59 -0400

My mother's side of the family whom are all USMA graduates. My Uncle Tommy (AKA Tinker) was a man whom I wish I could stand up to and model myself after. A true patriot and citizen to any and everyone he came in contact with. On my fathers side, not so much, not a single service member, now my daughter is in USNA, so much for the Long Gray Line!

Response by PO1 Shannon Drosdak made Sep 18 at 2014 2:24 PM

PO1 Shannon Drosdak — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 14:24:47 -0400

On my Fathers side of the family; my Father, Aunt, Uncle and 2 cousins all served. My mothers side both my Grandpa and uncle served. 5 Navy 1 Army and 1 Air Force. They range from Enlisted, Chief and Officers. My blood flows with military pride and traditions. Honestly my family didn't want me to join, they got the call after I had already been in boot camp for 3 weeks. But they have been my strongest supporters through everything. I am very lucky that I have had family in the service that supports what I do.

Response by SFC Robert Putzer made Sep 18 at 2014 2:38 PM

SFC Robert Putzer — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 14:38:40 -0400

Absolutely! My Grandfather did 32 years in the Army. My Father did 26 years in the Navy. My Uncle did 25 years in the Army. To put it bluntly, we love our country and serve her proudly. These fine gentlemen did not push me to serve, but showed me what it looked and felt like to serve your country proudly.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2014 2:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 14:58:10 -0400

SSG Sherman Rivers , I originally joined because of the family tradition of serving that I experienced. My Grandfather retired from the Army in 1973. My Father served in the Air Force during Vietnam. My other grand-dad served in the Army in Korea. My Great Uncle completed nearly 30 years in the Navy.

I guess you could say that it was in my blood.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2014 5:48 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 17:48:13 -0400

Sherman, I am going to be speaking on the topic later this year but it's funny you created this thread because I absolutely believe serving is a family business. Some of my best days were actually giving the oath of enlistment to my three younger cousins - all in Lakeland I might add! I firmly believe family/friends are typically one of the main reasons people join. Got my own fire team to carry on the legacy after I retire :)

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 21 at 2014 11:05 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 23:05:06 -0400

My dad served on active duty for 42 years and I don't recall a day of my young life that I ever considered anything other than a career as an Army officer I loved my dad and was very proud of him and his service to our country. I wanted to be just like him.

Attached is a picture of my dad, taken before I was born...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 8:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 08:50:27 -0400

Yes very much so! I admired my grandfather to no end. He was my single best role model. He had seen the writing on the wall with my misbehaving. He urged me to serve as he did. Just by his influence I joined.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 9:37 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 09:37:02 -0400

Pretty much thats what i did and i actually like it, majority of my family has served wheather it be NG, Reserve or AD, i am just keeping the tridition going which so far has been an awesome expirence

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 9:52 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 09:52:26 -0400

My father and grandfather both served in the Army, my brother was in the Navy, my cousin in the Air Force, and we've had at least one member in the military in every generation going back as far as we can track the family in this country (heck, even had some serving back in the Old World).

Ultimately it was something I wanted to do, but the family history probably inclined my mind towards service even before I started consciously thinking about it.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 2:18 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 14:18:35 -0400

Both of my Grandfather's served in WWII (one Army and the other Army Air Forces), I had 2 Uncles in the Navy (one a Vietnam veteran), and my Mother retired from the Navy. So yeah it had some influence. The main reason I enlisted though was being given a choice between that and getting a job and moving out or enlisting. Mama didn't raise no slackers!

Response by MG Hugh Van Roosen made Oct 22 at 2014 4:28 PM

MG Hugh Van Roosen — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 16:28:32 -0400

I have a Dad that served in WWII with two of my uncles, and a Grandfather that served in WWI. That background certainly influenced me in my decision to serve.

Response by SSG Joseph Dowell made May 19 at 2015 2:35 AM

SSG Joseph Dowell — Tue, 19 May 2015 02:35:19 -0400

My dad served in the Navy for 27 years and retired a full Commander (O-5) and never completed his college degree (was commissioned toward the end of WWII). I also remember doing a family tree project as a kid and My Grandmother showed me the family tree and we had a relative in the battle of Lexington and Concord. Currently we have several family members serving.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made May 19 at 2015 3:35 AM

Capt Jeff S. — Tue, 19 May 2015 03:35:59 -0400

My decision to enter the military was in large part influenced by my FAMILY. My grandfather was a WWII Army Vet. One of my uncles was Navy and the other was USMC and served just after the Korean War. My step grandfather was USAF. My 2nd cousin was USMC (Vietnam vet). My father was USAF and did one tour in the early 60's.

And it was also influenced by my FRIENDS. A friend of mine from high school went in the Marine Reserves and came back all buff after bootcamp. Another friend had a brother who was in the USMC and he was tough as nails. My ex-girlfriend's brother went into the Army and the neighbor across the street had a son who went into the Army. The neighbor on the other block joined the USMC, and further down the street a kid joined the USAF.

I viewed serving in the military as a way of giving back and fulfilling my patriotic service, and it was also a way of getting money for college and not having to lean on my parents to supplement the cost of my tuition. I really didn't know what I wanted to do and wasn't sure if or when I was going to use the educational benefit, but wanted to have every opportunity available for when my direction was more clear. Basically, I wanted a break from school and time to clear my head and figure out what I wanted to do in life.

\

Enlisting allowed me to check the block, fulfill my patriotic service, learn a trade and see the world while preparing for college or whatever other opportunity might be there at the end of my enlistment. I really didn't see the military as a career -- at that time.

As for which branch of service I joined... I was open to them all and checked them all out. My cousin went into the USAF and I went into the USMC. My father was USAF and his father was USMC. Go figure. The grass is always greener.

As for the choice I made, the USMC was good to me and it became a career. Whatever choice you make, you must bloom where you are planted.

Response by CPT Jason Mitchell, MBA made Jul 26 at 2015 1:55 PM

CPT Jason Mitchell, MBA — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 13:55:39 -0400

My decision to serve was definitely influenced from an early age by my Great-Uncle Carrie Evans. He deployed from Camp Hood in the 1940s, and served as an NCO in Armor during fighting in WWII's European Theatre of conflict. He used to tell me stories of the war and how he earned the Bronze Star with Valor. He saved his tank crew after taking a direct hit from a Panzer. He pulled the crew out, then jumped into the TC seat and began firing back at the Germans with the M-2 .50Cal as the tank was burning. He fought off the attack and somehow was lucky enough to survive the battle before the Sherman's tank rounds started cooking off. By that time, everyone was dismounted and away from the destroyed Sherman. Definitely wanted to serve my country after hearing some of his great WWII stories.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jul 26 at 2015 4:54 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 16:54:05 -0400

Absolutely. I am 3rd generation navy.

Response by SFC Walter Williams, Jr. made Jul 26 at 2015 4:59 PM

SFC Walter Williams, Jr. — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 16:59:58 -0400

My dad was a Marine for 20 years. I knew from a young age that I wanted to serve in the military. Not many people have the opportunity to be a military brat and then serve in the military. I served 24 years in the Army and Army National Guard. All active. Would I do it again? Yes I would.

Response by PO1 Shahida Marmol made Jul 26 at 2015 5:08 PM

PO1 Shahida Marmol — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 17:08:52 -0400

Well my older brother (by 14months) joined 2 months before I did. I figured I could at least try. And hey if it wasn't for me, I'd get out... ten years later we're still here E-7 and E6 =)

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 12:37 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 00:37:42 -0400

Third generation military, second generation navy. They spoke the truth when they spoke about service life, but they chose their words very carefully and I now completely understand why.

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Apr 9 at 2016 9:39 AM

LTC Tom Jones — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 09:39:14 -0400

I was 10 when my big brother, Jim "Buck" Jones, became a US Marine. The pride I felt at ten years old lasted a life time. Jim passed two years ago. A father, a husband, a friend and, from the time he joined the Corps at 17 until his dying day, a United States Marine.

Response by CPL Evan Garrison made Apr 9 at 2016 9:46 AM

CPL Evan Garrison — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 09:46:02 -0400

I always wanted to join since I can remember. My father served in the Army as an ADA Officer, both of my grandfathers served; one was enlisted Air Forced, the other was enlisted then went officer in the Army.

Response by SSG Antoinette Azevedo Toscano made Mar 12 at 2018 2:30 PM

SSG Antoinette Azevedo Toscano — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 14:30:37 -0400

Ahh, great question. Most people mistakenly think my father influenced my decision to join the Army. However, my father would tell anyone who would listen that I made up my own mind at five years old when I declared that I was going to join the Army, by a red car, and... when I grow up. He also remembers me jamming the hilt of my plastic sword into my older brother's solar plexus when he said that girls have to be a princess and boys have to be knights. To which I responded, "I can be a princess and a knight if I want to." Followed by the famous jab to the abs. I was five and he was seventeen when I brought him to his knees with one hit. Yup, he never lived that down.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Mar 12 at 2018 8:19 PM

TSgt Joe C. — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:19:13 -0400

Not necessarily serving, but had served previously. Grandfather and Dad both were in the Air Force. Grandfather was still in when the Army Air Forces transitioned to the USAF. SSG Sherman Rivers, great question!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 8:30 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:30:11 -0400

Yes, grandfather WWI veteran, father WWII veteran, and brother Vietnam veteran, besides, judge said it was a good idea at the moment. And now my two sons serve in the military.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Mar 12 at 2018 8:49 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:49:30 -0400

Most definitely ,my father and older brother both served ,my dad who could have had a deferment and made Staff Sergeant during WWII and my brother career Air Force .

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 13 at 2018 7:39 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 07:39:28 -0400

I had two uncle that served in WWII, part of the reason I joined the military.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Mar 13 at 2018 8:48 AM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 08:48:13 -0400

My decision to serve was due to the fact that I was involved into bad stuff back in Puerto Rico that could've gotten me or my family in a really bad situation. So the quickest and the easiest way to get out was joining the service. With that said, I did have an uncle that served and deployed to Vietnam, my father served in the Reserves, and my oldest brother served in the Marines and deployed to the Gulf War. My mother totally against it because my brother was just getting out of the Marines and here I come, joined the Army, ha ha. My father liked the idea all the way, and told it was the best thing I could've done. So no, my family didn't really influenced me into joining...I did it for different reasons.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Mar 13 at 2018 11:45 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 11:45:18 -0400

That's an old fashioned baby bottle!!