How did you imagine military life before you joined? | 1 of 5 $100 Gift Cards Could Be Yours When you Login & Share!

2021-08-23T09:52:02-04:00

Thanks to all who participated! This sweepstakes event has ended and all prizes have been awarded. Please continue to share your stories and follow the RallySweeps page for the next event! https://rly.pt/RLYSWP

RallySweeps | RallyPoint

RallySweeps

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Aug 23 at 2021 9:57 AM

2021-08-23T09:57:23-04:00

Thanks for sharing

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 23 at 2021 10:00 AM

2021-08-23T10:00:09-04:00

Like what you saw in the movies and shows like MASH, and others that were wrapped around other wars RallyPoint News

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2021 10:03 AM

2021-08-23T10:03:09-04:00

I grew up in the Air Force (military brat). So I kinda knew what to expect.

Response by SPC Debra Hill made Aug 23 at 2021 10:08 AM

2021-08-23T10:08:10-04:00

didn't have a clue! ( My Dad was in Army during Korean Conflict) He taught me rank, how to do facing movements,perfect salute (per my C.O.) polishing boots, all the essential basics. Because I knew so much going in got me in deep kimchi with DI's. Thought I was prior service and was lying! Took al of boot camp to convince them I really was a first termer

Response by A1C Michelle Pagan made Aug 23 at 2021 12:16 PM

2021-08-23T12:16:04-04:00

I didn't know at the time. I was taking on a new life changing adventure! Glad I did!

Response by 1SG Steven Imerman made Aug 23 at 2021 12:25 PM

2021-08-23T12:25:28-04:00

I grew up on an Iowa farm, and was working as a logger in the Black Hills when I enlisted. Physically, the Army was easier, to my surprise.

Response by CPL Ryan Thibault made Aug 23 at 2021 2:17 PM

2021-08-23T14:17:52-04:00

Sad to say but, before I joined, I thought military life would be nearly always “drill formations-like”, similar to what is seen in the movies. I mean, I didn’t think life would be as bad as it is often portrayed on screen but, since I was unaware of how the military is run like a separate society/community so to speak. Once out of all tradoc/schooling and at my first unit I had to learn how to explain this new world to my friends and family back home

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Aug 23 at 2021 6:52 PM

2021-08-23T18:52:43-04:00

Since the only people to ever be in the military in my family was a step-grandfather, Army Air Corps, WWII and my brother who went into the Marines a year before me I really didn't have any idea except that the training to earn the title was going to be hell. Hell was putting it mildly starting with the famous yellow footprints. I met the challenge head on and became a Marine.

Response by PV2 Keith Young made Aug 23 at 2021 7:04 PM

2021-08-23T19:04:15-04:00

Grew up in a military family. Was really aware of military life. My dad was a career officer.

Response by SGT Kevin Taber made Aug 23 at 2021 7:09 PM

2021-08-23T19:09:25-04:00

My pop told me what to expect but it was still a shock to the system lol

Response by SGT Jeff Nolan made Aug 23 at 2021 7:09 PM

2021-08-23T19:09:56-04:00

Well after always wanting to be something that mattered.
Military did that.

Response by SFC Kenneth Kreps made Aug 23 at 2021 7:10 PM

2021-08-23T19:10:32-04:00

My dad was a career soldier, a Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart recipient as well as a battlefield commission. He died way too young. I, however got drafted. Again, it was the best thing that happened to me. I really had no idea what I was in for, but I loved every minute. I, too, retired, but was not the hero my dad was. No regrets, however.

Response by 1SG Steven Malkowski made Aug 23 at 2021 7:10 PM

2021-08-23T19:10:36-04:00

I had no clue going in, even though my older brother was in 10 years before me. I just took BCT one day at a time and made it through no problems. AIT was a breeze. I got to Germany and life was good. Evenly split between field exercises and main post duty. I must say we didn't get to go to the range a lot. That was disappointing. I thought soldiers practiced all the time. Shot more in a few weeks in BCT than the rest of the three years. The most shooting I did was going for the German Schutzenschnurr.
Jimmy Carter's Army, 1977-80.

Response by SPC Justine Blankenbeckler made Aug 23 at 2021 7:10 PM

2021-08-23T19:10:57-04:00

I was an Army Wife, so I loved moving, making new friends, living in New places. Someone once said to me I can't believe how fast you put your house together , curtains up and all after our goods arrived. Each move made me more in tact. As far as Army life, I got picked on in Basic because because of my last name being so long. Basic was take the knocks.i was 1 of 2 that got a military Driver's license in Basic. It was nice. Got to drive people around. I found Basic to be we helped each other get through. Some could not get their weapon cleaned fast enough, we helped. I never would trade my days.

Response by SGT Frank Barnes made Aug 23 at 2021 7:11 PM

2021-08-23T19:11:33-04:00

All my male relatives were draftees. I figured, from their stories, that it would be 4 years of boot camp.

Response by Cpl Tyler Therrien made Aug 23 at 2021 7:11 PM

2021-08-23T19:11:43-04:00

I had a pretty good grasp on bootcamp from a buddy who was a Marine, but life on active duty was a bit restrictive and in peacetime- mostly boredom

Response by Capt Keith Glass made Aug 23 at 2021 7:14 PM

2021-08-23T19:14:28-04:00

Frankly, I started as Army Enlisted. After Boot Camp, Infantry School, and Jump School, Air Force ROTC was a cakewalk. . .

Response by Col Cherri Wheeler made Aug 23 at 2021 7:15 PM

2021-08-23T19:15:33-04:00

I followed my Dad into the AF, no big surprises.

Response by CPT Jim Roberts made Aug 23 at 2021 7:17 PM

2021-08-23T19:17:14-04:00

I imagined open bays where everyone wore their uniforms everywhere they went. I was pleasantly surprised this was not the case. I had a room I shared with either 1 or 2 other guys, and we had more clothes than uniforms at times.

Response by CPT Jim Roberts made Aug 23 at 2021 7:18 PM

2021-08-23T19:18:07-04:00

Response by PO3 Charles Streich made Aug 23 at 2021 7:18 PM

2021-08-23T19:18:37-04:00

I had high school ROTC so it was fairly easy.

Response by SPC George Allen made Aug 23 at 2021 7:23 PM

2021-08-23T19:23:49-04:00

I grew up in the home of my grandfather a 30 year retired infantry Colonel. I had Saturday morning room inspections from the time I was 10 til 17. When I told him I had joined the Army all he did was laugh everytime I brought it up for the next 5 days. I realized all those inspections had taught me attention to detail. I really didn't have the shock I thought I would but my grandfather sure got a kick out of it.

Response by Sgt Mark Stonerock made Aug 23 at 2021 7:28 PM

2021-08-23T19:28:47-04:00

I thought I knew before hand what to expect. Most adjustments were made during basic. Learned two things real fast. Keep your mouth shut and Never volunteer for anything. Otherwise no real surprises.
Tech was easier than the trade school I went to and duty was just be on time.
Oh and don’t expect anyone to help you succeed. Not your RO, your CO or even your best buddies. But then again if you have half a brain you don’t need them to get there. Life lesson I still use today.

Response by CDR Bob Lange made Aug 23 at 2021 7:30 PM

2021-08-23T19:30:25-04:00

All I knew was what I saw on the Silent Service and Victory at Sea on TV, and the sea stories my dad told me about serving on Destroyers in WWII.

Response by PO1 Wayne Sasser made Aug 23 at 2021 7:35 PM

2021-08-23T19:35:38-04:00

Was clueless. My Dad was in Army in WWII, seldom talked about it. I joined the Navy because I loved the ocean and dreamed of visiting faraway places on those big ships. Unfortunately it didn't work out. I graduated Hospital Corps School, spent next 3 years stationed with USMC. Although it wasn't what I expected, I did alright, made some life-long friends and never looked back.

Response by Sgt Kerry Thurlow made Aug 23 at 2021 7:38 PM

2021-08-23T19:38:22-04:00

I didn't know what I didn't know. I joined the USAF to escape a dying mill town in Massachusetts. My thought was that being in the military certainly couldn't be any worse than living in that town.

I thoroughly enjoyed my enlistment. It seems that everyone is focused on BMTS as their preconceived idea of military life. BMTS was definitely better and more predictable than where I grew up. My parents were in the middle of a divorce when I left the MPS station. There was certainly less yelling and hostility in basic than at home.

My Tech School was at Lowry AFB....I spent almost nine months there and it was like a combination of college and summer camp....except we got up at 0400.

My first duty station was RAF Alconbury. It was my dream come true. I spent the first eighteen months on a taxpayer funding European drinking tour. The next eighteen months I spent raising my daughter.

I guess I had too much fun because my second and final duty station was a controlled tour as an instructor at Goodfellow AFB. That was as miserable as England was enjoyable.

My career field was pretty small. We ran into the same people no matter where we were assigned. Some of those folks are still friends nearly 35 years later.

Military life was good for me. I tend to feel more comfortable when I know the rules and regulations and when I know what's expected of me.

Response by CDR George Dore made Aug 23 at 2021 7:39 PM

2021-08-23T19:39:01-04:00

Through AFROTC training, I found active duty about as I had expected.

Response by SSG Michael Vance made Aug 23 at 2021 7:39 PM

2021-08-23T19:39:11-04:00

I must confess to being totally clueless on the military culture prior to going in. Even the romantic WWII movies and TV shows like M*A*S*H did nothing to prepare for what was to come or to realistically expect

Response by CPT Greg Alford, PhD made Aug 23 at 2021 7:43 PM

2021-08-23T19:43:53-04:00

Less political (internally). Was one of the fools that believed the Army Officer’s Guide meant something. Lost that delusion quickly, even in spec ops.

Response by Capt Al Parker made Aug 23 at 2021 7:44 PM

2021-08-23T19:44:19-04:00

I knew all about Military life before I joined. I was raised in a Military family GrandFather retired as a CW3 with 43 years, Father retired on 30 years as a LCDR,

Response by PO3 Mark Sartor made Aug 23 at 2021 7:48 PM

2021-08-23T19:48:35-04:00

I really had no idea of what life would be in the NAVY. However, I learned quite a bit, and made a number of good friends, and had some amazing experiences. I do miss it! Wish I could have stayed in.

Response by CPL Patricia Douglas made Aug 23 at 2021 7:49 PM

2021-08-23T19:49:02-04:00

No idea

Response by CPL Charles Casper made Aug 23 at 2021 7:53 PM

2021-08-23T19:53:26-04:00

I had no preconceived notions other than what I had been told by an old retired master sgt. Do what you are told,do not bitch and do not volunteer for anything!

Response by CPL Patricia Douglas made Aug 23 at 2021 7:55 PM

2021-08-23T19:55:09-04:00

I really didn't have a clue and didn't think that far ahead. Just looking for something different and certainly got it.

Response by MSgt Butch Eckhoff made Aug 23 at 2021 7:55 PM

2021-08-23T19:55:39-04:00

As an Army brat of a career NCO I pretty much understood what I was to encounter.

Response by SGM Willie Sanderson made Aug 23 at 2021 7:58 PM

2021-08-23T19:58:20-04:00

I was drafted in June of 1969. Vietnam was still going strong. We were all scared shitless kids and our heads were out of control with thoughts and fears of what we were to face over the next 2 years. My Dad took my to the Town Square of my hometown to catch the bus to report to the med center processing center. My Father was always short on words but I remember to this day his words of confidence and pride in me. "Son your country needs you now and so does your family and friends. Listen to your Sergeants and they will train you on how to survive on the battlefield. You must take everything serious and never give up your desire to have a free and peaceful life for our future. He knew I was shaking like a dog crapping peach seeds. So we ended our goodbye by him saying you are a man now and I'll see you soon I know you will do a great job." From that day forward I tried to be sponge and soak up every little peace of information on how to be a great soldier. I always told everyone that I stayed in for almost 27 years because I got drafted and no one every told me I could get out. We all know that that was BS but it always sounded like a good answer to me. The Army taught me not only how to be a Soldier with confidence but how to be a person in life responsible for myself and all the lives placed under me. In my heart my Son now a SSG in EOD I believe follows all those little lessons in life as a soldier husband and father.

Response by PO3 Thomas Melton made Aug 23 at 2021 7:59 PM

2021-08-23T19:59:00-04:00

My dad served in the Navy and my older brother in the Army, but my experience was no like what I would have imagined as described by them. I did about 9 years. No regrets.

Response by 1LT Rich Voss made Aug 23 at 2021 8:02 PM

2021-08-23T20:02:11-04:00

A) Didn't join, was drafted class of '66. B) None of the fathers in my neighborhood that served in WWII would talk about it, nor would the former Marine that married my sister talk about his service in Korea during that war. I did watch basically every WWII movie made in the '50s and early 60's. Had many books with actual war photos, and saw enough newsreels to know it wasn't going to be "fun". Grateful I was in very good shape from sports, lifting weights and having a physically difficult job in the steel mills. Even so, the training was tough. It was during Viet Nam an the Cold War, so our training was truly geared to surviving war. Then I "upped the ante" by going to, and completing OCS. Nothing I've ever done previously (or since) could compare with that. Absolutely no frame of reference. The reality after that was having excellent pay, lots of responsibility (for a 19 year old 2LT), a new car, and freedom to go almost anywhere in Europe when I was off-duty. The service to my country was worth every second of it.

Response by SGT James Johnson made Aug 23 at 2021 8:11 PM

2021-08-23T20:11:25-04:00

Being a military man was pre determined for me with a hero father. I loved the idea of traveling I was right.

Response by MSgt David Guenther made Aug 23 at 2021 8:17 PM

2021-08-23T20:17:27-04:00

USAF was much easier than I imagined. I was brought up on stories of Army and Marines, with a huge library of WWII, Korea, and VN. My DI asked if I was CAP or ROTC because of my initial responses and not falling for the initial mind games in basic. I stayed in until it was no longer fun, like I proclaimed throughout my career. Retired at 21+ years.

Response by SSG Leo Mcardle made Aug 23 at 2021 8:18 PM

2021-08-23T20:18:00-04:00

I never thought much about it. I knew there would be tough training and that was it. I just needed to get away from my current environment.

Response by Sgt David Branham made Aug 23 at 2021 8:18 PM

2021-08-23T20:18:46-04:00

Adventure and travel - neither of which materialized in North Carolina during my 4 year hitch

Response by Cpl Ernest Thomas made Aug 23 at 2021 8:22 PM

2021-08-23T20:22:31-04:00

I thought the Corps would be action all the time. I never once thought that I'd learn to be a buffer rodeo pro and a beer guzzling, whiskey drinking athlete that could sleep while standing up in morning formation. Then have the ability to maintain multi-million dollar aircraft to keep them flying.

Response by SPC Orville Wallace made Aug 23 at 2021 8:22 PM

2021-08-23T20:22:33-04:00

I didn't have a clue I just wanted to serve my country

Response by SSG Jerry Mason made Aug 23 at 2021 8:25 PM

2021-08-23T20:25:08-04:00

Was a military brat and knew exactly what I was getting in to when I joined. Actually basic training was easier than I thought it was going to be.

Response by CPT David Gowel made Aug 23 at 2021 8:35 PM

2021-08-23T20:35:28-04:00

I imagined a lot less paperwork, logistics processes, and planning / training for scenarios that were unlikely to happen. Those parts of military service didn't excite me at the time, but I've since realized how important they are to getting things done well in both my mil and civ careers.

Response by MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. made Aug 23 at 2021 8:39 PM

2021-08-23T20:39:09-04:00

I enlisted in late 1969. I was in JROTC in high school, so I already had a handle on the basics. That said, the experience turned out to be nowhere near as hard as I was expecting.

Response by SSG Lew Wilson made Aug 23 at 2021 8:43 PM

2021-08-23T20:43:29-04:00

growing up in a military family ( father, 1 uncle , step father and several cousins had served ) i had expected a lot of push ups, and harsh words from drill Sgts. , along with lots of mind games. in actuality i was some what disappointed that there were not more mind games and such.

Response by SGT Al Dec made Aug 23 at 2021 8:47 PM

2021-08-23T20:47:02-04:00

I thought basic training was going to be harder than it was.

Response by SGT Lance LeBerte made Aug 23 at 2021 8:50 PM

2021-08-23T20:50:57-04:00

I imagined a lot of travel and range time, live fire exercises, what I got was a lot of boredom, and waiting

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2021 8:52 PM

2021-08-23T20:52:18-04:00

I honestly thought we would have better organization, communication and cohesiveness. Maybe just my unit, but it's been a little bit of a letdown. It's not all bad though. I've met some pretty cool people and done some pretty cool things.

Response by CH (CPT) Ephraim Travis made Aug 23 at 2021 8:52 PM

2021-08-23T20:52:24-04:00

As a distinguished faith Chaplain, I knew that I was going to deploy within a few weeks of finishing CHBOLC and that I'd be busy with my unit and congregation. In those aspects, I wasn't at all surprised.

Response by MAJ Noel Del Rosario made Aug 23 at 2021 8:54 PM

2021-08-23T20:54:35-04:00

My father was a career Army officer and his last assignment was battalion commander of basic training so I knew what the deal was.After retiring he took a job at a military academy and enrolled me for seventh and eighth grade where I learned the military basics.

Response by SPC Mary Vaughan made Aug 23 at 2021 8:55 PM

2021-08-23T20:55:54-04:00

I expected more order and superiors in enlisted ranks being able to back up their words with example and truth.

Response by SSG Steven Gotz made Aug 23 at 2021 8:57 PM

2021-08-23T20:57:23-04:00

Honestly, I think it was one heck of a lot easier than I expected. I was draft age in 1972, wasn't asked, didn't volunteer. Eventually volunteered in 1978. At the age of 25! I turned 26 between Basic and AIT.

I loved it at school. I got to eat as much as I wanted and they made everyone else be quiet while I studied.

I loved it in Germany. I traveled a lot, ate interesting and delicious foods, drank great beer! Sure I had to work but I was a radio repairer. Cush job! Even running almost 5 miles per day was worth it.

Came back to the US and went to school again. Then on to Ft. Hood where I got to test drive the Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles that we worked on. If I had could have been sent anywhere other than Ft. Hood I probably would have reenlisted again.

Being in the Army during the Reagan Administration was probably the most peaceful time in American history.

Response by CW3 Steve Butts made Aug 23 at 2021 8:59 PM

2021-08-23T20:59:52-04:00

Realized real quick, it was not the streets and if I were to survive, I needed to listen to those directing us individually and collectively. It was totally different than anything I had seen on TV or with my limited reading selection at the time. I remain blessed to have been trained by the best and managed to have a very successful career (never forgetting where I came from).

Response by SPC Mark Maestas made Aug 23 at 2021 9:03 PM

2021-08-23T21:03:03-04:00

I had four years of NJROTC in highs school My Instructors were WW2, Korean War, and Vietnam Vets. My commander was Capt. J.J. Herrick. The man that started the shooting war in Vietnam. He was commander of Destroyer Division 192. In the Tonkin gulf incident. So I had preconceived notions, of duty and honor. I was not ready for the racism I encountered, nor the ineptitude of those in charge. I had squad leaders and a platoon Sargent that could hardly read or write so as a Pfc I was writing his EERs and and disciplinary statements. Most of my company NCOs where in the army drug and alcohol Program.

Response by Capt Robert W Shillato made Aug 23 at 2021 9:04 PM

2021-08-23T21:04:03-04:00

Controlling and ridged

Response by SSgt Jeanne Wallace made Aug 23 at 2021 9:04 PM

2021-08-23T21:04:27-04:00

Did AF basic in 1979 ;) ..nothing like the description my dad gave of Korean War era boot camp.

Response by SPC Dean Bricker made Aug 23 at 2021 9:04 PM

2021-08-23T21:04:58-04:00

Tough

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2021 9:05 PM

2021-08-23T21:05:11-04:00

I thought the training and work would be a lot more rigid. It wasn’t. It was a challenge but well worth it.

Response by Capt Bruce Bitterman made Aug 23 at 2021 9:05 PM

2021-08-23T21:05:19-04:00

Thought it would be like the show Gomer Pyle - and I was right.

Response by CPT Bob Kaminski made Aug 23 at 2021 9:05 PM

2021-08-23T21:05:20-04:00

Constant action More boredom than I expected.

Response by SFC Jerald Bottcher made Aug 23 at 2021 9:05 PM

2021-08-23T21:05:37-04:00

It was 1977. I had no idea at all. My fathers Uncle who had served during WW2 just told me to shut up and do as I was told, and keep a low profile. It was the 1st time I had really been away from home (joined DEP while I was in high school and shipped out 3 months after I graduated)
My recruiter told me physically it would not be any harder than getting ready for football season. (In fact physically it was less intense - just a lot more standing around)
For me it was a bit of culture shock, people from all over the country (with all sorts of different backgrounds). No TV, Radio, Soda Pop, freedom of movement, etc. Parts of it was a real pain, other parts were real fun. Didn't even care about the food. With how much we were burning the calories food was just fuel and nothing else, except breakfast. breakfast was great - hard to mess up fried eggs potatoes sausage gravy with biscuits.
If I had to do it over again, you bet in a heartbeat!

Response by PO1 Mary Vermont made Aug 23 at 2021 9:11 PM

2021-08-23T21:11:49-04:00

Started out by joining the reserves but before I was done with tech school I liked it enough to go full time so I guess you could say it exceeded my expectations

Response by SSG Samuel Kermon made Aug 23 at 2021 9:12 PM

2021-08-23T21:12:19-04:00

I grew up an Air Force Brat. So I was exposed to that branch daily. I expected long hours, TDY, and frequent moves. I watched some films made at Lackland. Air Force basic, so sort of knew what to expect. Course things change so I went to the Marine Corps....had no idea!

Response by MSgt Gary Miller made Aug 23 at 2021 9:12 PM

2021-08-23T21:12:33-04:00

I had no idea what it would be like. I had no one in my immediate family who had been in the military.

Response by SGT Thomas Seward made Aug 23 at 2021 9:13 PM

2021-08-23T21:13:40-04:00

It was really a lot more lax than I expected. My dad is a retired Marine and I saw numerous bases while growing up. The 60’s and early 70’s we’re totally different from what I experienced in the 80’s and 90’s.

Response by SPC Jim M. made Aug 23 at 2021 9:16 PM

2021-08-23T21:16:38-04:00

I never really thought about what it was going to be like. All of my uncles and dad served in WWII as my grandfathers in WWI, prior to them, so it was more or less expected to join the service. That being said, listening to the other recruits on the train ride from PA to SC sure made your heart go "piddy pat" and raised your anxiety. After being a wrestler and cross-country runner throughout high school, I found the physical part of basic to be fairly easy. Getting everyone in the platoon and company to do everything together and learn how to do it the military way was the hard part.

Response by SGM Major Stroupe made Aug 23 at 2021 9:26 PM

2021-08-23T21:26:54-04:00

I knew very little about Army life before I joined. I figured it would be tough but I had no idea about how much I had to learn. The Army helped me grow up and be responsible. Can't thank my good NCO leaders enough for their sound leadership and showing me the ropes.

Response by SFC Jeff Orlowski made Aug 23 at 2021 9:36 PM

2021-08-23T21:36:05-04:00

Just like the movies

Response by Sgt Roland Stanley made Aug 23 at 2021 9:41 PM

2021-08-23T21:41:53-04:00

I had never really thought much about it but I reasoned that being in the Air Force would be very different from the Army or Marines. When I enlisted very few airmen saw combat. That was over 6 decades ago and today there are many similarities among the branches.

Response by PO3 Kathy Getchey made Aug 23 at 2021 9:44 PM

2021-08-23T21:44:22-04:00

We all reach a point where we know leaving home equals living. So, I left. Never regretted it.

Response by PO1 Michael Frey made Aug 23 at 2021 9:44 PM

2021-08-23T21:44:33-04:00

I guess it was kind of cheating for me, as my dad was in the Air Force Reserve for my whole life and I got to see all of the services as he worked on a Naval Air Station which had every service other than Army onboard. Still, when I joined the Navy and went to submarines instead of going Air Force, Air Guard, Marine Air, or Navy Air, it wasn’t as much of a different atmosphere as I expected. There was a bit more “hurry up and wait” than I expected though. And the camaraderie in the fleet was much more involved than I expected.

Response by CPT William Pearson made Aug 23 at 2021 9:46 PM

2021-08-23T21:46:30-04:00

Military life came easy after five years of ROTC. Spending six weeks at Summer Camp at Fort Lewis,WA in the summer of 1966,rain everyday,spending time with 4th Division soldiers was a challenge. Meeting cadets from other schools was fun just like meeting Infantry Officers at Fort Benning. The learnings from the Army are n my long term memory. I use them daily.Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. Vietnam was never a war…..it was a conflict where 58,000 never came home.

Response by SPC George Edwards made Aug 23 at 2021 9:49 PM

2021-08-23T21:49:43-04:00

I joined the Army Reserve while still in high school so I pretty much knew what to expect. When I was twenty-one, went RA and really enjoyed the next three years as I got to choose my school in electronics.

Response by SPC Michael Terrell made Aug 23 at 2021 10:14 PM

2021-08-23T22:14:57-04:00

Actually, I didn't join. I took the required physical when I registered for the draft. I worked in Electronics, and was interested in Avionics. I was given five medical 4F ratings and was told, "Go home, we never want to see your sick ass again!" Two years later, they drafted me.
I figured that I would have to put up with a lot of crap in Basic, and I was right, I have never been able to run very fast, and I passed the first PT test with the lowest allowable score, and I only gained two points on the second.
I was drafted because I was doing Industrial Electronics. I had to close my business, then was told I could cook or drive a truck. I made them made enough to attempt to prove that I didn't know Electronics. I was given the hardest Electronics MOS test at that time. Average score was 22/110. They only gave me 88 questions. I scored 82/88, and was awarded 26T20 which was the Army equivalent of the FCC First Phone license needed to be a Broadcast Engineer. That pissed everybody off, but I ignored them. I worked two mission critical jobs, in two years. Then I was told that my MOS was being eliminated. I laughed when they tried to talk me into signing up for another six, to spend three in a school tat wasn't as hard as what I had tested out of. I had put up with two years of dealing with jerks, low ranking crybaby officers who kept interfering with my duty, and being told that everything was depot level, in spite of them totally ignoring that we existed. I wasn't about to put up with the crap, from people who had no clue about my work. I averaged 70 hours a week at my last assignment, but kept hearing, I wish I had as many days off as you! I made some good friends, but truthfully, I paid a huge price with my health for serving.

Response by SPC Daniel Kennedy made Aug 23 at 2021 10:26 PM

2021-08-23T22:26:12-04:00

Well i was sure i could handle the physical challenge,but at seventeen or eighteen its hard to know if one has the mental toughness to run the distance,that cannot be taught or given,sure we have our role models,but in the end its digging deep in ourselves to push back against the storm that makes us victorious.Each of us who raised our right hand accepted the challenge to be part of the greatest military in history,nuff said.

Response by SPC Matt Ovaska made Aug 23 at 2021 10:31 PM

2021-08-23T22:31:53-04:00

I was prepped by military personal friends that wouldn't lie to me. I knew what to expect.

Response by SP5 Wilbert Jennings made Aug 23 at 2021 10:46 PM

2021-08-23T22:46:37-04:00

Like many we knew we would be drafted BUT like many we really didn't know why. I graduated from High School with a general education and figured I could get a trade by enlisting for another year. I was physically fit, when I went in so the physical training I enjoyed and the skill set with weaponry was cool . I qualified Expert Marksman and beings as I enlisted as well for Airborne I figured I would end up a snipper.

Response by SPC Lyle Montgomery made Aug 23 at 2021 10:51 PM

2021-08-23T22:51:57-04:00

I had no idea. When I got into basic I was wondering what the hell i'd gotten into, Then I remembered that I had been through hell with 8 years of grade school with nuns and I figured that I could do 2 years in the Army standing on my head. Besides in the Army I could shoot back.

Response by MSgt Neal Schultz made Aug 23 at 2021 11:11 PM

2021-08-23T23:11:25-04:00

My friends were joining the USAF and I wanted to also. I quit school in Dec 1953 and joined the
following month. I didn't think about what happens but I loved it and stayed 20 years

Response by SFC Jan Goodman made Aug 23 at 2021 11:16 PM

2021-08-23T23:16:30-04:00

I did not have to imagine military life. I was around the military my whole life. From the day I was born at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and all the traveling and when my father came back from wwII and Korea, I was prepared and ready to graduate from school and do what I was destined to do. I servced twenty years and enjoyed every thing except Vietnam. I hope that all my brothers are just as happy and satisfied with their service as I.

Response by SMSgt John Carter made Aug 23 at 2021 11:21 PM

2021-08-23T23:21:35-04:00

I imagined a high standard of honor and integrity by my superiors. Initially I was disappointed in boot camp, but on balance most folks were honorable throughout my career.

Response by SFC Jan Goodman made Aug 23 at 2021 11:22 PM

2021-08-23T23:22:37-04:00

I knew every thing about the military when I joined. I was born at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and spent my whole life traveling and learning all over the United States. My father was in WWII and the Korean conflict, so I was up on the war scene too. I participated in Vietnam and it was the only low point in my career. Dad spent thirty and I spent twenty. Hope all My brothers are OK and as satisfied as I, with their service.

Response by BG Mike Bridges made Aug 23 at 2021 11:57 PM

2021-08-23T23:57:42-04:00

hard, scary. exciting, some danger, lots of adventure and adrenaline, spit and polish, rewarding beyond d words.

Response by SPC Tarrence Molendyk made Aug 24 at 2021 12:05 AM

2021-08-24T00:05:47-04:00

I honestly didn't know what to expect, I thought boot camp was going to be the norm and was pleasantly surprised how relaxed it was in other duty stations.

Response by SFC Rick Brooks made Aug 24 at 2021 12:16 AM

2021-08-24T00:16:31-04:00

I figured I would wind up in Viet Nam when I enlisted in 73 so had no idea

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 12:29 AM

2021-08-24T00:29:29-04:00

Tthink Stripes and Spies like us.
Reality, nope. Almost got the best of me in basic but have loved every minute of ot since.

Response by MAJ James Woods made Aug 24 at 2021 12:55 AM

2021-08-24T00:55:24-04:00

Being a military brat, had a perspective from an enlistedmen. But went in as an officer and world was flipped upside down. Knew I should've enlisted. Haha! But seriously, I saw myself traveling to places I wanted to go but HRC assignment officers made sure that didn't happen.

Response by Sgt Tom Sommer made Aug 24 at 2021 1:07 AM

2021-08-24T01:07:41-04:00

My Dad was in WWII but he never spoke of it. My life was really simple and basically typical. I was in college 3/4 time and working when I got my draft notice and that day, I went and joined the Air Force. This was in 1964 and the end of Chapter 1 of my life. Chapter 2 began with basic and then to electronics school for a year. My orders sent me to South East Asia. At this time in 1965 i knew very little about RVN. Nothing in my life prepared me for RVN. Up to this point I knew what was happening and felt somewhat in control. After a couple of days everything became surreal with no control of anything. I did 2 years. 1968 ended Chapter 2. Chapter 3 is now. Finished college, married, kids, and still haunted by RVN.

Response by PO1 David McGillvray made Aug 24 at 2021 1:21 AM

2021-08-24T01:21:40-04:00

I took it as it came, I signed up to avoid getting drafted. It was a good decision and I had a nice career.

Response by SPC Jim Shelton made Aug 24 at 2021 1:35 AM

2021-08-24T01:35:34-04:00

I imagined being sent to different countries and seeing some of the world. After basic and AT I was stationed about 90 miles from my home and there I stayed.

Response by MSgt Donald Granger made Aug 24 at 2021 3:14 AM

2021-08-24T03:14:26-04:00

I pretty much knew what it would be like. I had 4 brothers and a sister to clue me in.

Response by SFC Perry Seals made Aug 24 at 2021 5:27 AM

2021-08-24T05:27:40-04:00

I didn't think I would be taxed on my income because I was a government employee, dumb country bumpkin. I also thought Field Artillery looked cool and fun. I never knew you had to man handle the rounds and that net, OMG. n the ned it showed me discipline and saved my life.

Response by PO1 Leo Scott made Aug 24 at 2021 7:24 AM

2021-08-24T07:24:15-04:00

I had no idea what to expect but it was a lot easier than I expected

Response by SGT Morgan Dull made Aug 24 at 2021 7:27 AM

2021-08-24T07:27:28-04:00

I knew it was going to be tough, I knew it would be pure Fate and Faith, I knew it would change me forever and ever, I chose death for life after life.

I thought the actual implementation on the Ground, would be a great deal more professional, and military, and always working and always productive and so forth; than it was in actuality. I thought there would be a great deal more Honesty and quite a few other things, and I especially thought that there were more like me in the Army, there were, but they were all older, lots older, the younger guys (my peers) were just not into it, the Vietnam War was over, and there was a Recession, a bad one going on. Me? I Blossomed.

It was 1975, and Vietnam was ending, with a weird ending that parallels Afghanistan today.

I had pre-enlisted against my false family’s protests (I was a trafficked baby, and I knew how to escape, and had planned it for many, many years and studied the Military, my GT score was like 142/150, with a High School diploma), my counselor’s protests, and the protests of protestors against the Vietnam War. There were even Protestors yelling their protest’s to the war when I took my oaths and vows and my enlistment station, including a round of Nun’s in their Black and White Penguin Suits chanting Latin curses upon us and myself in particular as I came to understand life, and what the question posed for today by Rallypoint has offered for me to comment upon.

I had my whole “recruiters” promise package in writing… I was to have my faith documented as Valyrian, or Sanskrit, or Mandala, a Tour in Alaska, etc, never happened, too many other incidentals and too many other wars raging that I had no idea of what-so-ever until exposed to them. Plus there was a Revolution/Insurrection within the Army in 1973-1975 and they were “labeled” Neo-Nazi’s the Swastika or Stanza was not allowed a stamp on the dog-tags, nor acknowledge in writing. As such my copies showed Religion as No Preference, very dogmatic to the issuers, Nasty Karma that one.

It took 20 years for me to just get a copy of my DD214 after I left the service. I have an honorable discharge, but in 45 years, of continuous service, I’m still not allowed any other records in my file, I have injuries with very unique descriptions and Heraldry everywhere.

I was convicted of war crimes during the Cold War, for my Valhalla Faith and Fate. The People..the People? Who judged me? All Christians… and ALL CIVILIANS, NOT A SINGLE MILITARY, ON DUTY, REAL SOLDIER, EVER INVOLVED, EVER.

This is why there are so many problems, there is no one in charge of the Civilians, they have no Bearing.

Thanks again,

Thank you Rallypoint, Sorry this is long and Wordy, I’ve had to repress what I’ve just written and the Rage in me for the Denial of my records and the Truth of my Records and so forth. I hope you all understand, its natural to be Vengeful, very Natural, very Healing, very Informing.

Response by CPO Arthur Weinberger made Aug 24 at 2021 7:53 AM

2021-08-24T07:53:13-04:00

I was under the impression I would have a job to do and would have to follow the guidelines of that position precisely. Uniforms would be given to me to be worn and taken care of in an explecable manner. We would have drills, pt and other exercises besides our regular position. All rules and regs
would hopeful be enforced; (they were not). Today's military is even wimpier than when I served.
Obesity, runs amock.

Response by SSG John M Jacobson Sr made Aug 24 at 2021 8:42 AM

2021-08-24T08:42:39-04:00

Seeing as how I came from a Navy family, I never really thought about how it would be. I just knew that I did not want to go in the Navy. Now don't get me wrong I swim like a fish I don't get Sea sick, and I like ships and boats, I just wanted to be different than everyone else in my family. So I always thought the Army was my best choice because that is where a lot of things happen and I want to be in it. But I imagined it to be always doing different things every day. I was wrong. But I enjoyed all 24 years of it.

Response by SSgt Christopher Spaulding made Aug 24 at 2021 9:14 AM

2021-08-24T09:14:11-04:00

I was a service brat,so I thought I would know a thing or two,lol. Boy was I surprised! I believe the DI's were a little hard on the service brats maybe expecting more from us. Yes it was a culture shock non the less.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Aug 24 at 2021 9:19 AM

2021-08-24T09:19:50-04:00

I expected it to be a little Gomer Pyle mixed in with full metal jacket, Apocalypse Now. I joined under the buddy program because my cousin had signed up and the closer he got to a shipping date the colder his feet got.

When I showed up at the airline that would transport me to Basic Trng land my cousing was a f$%&n no show. My first reality check was he chickened out and I was going to give to hell.

I was between traing cycles when I arrived so the DI's right or wrong told me to hang out with them. It was pizza and beer for the weekend but they told me to be ready for a shit storm on Monday. They weren't kidding!

My dad told me to listen to what the DI's were telling me as it would make me a better man but not to take a bit of it personal. Seine out the BS and learn the lesson being taught. I did and was a squad leader a week after in-proccessing was complete. This was after the original squad leader pick did a dive in Poison Ivy to get a medical discharge.

I took my responsibility serious and our team, squad, platoon did well and had first time go's on everything thanks to our leadership and respect from our platoon members.

Response by TSgt Glenn Coombes made Aug 24 at 2021 9:21 AM

2021-08-24T09:21:13-04:00

I had a relative in the Air Force and seen things I liked which had an influence on me.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 9:21 AM

2021-08-24T09:21:38-04:00

I was looking for something structured and I knew that's where I can find it. I was only two weeks out of high school and never wanted the dead end jobs that I knew awaited me.

Response by PO3 Rick Lewis made Aug 24 at 2021 9:31 AM

2021-08-24T09:31:18-04:00

I pretty much expected it to be as it turned out.

Response by SGT Linda Al-Omair made Aug 24 at 2021 10:00 AM

2021-08-24T10:00:37-04:00

I was 17 years old and very naïve. I thought the military would provide equal opportunities for women. What a joke. I was trained as a medic. When I got to my first assignment, they wanted me to be a clerk. So I feigned my typing skills--I typed 3 words a minute. So I was allowed to be an ambulance driver. Military was more discriminating to women than civilian life. But they had never met the likes of me. I showed them that women can be better than men. I fought my way up the military ladder.

Response by SGT Sheri Lattimer made Aug 24 at 2021 11:05 AM

2021-08-24T11:05:43-04:00

Total honesty here. I enlisted totally based on a friend's brother (US Marine) coming home for a wedding in dress blues. Not even a month later was at Parris Island and clueless!

Response by CPT Kevin Connolly made Aug 24 at 2021 11:06 AM

2021-08-24T11:06:44-04:00

Like the Boy Scouts, with live ammo.

Response by PFC David Foster made Aug 24 at 2021 11:14 AM

2021-08-24T11:14:29-04:00

I was extremely lucky. I joined for two years for the education benefits and was guaranteed my time in Europe. I had 30 days a year vacation and ten, five day passes while I was in Germany, that's 110 days vacation in under two years. I traveled all over Europe and took in so much amazing unforgettable scenery and so many unforgettable experiences. Now that I'm older, the health care benefits have also been a saving grace to me. I wouldn't trade my time in the service for anything, it did all this for me and also turned me into a man. And then for a final topper, they let me go home three weeks early for Christmas drop..... I was a jeep driver for an artillery unit. Sham artist all the way. I loved every minute of it, except Grafenwoeh (live fire training in Germany)... That was as close as you can get to being in a war without actually being in a war.

Response by PVT Michele Bowman made Aug 24 at 2021 11:22 AM

2021-08-24T11:22:32-04:00

I had no clue but because I love a challenge is one reason why I joined. And boy was it ever I knew I had a mouth on me but I quickly got that into check after push-ups

Response by Cpl William Tanguay made Aug 24 at 2021 11:45 AM

2021-08-24T11:45:09-04:00

Never really gave it any thought, what a shocker I never talked to a Marine before my enlistment.

Response by LCpl Richard Lally made Aug 24 at 2021 11:52 AM

2021-08-24T11:52:14-04:00

I was enamored by the John Wayne (SSgt Striker) way of life. Later found that it was much harder to be a Marine.

Response by SPC Richard Zacke made Aug 24 at 2021 12:04 PM

2021-08-24T12:04:48-04:00

patriotic

Response by PO1 Don Benson made Aug 24 at 2021 12:20 PM

2021-08-24T12:20:36-04:00

Mine came from movies/tv/books, and was vastly different from reality because it’s so superficial. Once in, all of the details, routines, protocols and traditions come crashing down on you.

Response by COL Kathleen Roehr made Aug 24 at 2021 2:20 PM

2021-08-24T14:20:59-04:00

I grew up outside of Camp Pendleton. My classmates were military family members who came and went as did their fathers to Vietnam. The Army needed nurses and offered to pay for my education, before ROTC. When I went to OBC the summer of 1972, I had no clue what I was getting into. However, 30 plus years later I was still there and never regretted the decision made.

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made Aug 24 at 2021 4:39 PM

2021-08-24T16:39:40-04:00

Since I grew up Navy And Marine Corps. I had seen a great deal of how thing went.
Most of the people that came around where combat troops in Vietnam.
so I heard a great deal of how life was. I took a it all to heart.
So when I Joined most of it was like I thought would be.

Response by SPC Desiree Tosatto made Aug 24 at 2021 7:44 PM

2021-08-24T19:44:40-04:00

I grew up as a military brat and talked to a lot of service members as I got older. I wasn't really surprised because it felt quite familiar already. I had been given advise by seasoned service members on how to adjust the different lifestyle so that helped in a big way especially on how to deal with military discipline mindset.

Response by SFC Larry Jones made Aug 24 at 2021 7:45 PM

2021-08-24T19:45:48-04:00

I figured there would be a lot of yelling. BCT didn't disappoint. I had at least one instructor at AIT who needed to grow a spine. He was a Master Sergeant and wouldn't correct me when I defied him. After that, the only people who yelled were those who were insecure or had no idea what they were doing.

Response by CPL Robert Levesque made Aug 24 at 2021 7:52 PM

2021-08-24T19:52:24-04:00

I thought I would be out doing real world missions, chasing down bad guys and doing my part to keep America great. I didn’t expect a lot of buffing floors TA50 inspections and countless days in the motor pool or doing police call on a field to pick up cigarette butts.

Response by SSgt Melissa Sutton made Aug 24 at 2021 7:52 PM

2021-08-24T19:52:28-04:00

Almost didn't join cause seeing ads for Army, it looked to combative and didn't think that was me but I wound up in AF that could have been and almost did but didn't see combative part of military.

Response by CPO David Sullivan made Aug 24 at 2021 7:52 PM

2021-08-24T19:52:41-04:00

No Clue My dad who was wounded in the 41st Infantry Div at the battle of Biak told me to join the Navy. The food was better

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 7:53 PM

2021-08-24T19:53:20-04:00

Figured it could not be as bad as farm life. Up and working before the sun came out. Back at home after the sun goes down. I will say this, never thought I would be fed as good as I was….

Response by CWO5 Stan Price made Aug 24 at 2021 7:54 PM

2021-08-24T19:54:50-04:00

I thought we'd spend most of our time out in the field digging fox holes and such. I sure was wrong.

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Aug 24 at 2021 7:56 PM

2021-08-24T19:56:07-04:00

I knew exactly what was in store for me in military life. My Father was a WWII Gunners mate in the Navy and he told me many things. Also I graduated high school in 1965, many of my class mates and upper classmates filled in many things my Dad left out. Most of that was Vietnam related. I enlisted and knew what I was in for as far as life in the Military. All my uncles also served in WWII. I did not enter the Military blindly! And I stayed for 23 years (Dec 1966 - Mar 1990)! I would do it again if I could!

Response by Sgt Ivan Boatwright made Aug 24 at 2021 7:56 PM

2021-08-24T19:56:26-04:00

I knew a Marine recruiter when I was five and I first attempted to join the Marines. He told stories of men fighting in Bootcamp and the last man standing was the platoon Sargent, and the other few were the right guide and squad leaders. I never forgot the stories but I knew that was not accepted in 1964. I knew they still hit people but they would not leave a mark. The Sands of Iwo Jima was my war movie. I had quit Bible College when I decided that the Bible was not the Divinely inspired Word Of God. I thought I wanted to be a Marine for the rest of my life and emulate Chesty Puller. I was deaf in one ear, naive and ignorant of what I wanted to do. I had spent my entire youth studying the Bible and being a Christian. I needed Vietnam to become a man. My only regret is the number of people I killed and friends that I lost. I sometimes wish that I had died there and never returned.

Response by SSG Sidney Galloway made Aug 24 at 2021 7:59 PM

2021-08-24T19:59:59-04:00

The man who raised me told me (truly) fantastic stories filled with antics and truck loads of loose women. The recruiter's Tech Tape (1986) was hilariously deceiving. Boy was my mind boggled by the reality. Where were all the women? Nobody stealing Jeeps to run to the next county for booze. Nobody told me about picking grass out of rock gardens. Nobody told me about the mopping. Or buffing. Or toilet cleaning. Nor the thousands of "Hey you" details. They didn't tell me about the pride either. Great stories, y'all!

Response by PO2 Stephen Brownell made Aug 24 at 2021 8:00 PM

2021-08-24T20:00:43-04:00

I already knew what military life was like when I went into the military

Response by PFC Martin Potashner made Aug 24 at 2021 8:03 PM

2021-08-24T20:03:33-04:00

I had no idea how military life would be like on my first day I was taken by surprise I had to not follow a sgt order they gave me boots that were to small and could not walk in them the sgt ordered me to gewhatt up I refused a LT walked by asked me what was wrong he yelled at the sgt to get me a new set of boots

Response by MSgt Jimmie Brown made Aug 24 at 2021 8:04 PM

2021-08-24T20:04:23-04:00

I expected a tougher Basic training, but I wasn't really surprised by anything. My dad was a USA MSGT 1st Sgt and I knew all about folding clothes and was prepared for the PT.

Response by SMSgt Jeff Kyle made Aug 24 at 2021 8:06 PM

2021-08-24T20:06:23-04:00

Stripes (the movie) came out around the time I was heading for boot camp, plus or minus a few months. I was pretty sure it wasn’t going to be anything like Marine Corps boot camp. It wasn’t, but we got some laughs, whenever we were marginally out of sight of the Drill Instructors.

Response by SPC Jeff Stassin made Aug 24 at 2021 8:07 PM

2021-08-24T20:07:42-04:00

I figured the pay would have been better than what it was back then. I never realized how much P.T. would have affected my body later on in life, and how political and what the good ole boys system was. Otherwise the work was hard, grueling and even fun at times.

Response by SSG Robert Velasco made Aug 24 at 2021 8:08 PM

2021-08-24T20:08:32-04:00

I was waiting for steel bedsprings,green wool blankets, food tossed on your tray and Sgts walking up and down the barracks. You know, like prison!

Response by CMC Aaron Relford made Aug 24 at 2021 8:10 PM

2021-08-24T20:10:38-04:00

Had no idea but it felt like home.

Response by PO2 Kevin Parker made Aug 24 at 2021 8:10 PM

2021-08-24T20:10:53-04:00

I imagined joining the Army! My Dad, a Army SGM wouldn't let me! So I joined the Navy. Was planning on SP in the Army. Did JROTC in High School and had it all planned out. Wasn't doing SF in the Navy, because all I knew of was the Sealss. I can swim, but not Seal worthy LOL

Response by SGT Jodi WittBailey made Aug 24 at 2021 8:12 PM

2021-08-24T20:12:09-04:00

I pictured being a part os something bigger than myself. I imagijed moving to places overseas. I wondered if I wouod be stationed in exotic locales. I wondered who I would meet.

Response by LTC Gary Bracht made Aug 24 at 2021 8:14 PM

2021-08-24T20:14:44-04:00

Way too much Sgt Rock and the Howling Furies and not enough of the bureaucratic BS that went with post Vietnam garrison duty.

Response by Sgt Michael Daubert made Aug 24 at 2021 8:21 PM

2021-08-24T20:21:28-04:00

spit and polish-discipline and a lot of in-your-face

Response by SGT Trish Woodbury made Aug 24 at 2021 8:21 PM

2021-08-24T20:21:48-04:00

I went in not really knowing what to expect and open for an adventure. No idea how many pieces of trash and cigarette butts I would be tasked with clearing away. Littering, especially cigarette butts, still annoys me.

Response by SP5 Thomas Jameson made Aug 24 at 2021 8:21 PM

2021-08-24T20:21:54-04:00

Short!

Response by SMSgt Roy Dowdy made Aug 24 at 2021 8:23 PM

2021-08-24T20:23:13-04:00

More or less as expected since I was a military brat and grew up around military bases.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Aug 24 at 2021 8:23 PM

2021-08-24T20:23:37-04:00

I never really thought about it.

Response by LT Alan Gottesman made Aug 24 at 2021 8:23 PM

2021-08-24T20:23:45-04:00

Had no specific expectations, and, in general, was OK with how things developed. Knowing I was not committed to a military career made things easier.

Response by SPC Tom Richardson made Aug 24 at 2021 8:24 PM

2021-08-24T20:24:07-04:00

kinda expected it to be like the movies, it wasnt

Response by PO1 Thomas B. made Aug 24 at 2021 8:30 PM

2021-08-24T20:30:23-04:00

Read tons of war novels and comic books as a kid. Did 3 years of Army JROTC in high school reaching the rank of Cadet Colonel so I had all the basics. Just had to supplement the Navy bits and pieces. Pretty much met my expectations except for the days (and days, and days) at sea...

Response by SGT Leonard Frank made Aug 24 at 2021 8:30 PM

2021-08-24T20:30:39-04:00

Funny how just a couple months can change things. I was delayed going to basic, but I still drilled with my reserve unit, and I did get a lot of extra help, I was older and to be honest wiser but no one knew they had cut out smoking in basic, I was a 3 pack a day guy. THAT was my big surprise and effected the whole time, think of withdrawl and you will understand. I could run circles around most of the kids, as well as the push ups and situps. I would have been a sharpshooter but my weapon was off,( yes had was proof before and then after, when I got home) The mental strain of not having a smoke was horrible!. I have been off cigs now for over 10 years but then was not the time to quit. Anyway if that could be a do over (oops forgot I could never get cadence down correctly LOL) I could have been one of the best but was banished to the could have reached his potential but didnt bin. I did improve at my home unit and we were deployed to SA for DS and Shield.

Response by SSgt James Martin made Aug 24 at 2021 8:33 PM

2021-08-24T20:33:39-04:00

Basic was harder than I thought it would be tech school was ok and service life was great. Sorry I didn't stay in for twenty.

Response by LCpl Dana Morgan made Aug 24 at 2021 8:40 PM

2021-08-24T20:40:56-04:00

I thought it was just like Sands of Iwo Jima and the D.I. with Jack Webb. Big surprise when it wasn't.
That was 1967.

Response by CW5 Edward "Tate" Jones Jr. made Aug 24 at 2021 8:41 PM

2021-08-24T20:41:39-04:00

Upon graduation from high school from an orphanage if I did nothing I would end up on the street. As an indigent, likely street urchin, my choices were the Army or the steel mills of Lackawanna. At barely 17 I was 5’6” and weighed 120 pounds. Not a logical candidate for the mills.

Response by CDR Scott Buck made Aug 24 at 2021 8:41 PM

2021-08-24T20:41:49-04:00

My father was a Navy pilot. . . I didn't have the vision requirement, so I enlisted. I was used to following directions, cleaning up for myself and discipline, so I didn't have much problem. I liked Destroyer duty and got along well with my shipmates (back during Viet Nam deployments). I did apply for and was accepted for a education/commissioning program. so I did wear bars and leaves. I would do it again.

Response by AN Ronald Norris made Aug 24 at 2021 8:51 PM

2021-08-24T20:51:23-04:00

1i come from a small town farming community no jobs so i decided to join the us navy went to boot camp in orlando,fl. went to phila,pa for advanced training then on to vietnam seen so combat and did received combat ribbon i thought i would see the world but see what happened would i have done it all over yes,

Response by MCPO Hilary Kunz made Aug 24 at 2021 8:55 PM

2021-08-24T20:55:18-04:00

The Navy was about PT boats, to me as a kid. I read PT-109 and JFK became my hero. Earnest Borgnine showed how much fun the McHale’s Navy was. My Dad had been in during Korea, but he was in shore support for submarines, so only had stories about how he met Mom. I was quite disappointed that there were no more PT boats when I joined…

Response by SPC Michael Teichner made Aug 24 at 2021 8:57 PM

2021-08-24T20:57:38-04:00

Like SPC Hill, I had no clue what I was getting into when I enlisted in 1963. Two years of ROTC gave me a leg up on marching, saluting, rifle cleaning (M1), clean and pressed uniform, brass polished, boots and shoes spit shined, and junior NRA in high school gave me the basics for sight picture, breathing and weapon safety on the range. I hated KP, until SP-4, when I didn’t “qualify” any more. Got my act together and started taking college classes again and met the P.E. requirements for my military service.
In retrospect, it was a life changing experience. Definitely worth it.

Response by SMSgt James Rorie made Aug 24 at 2021 9:00 PM

2021-08-24T21:00:30-04:00

I really had no idea what it would be like. My Dad and several uncles had all served in the military and I heard stories from them but you never can really know until you have lived it. After BT and Technical School you are pretty much on your own and you make the best of the situation no matter where it may be.

Response by Sgt Tom Gainer made Aug 24 at 2021 9:13 PM

2021-08-24T21:13:09-04:00

Marines…….tough, long days, short nights and PT day in day out

Response by CPT Jay Bank made Aug 24 at 2021 9:17 PM

2021-08-24T21:17:48-04:00

Being young and dumb (naive), I knew it would be a different lifestyle, I just did not have any idea or expect to have to deal with all the office-type politics/favoritism.

Response by Cpl Tyler Therrien made Aug 24 at 2021 9:21 PM

2021-08-24T21:21:34-04:00

More like a hollywood movie LOL

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 9:24 PM

2021-08-24T21:24:12-04:00

I dropped out of college to enlist after 9/11. I had no previous plans of joining and had a vague Vietnam-Era concept in my head thanks to movies like Platoon. I figured I'd serve for 4, be deployed for 3 of them, and be discharged with a green duffle bag full of dirty uniforms at the end of if. Needless to say, it exceeded my expectations... especially that briefing where they told us we got paid! Didn't see that one coming! Like I said, I knew nothing and just wanted to serve. It worked out pretty well.

Response by Sgt(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 9:26 PM

2021-08-24T21:26:10-04:00

I imagined something like Gomer Pyle for military life. Not as zany of course.

Response by Sgt Dale Taylor made Aug 24 at 2021 9:27 PM

2021-08-24T21:27:31-04:00

I figured service to be no nonsense. Serve your country and defeat US enemies abroad. Defend our Country at all cost. I figured that I would head to Vietnam and take care of business. I believed in truth, Justice and God. Everything but God turned out to be a load of crap. Today’s politicians should drop to their knees and pray to God that they don’t burn

Response by Sgt Robert Hellyer made Aug 24 at 2021 9:31 PM

2021-08-24T21:31:16-04:00

I thought it would be more exciting than it was. I knew the AF would be different from the other branches, but I didn't realize how much it would be like a regular job. That was just my experience. I know there were/are a lot of other people with vastly different experiences.

Response by PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster made Aug 24 at 2021 9:31 PM

2021-08-24T21:31:47-04:00

Hard work-a a lot of blood, sweat, and tears...

Response by 1SG Danny Ramos made Aug 24 at 2021 9:40 PM

2021-08-24T21:40:45-04:00

Went in there blind folded. It was a wake up call. Didn’t know what discipline meant until basic training. At first didn’t like it, got out and two years later I was back in for 23 years total.

Response by PFC Robert Avants made Aug 24 at 2021 9:44 PM

2021-08-24T21:44:37-04:00

I had no misconceptions about, military life, had a uncle, in Korea, 2 uncle's in WW2, one was 17yo when he jump behind Nazi lines, before D-Day., the other was Infantry, and was at D-Day

Response by SPC Martin Mahan made Aug 24 at 2021 9:49 PM

2021-08-24T21:49:45-04:00

I had no idea. I led a fairly reclusive life in my music and books prior to entry. It was my escape from the psychological games that went on in my house. When I was going in to the Army I was actually kind of happy to be getting out of the house. My dad told me I was going in mid January and I left mid March. So I didn't even really have a lot of time to contemplate it. I figured it would be tough, but in reality, the only thing that was tough was the physical part. The mental part was easy, comparatively.

Response by MSG Carl Leffel made Aug 24 at 2021 9:51 PM

2021-08-24T21:51:55-04:00

I was born into the military so I had a pretty good idea what I was in for. My father was an Infantry officer and I was Armor enlisted so I caught a lot of smack from him and his friends. (it was all in good fun) I lost my dad on 9 October 1973 and spent the next 19 years with out his guidance. Thank you for everything dad, 20 years was not long enough.

Response by SPC James E. Johnson made Aug 24 at 2021 9:56 PM

2021-08-24T21:56:45-04:00

I knew it would be interesting, as I grew up in a military family. I am proud that I was able to serve in both the Air Force, which was my first branch of service, and then the Army/ Army National Guard. I was able to put what I learned on the civilian side, into practice and utilize it in the military.

Response by SSG Cam Prince made Aug 24 at 2021 10:00 PM

2021-08-24T22:00:21-04:00

Because of the movies, I imagined I would meet a diverse group of people and I did. I imagined I would serve with heroes and dickheads and I did. I imagined I would see high efficiency and I did not. I imagined I would see close teamwork and for the most part I did.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 10:06 PM

2021-08-24T22:06:30-04:00

It was pretty much as my father described it to me. The clues he gave me still rung true 27 yrs later.

Response by PV2 Steven Stockwell made Aug 24 at 2021 10:08 PM

2021-08-24T22:08:25-04:00

The Army Was What I Hoped For And More i Have No Regrets In Fact I Wish I Was Still Serving The Only Misconception Was At Age 17 I Thought I Would Never Get Injured And I Was Nieve Enough To Believe That If I Did Our Goverment Would Take Care Of Me Boy Was I wrong i Am A Level C-6 Quad From Falling 60 Feet Repelling From A Chopper A Defective Hook Broke I Have Been Out Since 1988 And I Am Still Fighting For My Benifits I Was 10 Percent Intilll 2009 I Am Now 60 Percent Getting Paid 50 Percent But I Stiil Miss Serving But I Am Ashamed Of Our Goverments Idea Of Taking Care Of Us To All Other Vets In The Same Situation Dont Give Up Keep Fightingg As Soon As The Virus End I Am Going To Try A Lawyer To Help Thiis Time When I StartedFighting They Didnt Allow That At Least Bow They Do Now So Good Luck Everyone

Response by PO2 Dwight Tovey made Aug 24 at 2021 10:08 PM

2021-08-24T22:08:47-04:00

No clue. I was 17 and looking for a way to get out of small town Idaho. How I wound up in the Coast Guard coming from Idaho is still a mystery. But I still think it was one of the best moves I could have made at that point in my life. Got some life experiences that most of my classmates can't come close to touching. There are some things I would do differently if I had a chance, but overall I'm glad that I had the opportunities that I did.

Response by SGT Dennis Bolin made Aug 24 at 2021 10:17 PM

2021-08-24T22:17:27-04:00

One Answer MASH

Response by SFC Charles Holster made Aug 24 at 2021 10:24 PM

2021-08-24T22:24:16-04:00

Had no idea other than what I watched on TV. Enlisted in the delayed entry program January of 1974, a senior in High School.

Response by SP5 George Smith made Aug 24 at 2021 10:36 PM

2021-08-24T22:36:04-04:00

High school ROTC in 1965-1968 pretty much prepped me for the Army. Our first two years were mandatory for boys. Senior year was an elective and I took it. There wasn’t too much imagination needed back then. The news and protests provided the political climate of what I was headed towards and ROTC with my Nam vet cadre did their part to let us know the reality of duty, honor, and country and the price that came with it. As I posted before, two of my ROTC sergeants didn’t make it through on their return tours to Nam. Didn’t need an imagination during our school’s memorial service for SSG Kenneth Lima. Seeing his widow and their children on stage at school assembly was sobering enough. Sidebar: Years later, when I joined our police department, SSG Lima’s twin sons came in after me as police officers and I got to know them through the years. They were nine years old when I first saw them on that stage.

Response by CDR Theresa Everest made Aug 24 at 2021 10:38 PM

2021-08-24T22:38:21-04:00

I was a military brat so I knew some stuff. Everyone thought that I was a Mustang because I knew too much and I went in in my 30’s. It took me forever to learn the other services enlisted ranks though. I don’t know why that was hard for me but maybe because Dad was Army.

Response by PO2 Ken Brunskill made Aug 24 at 2021 10:49 PM

2021-08-24T22:49:33-04:00

Imagined that I would be serving on a real warship, and performing a meaningful role.

Response by SGT David Jackson made Aug 24 at 2021 10:52 PM

2021-08-24T22:52:16-04:00

Thanks, SPC Debra Hill, "didn't have a clue!" for taking my intro line! (And almost the same reasons.) My mother was the one who dunnit, being a WWII WAC who didn't deal in BS. We also knew our hospital corners, spit-shining, morse code, map & compass, and the phonetic alphabet, all before I was a teenager.
The rest of the neighborhood kids were (envious? In awe? jealous?) always wanting me to teach them the "tricks". Unfortunately, as you also found out, not so much with the DI's. I escaped the more hideous ramifications by tutoring the DI's in math, grammar, and science. Plus, I was the shortest one in the company, and they wouldn't look too good picking on me.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 10:53 PM

2021-08-24T22:53:20-04:00

Pretty much what I thought it would be, discipline, conformity, and good looking uniform.

Response by LCpl Odell Taylor made Aug 24 at 2021 11:04 PM

2021-08-24T23:04:06-04:00

After 60 years it's difficult to remember 100%. But, as I recall, it was somewhat adverse to my expectations...in a disappointing way.

Response by SGT Eliyahu Rooff made Aug 24 at 2021 11:20 PM

2021-08-24T23:20:50-04:00

I grew up in a military family, so it was pretty much what I expected.

Response by SGT Eliyahu Rooff made Aug 24 at 2021 11:22 PM

2021-08-24T23:22:20-04:00

I grew up in a military family, so it was pretty much as I had expected. Dad spent his last seven years in the Navy training recruits, so Army basic came as something of a letdown to me.

Response by MCPO Russell Neal made Aug 24 at 2021 11:26 PM

2021-08-24T23:26:25-04:00

Not sure I even thought to much about it, I had read a couple books about Submarines and just went for it. I was a Navy brat so I wasn;t completly cluless took awhile to get used to calling a Chief "Sir" at boot camp cause I knew better.

Response by 1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel made Aug 24 at 2021 11:38 PM

2021-08-24T23:38:44-04:00

Believe it or not but…..I thought the military was orderly and efficient…..

Response by SGT Michael Brand made Aug 24 at 2021 11:41 PM

2021-08-24T23:41:50-04:00

I had no idea that there would be so much stupid crap (e.g., hurry up & wait, cleaning weapons that were already clean, scrubbing stairwells w/ toothbrushes, having 2 sets of toiletries [for inspection & actual use], raking sand to make it look nicer, etc., etc.) and @$$hole supervisors!! :-(

Response by SPC Roger Opfer made Aug 25 at 2021 12:07 AM

2021-08-25T00:07:57-04:00

I had no idea what was going to happen when I joined the Army. But in 8 weeks I became an efficient well oiled machine that couldn't be stopped. I had never felt that good about myself before and what I was doing. I'm glad I joined even though it felt like hell some times. It was the beginnings of making a man. Thanks US Army.

Response by 1st Lt Lorie Myers made Aug 25 at 2021 12:12 AM

2021-08-25T00:12:28-04:00

I wasn’t sure, but I was already a civilian nurse when I went in. I thought it would be much the same. I was wrong! Way less autonomy and protocols than the civilian nursing world. More hands off… very competent medics handled patient care. Some technology (in the late 90’s) was more advanced than some hospitals even are now! Many pros and cons for sure! Amazing experience though!

Response by SrA Robert Adams made Aug 25 at 2021 12:19 AM

2021-08-25T00:19:42-04:00

I thought it was going to be a lot more interesting than it was.. then I was assigned to 5th id at ft Polk.. that about sums it up

Response by Sgt Michelle Evans made Aug 25 at 2021 12:37 AM

2021-08-25T00:37:05-04:00

I can't say that I really thought about it much before joining. Coming out of high school, I guess I figured it was going to be a more disciplined version of summer camp. To an extent, that held to be true, at least with Basic, and to an extent, Tech School as well. After getting done with all the preliminaries, and out on the job, I figure it was a job with more rules outside of work than you would come across in the civilian world, nit to mention a whole extra set of laws with the UCMJ. For myself, it was a perfect transition from living at home as a kid to being on my own in the military.

Response by LTC Wayne Brandon made Aug 25 at 2021 12:41 AM

2021-08-25T00:41:48-04:00

Although my father was a career Senior NCO which gave me a glimpse of Army life, I was left with the impression it was all soldiering - period.
Upon entering active duty in '69 I found that to be the case through the rank of Corporal.
Once I became a Drill Sergeant, the administrative work and the politics which progressively increased throughout my career were both disappointing and aggravating. The admin work I understood and appreciated but it consumed 14 of my 27-year career.
However, the politics began at the rank of E-5 and only worsened in the ensuing years. I loved soldiering, from beginning to the end but I do not miss the politics one iota.

Response by MAJ Matthew Thomas made Aug 25 at 2021 1:08 AM

2021-08-25T01:08:52-04:00

I thought Military Intelligence worked with computers. My dad was in the military but he never moved and didn't deploy so that was way different than when I got in!

Response by SPC John Donovan made Aug 25 at 2021 1:22 AM

2021-08-25T01:22:13-04:00

I had no idea what I was in for when I joined. I was fresh out of high school and had no idea what I wanted to do. My parents wanted me to continue to college but I knew once in the military they would send me to college (I thought). After taking the oath and signing in I met my Drill Instructor for Basic Training and I lost all thoughts of college or anything else.

Response by GySgt Edward Reagle made Aug 25 at 2021 1:57 AM

2021-08-25T01:57:08-04:00

I had five uncles that served in WWII all saw combat. The oldest uncle was in the Battle of the Bulge what a guy and I looked up to him too. I had a cousin that served in Vietnam as a cook. My dad served 6 years in the Navy on a sea going tug. My dad had a lot of sea stories some I didn't believe them to be true. All in all none of them glorified it and was the patriotic thing to do. I had no expectations of grandeur. Mouth shut eyes to the front and learn, I learned by observation and was prepared for everything I thought. Our training was based on the Vietnam War which was actually slowing way down in 73 none the less that was the DIs job. What I expected was a lot of stress and they gave it to me. I didn't particularly care for it but if it kept me and my fellow Marines alive well I am gong to do what I am told.

Response by PFC Andrew "Tommy" M. made Aug 25 at 2021 3:17 AM

2021-08-25T03:17:18-04:00

Even though I grew up with my grandfather who was a retired CSM, I knew very little, I thought it would have been better run than the shit show that I was brought into. The NCO's from squad leader to First Sargent were weak leaders, yes there was the one or two who tried, but they could not make up for the others. Before I enlisted I really wanted to make a career of the military, I know I made my own mistakes, but somedays I look back and wish I had better role models to guide me. One of the more positive and truly ones was a new E5, Sgt. Mateo, and was my squad leader who came in about two months before I was leaving, he really tried to help me but it was to late at that point, the rest of my command was not happy with me and I had sure had enough of them.

Response by PFC Francis Ramseyer made Aug 25 at 2021 5:05 AM

2021-08-25T05:05:26-04:00

Much tougher !

Response by SFC Robert Falco made Aug 25 at 2021 6:06 AM

2021-08-25T06:06:04-04:00

I had plenty of relatives and family friends who served so I knew a lot of the basics. What did surprise me was so many people I went in with didn't know basic life skills like how to do their own laundry.

Response by SPC Deon Holmes made Aug 25 at 2021 6:43 AM

2021-08-25T06:43:16-04:00

I had Uncles and Aunts who were veterans, and while each one of us joined different branches, I wasn't clueless about what was headed my way. Still didn't make it any easier though..

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2021 6:54 AM

2021-08-25T06:54:18-04:00

A cross between the movie Platoon, Full metal jacket, and camping with the boy scouts...basic training solidified it...then I got to my first duty assignment...mind blown and reality hit! Too ironically funny it ain't Hollywood lol.

Response by SSG Donald H "Don" Bates made Aug 25 at 2021 8:19 AM

2021-08-25T08:19:45-04:00

I actually had no ides, my Dad was in WW I and brother in WW II but neither talked much about their experiences. I volunnteerd with no idea of what I was getting in to, but I would not change a bit of my Army life.

Response by SPC Richard Rauenhorst made Aug 25 at 2021 8:44 AM

2021-08-25T08:44:21-04:00

I had no real preconceived idea what to expect other than it was going to physically hard for me.
I was right. I completed the final pt test with 2 swollen ankles and I lost at least 25 pounds. I did not want to get recycled for fear of missing my AIT.
I still think my body aged several years in the 8 weeks primarily due to previous injuries.

Response by PO3 Susan Allen made Aug 25 at 2021 8:47 AM

2021-08-25T08:47:25-04:00

It was exactly what I thought it would be - strict, structured and mission oriented!

Response by SFC Louis Willhauck, MSM, JSCM, and ARCOM made Aug 25 at 2021 8:48 AM

2021-08-25T08:48:58-04:00

Not a clue, but willing to try since it was probably going to happen no matter what I wanted.

Response by LTC Anthony Monroe made Aug 25 at 2021 9:08 AM

2021-08-25T09:08:58-04:00

Strict and hardcore, this image I got from my brother's time in the Marine corp. He went in in 1958. I went in 1972 and there was all the difference in the world of what I expected.

Response by SrA Robert Altic made Aug 25 at 2021 9:28 AM

2021-08-25T09:28:19-04:00

i imagined it as a disciplined way of life , no surprises

Response by SrA Robert Altic made Aug 25 at 2021 9:29 AM

2021-08-25T09:29:06-04:00

i imagined it as a disciplined way of life and got no surprises

Response by SGT Kelly Murphy made Aug 25 at 2021 9:40 AM

2021-08-25T09:40:56-04:00

My Brother was at West Point at the time, so I thought I had a good idea. The reality was very different. The mental stress and physical demands were more than expected, but I know they made me better at my job. I thought I knew my physical limits going in from football, track and other sports, but had never pushed myself to breaking and then pushing through to the other side and finishing a difficult task like building a bridge in the middle of the night on a frozen river in Germany. Today when I hear people say I have had all I can stand, I just laugh. Adapt and overcome!

Response by CWO4 John Lardner made Aug 25 at 2021 10:06 AM

2021-08-25T10:06:31-04:00

Interesting, challenging experience, opportunity to travel

Response by SPC Allen Werth made Aug 25 at 2021 10:15 AM

2021-08-25T10:15:17-04:00

To be honest, I expected management to be more responsible and that everyone would be more adult in their daily actions and life. I loved basic training and AIT was ok, but after that it was like living at the mission with better food. Then when the war was over and with volar changed things and I got much worse. I will not say I was never super aware before although, It became somewhat dangerous to live in the barracks much like camping on skid roll. It was sad.

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Aug 25 at 2021 10:39 AM

2021-08-25T10:39:49-04:00

Dad clued me in on some things but told me it is hard to prepare for Boot Camp because so many things had changed from WWII to VN. Dad gave me some advice and explained a few things Like pack light they are going to take all of your civilian stuff when you get there, Get a hair cut and never volunteer, what it sounds like is never what it turns out to be. Dad did say that i had an advantage already because i knew what my job was going to be after Boot (BCT) And told me to be prepared for the fastest education you can ever have.

I Flew into FT. ORD, CALI reported to the desk SGT. he ask about my luggage i told him just what i had on and a small gym bag with cigs, and bathroom items. He took my name and sent me to the USO coffee shop he called it which was just a coffee pot and lots of chairs for people to sit.

Now be reminded that my fight arrived at sun down and i hit the USO at like 1900hrs we were there and hour and on a bus for FT. ORD we got off the bus was hustled into a building you got a field jacket on the way in and seated in a room In walked 4 MP's and the fun begins. They explained Contraband gave 10 min. to put any contraband in a big amnesty box in the center of the room then you lined up in two lines and you and you luggage were searched you sat back down and read and signed what at the time felt like a 40 forms while this was happening we seen three people escorted out in cuffs by the MP's i was like oh sh$%.
When we exited the building we were told you would run everywhere. Most of the rest of BCT was a blur and i did not realize what i had learned really until i left for AIT. I did volunteer not knowing i did, to be the assistant armor as they called it. That really wasn't bad. It was dealing with weapons and had a lot of home training on that kind of thing. I did serve in the civil air patrol so had some information on formations and march yet very limited from what i eventually learned.

The rest was pretty much what i expected i must have liked it i stay active duty 22 years. Then retired and some days wonder why i got out even then.

Response by PO3 David Mondello made Aug 25 at 2021 11:00 AM

2021-08-25T11:00:18-04:00

I had two Uncles who were in the Navy and they filled me in. Pretty much exactly the way they described. For an 18 year old kid it was a "Grand Adventure"!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2021 11:04 AM

2021-08-25T11:04:07-04:00

Way different than it was. That's because when I went in, it was a few years after Vietnam, the start of the all volunteer army. Since there was a recession at the time, many folks were going in for all the wrong reasons. And at the time, '77-'78, judges were still telling folks they had a choice between a sentence or the service. Lot's of dirtbags in the initial all volunteer army. The army lowered standards to fill the ranks, bigtime. Major improvements were underway when Reagan came in. The quality of the service when I retired was what I hoped for and more than I expected when I first joined.

Response by SFC Kevin Strakal made Aug 25 at 2021 11:05 AM

2021-08-25T11:05:21-04:00

Hahahaha, I love this question. When I started thinking about joining anything, I first thought about the Navy. My dad was a WWII vet and all I knew of the military was that. I knew a little about Vietnam but mostly political rhetoric. So I went to the recruiting station and tried to join the Navy, Marines or Air Force and nobody was answering the questions I had. The Army recruiter (Station Commander) asked me if I found a job yet. I told him I didn't, so he asked me if I talked to one of his guys. I laughed and said, "no way, I'm not a baby killer", he laughed then and offered to take me to lunch. Next thing I know, I'm retiring 21 years after that conversation. The best decision I ever made!

Response by SP5 Walter Mearkle made Aug 25 at 2021 11:06 AM

2021-08-25T11:06:20-04:00

I suppose I thought of military life as much as I watched in the movies and on TV, circa 1962. The Draft was going on then and I was a college Grad and not married, nor a teacher so I enlisted. I found military life back then not bad given the MOS and security clearance I obtained. But then the Vietnam Balloon went up and I could not get out fast enough at the end of my enlistment. I didn't want to be cannon fodder.

Response by PO2 Phillip Scott made Aug 25 at 2021 11:09 AM

2021-08-25T11:09:59-04:00

I pretty much knew what to expect as I was a military brat, only thing I didn’t expect was the attitude toward marriage, ( we didn’t issue you a wife), ( you were there for the build you don’t need to be there. For the launch)

Response by PVT Pat Morrison made Aug 25 at 2021 11:12 AM

2021-08-25T11:12:41-04:00

Regimented but not punitive. As a peace time soldier under almost all war time sergeant s, It seemed that I spent the first 2 years of a 3 year enlistment being treated as a recruit.

Response by SrA Manny Diaz made Aug 25 at 2021 11:12 AM

2021-08-25T11:12:57-04:00

I honestly did not have any idea on how it would be, besides knowing what I had seen in movies. I don't come from a military family, and as a matter of fact I am the first one in my family to join the U.S. military. After basic and tech school, I looked at it as having a job, but with way more responsibilities than I would've ever imagined.

Response by SPC Jeffrey Berke made Aug 25 at 2021 11:13 AM

2021-08-25T11:13:52-04:00

good i just got married

Response by A1C Frank L. Smith made Aug 25 at 2021 11:14 AM

2021-08-25T11:14:12-04:00

Had a pretty accurate heads up from my cousin (ASAF S/gt) who urged me to join.
He saved me from some rookie mistakes!

Response by SSG Rene Uhler made Aug 25 at 2021 11:15 AM

2021-08-25T11:15:29-04:00

I did not expect anything special I was an army brat and from the age of 10 I always wanted to go into military so on the last draft my number was 17 so I decided to go ahead and join so I could have a choice of MOS.

Response by 1SG John Martin made Aug 25 at 2021 11:16 AM

2021-08-25T11:16:02-04:00

I imagined I would go to Vietnam. And I did.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2021 11:18 AM

2021-08-25T11:18:05-04:00

It was as I expected. My dad was MSG that was in WWII, in the Pacific, and Korea as an Infantryman. I had 4 years of Jr ROTC in high school. I had a good idea of what to expect. Basic was a little tougher physically.

Response by MSgt Roger Lalik made Aug 25 at 2021 11:19 AM

2021-08-25T11:19:50-04:00

My dad was a WWII Marine, so like many other kids I lived a quasi recruit life already. I joined the Corps in 1967. Boot was tough, but I had been well-prepared by dad.

Response by PO2 Charly Goehring made Aug 25 at 2021 11:20 AM

2021-08-25T11:20:16-04:00

Navy guy here and I had no idea. I'm from South Dakota and the biggest body of water I had seen was the Missouri river.

Response by SFC Patrick Mahan made Aug 25 at 2021 11:25 AM

2021-08-25T11:25:22-04:00

father was air force in the 60's . i helped shine boots at 4 . mother used to iron and mend uniforms for extra money and drive bus on post .

Response by SPC Jeffrey Frusha made Aug 25 at 2021 11:25 AM

2021-08-25T11:25:54-04:00

I just thought it would be harder and I expected to get a hard time for being a nonconformist. Who knew that there were so many common (even at Company level) positions for individuals?

During the course of my enlistment I was a Company Supply Clerk and Temporary Company Clerk, at BN level, I was an S-3Jeep Driver, an S-2 Clerk and BN Mail Clerk.

As an Armor Crewman, I spent less time on tanks than in most of those other positions.

As a Spec-4, I found a few choice Commitments that kept me away from regular duty, even when I was on a tank crew. "Where have you been?" "Guard Duty, Sergeant." "Where?" "Post Museum, you gave me the roster for it." "I did?" "Part of the training schedule you handed me." "Oh..."

That poor Platoon Sergeant was seriously befuddled as to how much BN duty I ended up with.

Response by SGM Tim Kinsella made Aug 25 at 2021 11:29 AM

2021-08-25T11:29:10-04:00

Regimented and strict.

Response by MAJ Vincent Fulginiti made Aug 25 at 2021 11:32 AM

2021-08-25T11:32:18-04:00

Knew from the service of 6 uncles who served in WWII in AAF,Army Airborne,Navy and USCG in Pacific,Alaska,Europe and North Africa including one who was a Bataan survivor that it is a challenge to be met as is anything in life.After college joined NG, but stayed only 3 mos.Enlisted RA to go to INF OCS.graduated, did 2 tours RVN followed by 2 yrs w/ MAAG in East Africa.Did C&GSC .War ended . Time to leave and provide $ for 3 kids education . That was the new challenge!

Response by Cpl George Matousek made Aug 25 at 2021 11:35 AM

2021-08-25T11:35:07-04:00

It was much harder then I imagined.

Response by SFC Robert Davis made Aug 25 at 2021 11:36 AM

2021-08-25T11:36:55-04:00

Just about what happened during basic training. Nothing special almost like a boy scout camping trip.

Response by Sgt Steve Gotham made Aug 25 at 2021 11:49 AM

2021-08-25T11:49:10-04:00

Disciplined. A little scary. But a much needed order.

Response by SFC Laurence Keogh made Aug 25 at 2021 11:51 AM

2021-08-25T11:51:38-04:00

Army Basic Training wasn't ALL that similar to what I read in my Dad's "Blue Book" from his USN Boot Camp in WWII.
Hat tip to SGT Peterson, Drill Instructor, FT Lewis WA. One of the first interactions with him, one on one, was when he assisted in straightening my web-gear, while commenting, this won't work PRIVATE, you'll get rubbed raw if you wear it like that. PRIVATE, I was recognized at being part of something larger than my 17yo self had imagined. I was someone.
Reality was that I had a lot to learn and there were professionals to train me.

Response by LCDR Diane Neff made Aug 25 at 2021 11:52 AM

2021-08-25T11:52:16-04:00

I had an honest recruiter (yes, they are out there) and he put me in touch with the local reserve center, where I found a mentor who was also very honest and took the time to answer questions, even those I hadn't thought of! It prepared me for some things but definitely not others - joining was one of the greatest learning experiences of my life!

Response by Sgt Michael Oberline made Aug 25 at 2021 12:07 PM

2021-08-25T12:07:08-04:00

I knew it had to be better than what I grew up with. I was correct; Vietnam was a breeze compared to the insanity of my first 18 years.

Response by MSgt George Murray made Aug 25 at 2021 12:09 PM

2021-08-25T12:09:05-04:00

I hadn't even thought about until my good friend Paul enlisted. I think scared or maybe afraid of the unknown would be a better description. I remember raising my hand at the New Haven, CT enlistment center and off we went. Yeah, I was a scared farm boy.

Response by TSgt Bob Meloche made Aug 25 at 2021 12:11 PM

2021-08-25T12:11:49-04:00

A mix of “MASH” and “The Green Berets”movies. I was wrong…

Response by A1C Robert Underwood made Aug 25 at 2021 12:20 PM

2021-08-25T12:20:14-04:00

Like an Audie Murphy movie, but I had no clue what was going on.

Response by PO1 Kevin Arnold made Aug 25 at 2021 12:22 PM

2021-08-25T12:22:59-04:00

It was different in that it wasn't like what I heard or seen.

Response by Pvt Michael Klama made Aug 25 at 2021 12:23 PM

2021-08-25T12:23:06-04:00

I did not know what to expect going in. I had no foreknowledge of military life even though my father had been in the Navy. I served primarily during peacetime so it was like having a day job to me. Reality set in when I lost some friends in the bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut.

Response by SGT Tim Tobin made Aug 25 at 2021 12:28 PM

2021-08-25T12:28:35-04:00

I was fresh out of High school with little hope for the future. My expectation of the military was hope and training. And I got it!!!

Response by A1C Joseph Copeland made Aug 25 at 2021 12:32 PM

2021-08-25T12:32:14-04:00

rigid

Response by PO1 BrendaLee Lennick made Aug 25 at 2021 12:36 PM

2021-08-25T12:36:36-04:00

I really didn't contemplate what to expect. I came from a family of veterans and grew up around an Air Base so I had many friends in HS and after who's family were in the military. I just knew I did't want to go to college but needed a "trade" to use later in life. It also didn't hurt that I got to leave the cold of ND for warmer climates....for most of my 22 years of service. Still only go back to visit family lol

Response by SSgt Charles Dengler made Aug 25 at 2021 12:37 PM

2021-08-25T12:37:44-04:00

I remember watching the movie Stripes before going to basic back in 1987, but it was nothing like that! LOL

Response by SFC Christopher Reising made Aug 25 at 2021 12:46 PM

2021-08-25T12:46:35-04:00

I was told before I went in to keep my mouth shut, do what they told me and to never volunteer for anything. Also it is only 8 weeks, you can do that standing on your head. Once I got to my unit after school it settled down to a routine of heavy drinking.

Response by SSgt Kelly D. made Aug 25 at 2021 12:50 PM

2021-08-25T12:50:06-04:00

Not a clue but have always been open to trying new things and enjoy learning. The idea of going to another country and seeing how they lived was intriguing to me. Straight to Korea out of basic and loved every minute!

Response by PFC Steven Kleiner made Aug 25 at 2021 12:52 PM

2021-08-25T12:52:28-04:00

I actually had a good recruiter that prepared me very well for what Military life would be like. He was in the Infantry so he gave me a very good perspective and prepared me well for Basic.

Response by SMSgt James Connolly made Aug 25 at 2021 12:53 PM

2021-08-25T12:53:24-04:00

I expected it to be a lot more formal and disciplined. It was in basic training and tech school but things got a lot more relaxed in the field, I enjoyed a great career.

Response by MSgt Mike P. made Aug 25 at 2021 1:03 PM

2021-08-25T13:03:30-04:00

I never realized how much I was capable of doing or what I could deal with!

Response by CMSgt Milton Newtom made Aug 25 at 2021 1:13 PM

2021-08-25T13:13:54-04:00

My Father, 3 uncles were in the Army during WW2, 4 1st cousins were in the Army Mid 50's while i was growing up. One thing they all impress upon me, was to take everything in stride and follow the orders and i will be fine. I followed their advice and was able to handle the transition from civilian to military life without too many problems and learned to enjoy my Active duty and Reserve time.

Response by PO1 David McGillvray made Aug 25 at 2021 1:15 PM

2021-08-25T13:15:17-04:00

I enlisted before the draft board could get me, thank you Navy for the delay program.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2021 1:28 PM

2021-08-25T13:28:47-04:00

My father was a WWII Army veteran who was wounded in combat, and most of my uncles served in one of the branches, so I had a pretty good idea of the physical demands. I grew up on a farm, so I found the physical activity challenging but not unbearable. The mental/psychological demands were more demanding than I expected. It was ironic that one of the reasons I went in right out of high school was because I was tired of school, and I ended up spending more time in classrooms in my three years in the Army than I would have in college.

Response by SPC Tommy Dean made Aug 25 at 2021 1:49 PM

2021-08-25T13:49:34-04:00

I had no idea a Gama Goat was even a thing. A true WTF moment.

Response by A1C Paula Roblez made Aug 25 at 2021 1:59 PM

2021-08-25T13:59:55-04:00

Knew what to expect in boot camp my brother was in airforce and I followed in his foot steps right down to the same job as him he constantly told me don't let tis get to ya don't let them get in your head. So I dident

Response by MSgt Donald Leroux made Aug 25 at 2021 2:05 PM

2021-08-25T14:05:24-04:00

Romantic and exciting and a chance to see and experience new places around the world. It didn’t dissapoint.

Response by SPC Roy Martin made Aug 25 at 2021 2:20 PM

2021-08-25T14:20:25-04:00

I expected it to be a lot more honorable. I know a lot of us stood tall, but some didn't even try, especially command.

Response by PFC William Mower made Aug 25 at 2021 2:35 PM

2021-08-25T14:35:11-04:00

Being in the Army was just like I thought would be, met some great people and got do and see some really cool things

Response by TSgt Wehart Hosea made Aug 25 at 2021 2:39 PM

2021-08-25T14:39:40-04:00

It was pretty much what I expected in the Air force and a little more. Looking back I laugh about it all and what we went through. The Technical Training on aircraft and everything else was OUTSTANDING and I've been told that they don't spend that much time training people anymore.

Response by SGT Ronald Audas made Aug 25 at 2021 2:40 PM

2021-08-25T14:40:54-04:00

I was drafted and went in with a chip on my shoulder.Not necessarily because I was drafted,but because of the timing.Knowing only what I had seen in the movies ,I thought I was destined to spend two years in a trench,relaying messages.With a college deferment and thinking I was pretty safe,I dropped out for 6 weeks to close on our first home, and tie up some loose ends.Past 24 years old,it took me awhile to embrace what I was there for.

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Aug 25 at 2021 2:46 PM

2021-08-25T14:46:17-04:00

I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Could have sworn the DIs were out to kill all the recruits. Looking back, it wasn't so bad. Makes you pull up your britches and become a man and a good soldier. Should have stayed in and retired...

Response by CPO Jack De Merit made Aug 25 at 2021 2:46 PM

2021-08-25T14:46:44-04:00

I expected Military Life to be a lot of orders, regulations, discipline and Leadership. I was a victim of the orders, regulations and leadership but, fortunately, not the discipline. Apparently, everyone saw the intelligence and potential driving me and put me in charge as much as possible. I started out as an E-3 in charge of two E-4s and 6 other E-3s in running a shipboard Print Shop. As I advanced in rate my responsibilities advanced as well. As an E-5, I was teaching small arms and was promoted to Range Master. As a Chief I was in charge of the Administrative Department. Then I was the Assistant Training OFFICER. I would write and give the training lectures; write and administer the tests; demonstrate the training procedures; and come up with new ideas and ways to complete the tasks. A great deal more than I expected.

Response by Sgt Steven Boone made Aug 25 at 2021 2:51 PM

2021-08-25T14:51:25-04:00

I thought it was gonna be tougher than what it was!

Response by Maj Dale Smith made Aug 25 at 2021 2:54 PM

2021-08-25T14:54:17-04:00

I had been in the private sector prior to active duty. I had also had 3 years of JAROTC, a semester of NROTC and 3 years of AFROTC. I found that by reading regulations and knowing them, you could call out BS on superiors. You start with the soft sell, make sure that you are not in a combat situation, and you point out that their request/order was in violation of....regulation. The great ones to quote were: safety regs, Equivolent military regs to OSHA, or Geneva Convention regs. It worked every time, even with Generals. I had a BG that wanted my flight crew to polish our flight boots and dry clean our flight suits. I asked him if he had a waiver to AFR 127-4 (AFOSH) which prohibited the use of flamible materials on our uniforms (shoe polish) and dry cleaning a flight suit would remove the Nomex-Dupont flame retardent that was imbedded in the flight suit? His answer back was "Never mind". I enjoyed my military experience immensly, and was able to create my work and work environment. You simply use critical thinking and point out a flaw or shortcoming iwithin a weapon system and next thing you know, you are in charge of creating an OPLAN for it. As a Civil Engineer in private practice, your job was very similar, problem solving and showing your superiors how they can look good doing it. Think Think Hawkeye Pierce from MASH.

Response by CPT Barbara Smith made Aug 25 at 2021 2:56 PM

2021-08-25T14:56:35-04:00

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was nervous about people being mean to me and how I would react. Being an Army nurse, my basic course was not similar to what enlisted personnel endure. We stayed in a hotel with a pool except for 3 days in the field down in San Antonio. The officers above us were kind and informative during my classes. I felt guilty that I didn't endure what enlisted personnel went through, but I must admit that I was thankful and appreciative of the experience including my six month ICU course.

Response by SFC Terry Fortune made Aug 25 at 2021 3:02 PM

2021-08-25T15:02:36-04:00

Really had no idea what it would be like. Through it be a lot harder than it was.

Response by MSG Kevin Elliott made Aug 25 at 2021 3:03 PM

2021-08-25T15:03:05-04:00

Nothing specific. My mother's father and my father served in WWII, and really didn't offer me much in the way of advice. My father's father served for 20 years, so he had more advice on the day to day activities and how to get through Basic Training. He said just pay attention to the Drill Sergeants and try not to draw attention, good or bad. I guess I forgot that when they asked if anyone had ever fired an M16 and I put my hand up. They asked me where and I said on my friend's ranch. I guess they didn't know you could own a fully automatic M16 with the proper license. I had fired that and a Thompson. My friend had a .22 conversion kit for the M16, so we fired those and the normal .226 ball. He always invited us over to reload after firing weekends.

Response by SP5 James Stockton made Aug 25 at 2021 3:09 PM

2021-08-25T15:09:51-04:00

Not much different than I expected. I was a military brat.

Response by SFC Garry Kolberg made Aug 25 at 2021 4:13 PM

2021-08-25T16:13:59-04:00

A new unknown experience. Getting off the bus at Ft. Leonard Wood and meeting those nice Drill SGT's was a wake up call. I think, possibly my idea's of the Military were made by many of the Military moves I'd seen but found out different. Once got use to the routine, the unknown became less a problem and from then on, I adjusted to the new experiences and moved on. No regrets though had a few moments of doubt.

Response by SPC Greg Collier made Aug 25 at 2021 4:37 PM

2021-08-25T16:37:19-04:00

I didn't really know what I was getting in to. I enlisted to help pay for school and it worked.

Response by SPC Daniel Rankin made Aug 25 at 2021 4:37 PM

2021-08-25T16:37:52-04:00

Had no clue, and was like walking into a dark room with no lights to turn on. Soon aclimatized and had a great time learning the ropes.

Response by CDR John Cicio made Aug 25 at 2021 4:42 PM

2021-08-25T16:42:12-04:00

I was working for a retired Navy Captain in California in the Defense Data Systems Industry. We spoke quite often and he convinced me that I had a future in the Navy. I joined the reserves and applied for Officer Candidate School and was accepted. Twenty years later I was qualified for retirement after a fascinating career.( Four tours in Viet Nam, Duty aboard an aircraft carrier and a Nuclear Powered Cruiser, two tours in Japan, and a variety of assignments in Washington D.C.)

Response by SCPO Theodore Denning made Aug 25 at 2021 4:48 PM

2021-08-25T16:48:38-04:00

I was 16 when I told my parents that I wanted to join the Navy. I grew up in Fallon NV, close to the NAS there. Knew lots of sailors, because my sister was a cutie. She married one of those sailors and he became kind of a mentor to me(they were married for 40+ yrs). He was a signalman and that's what I wanted to do, stand up in the fresh air and wave flags(didn't happen). My older brother was in the Navy also(we served together on the same ship for 2 yrs...long story), so he helped cement the idea in my head. My father was a Marine, in the 4th, captured at Corregidor and and pow for 3 1/2yrs. I wanted to be on my own and joining the Navy(with mom signing for me) immediately after turning 17 let me do that(I think). I retired after 22yrs as RMCS(E8) and would do it again if I could. Truly missed the friends I had made and the camaraderie.

Response by CAPT Edward Schmitt made Aug 25 at 2021 4:55 PM

2021-08-25T16:55:40-04:00

Grew up on military bases, Dad was 32 years USAF, scared and did not have a clue. Thank God for Senior enlisted who trained me and helped me grow. Retired after 28 years

Response by SGT Andrew Anderson made Aug 25 at 2021 4:59 PM

2021-08-25T16:59:57-04:00

The Army was nothing new to me, my dad was a career NCO (MSGT) and I had lived my whole life "in the Army", sure I knew what to expect. I guess I maybe should rephrase that, I thought I knew what the military was all about and what to expect. It was a rude awakening when I arrived at Fort Gordon, GA, and three crazy guys jump on the bus and start yelling for us to get off "their bus" and from that day on were told that when our boots hit the red clay of Georgia, they better be running. Holy crap, what did I get myself into? It wasn't at all like I thought it was going to be! But, I was basing my thoughts and assumption on what I had observed as a dependent. I know my dad had asked me prior to joining if I knew what I was getting myself into. As an all-knowing 17-year-old, sure, I told him, no problem, oh well, we all learn what reality is. I ended up remaining in the service for 9 years.

Response by PO1 Frank Reiffenstein made Aug 25 at 2021 5:21 PM

2021-08-25T17:21:42-04:00

Structure. Everything set to do things. When to wake up,when to eat sleep and what to wear. Turned out I was spot on.

Response by AA Loreen Silvarahawk made Aug 25 at 2021 5:55 PM

2021-08-25T17:55:56-04:00

My Father was in the service and he had me well prepared. I knew it was going to be highly disciplined and early morning hours. Duty calls and watches to stand. The only difference was that the chow was better than my Father said it would be.

Response by SGT Craig Hoffman made Aug 25 at 2021 6:04 PM

2021-08-25T18:04:34-04:00

I really never thought of the Military until I got my draft notice. Then I wanted a crash course. Unfortunately my buddies thought I was gullible and had some horror stories that scared the hell out of me. When I got to basic I found all the horror stories were imaginary. I was a bit surprised when I learned the discipline was pretty strict. It wasn't long I was in step

Response by SPC Les Darbison made Aug 25 at 2021 6:10 PM

2021-08-25T18:10:35-04:00

I was wondering where all the John Wayne types were? I never meet anyone like J. W.

Response by PFC Frank Graves made Aug 25 at 2021 6:17 PM

2021-08-25T18:17:37-04:00

figured it would be tough being a Marine but once out of boot camp the BS was depressing

Response by PO1 Todd B. made Aug 25 at 2021 6:23 PM

2021-08-25T18:23:12-04:00

17 years old, graduated early from HS, did well on asvab and wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps... So I did. Having never been away from small town Wisconsin, for me it was exciting and an awesome challenge and experience...

and even though it is a bit of bragging, I excelled at my calling. Even graduated #1 in the entire US Navy during my year of A and BEE schools (and again during C school later). At the time I did not realize how big that actually was being just a kid.. It opened a few doors and I went on from there.

I am one of those that truly loved serving because I believed in the reason I served and the oath I took to the US Constitution. I learned very young how so very different the life I had here was compared to outside our borders... sadly today, that which I served seems to be losing its way... and I honestly do not know if this time, the Republic will be able to stand and hold against it.

Response by Capt Darrell Marin made Aug 25 at 2021 6:44 PM

2021-08-25T18:44:25-04:00

I heard a lot about military life before I joined from my older brothers. I didn't listen to the one that was stationed in Thule, Greenland! Another brother was in the Air Force and loved every minute of it ... so needless to say, I went Air Force!

Response by SGT Brandon Culpepper made Aug 25 at 2021 7:07 PM

2021-08-25T19:07:11-04:00

My uncle had a good friend that was a 3/75th Ranger and showed me pics of him in his Black Beret. Once the “Army of One” campaign hit, I thought once I graduated from AIT I’d be a Ranger too. Insert Charlie Murphy, “Wrong. WRONG!”
I earned my maroon beret after jump school and serving with Group Support Battalion, 10th SFG (A). Never made it to Ranger School or Ranger Batt, but I was given a new perspective on Army life.

Response by SSgt Kathleen Fleitz made Aug 25 at 2021 7:19 PM

2021-08-25T19:19:26-04:00

I had no idea, but it was liberating. I lived in a tiny town before enlisted. Nothing to do in my free time. Impossible to find a job. And we couldn't afford for me to go away to junior college. The Air Force gave me a fulfiling career, opportunity to travel, and paid for 75% of my college tuition.

Response by MSG Richard Altheide made Aug 25 at 2021 7:41 PM

2021-08-25T19:41:13-04:00

I had no idea what I was getting into. My father had been the Army Air Corp during the world war II and he didn't say anything about it. It was a real wake up call when I reported into Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. The training I had to go through made me grow up and become a man.

Response by SPC Richard Farley made Aug 25 at 2021 7:59 PM

2021-08-25T19:59:02-04:00

I knew basic training was gonna be a physical challenge at 31 years old. I was an amateur body builder so all physical stuff was a piece of cake...except the freakin' run. My dad did 20 so I lived 15 years an Air Force brat. My younger brother did the marines at 18 & they whip up those kids. I knew what was coming for 10 weeks and helped inspire some youngsters to overcome their adversity. FUN

Response by SGT Charles Tillman made Aug 25 at 2021 8:10 PM

2021-08-25T20:10:50-04:00

I had the advantage of growing up in a military family, (my Father was a master sergeant) my high school had a very good JR, ROTC program that I participated in. I mostly knew what I was getting into from the start. I strongly considered a career in the Army but I had an opportunity for a really great career as a civilian so I chose to fulfill my military obligation and pursue that career. As I said, I knew what to expect going in and for me it was a smooth transition.

Response by LCDR Jeff Seitzinger made Aug 25 at 2021 8:17 PM

2021-08-25T20:17:53-04:00

What was I thinking? The slogan was join the Navy, see the world! I just didnt think it would be the asshole of the world.

Response by SP5 Ed McCoy made Aug 25 at 2021 8:25 PM

2021-08-25T20:25:03-04:00

I went in thinking it would be hell on earth but found out it was a normal job with a few more regulations.

Response by SP5 Skip Saurman made Aug 25 at 2021 8:41 PM

2021-08-25T20:41:59-04:00

Like many others, I really didn't have much knowlege of Army life. I was getting ready to graduate from high school and kinda figured it might be good to have "somebody take care of me" until I got a little older and on my own. This was in 1969 - and we all know what was going on at that time - so I entered early enlistment and the rest, as thsy say, is history. I really didn't like "somebody" taking THAT much care of me. A common phrase among a lot of us "ditty-boppers" was, . . _ . / _ / . _

Response by Cpl Samuel Pope Sr made Aug 25 at 2021 9:03 PM

2021-08-25T21:03:28-04:00

Glory and loss, Victory and pain. USMC Forever!

Response by PO2 Marco Monsalve made Aug 25 at 2021 9:34 PM

2021-08-25T21:34:53-04:00

Had talked with a number of people before I volunteered. There were no major surprises.

Response by SrA Richard Harvey made Aug 25 at 2021 10:19 PM

2021-08-25T22:19:41-04:00

I did not intend to join, but I got a draft notice, so I dodged it, I joined the Air Force 4 days before the draft date. I guess I am a draft dodger. I became "The Base Scrounge" on Paine Field Wash, and "Squadron Scrounge" at Ubon Thailand. Amazing how much power the "Scrounge" has. First C.O. in Thailand found out. Fuck Maj. Robert E.Lee! He got fired from Ubon Thailand and sent to Nam. The next C.O. was Maj.T. we got along quite well. He was very cool. I can't remember how to spell his name. We all called him Maj. T. I think it was Thiebodoux maybe? Sure would like to contact him now. We were in the 1982 Comm. Sq.

Response by SSgt Wendell Croom made Aug 25 at 2021 10:34 PM

2021-08-25T22:34:44-04:00

Pretty much as I expected it to be. I'll have to confess that I was a military brat for the first 10 years of my life so I was somewhat prepared but the reality of it, once I got out of "Basic" just seemed natural.

Response by PO3 Edward Riddle made Aug 25 at 2021 11:33 PM

2021-08-25T23:33:17-04:00

I went on a little cruise on my Dad's ship as a kid and I thought all the Sailors did was float around out in the ocean. Boy, I was so, so Wrong. Especially not Deck Force, which is where I spent some time.

Response by PO3 James Heine made Aug 25 at 2021 11:57 PM

2021-08-25T23:57:21-04:00

I had NJROTC in HS and I thought it would make Boot Camp easier. Not only were too many other recruits too 'raw', nobody wanted to hear my advice. Nonetheless, most of that marching stuff didn't matter as much once we got settled into schools, careers, 'nitty-gritty', etc. Boot Camp is not the Navy anyway. And neither is NJROTC for that matter.

Response by SrA Joseph Castellanos made Aug 26 at 2021 12:35 AM

2021-08-26T00:35:47-04:00

Off roading, traveling the world, not getting sexually assaulted, not getting mortared, meeting people from around the world, not being on medications that I only started to have taking after my service, and oh yeah defeating the taliban.

Response by TSgt Pamela Hoelscher made Aug 26 at 2021 12:54 AM

2021-08-26T00:54:50-04:00

I already knew a lot of basic military skills from my father so I had a slight head start.
I learned about so much military and Air Force history and traditions.
Basic wasn't bad, and tech school let me get my nerdy brain out and be praised for using it.
At the time, women were less than 2% of the military, and we couldn't be in combat, which really surprised me.
I also thought I could have all of the same jobs as the men at that time. It amazed me that I couldn't get certain jobs because I was a woman.

Response by Sgt Mervyn Russell made Aug 26 at 2021 7:02 AM

2021-08-26T07:02:23-04:00

I was surprised at Marine Boot Camp, although my dad was a Marine during WW11, I had also went through Army basic prior to the Marines, spent three years in the Arkansas National Guard before I joined the Marines Corps. So, it was an experience that I'll never forget. You can never forget the Marine Corps Boot Camp. But, it helped me prepare for combat in Vietnam, I say helped, nothing can never totally prepare you for combat.

Response by SN Katheryn Bermann made Aug 26 at 2021 7:39 AM

2021-08-26T07:39:03-04:00

Just what I saw in full metal jacket. Thought I’d be an officer somewhere and get a cushy job based solely on my resume and academic record. Boy did those recruiters do their job well…

Response by Dieudonne Magloire Kamga made Aug 26 at 2021 7:40 AM

2021-08-26T07:40:08-04:00

I believe for my part that the army is an institution responsible for the protection of the vital interests of our country, long before me a lot of geniuses went through there to bring the stones to l'édifice .

Response by SFC Allan Viernes made Aug 26 at 2021 7:42 AM

2021-08-26T07:42:11-04:00

I had a slight suspicion on what Military Life would be but once I got to Basic Training I started having my doubts. Especially as a kid from Hawaii standing at Parade Rest in Fort Sill, Oklahoma in July . Sweat pouring down your face and Drill Sgt. in your face. But it all turned out well!

Response by MAJ Angelo Sambunaris made Aug 26 at 2021 7:46 AM

2021-08-26T07:46:12-04:00

Hard, Hard, Hard…..it was not as bad as I thought it might be.

Response by Maj Tim Neylon made Aug 26 at 2021 7:50 AM

2021-08-26T07:50:34-04:00

I direct commissioned as a medical officer. I was pleasantly surprised to find that although clearly structured and regimented, the atmosphere was largely collegial and cooperative. I’m still struck by the focus on mission and people I experienced in the AF vs my current federal position

Response by SFC George Miner made Aug 26 at 2021 7:59 AM

2021-08-26T07:59:15-04:00

i wasn't sure what to expect. i saw it as free meals, roof over my head before joining. after joining, saw it as a team building experience, but a chance to lead as well and to suggest new ways to do things.

Response by MAJ Carolyn Pruitt made Aug 26 at 2021 8:17 AM

2021-08-26T08:17:46-04:00

My dad was in the Army Air corps and was in an activated AR unit in Korean conflict. I was going in Direct Commission as a butter bars 2LT. He told me to be a good leader, “dig the first foxhole”. In other words, prove you can do the job you are asking others to do. I did ok I guess. I’m retired.

Response by Col Cherri Wheeler made Aug 26 at 2021 8:27 AM

2021-08-26T08:27:55-04:00

As a chaplain, I worked for excellent leaders both inside and outside the chaplaincy. As to the military side, my Dad had prepared me fairly well after 20 years.

Response by SFC Kandi Temple made Aug 26 at 2021 8:34 AM

2021-08-26T08:34:20-04:00

I didn't know anything. Any vets I knew never talked about it. It looked fun. I had a cousin join a few years prior. I remember seeing My Mother Wears Combat Boots as a kid. I just knew I needed to get out of the area I lived in to do better.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Aug 26 at 2021 8:39 AM

2021-08-26T08:39:13-04:00

Structured and the perfect situation for a kid who needed discipline.

Response by SPC Karen Coyle made Aug 26 at 2021 8:39 AM

2021-08-26T08:39:58-04:00

I had no idea. There was no input from my father, grandfather or uncle. It was not an approved thing for a young woman in 1978 to do in most eyes. I was not prepared to GAIN 20 pounds in basic training. In high school I ran track and was a thin, fit person. All the fried foods were new to me. Others got thin and fit I was fit but boy fried foods will kill you.

Response by SPC A.j. Roeper made Aug 26 at 2021 8:41 AM

2021-08-26T08:41:36-04:00

I thought it would be more exciting and a whole lot less mundane.

Response by SPC Rob Hunker made Aug 26 at 2021 8:46 AM

2021-08-26T08:46:25-04:00

I didn't know what to expect, but I knew it would give me a purpose in life.

Response by MAJ Karl Swenson made Aug 26 at 2021 8:58 AM

2021-08-26T08:58:19-04:00

Prior to joining the US Army after high school, I had no idea of what to expect. I was raised a country boy from Wyoming; for me, the military was a far away curious entity known only to me by the war movies I had seen in theaters. I had taken 3 years of high school ROTC, but that was basically all learning how to march, nothing like the real thing.
My eyes opened very wide when I got to the AFEES station in Denver and saw hundreds of folks my age walking around that cavernous building in their underwear, all with a blank look on their faces. From there to Fort Leonard Wood by train (my first ever train ride) and my introduction to living in GP Medium tents in November and December while brand new 3-story brick barracks were being built within eyesight. That was one hell of a winter!

Response by SGT Bob Dube made Aug 26 at 2021 8:58 AM

2021-08-26T08:58:53-04:00

Joined at17 years old had no idea how hard it would be ,hardest thing for me was bayonet Training dI said I didn’t have enough killer in me but I made it through spent almost 6years got out as E5

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Aug 26 at 2021 9:39 AM

2021-08-26T09:39:17-04:00

Vietnam was still raging. I felt the need to do something...anything. I also figured ending up in Vietnam was a 50-50 probability. I had no preconceived notions except I might not get out alive.

Response by MSG Frederick Otero made Aug 26 at 2021 9:45 AM

2021-08-26T09:45:18-04:00

Well it was nothing like i thought it would be but it was certainly an eye opener to a world where violence of action could be the difference between life and death and life and death could always be a matter of pure luck.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2021 9:47 AM

2021-08-26T09:47:53-04:00

I didn't really have any expectations. I quickly realized (after boot camp of course) that a lot of one's time in the military is spent waiting.

On that note, I had a high school student come shadow me during an XCTC rotation last summer. She was a senior and had plans to join the military and I was her senior project mentor. Anyway, I had her come on a day where we had some pretty cool training laid on. Urban ops, room clearing, etc. We were supposed to roll out around 0700 that morning but had our time pushed back by the OC's for some reason. Then we were about to roll out again when someone, somewhere reported finding a live round mixed in with the blank ammo. So all training came to an abrupt halt while an entire brigade manually inspected all ammo to ensure there were no live rounds. On and on it went until we finally rolled out around 1500 and she had to leave at 1600. I told here that while this day had not turned out as I had planned, it was probably the perfect example of what she could expect in the military.

Response by SFC John Donovan made Aug 26 at 2021 10:01 AM

2021-08-26T10:01:10-04:00

As the son of a Navy frogman (approximating today's SEAL), I knew to expect physical & mental harassment during my Basic Training and Airborne School, and so I was prepared for what was dished out...a far cry, I know, from what my father and today's SEAL candidates go through.

Response by SPC Jameson McGlaughlin made Aug 26 at 2021 10:10 AM

2021-08-26T10:10:38-04:00

I figured basic training would be tough, but it would be smooth sailing pretty much from then on. Boy was I wrong!

Response by LCDR Robert S. made Aug 26 at 2021 10:22 AM

2021-08-26T10:22:39-04:00

It's about what I expected, because after he found out I was going in, a friend of my parents (who was in his late 20s and had gotten out a few years earlier) told me what to expect from Navy life.

Response by PFC Justin Matney made Aug 26 at 2021 10:26 AM

2021-08-26T10:26:52-04:00

My father pretty much laid out for me what to expect. Taught me the best way to polish boots and various other tips on functioning on a daily basis. No big surprises for me

Response by CDR William Kempner made Aug 26 at 2021 10:30 AM

2021-08-26T10:30:10-04:00

I think most people go in somewhat starry-eyed. I went to USMA IN 1972( pre-females and shortly after "physical contact" was outlawed-some of my Firsties hadn't gottenthe word), and I knew that Beast Barracks was going to be tough, but I wasn't prepared for the cruelty. I am still scarred by it almost 50 years later.

Response by MAJ Ward Odom made Aug 26 at 2021 10:39 AM

2021-08-26T10:39:00-04:00

Who can be sure as what my father, WW!! and Korea, told me was ancient history. Maybe I wanted to believe it was like Elvis' G.I. Blues movie.

Response by 1SG Allen Upton made Aug 26 at 2021 10:40 AM

2021-08-26T10:40:08-04:00

When I was 17 I knew if I hung around with my friends long enough I would probably end up in jail or be an early father, or both. I had the respect of the older crowd though, several Vietnam Vets that told me if I wanted to be successful, the Army was a good place to start. I knew nothing about the benefits I would receive or the lifestyle changes that would impart on me, just an exit from chaos. Life in the Army was a positive change and now that I have retired I look back at the values that I have learned and the accomplishments which I made and grateful for the Lord for keeping me alive and moving ahead. Being a High School Dropout, with the Army I learned commitment and worked my way to the honor role for receiving my Masters Degree. Serving through Desert Storm and Afghanistan helped me realize the importance of being a leader and the direction I needed to provide to keep my Soldiers alive. Quick thinking and decision making were only words in a Louie L'Amoure novel prior to becoming a Soldier, and intensified as I developed as an NCO. I give thanks for God, Country and Family which without the Army I would have not found as valuable.

Response by Sgt Earl Neconie made Aug 26 at 2021 11:00 AM

2021-08-26T11:00:22-04:00

Really thought everyone would be as motivated as myself! Met a bunch of “old Salts” that showed me the ropes and shortcuts! “Keep Your Powder Dry” 24/7 was the best advice…

Response by SFC Michael Moody made Aug 26 at 2021 11:02 AM

2021-08-26T11:02:26-04:00

I did not have a clue, my uncle was in WWII In Germany but never talked about it. He did tell me to listen, learn and never volunteer for anything. Now in my old age when anybody as how was BT an AIT in 1968 I tell them to watch the move Full Medal Jacket.

Response by LCDR Claire S. made Aug 26 at 2021 11:11 AM

2021-08-26T11:11:09-04:00

Didn't really think about it. Needed a job, and knew I could get a commission as an officer, so just went for it. I had few female friends as a youth, had only brothers, and went to a college that was mostly men, so the "boy's club" wasn't a big deal.

There has been at least one person in the military, at least for a while, in every generation of my family since the Revolution, and none of my brothers joined, so it was fate that I would join. However, no career military to ask advice from, so it was all a new experience. Glad I did it, but wish I had known more ahead of time.

Response by LTC Orlando Illi made Aug 26 at 2021 11:19 AM

2021-08-26T11:19:44-04:00

My Dad and all my Uncles were in World War 2 and Korea. I was raised on their exploits and even attended a few of my Dad's ship reunions with him. I had a pretty good idea of what to expect at basic - but NOTHING prepared me for Army Officer Candidate School. It was a crucible that you either adapted and overcame or you failed. No quarter was asked for nor given. Those of us that graduated were justly proud of our achievement. What made it special for me was 41 years after I graduated {50th Company - OCS 1-78}; I was inducted into the Army OCS Hall of Fame in Ft. Benning, GA. Two other members of my platoon are also the the OCS Hall of Fame; making a total of 5 from my class - including my Best Friend and Comrade in Arms - LTC Joe Stepp

Response by PO2 Robert Miller made Aug 26 at 2021 11:23 AM

2021-08-26T11:23:11-04:00

Romantic in the since that in the Navy you get to travel around the world and be stationed near the ocean when at home port. Coming from a small town in central Texas this was and exciting opportunity to spread ones wings so to speak and experience the world. The long hours of watch, hours of standing at parade rest while pulling into port, endless chipping and painting when not doing planed maintenance, and having duty the first day in a new port when your buddies are out parting, was not so romantic...

Response by Capt Sylvia DeBorger made Aug 26 at 2021 11:25 AM

2021-08-26T11:25:30-04:00

Had no idea what to expect but was determined to handle all that came my way to the best of my ability. It was all new, but no big surprises, except my 1st boss, a captain, was an as...... Never will forget his name, but won't post it here.

Response by SN Michael Smith made Aug 26 at 2021 11:37 AM

2021-08-26T11:37:09-04:00

Growing up a Navy B.R.A.T. (my dad was a Viet Nam Vet) I was looking at a lot of hard work and a bit of adventure. I had wanted to see different countries and possibly do a bit of genealogy research.

When I hit boot camp I followed the "Golden Rule" for the military and did not volunteer any information. Chief Hawkins, our CC, asked for ranks of the new recruits and the two that said they were E2 and Submariners were made RPO and Master at Arms. Three days later he found out I was an E3, Submariner, and a missile tech and demanded to know why I didn't say anything; I just told him I followed the rule about "Never volunteer information" he laughed.

Response by MSgt Neal Schultz made Aug 26 at 2021 11:52 AM

2021-08-26T11:52:32-04:00

Joined AF Jan 1954. I have forgotten what I thought.

Response by SSG Bruce Booker made Aug 26 at 2021 12:07 PM

2021-08-26T12:07:08-04:00

I didn’t have a clue. (I also didn’t have a choice.)

Response by PO2 Ken Sharp made Aug 26 at 2021 12:07 PM

2021-08-26T12:07:53-04:00

I expected a community driven by honor, integrity, comradery, and duty. I also expected the military to take good care of its soldiers. Before I joined, I knew noone in the military and never spent a moment thinking of military life. When I joined it was a spontaneous decision based on my interaction with a recruiter. After joining I soon learned that recruiters lie to everyone and unless you get every promise in writing it's most likely a lie. I also learned that the military is far more concerned with saving money than caring for soldiers' wellbeing. There was a certain degree of comradery in that we were all going through the same stuff.

Response by Lt Col Warren Domke made Aug 26 at 2021 12:31 PM

2021-08-26T12:31:17-04:00

I don't think I realized the seriousness of military service. It took some exposure to military law and discipline for me to "get it." I also didn't see the sacrifices we military members have to make in our careers. My career had plenty of rewards, but they came at no small price.

Response by CPO David Sullivan made Aug 26 at 2021 12:32 PM

2021-08-26T12:32:13-04:00

didn't have any preconception except it was all march salute and shoot

Response by Sgt Paul Houghtaling made Aug 26 at 2021 1:21 PM

2021-08-26T13:21:52-04:00

Being trained to go to war. Then numerous events took me down a different path to a role of combat support

Response by SP5 Jim Ricca made Aug 26 at 2021 1:24 PM

2021-08-26T13:24:56-04:00

I was drafted in 71 and heard all kinds of horror stories from guys in my neighborhood who went over the hill during basic and AIT claiming it was a nightmare and I'd never survive the abuse. A few friends who went through it all, including Vietnam, just told me, Keep your mouth shut, do only what you're told, when you're told and never volunteer for anything, no matter how good it sounds. In addition, don't hang around with anyone braver than you are. But they assured me I'd get through it, if I didn't volunteer for Nam.
Training was tolerable, and the army sent me to MP school and then offered to send me West Point without going through a politician. I was screwed out of that opportunity, but the draft definitely improved my life.

Response by Cpl Lawrence Lavictoire made Aug 26 at 2021 1:35 PM

2021-08-26T13:35:14-04:00

Never thought of or ever considered the military back in 1967. I was way to busy just trying to get through my 12th year in high school. But, being that age, I was young an dumb and the Viet Nam issue really bothered me, so without much thought, I volunteered for the Marines, an within 1 year, I again volunteered to go to Nam. Two reasons that I stuck up my hand an said, "YES"; first it was my duty, my job as a Marine to go and kick butt! (stupid young kid statement), but I ment it, to give my life if that's what I had to do. Second reason, the pay going to Nam was good.( like I said, I was young an dumb, but 100% marine!
I hit the landing mat in Da nang on my 18th birthday. Happy birthday Marine!

Response by SCPO Calvin Jones made Aug 26 at 2021 1:48 PM

2021-08-26T13:48:55-04:00

Growing up in the sixties, I was fascinated by the military shows seen on TV, such as Combat, Rat Patrol and Voyage to the bottom of the sea. I recall a movie in the late 1960's and it had scenes from army boot camp and the toughness the soldiers displayed, I figured I could handle that because it was so cool to me. I thought I would be running miles each day, performing lots of exercise etc.. I had a very strict father, we couldn't do much of anything, if we crossed him, we felt the wrath of JC Jones, it was not pleasant either. He was the only son, so he was exempted from serving in the military. But the strictness and toughness he put on my older brother and I, helped me to make it in the military. The one thing that sticks out above all that changed me drastically, the military broke me from being the shy individual I grew up as, it gave me confidence I didn't have prior to enlisting, so it's true that the services can make you a better person...

Response by MCPO John Malone made Aug 26 at 2021 1:59 PM

2021-08-26T13:59:04-04:00

Fairly knew what to expect. Recruiter lived across the street and was a family friend. We had a lot of sessions before I left for boot camp. Got to admit, the first time I saw a Chief Petty Officer in his Dress Canvas with all that gold, I got flustered and saluted him. After the dressing down I received, I never did that again.

Response by PFC Dagmar Youngberg made Aug 26 at 2021 2:03 PM

2021-08-26T14:03:19-04:00

Raised a "Brat", actually knew what to expect after dad served as Drill Sgt for a couple years. Only thing I didn't expect was when I hit first base assignment- definitely thought everyone would have eachothers "6" better than what I saw.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2021 2:05 PM

2021-08-26T14:05:21-04:00

Didn't know was extremely curious and interested. Was walking back to work from lunch as a hugh school Junior got stopped asked directions by a National Guard recruiter i took the bait hook line and sinker and 25 years current in the Guard and 18 as a federal tech im glad I stopped!

Response by Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. made Aug 26 at 2021 2:26 PM

2021-08-26T14:26:21-04:00

Only knew I would be drafted because of the Vietnam war. I had dropped out of my second year of college to get married. When my deferrment was changed, I tried to join the Marine Corp but they were not taking married recruits. So I went next door to the USAF recruiter and they swore me in on the spot and gave me a one month deferment before reporting to basic training. Life was an interesting in the USAF.

Response by SP5 Dan Kassner made Aug 26 at 2021 2:30 PM

2021-08-26T14:30:09-04:00

worse than the reality.

Response by A1C Frank L. Smith made Aug 26 at 2021 2:42 PM

2021-08-26T14:42:41-04:00

IN RETROSPECT, IN 1959 (19 YRS.OLD), NO JOB, NOT COLLEGE MATERIAL (GRADES), MY SITUATION NEEDED A FOCUS.
HOW BAD CAN IT BE? MY COUSIN DID FINE, HE SAID: "YOU CAN DO IT", THOUSANDS OF OTHERS DID IT !
WITH HIS CONFIDENCE IN ME.......MY DOUBTS EASED.
AFTER THAT, i DIDN'T LOOK BACK !
i DID FINE !

FRANK S.

Response by CMDCM Dave Johnsen made Aug 26 at 2021 2:45 PM

2021-08-26T14:45:27-04:00

Even tho I had two brothers who were Navy, one was still on active duty, I had no idea about Navy life. My Navy active brother told me to just keep my mouth shut and listen and do as I was told. Every day was a new experience and during my 32 years of active duty the Navy was always changing and so was I.

Response by SSG Jim Hasse made Aug 26 at 2021 3:08 PM

2021-08-26T15:08:39-04:00

I went to military school in Alton, Illinois, in 1960 - 1962 (freshman and sophomore years at Western Military Academy). I was required to do marching, physical training, firearms qualification, tactics, etc. I went to Army basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. I was expecting basic training to be more physically demanding than it was. Basic was more exciting than I expected. I finally felt like I was moving forward in life. Vietnam was the goal, and I was finally heading in that direction.

Response by Bob Goodworth made Aug 26 at 2021 4:12 PM

2021-08-26T16:12:13-04:00

No preconceived ideas, expected a lot of physical stuff, DIs in your face, and that happened , morphed from a civilian to a reasonable soldier.

Response by SP5 Michael Ingenito made Aug 26 at 2021 4:12 PM

2021-08-26T16:12:30-04:00

I had somewhat of an idea based on some movies , Just out of High School with little job prospects,I enlisted in the Army to avoid the draft, the best 10 years of my life I had many M.O.S. even became Airborne Qualified ,the highlight of my military career going through Special forces training. Unfortunate for me I got a medical discharge, many years later, My Primary Dr. at the V.A. suggested I apply for V.A. disability, I got 60 %. Now at 70 years young I can still run a mile ! Airborne All The Way !

Response by CPL Larry Monkus made Aug 26 at 2021 4:44 PM

2021-08-26T16:44:07-04:00

men taught respect but also tough guys

Response by Sgt Allan Ramirez made Aug 26 at 2021 4:46 PM

2021-08-26T16:46:48-04:00

I just imagined military life was the kind of thing you would not really know anything about since many people that go in dont always come back. When they do it's a blessing. If they dont we just accept that what they did was a gift and a curse since it came before the time of their understanding what was the cost of a life. That's life though when you put your life in someone or something else's design to navigate and educate in tandem with a perceived greater good.

Response by PO3 Yasmine Thompson made Aug 26 at 2021 4:48 PM

2021-08-26T16:48:42-04:00

I really didn't expect most of what I did in the military. I didn't know in the Navy you are always gone put to sea even if your not deployed. I didn't know I would work 16 hour days. Everything was different from what I imagined. It was hard work.

Response by Jerry Rivas made Aug 26 at 2021 5:06 PM

2021-08-26T17:06:09-04:00

Boy scouts with cool guns. I was an army brat, so I had a real good idea of what Basic training was all about. I actually had a reaally good time at Ft Knox in 1974

Response by CPL Louis Pawela made Aug 26 at 2021 5:13 PM

2021-08-26T17:13:39-04:00

I am an old timer,but still remember. During the Korean Conflict me and two of my buddies
joined the Army, we were told since the first letter of our last names were at the end of
the alphabet, we would stay together. (how gullible) One served in the U.S.A, one in Europe
and one in Korea.

Response by CPO Al West made Aug 26 at 2021 5:18 PM

2021-08-26T17:18:23-04:00

only influenced by the uniform

Response by SrA Barbara Johnson made Aug 26 at 2021 6:34 PM

2021-08-26T18:34:04-04:00

I imagined a far better life than the one I was living, but at the same time I was terrified of what was just on the other side of that airplane ride to basic. Looking back...that far better life is exactly what it turned out to be. Thrust into meeting people from all walks of life, each with his/her own unique story; visiting places I would never have been fortunate to visit without the help of my Uncle Sam, an education in life money could not buy. There were some devastating bumps along the way...but I would do it all over again.

Response by SFC Kendrick Johnson made Aug 26 at 2021 7:22 PM

2021-08-26T19:22:45-04:00

I had a good idea. Marching, physical fitness, learning and performing duties. From a youth organization I was a member of in WI.

Response by PFC Donald Gayheart made Aug 26 at 2021 7:42 PM

2021-08-26T19:42:46-04:00

I envisioned almost exactly what I lived through. What I didn't envision was my reactions to the discipline required.

Response by CPL Vicki Bender made Aug 26 at 2021 8:01 PM

2021-08-26T20:01:51-04:00

I was in High School ROTC. I loved being part of the drill teams and rifle team. My aunt was in the military and she said it was the best part of her life. She was kind of cool to hang around. No I wasn't prepared for basic training. I was a 18 year old kid after all. I loved it and really wanted more structure when I went in. On the day we took our oath some man came by and asked us woman would we really be proud to tell our children we wore combat boots. Three of them got up and left. Many years later after i resumed civilian life. My son got into a argument with a boy whose father was in the military. My son mentioned his father was in as well. Than he looked right at him and said my mother used to be in the Army. The boy did not believe him. He offered to show him my combat boots . All my sons have been proud of my service. The army does teach you how to handle young men and make them feel safe.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2021 8:31 PM

2021-08-26T20:31:15-04:00

The only military life I know is the one that I always see in the movies until I joined few years ago and I learned that being part of the biggest force is not easy. Soldiers has their ups and downs, like a roller coaster ride.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2021 8:54 PM

2021-08-26T20:54:25-04:00

Having grown up in a military family it was pretty much as I thought. My dad served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. And living on post most of the time we saw how life for those serving was. If u were on post when the Trump sounded to stopped and saluted or put ur right hand on ur heart until it was done playing. U saw how to march. And how rank worked. So the only shock I got really was not really military it was how far out of shape I got in basic.

Response by SSgt Michael Bowen made Aug 26 at 2021 9:31 PM

2021-08-26T21:31:40-04:00

Free food and a bed to sleep in cloths and a pay check . And all i had to do is what i was told within reason and it's what i got . But first i had to pass the entry test ( basic)

Response by SrA Theodore Dobbins made Aug 26 at 2021 10:41 PM

2021-08-26T22:41:53-04:00

I'd planned on 2 years in the Marines, but I couldn't find the office and ended up joining the Air Force. I didn't have a clue.

Response by SSgt Cedric Hathway made Aug 26 at 2021 10:42 PM

2021-08-26T22:42:50-04:00

Since no one in my family has sever been a Marine, I thought it would be tough in boot camp. My Drill Instructors didn’t disappoint me there!
But for duty afterwards I expected more relaxed attitude boy was I wrong, maybe because of being a Reconnaissance Marine and I loved it. The teamwork and leadership of the NCO’s and Staff NCO’s was awe inspiring!
I sure missed that in civilian life!

Response by SFC Linda Clipp made Aug 26 at 2021 11:09 PM

2021-08-26T23:09:30-04:00

More difficult and less hilarious than it was...bar far.

Response by SPC Robert Caldwell made Aug 26 at 2021 11:48 PM

2021-08-26T23:48:28-04:00

I thought Army life would be a lot tougher than it was. I thought it would be like I saw in the movies. After basic I found Army life was a fairly easy life , as long as you did your job, and didn't screw up too bad.

Response by SrA Chizoba Nwadiogbu made Aug 27 at 2021 1:56 AM

2021-08-27T01:56:13-04:00

I thought it was going to be more athletically-minded; people that were gung-ho about fitness and sports. I realized after basic and tech school that that wasn’t the case…

Response by SSG Mildred Johnson made Aug 27 at 2021 4:49 AM

2021-08-27T04:49:05-04:00

My brother was in Vietnam War, So years later after High School,I joined the Army . My. mother didn't want me to. It was just something I wanted to do. Great learning and life experiences.

Response by SFC Terry Wilcox made Aug 27 at 2021 10:51 AM

2021-08-27T10:51:13-04:00

I was 17, uninformed, and knew nothing about anything, outside of my hometown. After Basic I went home got together with my friends - They were so Juvenile, I couldn't hang with them. I went on to my first assignment - a 17-year old let loose in Germany. OH heaven, help us!

Response by Cpl William Sneed made Aug 27 at 2021 11:03 AM

2021-08-27T11:03:28-04:00

Just like it was . Discipline and order.

Response by PO1 Chris Goldstein made Aug 27 at 2021 11:03 AM

2021-08-27T11:03:40-04:00

I went into Naval Aviation just as Top Gun was coming out and that was really my only image of what it would be like. Just goes to show ya, you can't believe everything you see in the movies!!!

Response by SSG Cheryl Maxwell made Aug 27 at 2021 11:04 AM

2021-08-27T11:04:33-04:00

Did not know what to expect, but knew it would be hard. I learned so much, such as never volunteer for anything.

Response by SN Robert Moose made Aug 27 at 2021 11:08 AM

2021-08-27T11:08:23-04:00

i admit at first i was a bit taken aback as hearing what my father went through in the military but eventually i enjoyed every minute of it

Response by CPL Edward Williams made Aug 27 at 2021 11:08 AM

2021-08-27T11:08:26-04:00

Other than pictures my brother sent, I had no idea of Army life. First thing I learned in Basic Training, "NEVER NEVER VOLUNTEER!"

Response by CMDCM David Peterson made Aug 27 at 2021 11:09 AM

2021-08-27T11:09:56-04:00

The only notion I had of what being in the Navy was prior to my service was through NJROTC, and through movies at the time (Top Gun, Navy SEALS, etc.). For me the most compelling reason for joining was to get away from the path I saw myself on at the time and do something on my own, away from the city I was in, and hopefully find a new path. I imagined doing heroic things as I had seen in the movies, of traveling to new places, and serving with likeminded people. What I received was a watered down version of my dream/vision, I did travel, we did some amazing things (maybe a few heroic things), and I did serve with some of the most amazing people. I regret nothing.

Response by SSgt Michael Anderson made Aug 27 at 2021 11:14 AM

2021-08-27T11:14:30-04:00

I imagined a regimented, but exciting life of visiting places that I had never been before! I knew all of my hometown friends would be envious when they saw me in my uniform, and everything that I imagined came true!

Response by SPC Robert Birk made Aug 27 at 2021 11:18 AM

2021-08-27T11:18:03-04:00

No one in my family had been in the service & they did not have the Money to send me to college, so I decided to join the army! Best thing I ever did, I took tests & was assigned to the Army Security Agency, spending most of my 3 yr enlistment at ASAFE Headquarters in Tokyo Japan,1954-1956 as a Cryptographer. Great duty, got to see most of Japan & met lots of great people!

Response by PVT Mark Whitcomb made Aug 27 at 2021 11:23 AM

2021-08-27T11:23:29-04:00

I had no preconceived ideas of the Army. I wanted combat arms and the challenge. I got both. I learned discipline and what a soldier can do when properly trained. I found out I could endure more than I had previously thought I was capable of!!!

Response by SGT Dave Thompson made Aug 27 at 2021 11:24 AM

2021-08-27T11:24:57-04:00

My dad was career Army, we lived all over the world while growing up. I had a pretty good idea what basic would be like back in 1966 when I enlisted, but was still in for a shock when actually living it.

There is no ‘comparison to reality’, basic training was a hard reality of it’s own that compared to nothing in civilian life, or even life as an Army dependent growing up.

Response by PVT Bryan Blaha made Aug 27 at 2021 11:40 AM

2021-08-27T11:40:42-04:00

At the time I was a alcoholic and on drugs trying to better my life. And I thank God for the Army it gave me hope and a purpose.

Response by SFC Dennis Brandon made Aug 27 at 2021 11:52 AM

2021-08-27T11:52:11-04:00

I had 34 days from talking to a recruiter and joining the Army. This was right around the time we where in conflict in Beirut. So I started running 5-6 miles a day to prepare for what I thought it would be like in BT. When I first got off the bus it went from really quiet, to a lot of screaming, bags being dumped out, being called name, only thing I was thinking boy have I made a mistake. Since I knew some people who had been in recently I wasn’t to shocked at how things where going, somethings made you question your judgement, like the getting up way too early every day, to the constant cleaning and inspections.I got through there and was able to do 24 years and I think about the time I got caught with a Doo rag on my head in the middle of the night, and me having to curl the bunk bed like I was lifting weight and afterwards I had the nerve to ask the Drill Sgt. (SSG Hauser) for an Aspirin. SMH. Lol. You can imagine how that went.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2021 11:52 AM

2021-08-27T11:52:48-04:00

I never really gave it a second thought. I was in 11th grade when I joined up in the delayed entry program. 2 months after High School graduation I left on a plane and never looked back. 27 years later I retired. I have plenty of fond memories of everything I went through and made some great friends along the way. Of course there were bad times as well, but the lifelong experience I gained from it all was well worth it.

Response by SGT Erick Holmes made Aug 27 at 2021 11:53 AM

2021-08-27T11:53:58-04:00

I imagine it like the movies you see. Like Top Gun for example. I thought and imagined that I would know some stuff and prove the Drill Sgt wrong and yea I would get yelled at and do a bunch of pushups and get all swollen in the chest etc. But that really wasn't the case.

Response by MSgt Don Dobbs made Aug 27 at 2021 11:58 AM

2021-08-27T11:58:16-04:00

There was little left to my imagination since I was an Army brat with Dad retired Army 2 Uncles and my Father in Law retired and Reserve Air Force

Response by SPC Fabian Barahona made Aug 27 at 2021 12:06 PM

2021-08-27T12:06:57-04:00

honestly wasn't expecting much, but my time in active duty was pretty great with its ups and downs.

Response by LCpl Toby Studabaker made Aug 27 at 2021 12:15 PM

2021-08-27T12:15:33-04:00

My uncle taught me some about the Marines from his time in, and an idea how hard basic was going to be, but I handsome idea that life in the Marines was going to be hard-core and it lived up to it.

Response by PO1 Charles Fisher made Aug 27 at 2021 12:35 PM

2021-08-27T12:35:56-04:00

I thought it would be just a job, probably on a ship.

Response by SP5 Dan Kassner made Aug 27 at 2021 12:39 PM

2021-08-27T12:39:06-04:00

much worse than reality

Response by Lt Col Warren Domke made Aug 27 at 2021 12:41 PM

2021-08-27T12:41:27-04:00

My image of military life was largely formed by books and movies, many of them about World War II. My enlistment in the Air National Guard began in January of 1960, less than 18 years after the end of World War II and less than 13 years after the Air Force became a separate military service. In the summer of 1960, when I attended basic training, the Air Force was still finding its identity. I went on to be commissioned and to serve in the active Air Force and Air Force Reserve. I am proud of my service--it and I grew up together. But what I experienced was much different than what I expected--better in many ways, in retrospect. My advice to anyone contemplating military service is to talk with a veteran, particularly one whose service is relatively recent.

Response by Cpl Tim Crowder made Aug 27 at 2021 12:43 PM

2021-08-27T12:43:11-04:00

Before I joined, my expectations of military life were skewed a bit by the military movies I had seen. I had no one with personal experience to question, except my local recruiter, whose office I passed on the way to the bus stop for my ride home from high school. He let me watch some of the real combat films(I just tried to type videos twice, but they weren't around in 1963,lol) so I had a fair grasp of that aspect of military life. Where I lacked, was a real concept of Marine boot camp and garrison life. The Hollywood movies kinda' skimped on that, except for leave and liberty time (usually pretty unruly). In those days, before all the "reforms" that were instituted, the D.I.s set about helping you shed all the wrong-headed, soft, misguided civilian attitudes you had and put you in a state of semi shock for a couple of days until they could so gently guide you on the right path. Or as I often put it; they took away every one of your God-given rights, and gave them back one at a time as earned privileges. It was very effective.

Response by SGT Bobby Ewing made Aug 27 at 2021 12:43 PM

2021-08-27T12:43:33-04:00

I was really unsure of what it would be like exactly. I do know I really needed a change in where my life was going. Short term jobs, and paycheck to paycheck was definitely not working. I have had several family members who had told me some good, some bad. So truthfully, I just kind of went in with an open mind. I actually adjusted very well to the "Life." I was on track to be a career soldier, but after Desert Storm, I was caught up in the Force Reduction. I enjoyed my time in service, and recommend it to younger family members who seem kind of lost for direction after High School. I do try to steer them toward occupations that will benefit them after their term of service is over.

Response by Sgt David Scott made Aug 27 at 2021 12:45 PM

2021-08-27T12:45:15-04:00

I was proud to join in '68, even had to paticion the Draft Board (1968) to change my classification from 3A to 1A for the Corps would accept me and within a few minutes of arriving in SD, I was wondering where I made the wrong turn, hehehe, 13 weeks later I stood proud as a Marine. From that time on, I lived the life I thought it would be, a great MOS of 2141, Tank Mechanic in other terms. 19 months later I had Sgt Chevrons on my collar/sleeve.

Response by SP5 Dale Lanning made Aug 27 at 2021 12:53 PM

2021-08-27T12:53:19-04:00

I thought after basic and ait next duty station would be nothing but training was i mistaken

Response by TSgt George Austin made Aug 27 at 2021 1:14 PM

2021-08-27T13:14:35-04:00

Dad and brother prepped me.

Response by PFC Phillip Jones made Aug 27 at 2021 1:34 PM

2021-08-27T13:34:24-04:00

I guess I have two answers, and while I feel pressured to give the pseudo-propagandistic one - I want to give a realistic one. I thank God I joined the Army. It turned me from a child into a man. A man who could engage in critical self-examination and push myself mentally and physically further than ever before. I went from barely being able to do a 13 minute mile to 71% on the BPFT to finishing the Dallas Rock and Roll Half Marathon shortly before CoVid above the halfway time average for males. It taught me tactical and survival skills that have saved my life and helped me provide medical and security assistance to others on multiple occasions.

But I did not expect the rampant unprotected sex with whatever girl was around and the functional alcoholism that you find in the Combat Arms corps. I had difficulty adjusting to that, trying to pretend to be as into those things as others before I realized I didn't have to. I just live and let live, respected people's Constitutional rights as my oath demanded, and did whatever I possibly could to do my duty to my country. I wasn't a perfect soldier by any means, but I only racked up one ART-15 (given to my whole Troop) and managed no demotions or committed any crimes unlike many do on libo. I learned that even the people I sort of hated weren't worth hating. They were my brothers (and sisters). And sometimes siblings fight. Doesn't mean they sacrificed any less just because not all were model citizens. I tried to stay away from the true s**tbags, though.

It was culture shock, but I am glad for it. That adversity and the trials of being broken down and rebuilt and then forced to work with people who both loved me as family and thought of me poorly taught me a lot. If I had to sum it up in one sentence, it would be one evoking the great philosopher Marcus Aurelius: "This does not have to bother me if I do not wish it. I am in control. I will not only embrace, but love my fate, no matter how happy or tragic. I can only control what I do, not what happens to me. I will endure it as a Roman does." Or in this case, an American.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2021 2:01 PM

2021-08-27T14:01:58-04:00

Like most kids raised in the 50’s I was influenced by the image of the WWII vets, and to a lesser degree by the Korean vets. My father was a USMC Captain on Okinawa who talked me out of joining the Corps. I had 2 years of mandatory Army ROTC in college, but no foresight about joining. The ROTC instructor urged me to do so, but we thought of ROTC as displayed in the movie Animal House. Then my draft board made me 1-A my senior year, even though I was a student in good standing. My mother raised hell with them and I reverted to II-S. I graduated May, 1967 and turned 1-A the very next day. Foresight would have save me 10 months before receiving my commission, but the men I met in Basic, AIT, and OCS are lifelong friends. I have none from college. Enuf said.

Response by Sgt Earl Little made Aug 27 at 2021 2:03 PM

2021-08-27T14:03:56-04:00

I imagined it to be disciplined and structured. Never imagined HOW disciplined and structured every element of every day in boot camp would be. Not nearly as bad out in the real world but still way more disciplined/structured than I had thought before hand.

Response by PO2 Jimmie Shelnutt made Aug 27 at 2021 2:05 PM

2021-08-27T14:05:19-04:00

Assumed the Navy would just be "seeing the world" in blue. Instead, became a Corpsman, got forest-green utilities, and came to love the my FMF service and my brother Marines. Semper Fi!

Response by PVT Pat Morrison made Aug 27 at 2021 2:06 PM

2021-08-27T14:06:04-04:00

1957 "Join the Army -see the world" . But I did see Europe. Peace time 1957-1960

Response by PO2 Christopher Thompson made Aug 27 at 2021 2:26 PM

2021-08-27T14:26:45-04:00

Before I joined I thought that the recruits would be sent to areas of the ship shackled to the floor and made to row to the sound of a drum, hot, no showers, completely exhausted at the end of the watch. I was not disappointed, my first duty was in dry dock in Portland, OR on a destroyer being refitted, in January. We had no heat, the showers were not working properly, non-stop work, food was terrible. Then we set out to sea to bring the ship to San Diego after 6 months, and it got worse, tin cans are as close to the old pirate ships as you can get. They take 40 degree rolls, if you are walking down a passageway you end up walking on the walls, and guess who gets to clean the walls, yep E-3 and below. Even the seasoned sailors on my ship got seasick, guess who gets to clean that up, yep, E-3 and below.
Then I went to "A" school, and we were housed in "squad bay" style sleeping areas, about 30 or us all stuffed in to on area, no privacy, having to shower "en mass" just like at boot camp.
I graduated 3rd in my class, which meant I got prime pick of orders upon leaving school, the instructors conspired against me, and talked me into going to Yokosuka, Japan and to the Flag Ship of the Seventh Fleet. I learned that having to wear sunglasses inside is a real thing, everything shined and had to be kept shiny at all times. Guess who got to shine all that brass, yep, E-3 and below. When I arrived at the ship, there were no open bunks in the area that my division was assigned so I was put in temporary berthing with the Marines, Semper Fi, yep, got to learn how to keep house to Marine standards. Put on white socks and grab your white towel and shuffle around the berthing compartment and check the socks and towels to see if they are still white, if dirty, get to clean the floor again.
After a year on board I sat for my E-4 exam, and passed. Then things changed, I was assigned as division maintenance petty officer, still a lot of work, but I was able to have an E-3 and below do the dirtiest work so I could make sure that the work was done properly and correctly. When I made watch officer life in the Navy got awesome, when we pulled into port I was able to go out on the town and meet so may great people from all over the world, I learned that even with all the cultural differences we are all just trying to make another day. The Navy was the best decision I ever made, I was on two ships with proud heritages, and a shore base that was the most outstanding place ever (Okinawa), got to learn all that I could soak in, and met so many absolutely great people along the way.
I met my wife on Okinawa, she was in the Navy also, we have never let the lessons we learned in the Navy fade, and just celebrated our 34th anniversary, with a nautical theme.
So, the short answer to the question, I thought I was going to a life of servitude, and it was, but, the reality was that service brings you into a family of people that brings so much fun into your life.

Response by MSgt Bill Shields made Aug 27 at 2021 2:44 PM

2021-08-27T14:44:55-04:00

Kinda tough but a good way of life.

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made Aug 27 at 2021 3:04 PM

2021-08-27T15:04:09-04:00

it was no different what my father and brother told me what to expect. the food was a lot like dad's cooking, but never like mom's. I was used to waking up at 0400 with dad and going to bed by 9 in basic, but rushing to do the 3 "S's" was a little challenging. Real military life had its challenges especially with know-it-alls, 2nd Lts and do -it-my way, or the-hiwat-types!

Response by PO3 Douglas George made Aug 27 at 2021 4:03 PM

2021-08-27T16:03:36-04:00

My Dad was in the Navy right after WW2 and my brother joined the year before me so I had some idea mainly follow orders and shut up. My draft # was 50 so I was going. I learned the hard way not to volunteer any more info than was necessary. When asked if anyone knew how to march my hand went up and I became a squad leader 3rd platoon in charge of the head. Never volunteered again.

Response by PO1 Gary Bell made Aug 27 at 2021 4:13 PM

2021-08-27T16:13:46-04:00

The Big canoe club, Boy Scouts of America.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2021 4:41 PM

2021-08-27T16:41:10-04:00

Honestly didnt think about it much. I am naturally a "go with the flow" type.

Response by LCpl Scott Boyer made Aug 27 at 2021 4:50 PM

2021-08-27T16:50:16-04:00

I always thought it would be like the movies, I assume others may have aswell. I went in 1986, no war and there were very few senior Marines that had wartime experience. I thought all the militarys' would be a step above civilan life. Not better, the best our country has to offer. The reality of course is that there is no dichotomy, it's the same. Example: when at ITS, towards the end of boot, one reqruit had all of his pay stolen. At first I was shocked, how could a fellow "brother" do that? Liers, thiefs, rapists, murderers, the lowest scum of this country are all there but so are the proffesionals, the real men and women that make our militaries the best in the world.

Response by PO3 Thomas Fee made Aug 27 at 2021 6:25 PM

2021-08-27T18:25:17-04:00

I was going to be on submarines and nuclear power school I thought it would be like a space ship, instead of the dirty smelly reality

Response by PO3 Carl K. made Aug 27 at 2021 6:42 PM

2021-08-27T18:42:43-04:00

My father, USNR WWII combat Veteran, told me largely what to expect. That some higher-ups will issue insane and irrevocable orders. He gave me this advice: "When you salute, you're saluting the uniform, not necessarily the punk therein."

Response by SPC Robert Bobo made Aug 27 at 2021 6:52 PM

2021-08-27T18:52:56-04:00

I pictured Military life pretty close to what it was, had several friends and family veteran members who described it, only thing that was different was the wide range of duties performed beyond MOS specialty, which was good!

Response by SFC Rick Brooks made Aug 27 at 2021 7:25 PM

2021-08-27T19:25:33-04:00

planned on a career just didn't work out the way I planned

Response by SSG(P) D. Wright Downs made Aug 27 at 2021 8:53 PM

2021-08-27T20:53:54-04:00

I had no idea what to expect. I had signed up to complete a degree program and I had also been guaranteed a school..SATCOM at Ft Gordon, GA. I was going to be loosing my job and needed a new one. As chance would have it, I was on my way to a golf lesson with a few clubs on the sisssy bar of my bike when I was held up by a traffic accident in front of an Army Recruiter’s office. Called to cancel the lesson, put the bike in his office and went to have coffee with him. I had thought about the Air Force 10 yers earlier when I was in HS but went to college instead. I was ready for something different…get out of the rural setting, do some traveling, not have to have the kind of wardrobe working made me have…what is a few years? And, the vanity in me thought the uniform would look good with my dark auburn hair…
What really happened is that they couldn’t give me the college program, I completed the SATCOM but also became an MST survivor and couldn’t stay in a building alone with a male so got another school, spent 7 of my 11 years I Europe and had to take a medical due to a head injury just before I was to pin on my E7 rank. The Army was the job I ever had. I learned so much, did so much I never thought I could do, and would doit all over again. Call me up and I would report again in a heart beat. My kind of life and work. So glad I didn’t go in the AirForce…that is not me. I am Army, a trained killer if I need to be, a Warrior spirit I din’t know was buried there, and a Patriot that went back generations to the Battle ovf Bennington. As far as I know, I am the first woman in my family to have served.

Response by CPO Al West made Aug 27 at 2021 10:06 PM

2021-08-27T22:06:54-04:00

tough,comraderie,but fun on my own

Response by SPC Will Thorson made Aug 27 at 2021 11:25 PM

2021-08-27T23:25:18-04:00

As a kid, I watched a lot of war movies, read a lot if military history. So i thought i knew something. But the military especially what i did (army infantry) kinda shocked me. Not basic...but line company and how many A type personalities are in a company. I'm not that. Lol. But i could talk to others about our unit histories, and give advice fir boards and such. The biggest was how much sleep deprivation there was and how you really had to push yourself and you were not alone. That a brotherhood was there from the very beginning. And some of those guys are still my friends 25+ years later. That whole 1% is true. You gravitate to people that did the sane as you. That was a surprise in the beginning. We've all had friends but nothing like those you were in service with.

Response by SGT John Graham made Aug 28 at 2021 2:18 AM

2021-08-28T02:18:06-04:00

Action! In stead of long delays, administrative hand offs, and hurry up and wait. I did enjoy it the comrades made, I learned to interact with many people. Yeah all in all it was pretty good, especially in the Spec. 4 Mafia years.

Response by Sgt Mervyn Russell made Aug 28 at 2021 6:09 AM

2021-08-28T06:09:05-04:00

I thought I had responded to this question. Anyway, I was surprised to say the least when I checked into basic training. My dad was in the Marine Corps during WW11 but he didn't really say much about the military, all he ever said was how badly he was treated. So, I was in for the surprise of my life. I actually went through Army basic and then three years later the Marine Corps Boot camp. You know what? it was the best time of my life. I enjoyed the military well, up until I got married to my wife, She spoiled it. LOL!

Response by LCpl Nicholas Ackerson made Aug 28 at 2021 7:01 AM

2021-08-28T07:01:16-04:00

Before I joined the Marines at age 16 during the Gulf War, I imagined military life in the United States Marine Corps to mirror Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket mixed with parts and portions of a bakers dozen of popular films and television series that featured the USMC and popular stereotypes.
As a 16 year old I had a solid work ethic and I had "book smarts".
I enjoyed working on machines. I was computer literate for the times; and I played Football and Soccer, so team work was already learned behavior.
I was otherwise socially awkward and had little understanding of the ways and minds of the fairer sex.
I liked girls, but I had a hard time understanding relationships.
I had very few girls that could be "just friends" before the Marines.

My boot camp experience was better than expected, outside of being a Guinea pig for an experimental vaccine that made a lot of people sick, myself included.
In fact, I and a few of the others whom received it have never really recovered.
My fleet experience was initially disappointing. There were a lot of senseless inspections that lead to the destruction of uniforms that we had to replace our of pocket.
I discovered some of my training was more idellic and romantic than reality would have it.
I never had to guard my laundry before, and never thought I would have to guard it from thieves that I am supposed to trust with my life.
I never understood the battle for "The Good" MRE's and honestly thought these things would either be handed out fairly or randomly... So I learned otherwise after seeing an unopened box with the list f what it was supposed to contain.
At one point I honestly believed there were only three MRE's and they were:
(1) "FRANKFERTERS" aka "Four fingers of death"
(2) Chicken ALA King
(3) Egg Foo Yon
I would have never guessed that Marines who were not going to have to eat the MRE's would take the best of them and leave the worst in the place of the good ones, but yes... Apparently that has been going on since canned rations.
As female Marines began to integrate into Combat Arms my lack of experience and awkwardness was challenged.

I learned more from being a friend to women I worked with. With that I learned to work with gay people and ignore the fact that they are gay because they were very good at their jobs. Many Females were gay or bisexual. Very few males would make it through boot camp if they even seemed to be gay.
The "Don't ask Don't tell" policies of the 1990's created a dangerous culture of people who put aside all that they learned in training to raid the barracks in the early hours several times a week, desperately searching for gay people doing gay stuff. I went against later training and volunteered for everything that could lead to the field because I enjoyed that part of my life in the Marine Corps.

Response by SP5 Michael Barczykowski made Aug 28 at 2021 11:05 AM

2021-08-28T11:05:55-04:00

I had no clue. High school to college to boot camp. While in boot I did volunteer for Airborne school. My thinking at the time, perhaps flawed, was that since Airborne was voluntary that if sent to Nam, which I was, that I'd be with people a little more motivated to work cohesively thus bettering my chances of survival. I do not to this day regret that decision.

Response by CPL Tom Walker made Aug 28 at 2021 1:00 PM

2021-08-28T13:00:46-04:00

Actually, I considered making a career of the military, but my experience in the Army convinced me otherwise. Mind you, I had good experiences and still have friends from my days in the service, but too much mindless regimentation got to me.

Response by PO3 Gary D. Owens made Aug 28 at 2021 1:12 PM

2021-08-28T13:12:22-04:00

After High School I really was a lost human male doing nothing good but I did work a several jobs and even flunked out of college. I enlisted in hopes it would help me get some maturity and that is what it did. I saw more of what was happening in the world and it made a man of me with enough maturity to get married on Boot Leave and go back to college when I got out. I did work and go to school without borrowing money and even made the Dean's list the first five semesters. Got a career selling pharmaceuticals for 30 years and retired.

Response by PO3 Cathy Besaw made Aug 28 at 2021 8:12 PM

2021-08-28T20:12:18-04:00

I knew it would be hard but I was excited joining the military

Response by A1C Kevin Kelley made Aug 29 at 2021 4:06 PM

2021-08-29T16:06:10-04:00

Well, my father had been in the Air Force in Korea, so I knew a little about how it would be. However, nothing ever prepares you to “hit the ground running” when you go from civilian to military life. I learned early on the importance of teamwork and leaning on your fellow airmen.

Response by SFC James (JD) Flemal made Aug 29 at 2021 4:11 PM

2021-08-29T16:11:17-04:00

I like many watched Mash and thought it looks like fun. Being young and dumb I found out quick. I adapted and the rest is history.

Response by AA Karen Dietrich made Aug 29 at 2021 4:12 PM

2021-08-29T16:12:30-04:00

I was an Army brat and 2 brothers also enlisted before me. The only thing I didn’t have down was how sexual assault was handled.

Response by SFC Charles Jenkins made Aug 29 at 2021 4:13 PM

2021-08-29T16:13:16-04:00

I figure I would train as an infantry man, learn fighting skill, etc, travel the world and meet interesting people which I did, Howeverr I was told I would be used better as clerks, took me to Infantrymen unit in 82nd airborne, wanted to change MOS but was told I could not, they say god looks out for babies and fools, retired 1994

Response by PO3 Christopher Sumpter made Aug 29 at 2021 4:15 PM

2021-08-29T16:15:01-04:00

I honestly didn't give it much thought. It was a bit of an impulsive decision.

Response by SSG William Strong made Aug 29 at 2021 4:22 PM

2021-08-29T16:22:46-04:00

my perception was that it would be a relaxing but learning chapter in my life.....It did not take long (1/2 day) to realize the discipline I would follow would be more so and eventually, greatly worthwhile.

Response by PO2 Stanley Buck made Aug 29 at 2021 4:22 PM

2021-08-29T16:22:51-04:00

I thought the was it was when my dad was during WW2 so I really didn’t know what it was like. But I learned fast after I went to bootcamp!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2021 4:26 PM

2021-08-29T16:26:31-04:00

A whooole lot less hurry up and wait. 10 years in, pretty sure that's been 75% of my career.

Response by CSM Steve Slocum made Aug 29 at 2021 4:29 PM

2021-08-29T16:29:11-04:00

Due to my father and two Uncles having served, I had a real good picture of what to expect and they helped to prepare me by explaining the do`s and dont`s of military life!!! However, they failed to work on my physical fitness and as a result, I`m sure I set a record for pushups, squat thrusts, flutter kicks during my 8 weeks of BCT at Ft Benning in 1966. However, it all paid off as I loved the military and grew up faster than most young men joining in that era!!!!

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Aug 29 at 2021 4:32 PM

2021-08-29T16:32:24-04:00

Never gave it a thought to be honest. I figured it to be like football camp just extended. 1975-1979 was a no war Corps, so I guessed right . I think though everyone wants to be tested right or wrong. I’m old now and reflective, but being tested is what you signed up for. No doubt that it sucked, but sucking is being in the military.

Response by SFC Kenneth G. made Aug 29 at 2021 4:35 PM

2021-08-29T16:35:39-04:00

Really I didn't have any idea except that I knew that Basic Training was going to be hard. As it turned out, BT really wasn't as hard as I thought is was going to be because I was young and in pretty good shape and I did what I was told. My dad had been in the Navy in the 50's and he told me of some of the times he had partying with some of his officers. They were on first name basis off duty but when on duty, it was military all the way. My Dad was an E-3. I knew the Army was going to be different. As I went through my military career of 21 years, I found that the Army had changed so much that it was a drastic change from when I enlisted.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Aug 29 at 2021 4:47 PM

2021-08-29T16:47:17-04:00

I feel that three years of Junior ROTC helped greatly in preparation for Basic and other areas. I knew FM 22-5 front and back and had drilled with the best of them. Becoming familiar with the weaponry of the day--1958-1960--was most useful to me. I knew the Army rank structure and some of the U.S. Navy and understood well the matter of self-discipline a person must develop.

I had volunteered for the Draft just in the event I wanted to exit after two years. My first reenlistment was for six years and I was soon on my way to Korea (Yongsan, Camp Coiner) in early 1962. My immediate MOS was radio-teletype operations as my ears were strongly tuned to the Morse Code. My specialty in Communications Center operations stayed with me for the next 20 years with an aside job in Military Intelligence as a Special Security Officer at XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, and with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea.

I served as a drill sergeant, a military instructor, and Honor Guard assignments since I was a Sergeant E-5. The apex of my career was serving as the initial (enlisted) Special Security Officer for the 82nd Airborne Division from 1976 to 1979. When I transferred back to XVIII Airborne Corps because of a fractured back from my last jump I assumed the NCOIC position of SSO Bragg until my retirement on 1 March 1980.

As I was no longer afforded the opportunity to stay on jump status I elected to decline my promotion to Master Sergeant E-8 and retire. I had wanted to be a First Sergeant in an Airborne Signal unit but such was not to be.

As I recall, I was number 343 of the 7,000 E-7s in the run for Master Sergeant and was promoted in August, 1979. A buck sergeant in my office kept telling me: "Put 'em on, Sarge, put 'em on." I never fastened one E-8 insignia to my uniform during the wait for retirement.

Response by CW3 Joseph Lawrence made Aug 29 at 2021 4:47 PM

2021-08-29T16:47:37-04:00

It was the height of the Vietnam War and many of my friends were being drafted into the military. A few had already been to basic both in the Army and Marine Corps, and because we spent a good deal of time running around we paid little attention to the news. Some of my friends talked a little about it but not much. One of the Marines came home from boot camp with a broken jaw and we just passed it off as him talking too much. I tried to join the Navy but failed the physical. Then after spending all night out with a friend we saw the recruiter and stopped to ask him some questions. He was informative and let us both know that basic wasn't no breeze. I managed to talk to a friend who was home from basic in the Army and he let us know about drill sergeants and how strict they were with everything. Went to the same place for the Army physical, same doctors, passed with flying colors. The reception station was no big deal until they came for us to take us to our basic unit. Screaming and yelling like I never heard before in my life, and that night when I went to sleep I could hear some of the guys crying under their blankets. I just laid there and said to myself, what the heck were you thinking, enlisting in the Army. Funny thing about it, after 29 1/2 years serving I would do it all over again.

Response by PO2 Robert Hartman made Aug 29 at 2021 5:13 PM

2021-08-29T17:13:36-04:00

Adventure-some, Thrilling & educational

Response by PO2 Robert Hartman made Aug 29 at 2021 5:14 PM

2021-08-29T17:14:07-04:00

Adventure-some, Thrilling & educational

Response by PO2 Robert Hartman made Aug 29 at 2021 5:14 PM

2021-08-29T17:14:07-04:00

Adventure-some, Thrilling & educational

Response by SPC Kathy Crouch made Aug 29 at 2021 5:17 PM

2021-08-29T17:17:03-04:00

I was married to a soldier so I sort of knew what it would be like. I think it worked out for the two of us I joined did basic and AIT and once in my unit we went through a no notice mobility test and an AGI at the same time. A few weeks later we were headed for Fort Chaffee, AR. In the meantime the day I graduated AIT hubby was off on Brigade 75 to Germany. I think it helped me grow up and become more mature. Once we both were back we only had one car so we managed even being on opposite sides of post.

Response by SGT Michael Horton made Aug 29 at 2021 5:20 PM

2021-08-29T17:20:15-04:00

Back in “82” the lack of local jobs, together with my newborn son, caused me to look for a way to support my family. Joining the service was a way up, with some unplanned benefits.
I expected similar company during Basic and AIT training, but as it turned out, I was about 10 years older than the rest of the recruits. Realizing at the start that I was overweight and out of shape, I decided I had found a rare opportunity - a “Getting Paid to get Healthy.” By the end of Basic, I had been re-issued a smaller uniform twice. I did make the mistake early on of stealing the Drill Sergeant’s thunder. I explained to a couple of our shaky recruits, the necessity of the increasing levels of stress during the beginning of Basic. It was that learning under stress paid off in surviving life-or-death encounters, and for safety sake, to find out who might potentially “crack under stress.” That’s an important thing to know before finding yourself next to that special someone on the firing line. So I quickly learned that assuming an unassigned leadership role during training yields both unwanted attention from the Drill Sargent, and extra physical training. Still all in all, I gained so much from the experience, and would do it again in a second.

Response by SrA Jason Adams made Aug 29 at 2021 5:22 PM

2021-08-29T17:22:18-04:00

More regimented, but in my off time it was like living a normal life.

Response by CW2 Richard Athey made Aug 29 at 2021 5:26 PM

2021-08-29T17:26:41-04:00

Dad and grandpa both in the Army. So I thought I was prepared for basic. Wrong but the advice to just STFU and listen went a long way. The structure was better than civilian life. I wish I could do it all over again.

Response by Sgt Brian Onley made Aug 29 at 2021 6:27 PM

2021-08-29T18:27:45-04:00

I had no illusions about military life. My father was retired Air Force and being raised in the military on bases throughout the world, one becomes very familiar with the service. We were raised with yes sir, no sir, yes maam, no maam, or else the repercussions were too delicate to discuss with this new generation of PC kids. I didn't need to be drafted, I joined. When its in your family blood, its always there.

Response by MSgt Rosemary Connolly made Aug 29 at 2021 6:42 PM

2021-08-29T18:42:51-04:00

I didn't have a parent in the military to get a clue of what the military was like before I joined.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2021 7:19 PM

2021-08-29T19:19:31-04:00

I wasn't sure what to expect, beyond alot of training and travels. I sure got both. I became an Aircraft electronic technician and quickly went to Vietnam!

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Aug 29 at 2021 7:19 PM

2021-08-29T19:19:53-04:00

Having three years of Junior ROTC under my belt was the best preparedness I could have received. I knew FM 22-5 backwards and forward and marched a platoon in Detroit's high schools coming in third place of a competition. I quickly learned that self-control and discipline were paramount in a military career.

I volunteered for the Draft in January, 1960 and enlisted at Fort Wayne, MI on 3 Feb 1960.
Having received classroom instruction on the weaponry of the day gave me additional confidence but I never intended to out-shine the drill sergeants in Basic; at least, I knew enough about that. I was shipped to Fort Knox, KY (F-9-3) and survived a rough bout with flu in the winter months. I wore the buck sergeant's stripes as a squad leader in my platoon and nothing more. I kept my mouth shut when necessary.

After a short leave back home I took a bus to Fort Gordon, GA, for my AIT as a Radio-Telegraph operator. I scored high in high-pitched sounds that instantly qualified me for the Signal Corps with all that di di dah dah di di stuff. Sixteen weeks of that and two or three months of KP in all the student mess halls led up to my train shipment to Fort Leavenworth to work in their Communications Center; first as their Western Union operator until my TS clearance came through and then inside the vault of mysterious communicatin' ways.

I had volunteered for the draft in the event I wanted to exit after two years, but my first reenlistment was for six years and I was then sailing the seas on the U.S.S Breckinridge bound for Korea. Many new things I learned besides kim-chi and yobosayo girlfriends. I learned to get haircuts before the Korean barbers ate lunch.

I returned to Fort Gordon after my year in Seoul, played music at the Service Clubs and was assigned to the 206th Signal Company. My best professional move was attending the Third Army NCO Academy in 1963. In 1964, the entire company relocated to Fort Bragg and that's when my interest in the Airborne life peaked.

The story has become too long-winded so I will wrap it up.

I put two tours in the Dominican Republic (1965-1966) and one tour in Germany. I left Prum (or Pruem) in January, 1969, because of my E-7 promotion to work in Stuttgart's Communications Center at Patch Barracks. I had nine years of service and the powers-to-be reported that I had to reenlist or leave the service and not return. Naturally, I reenlisted and was sent to Danang, Vietnam, in the 12th Signal Group. This was the juncture where I was offered a job in Military Intelligence as I had discovered a TS document outside the perimeter.

As I requested, I returned to Fort Bragg and to my first wife. In June, 1973, I became Airborne qualified and was assigned as the Emergency Airborne NCO at Corps. Subsequently, I was transferred and became the initial (enlisted) Special Security Officer for the 82nd Airborne Division. This assignment became the peak of my career.

When I fractured my back at my last jump I was transferred back to XVIII Airborne Corp's SSO, becoming their Chief Communicator and NCOIC of the detachment.
I was numbered 343 of the 7,000 E-7s for Master Sergeant and I was promoted in August, 1979. As I was not going to stay on jump status because of my back injury I had wanted a First Sergeant's slot in an Airborne Signal outfit but that was not to be.

I submitted my retirement papers, declined my E-8 promotion, and waited for the big day of 1 March 1980 to come. A brigadier at Corps officiated at my retirement with my second wife and two sons present.

And I still miss it.

Response by SGT Drew Clifton made Aug 29 at 2021 7:53 PM

2021-08-29T19:53:06-04:00

I had no idea. My grandpa was in the Navy at the very end of WW2 and I had a great great great great Uncle that was in the Civil War. Other than that no one else in my family was in the military. Starting at the age of 12 I got deep into a life of drugs and crime. When I was 23 everyone around me was dying and going to jail and I made a decision to get out and never return. I called a recruiter and a week later I was on my way to basic. It had it's ups and downs but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Response by SPC Paul Sherwood made Aug 29 at 2021 7:53 PM

2021-08-29T19:53:52-04:00

I didn't need to imagine it, my step father was career Army and retired as a Staff Sgt. I grew up at Ft. Leonard Wood, Ft. Benning and lived in the Schweinfurt Germany housing area. Did I know the nitty-gritty day to day, not exactly but did have a good idea of what to expect.

Response by SFC Josh Billingsley made Aug 29 at 2021 7:53 PM

2021-08-29T19:53:56-04:00

Ever seen Full Metal Jacket? That...

Response by SP5 Jim Black made Aug 29 at 2021 8:01 PM

2021-08-29T20:01:03-04:00

Since it was during the Vietnam War, I imagined being drafted came with a significant chance of being injured or killed. The reality was, after Basic and Advanced Infantry Training, I was assigned to Aberdeen Proving Ground and put in charge of the Air Defense Testing Program for the Vulcan Air Defense System for the duration of my enlistment.

Response by COL Donald Mondragon made Aug 29 at 2021 8:17 PM

2021-08-29T20:17:15-04:00

As an Army physician, I didn't foresee all the administrative requirements and leadership opportunities. I was blessed to participate in world-class medicine both in garrison and in combat zones.

Response by CPO Daniel Randazzo made Aug 29 at 2021 8:19 PM

2021-08-29T20:19:36-04:00

Thought I would travel the world, meet life long friends, make a good living, have a great life after leaving/retiring and I did. Oh yea, I also met the person I would spend the rest of my life with, that was unexpected.

Response by PO3 Ed Deloye made Aug 29 at 2021 8:20 PM

2021-08-29T20:20:32-04:00

Pretty much like it was. I'd heard a lot about the Navy from my father who was a CPO in WW II and a Pearl Harbor survivor.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2021 8:33 PM

2021-08-29T20:33:04-04:00

I had no clue. I didn't have any friends or relatives that were currently serving and no one to ask about service. My dad and uncle were drafted to Vietnam but never really talked about their experiences in-depth. I joined blind and had to figure out how to fit into a new culture and way of life.

Response by MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. made Aug 29 at 2021 8:34 PM

2021-08-29T20:34:22-04:00

I had family members who had served in all.branches except the Coast Guard, so I had a good idea of what to expect. That said, I found the actual experience of basic training to be challenging, but not as bad as I expected it to be.

Response by SFC Keith Gardner made Aug 29 at 2021 8:36 PM

2021-08-29T20:36:58-04:00

I honestly had no idea. The late 70’s economy was for shit. I was dead broke, needed a job and my small town was getting even smaller by the day. I saw an ad in the paper offering $2,500 to join the National Guard but walked in to the RA instead. 20+ years later I didn’t regret a single moment.

Response by PO3 Justin Shatava made Aug 29 at 2021 8:46 PM

2021-08-29T20:46:49-04:00

I had a pretty good idea before I went in. My dad is a Vietnam vet who instilled a strong work ethic in me...and I'm well versed in common sense.

Response by Maj James Nylund made Aug 29 at 2021 9:03 PM

2021-08-29T21:03:48-04:00

Before I enlisted (USAF) I truly did not kow what to expect (Vietnam). When I returned home from Tech School, I told my Dad I would make a career of it. I served 16 years enlisted and 14+ as an officer. I was an E-7 MSgt when I received my commission, and retired as a Major.

Response by Maj James Nylund made Aug 29 at 2021 9:07 PM

2021-08-29T21:07:22-04:00

I did not know what to expect when I enlisted in 68 (Vietnam). I returned home from Tech School and told my Dad I was going to make a career of it. I served 16 years enlisted, and was an E-7 MSgt when I earned my commission. I served 14 years as an officer and retired as a Major. I did not love every minute, but I did love it.

Response by Capt Loren Morgan made Aug 29 at 2021 9:37 PM

2021-08-29T21:37:00-04:00

Didn't have a clue. My dad was a SeaBee who died when I was 5. My stepdad was a Marine and an Army Paratrooper. I went in as an OCS candidate. Thought it would be far more PT. Mostly a lot of messing with your head to see if you could deal.

Response by SPC Robert Hendrickson made Aug 29 at 2021 9:42 PM

2021-08-29T21:42:33-04:00

Greets in Jesus' name .. I didn't really think about it, until I went into the active U.S. Army, then later into the U.S. Army National Guard, in Fla.
In 1976, it seemed the right thing to do at the time. Farming and hardly no jobs was the norm of that day in my area of Florida. and no college to speak of and no scholarships were very rare if any.
Later, into my Army career that when things were escalating, did I think I made the right, correct choice in my life. The training and responsibility and discipline helped my life choices with the exception of one, and all is okay about that situation now.
While in, the Beirut Bombing of the U.S. Marines happened and other small but significant enough events that the U.S. Army should have given out more benefits during my time in the service .. enough said about that unless asked about that/those issues/situations .. blessings .. also my father and grandfather was in the U.S. Navy (dad), U.S. Army (granddad) kind of following/followed in their careers ??

Response by SFC Robert Ortiz made Aug 29 at 2021 10:02 PM

2021-08-29T22:02:45-04:00

Really had no idea what it's was going to be like. But being the kind of person I am, I went in with a positive attitude and open mind. I had very good leadership in all my training which gave me more of a positive attitude. Granted, when I joined it was at the very end of the Vietnam War, so I missed the draft. At the same time, the Army was in a big turn over in changing things. I am very glad that I learned from the old school guys cause it made my career much easier, 22years.

Response by CPL Raul Perez Jr made Aug 29 at 2021 10:54 PM

2021-08-29T22:54:04-04:00

Had no clue, but I thought it wouldn’t be easy, but worth it. Glad I did and passed it on to my son a West Point Cadet.

Response by Sgt William Moody made Aug 29 at 2021 10:55 PM

2021-08-29T22:55:53-04:00

I had an idea it was a disciplined way of life which I was used to after a few years playing football, but had no idea HOW disciplined it was. My dad was a Marine in the Pacific during WWII but he never talked about it and I was only 13 when he suddenly passed away in a private plane crash, so we never had a chance to talk at all about his time in the service, but I was determined to follow in his footsteps when I joined the Marines in 1965. I didn't find my time with them too bad, just do as you're told, follow orders and do the best job you can (No Time For Sergeants!) with what you have to work with.

Response by MAJ Christopher Nachand made Aug 29 at 2021 11:01 PM

2021-08-29T23:01:11-04:00

I grew up in the age where the TV ads were of the "We do more before 9am than most people do all day" variety with a Private sitting with a canteen cup full o' joe quipping "Morning, Sarge." I was a Reserve Soldier and only conducted a few field exercises that mimicked that notion as an enlisted member. After I left the Infantry and became a medic I was called up for Desert Storm and worked various positions in a hospital - mainly in line with what I expected. I commissioned as a Medical Service Corps officer after college and served in all basic staff positions (S1 - S4) as well as XO twice and command twice (once for a Middle East deployment). I don't think any preconceived notions of what those experiences would be like could have lived up to the real thing, good or bad.

Response by Cpl Javier Gutierrez made Aug 29 at 2021 11:27 PM

2021-08-29T23:27:43-04:00

I thought it would be training all day, shooting a lot and marching.

Response by PO1 Romualdo Ramirez made Aug 30 at 2021 12:34 AM

2021-08-30T00:34:24-04:00

It was like what my grandfather told me, just didn't imagine I was going to be in conflicts like he was. Dumbass me assumed the world had grown up, boy was I wrong. He was a vet of WWll, Korean, and Vietnam wars. I never, ever thought I would see as much or more action then him

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2021 12:58 AM

2021-08-30T00:58:32-04:00

I imagined a lot more screaming, a lot more wall-to-wall counseling, and a LOT more cool-guy stuff. "Join the Infantry," they said. "It's all the cool parts of war movies in real life," they said. In reality, you become a glorified janitor, substitute mechanic, Human Resources professional, logistics technician, radio operator, and weapons expert, with very little cool-guy stuff sprinkled in.

But I will say this, if the Infantry is good for one thing, it's this: even the biggest dirt bag leaves with a more solid work-ethic, greater sense of discipline and bigger aspirations than almost any other career field that you'll find in the Private Sector.

Response by SFC Linda Clipp made Aug 30 at 2021 1:00 AM

2021-08-30T01:00:54-04:00

Rough, tough, very difficult, and humorless. I found it to actually be difficult but nothing insurmountable, and riddled with high-situational- hilarity!

Response by SP5 John Siemon made Aug 30 at 2021 5:41 AM

2021-08-30T05:41:03-04:00

N O T !! (got draft notice, told draft bd lady "i'm a family name bearer ' she said "great GET YOUR ASS ON THE BUS!")

Response by A1C Michael Netz made Aug 30 at 2021 7:25 AM

2021-08-30T07:25:51-04:00

I was hoping for travel, which I got. Basic training however, was a real eye-opener. I never made my bunk so many times in one evening. What a frenzied scramble.

Response by MAJ John Davis made Aug 30 at 2021 8:47 AM

2021-08-30T08:47:36-04:00

No idea. All my relatives were in the Navy!

Response by 1SG Brewer Leggett made Aug 30 at 2021 9:32 AM

2021-08-30T09:32:02-04:00

Studied 1945 version on Soldiers Manual, sadly out of date, but enlisted with eyes open and ready for a challenge.

Response by SGT Robert Jenkins made Aug 30 at 2021 10:19 AM

2021-08-30T10:19:12-04:00

just as I thought it would be.

Response by SPC Brandon Shafer made Aug 30 at 2021 10:56 AM

2021-08-30T10:56:23-04:00

I was in college and my buddy joined the army, when he came back after basic training he was telling me how awesome blowing stuff up everyday was. So he got the recruit a friend bonus because I fell for it. The army all though wasn't what TV and friends had made it out to be, was still the best experience's of my life. The bonds I made with my brothers and sisters remain even 20 years later. The army prepared me for life through experience's good and bad, there was always a lesson to be learned. Some of those lessons I still use to this day and the others are on the shelf for future reference.

Response by PO3 Michael Chamness made Aug 30 at 2021 11:02 AM

2021-08-30T11:02:45-04:00

my brother was drafted 2 years before I joined , he would tell me stories about his life in the army, so I had a good ideal what it would be like . and I also joined the Navy, life was great for the next 10 years then I got out.

Response by SPC James AbadaOMalley made Aug 30 at 2021 11:10 AM

2021-08-30T11:10:08-04:00

pretty much spot on but I was nearly 10 years older than my peers and had done lots of research. I talked to everyone I could. Interesting what a bit of maturity can do for you. I just was not ready for the hurry up and wait. No one mentioned that, or I was not paying attention to that when they said it... yeah, I probably was not paying attention to that...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2021 11:54 AM

2021-08-30T11:54:49-04:00

Dad was career military which meant a lot of moving growing up. He also was in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. I got to see what civilians were like to not only the Soldiers in this country not only those stationed in America but also when they came back home from Vietnam, and I saw and had to deal with what civilians did to the families of soldiers. And growing up mom wanted to live like it was the 1800s out on a farm which lasted 4 years.
So between having a career father, which meant a pretty strict household and seeing what soldiers had to do on post and having been an athlete my attitude going into the military was just keep ur head down, do exactly what u are told and in basic just put up with the bull for a couple months cause if ur in decent physical shape going in the only thing u have to deal with is the head games and u will be okay.
AIT got easier.
And I knew going in that when I raised my right hand exactly what I was getting into. When u raise that hand and took that oath u stated in doing so that u were willing to give ur life for this country. And if ur not willing to do that then do not raise ur hand and do not take the oath.
I really didn't have a problem with what happened going into each part of military life. I had seen dad live it for over 18 years of my life. And since the rule in our house was when u were called on u better answer Yes Sir or Yes mam and u better do so by the second time they called or u had a punishment coming when u got done doing what they wanted u to do. And u ate everything put on ur plate period. And they filled ur plate the 1st time around. If there was something on that plate u didn't like tuff u eat it or u go to bed with nothing. U only were allowed to use the bathroom to go to the toilet period. No water, no sneaking snacks. U were to be in bed the whole time. And u do not complain. And none of this u do not get fresh food until u eat what was on that plate that u complained about, it was eaten by someone else already.

So the way I was raised I think was pretty good in general but it set things up well for military life. And as we got older and still questioned eating things we didn't like it was put to us. When u are living under ur own roof, providing for urself then u can pick and choose. When ur eating and living under our roof u will eat what we make and u will live by our rules.

It was pretty simple and crap having been on my own for awhile now I would rather be under mom and dads roof at a certain post than on my own. lol

Dad gave me one bit of advise before I left for basic which I still use 45 years later. When ur dealing with the gov. and money decided how to want things set up and leave it that way. If u try to change it know that ur likely messing things up for ur pay for up to a year. It will all work out eventually but until it does u likely will have made things harder on yourself. And I saw that happen to others time and again when they tried to change their pay.

So just like living under mom and dads rules in their home living life in the military was the same. There is an end date. If u do not like it know its only for a little while and u can leave. Until then u are taken care of just follow the rules.

Response by SP5 Larry Crosley made Aug 30 at 2021 12:28 PM

2021-08-30T12:28:15-04:00

I had several years of Jr. ROTC raising to the rank of c/LTC coupled with some time in Civil Air Patrol. Knew what to expect and kept my mouth shout… other than to say YES DRILL SARGENT ‼️

Response by PO3 Grigorie Draghici made Aug 30 at 2021 1:28 PM

2021-08-30T13:28:28-04:00

One of the reason's I joined the Navy, was it's the only service that took my Eaglescout Award, & converted it to E3. Though I was heavily influenced by the TV Shows: MASH 4077, Hogan's Heroes, McHale's Navy, ... & the few old fun movies: Kelly's Heroes, Dirty Dozen 1 & 2, The Great Escape, ...
I thought the military was gonna be a lot like MASH 4077, & to be fair, I was that far off.
We did a lot of shenanigans, lots of things that were fun, but we also had our serious days.
Though Navy life, both school side & fleet side...basically it was Highschool all over, but everyone was College age. The drama can get soooo, intense & sometimes deeply annoying.
But I found as long as you don't let all the Bullshit affect you, then being in the military, or having to deal with insanely idiotic & opinionated individuals, is rather easy.
The biggest thing, always keep your cool, acquire a poker face if you can!

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Aug 30 at 2021 2:27 PM

2021-08-30T14:27:35-04:00

Thank you!

Response by PVT Bryan Blaha made Aug 30 at 2021 3:55 PM

2021-08-30T15:55:25-04:00

God bless you Sgt David Scott and thank you for service.

Response by CPL Ryan Thibault made Aug 30 at 2021 6:46 PM

2021-08-30T18:46:39-04:00

Before I joined the Army I had really only perceived the Army life via movies and television

Response by Maj Robert Thornton made Aug 30 at 2021 9:51 PM

2021-08-30T21:51:47-04:00

My recruiter showed up with a map of bases and a pay and allowances chart. From there we went through questions and answers regarding what it would be like to be an Air Force nurse. Overall, I think he prepared me pretty well.

Response by TSgt Lyle Giese made Aug 30 at 2021 9:52 PM

2021-08-30T21:52:48-04:00

I was absolutely clueless! Nobody in my family was prior military and I was a clueless kid fresh out of high school. However I survived and made E6(Tech Sargent) before leaving the Air National Guard after 9 years of service.

Response by SPC Chase Stone made Aug 30 at 2021 9:54 PM

2021-08-30T21:54:33-04:00

It was gonna be great!

Response by PO3 Rick Lewis made Aug 30 at 2021 10:00 PM

2021-08-30T22:00:02-04:00

I didn't have to imagine. My dad was a lifer.

Response by SFC Wilfredo Ramos made Aug 30 at 2021 10:01 PM

2021-08-30T22:01:00-04:00

I thought it would be like Basic Training all the time. Maybe a little softer than basic but always under pressure from Sergeants and stuff.

Response by CPL James S. made Aug 30 at 2021 10:02 PM

2021-08-30T22:02:54-04:00

I was an Army brat so I knew what to expect. And because my dad was a Drill Sergeant at one time, I also got a lot of pointers on how to get through basic unscathed. I was invisible during the first basic and it was boring as hell, but I was a seasoned salty dog during my second basic and I fucking LOVED it. I also spent time with dad in the field once or twice.

All in all, I find it's *civilian* life, especially in the US, that I have issues adjusting to (still today, really)

Response by SSG Keven Lahde made Aug 30 at 2021 10:04 PM

2021-08-30T22:04:46-04:00

Military I had no idea what it would be like. I heard some stories from some of my family members who had served, but it didn't really tell you what it was like. But I joined to get out of my town because I was going nowhere fast. I never looked back. 25 years later still serving.

Response by SGT Patrick Leary made Aug 30 at 2021 10:07 PM

2021-08-30T22:07:12-04:00

Be ready for a lot of discipline and a chain of command.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2021 10:12 PM

2021-08-30T22:12:23-04:00

I was told I was getting a condo on the beach! Remember Private Benjamin? I am dating myself here.

But seriously, I joined the National Guard and served in a HHC for an artillery and then engineering unit. Nothing prepared me for the boredom or how little I would do my actual job. It was mostly details, etc.

Response by SPC Robert Hendrickson made Aug 30 at 2021 10:12 PM

2021-08-30T22:12:45-04:00

reality vs imaginary ?? imaginary .. tv. // reality .. just watch the news of late, biblical prophecies fulfilling just as predicted ,, different things in/on earth going out without explanation(s) ,, earthquakes, wars, rumors of wars, family/families turning against the other(s),
some things in life is true, correct, right and like the military service is for real ..
some things in life is fairy-tailed like Disney, television-(most of it, unless specified that it is real), cartoons, and things like such ..
wars are real, so real that even the terrorists are waking back up from their sleepiness, one country against the other, just notice the wars that just got so-called finished .. ?? are the wars really finished, NO they are not .. every enemy country is plotting/planning their ways against ours, we are the laughing stock of the world .. Y? Y? Y? everyone we need to not blab our business all over the world when we are going to next fight, war, skirmish, battle, etc. .. watch your neighbor(s), family/families real close and be on super-hyper alert .. take this advice from a fellow cold-war/ post Vietnam non-combat Veteran .. look listen learn .. contact me if you are interested in more what must be said .. quickly and quietly, yours
Disabled Veteran, in physical ,, not in the mind

Response by SSgt Thomas Korenek made Aug 30 at 2021 10:16 PM

2021-08-30T22:16:46-04:00

Joined the military when I was 18... Was raised in a "very small" town in Texas. Fortunately, I went to a Catholic school taught by nuns. And one thing I learned in school was to obey -or- suffer the consequences. I imagined the military to be structured and be expected to perform duties consistent with the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, I encountered no issues throughout my tenure and moved through the ranks with minimum time in grade. Was one of the best decisions I made in my life. I think every male should be required to serve his country!

Response by PFC Jennifer Hendricks made Aug 30 at 2021 10:30 PM

2021-08-30T22:30:12-04:00

Very different than I expected. A ton of sexual harassment but I made a lot of
Friends. Had so much fun! But never worked so hard physically as I did when I was in.

Response by Cpl Cary Cartter made Aug 30 at 2021 10:38 PM

2021-08-30T22:38:59-04:00

Dad was a WWII / Korea era Marine. Not camp was not as ... physical? ... as he had said his was, but every bit as tough from what we could tell while comparing notes after graduation. Still enough to make a man out of a molehill.

Response by SN Chuck Keeton made Aug 30 at 2021 10:42 PM

2021-08-30T22:42:45-04:00

I had no idea what to expect. what I did know it was a way out of the situation I was in. It helped me grow up.

Response by SPC Randy Torgerson made Aug 30 at 2021 10:44 PM

2021-08-30T22:44:50-04:00

Like most people who joined young, I had no idea....

Response by Maj Rob Drury made Aug 30 at 2021 10:53 PM

2021-08-30T22:53:19-04:00

Totally different than I expected. My father was an aviator, and I wanted to be the same. I entered active duty at Undergraduate Pilot Training but was medically eliminated midway through the program. I ended up in Minuteman ICBM operations. I loved the career field and my remaining active duty time; however, at the 12.5 year point, I transitioned to the reserves while starting my financial planning practice. I eventually went inactive for most of my reserve time because my duty station was Peterson AFB, CO and my home and my business were in San Antonio, TX. I was eventually discharged at the 21 year point with insufficient points to retire. While nothing really worked according to my expectations, I can truly say that I loved my time in the Air Force, and it still largely defines who I am.

Response by SPC George Wells made Aug 30 at 2021 11:03 PM

2021-08-30T23:03:58-04:00

I was looking forward to the challenge. Wanted to learn as much as I could. Didn’t realize i was going to jump school till I saw the 250 ft towers in ft benning

Response by SP5 Douglas Dowds made Aug 30 at 2021 11:14 PM

2021-08-30T23:14:29-04:00

Pretty much what I expected...

Response by CPO Eugene Gillam made Aug 30 at 2021 11:24 PM

2021-08-30T23:24:05-04:00

I never gave it a thought. I was graduating from high school and didn’t want to go to college and anything beat being at home with my Dad, listening to him tell me I was wasting my life. For chrisakes,I was only 17!

Response by CPO Eugene Gillam made Aug 30 at 2021 11:28 PM

2021-08-30T23:28:18-04:00

I never gave it a thought. I had just graduated from high school, didn’t want to go to college and anything beat staying at home listening to my Dad telling me I was wasting my life. For Chrissakes, I was only 17!
Turns out it was one of the best decisions I ever made…28 year career and got to laugh at my Dad every time I saw him after that.

Response by 1SG Jack Don made Aug 30 at 2021 11:35 PM

2021-08-30T23:35:42-04:00

I joined to be a Helicopter mechanic and go to Germany. It didn't matter what it was to be like, I just wanted to get out of the small town life and see the world. 25 years later I retired happy with what I learned and the things and places I got to see.

Response by SFC Ernest Thurston made Aug 31 at 2021 12:31 AM

2021-08-31T00:31:59-04:00

Most of what I thought I knew was from watching WWII movies and there were a couple of TV shows like "Combat" that were also WWII based. We used to play soldier with cheap toy helmets and we would act out what we saw on TV. Sometimes we even had battles using BB guns. Getting shot in the lip hurt like hell! Later we started getting the Viet Nam war on the nightly news. There were a few light-hearted military programs like '"No Time for Sergeants. My brother was in the Navy from about the time I was five to about twelve years old so I got to go on base a few times. So I always had a good opinion of the miitary and my brother would tell me stories about the Navy and boot camp.
I turned 18 in 1969 right at the height of the Vietnam War and was classified !A, but only God knows why I was not drafted. I got married the next year and a year later we had a little girl. That took me through about three different reclassifications. In 1974 after quitting a perfectly good job I was searching the want-ads for a job in a related field. I found a job for a carpenter and when I called, to my surprise they answered "US Army Recruiting, how can I help you". I almost hung up but after talking to the recruiter a few minutes, he convinced me to come see him. So at 22 years old and after an explanation to my wife, a week later I was on my way to Ft Jackson, SC. Luckily because of the work that I had been doing, I was in pretty good shape. I was the second oldest person in my platoonn. The other guy was prior service and was just there for the first 3 weeks. But Basic was pretty much what I expected and I survived.

Response by Jose Acevedo made Aug 31 at 2021 1:13 AM

2021-08-31T01:13:55-04:00

I had no clue. It was a little more strict than I thought it would be.

Response by 1SG Michael Farrell made Aug 31 at 2021 1:21 AM

2021-08-31T01:21:15-04:00

Well organized and chaos free. Ultimately, I learned that Clauswitz and Murphy had it right...All military life is bounded by friction and the more organized you are, the more likely you are to work your way through all of Murphy's Laws, either in turn or all at once...and that First Sergeants are responsible for keeping those demons corralled.

Response by PO1 Robert Chalmers made Aug 31 at 2021 1:43 AM

2021-08-31T01:43:01-04:00

Going in as a medic, I naively thought it would be a little bit like M*A*S*H. But my first two duty assignments, on in West Germany and the other at Ft Lewis, were to Artillery battalions, and it was NOT what I had expected.
Ironically, when I left active duty and went to the Army Reserve I was assigned to a Combat Support Hospital in Phoenix, and that WAS very much like MASH! Even when we deployed to Saudi Arabia for the First Gulf War. Some of our people even went as far as putting up a direction sign, just like in the show, with peoples home towns, and how many miles away.

Response by SSG Michael Doolittle made Aug 31 at 2021 1:52 AM

2021-08-31T01:52:13-04:00

It was my 17th Birthday, before the sunset I was sleeping in an Army Barracks.... Not sure what I expected, I was escaping from home where i felt I did not belong... I felt more respect & freedom in Basic Training than I had at home, so the escape satisfied that need... Basic & AIT were at Fort Ord California, and it was hard work keeping up as I was the youngest member of my training company... The reality was that I was stronger than I had given myself credit for... I spent 8 years in the army, 22 months in Vietnam with 16 months of that with the 4th & 25th Infantry Divisions, the Battle of Soui Tre 3-21-1967... LTC John Vessey was in command that day as the 2/77 FA Commander, he later became the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs under President Reagan, all because of that battle where he earned his second DSC and saved us from total destruction...

Response by Cpl Matthew Asselin made Aug 31 at 2021 2:02 AM

2021-08-31T02:02:19-04:00

I had a pretty good idea what it would be like because I was in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets (RCAC) so I learned a lot of the drill and uniform stuff in the fall/winter/spring and 2 summer camps one 2weeks on an Air Force base and other one a junior leadership course for 3 weeks at a collage that was used nearby the afb during their summer break. As well as some basic winter survival training.

Response by SPC Todd Curran made Aug 31 at 2021 5:14 AM

2021-08-31T05:14:15-04:00

Knew not much at all just i was 4th or 5th generation army.knew not to trust the recruiter lol.but after learned it was more political then anything plus i learned to watch my back and who you could trust .had a lot of good nco's but the last few were garbage and didn't live up to rhe army values.

Response by CPL Terry Perry made Aug 31 at 2021 5:27 AM

2021-08-31T05:27:46-04:00

Great way to travel meet different people from all over
le

Response by LTC Zachary Hubbard made Aug 31 at 2021 5:53 AM

2021-08-31T05:53:50-04:00

My uncle was career Army and fought in WWII and Korea, earning a Bronze Star and a CIB in the former. We talked a lot and he did a good job of preparing me for what to expect in the Army.

Response by SGT Michael Padilla made Aug 31 at 2021 6:01 AM

2021-08-31T06:01:35-04:00

Having my dad and two stepfather's in Marines,Airforce, and Navy, plus my grandfather in the Army, I had a pretty good idea of what was going to happen in basic. Since they all served during Korea, Vietnam, and WWII, I had no idea what it would be like at my first unit. I already was a truck driver before the military, so AIT for 64C/88M was a breeze. All in all, being in the military was just like any other job where you had to wear a uniform. Only the weapons, and maybe the chance that I might go into combat made things different...

Response by MSG Charles Kaiser made Aug 31 at 2021 7:43 AM

2021-08-31T07:43:57-04:00

As a kid I thought it was like the movie like GI blues Thought it was romantic went in The day after my 17th birthday Vietnam was going on it changed my whole outlook on life

Response by SSG Keith Brewer Sr made Aug 31 at 2021 7:57 AM

2021-08-31T07:57:41-04:00

I didnt, I grew up in it. was an easy transition. I was already taking daily orders from my Dad.

Response by Cpl John Salerno made Aug 31 at 2021 8:02 AM

2021-08-31T08:02:34-04:00

I figured it would not be easy, which it was not! All in all I entered with an open mind, knowing that it would result in an entirely different life and mind set. Simply I went with basic belief to listen, and learn. Keep my mouth shut, figured that out first night at Parris Island, kinda worked out ok.

Response by SSG Tim Lutz made Aug 31 at 2021 8:14 AM

2021-08-31T08:14:05-04:00

The weather would always be comfortable. I was coming out of the blizzard of '78 and all the commercials I had seen seem to have been not to hot and not to cold...........NOT!

Response by SSgt Ben Phillips made Aug 31 at 2021 8:28 AM

2021-08-31T08:28:00-04:00

Really didn't know but thought it might be something between Gomer Pyle and Stripes. Turned out to be much more.

Response by SSG George Kuntzman made Aug 31 at 2021 8:54 AM

2021-08-31T08:54:55-04:00

Much more like boot camp all the time.

Response by PO2 Colleen O'Hara made Aug 31 at 2021 9:05 AM

2021-08-31T09:05:44-04:00

Hey, we all have seen Top Gun. I wanted more fly-bys in the control tower! But honestly, I grew up with a Military family, so I knew what was expected of me and what to expect. I also knew the recruiter was blowing smoke. He kept trying to get me to enlist undesignated. Nope. Get me a contract or I walk. It took 3 times at MEPS for them to get it right, with the right rank going in, before I'd sign.

Response by SGT Dale Wetzbarger made Aug 31 at 2021 11:11 AM

2021-08-31T11:11:07-04:00

I wanted to be a soldier from a young age. I had no illusions about the harassment and ""smoking" in basic training and thought most of it was pretty funny. I was the "outstanding trainee of the cycle and maxed the PT test and the G3 test. I don't think I was surprised by much of anything.

Response by TSgt Ray Lewis made Aug 31 at 2021 2:07 PM

2021-08-31T14:07:31-04:00

My question here in Rally Point is Why Didn't We Destroy All of The Weapons That We Left For the Talban.

Response by MSgt Al Beese made Aug 31 at 2021 3:02 PM

2021-08-31T15:02:55-04:00

Not really sure. I was an only child and never away from home, but it made me grow up quickly and cut the apron strings

Response by SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D made Aug 31 at 2021 3:15 PM

2021-08-31T15:15:10-04:00

Going in at the height of Viet Nam War: "ABSOLUTE HELL" and I was wrong, it was 10 times worse!

Response by LT William Johnson made Aug 31 at 2021 4:09 PM

2021-08-31T16:09:47-04:00

Other than the stories my dad told me and the TV programs Navy Log and Victory At Sea I had no clue so It was join the Navy and see the world. And I did just that! Wouldn't change a minute of my career.

Response by SFC Linda Clipp made Aug 31 at 2021 4:17 PM

2021-08-31T16:17:43-04:00

I imagined I would hate it and exit asap. Turns out I was made for it and made a career of it. I do wish I could stayed longer...yes, I do.

Response by SSG Lonnie Wilson made Aug 31 at 2021 4:22 PM

2021-08-31T16:22:49-04:00

This is funny for me! Can't recall 37 years ago let alone what I had for breakfast. Lol

Response by LTC Scott Sossaman made Aug 31 at 2021 4:23 PM

2021-08-31T16:23:05-04:00

Thought it was going to be austere, but fun. My dad couldn't help much as he was a Navy pilot in the Korean War. Went to basic in May of 1983 and all of our DI's were Vietnam Vets suffering from PTSD (of course I didn't know that then. I and others just thought they were crazy). OSUT was hard but a lot of fun. So much so, I spent another 28 years in the Army.

Response by SSG Jack Lewis made Aug 31 at 2021 4:28 PM

2021-08-31T16:28:37-04:00

I thought I had a long way to go physically, but that the mental requirements would be cake.

Had that all the way bass-ackwards. Keeping your process together under stress is a skill entirely separate from thinking in a classroom.

Response by LCpl James Gray Jr made Aug 31 at 2021 4:36 PM

2021-08-31T16:36:47-04:00

It was about what I accepted. I enjoyed most of boot camp, but I was 22 when I went in so I had already grownup more than most just out of high school. I was a boys scout, hunted fished and worked from about 10 years old to earn my own money for things

Response by SGT William Hawkins made Aug 31 at 2021 4:37 PM

2021-08-31T16:37:02-04:00

Honestly I didn’t give it much thought. I joined the National Guard as a junior in high school because I wanted to go to college but I knew that I would need help paying for it. I will say that the friends I made during my 10yrs of service will be lifelong friends.

Response by SFC Jayne Garner made Aug 31 at 2021 4:40 PM

2021-08-31T16:40:40-04:00

I thought it would be an exciting experience and I was right. I learned what discipline was and hard work too.

Response by SPC Louis Abramowitz made Aug 31 at 2021 4:51 PM

2021-08-31T16:51:21-04:00

My grandfather and my dad both served in the Army WW I & II respectfully, after college, I was now available for the new Vietnam War Draft. I had a rough idea about inductive training and the the physical requirements needed to succeed thru basic training process. although I was in good shape there was always apprehension about the training program and the war in Vietnam. I knew several guys who served (Marines), and were wounded with forever disabilities.
Although training was rough, it did meet my expectations and created a different me which helped me to survive combat situations and the challenges of my later life.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 4:57 PM

2021-08-31T16:57:04-04:00

I was ready to see the world and get away from the farm. We even got one day off a week!!!

Response by SFC Jerrold Llewellyn made Aug 31 at 2021 4:58 PM

2021-08-31T16:58:27-04:00

I had no Idea. In November of 1961 I was laid off from Fisher Body and had exhausted all unemployment benefits along with health insurance. My wife was pregnant so I enlisted for the Baby's delivery costs and other health benefits. In 1961, E-1 pay was 78 dollars per month so in MP AIT at Fort Gordon I volunteered for Airborne for the 55 dollars per month Jump Pay. After being assigned to the 101st MP Detachment at Fort Campbell Kentucky, I realized that it was not what I expected, (way too much BS) so I transferred to the 801st Maint. Bn. reenlisted for 6 years, went to Vietnam in 1967. While there I was promoted to E-6 and returned to the 1st Bde 101st MP Det.. With 6 gun Jeeps and 18 really good MPs we provided convoy escort for anywhere they needed to go. After returning to CONUS, I volunteered for Special Forces Military Police, earned my Green Beret, and was assigned to the 82nd MP Detachment in the 6th Special Forces Group. (not at all or in any way affiliated with the 82nd Abn Div.) After spending 4 years with the SF MP's at Fort Bragg and attending several state and federal advanced Law Enforcement / Operations courses, I was assigned to the 21st MP Detachment at Bad Tolez, Germany. I got that assignment as a favor from a friend that was already assigned there. Although I was not assigned to SF or on jump status while there, I was SF qualified and Bad Tolez was at that time the 10th SFG Headquarters for the European Theater of Operations. It was great to be around all those fellow Green Berets even though I couldn't wear mine... While there, I completed MPI School and for the remainder of my tour conducted Narcotics Investigations. Upon return to CONUS I was assigned to the 118th Airborne Corps MP Company at Fort Bragg got promoted to E-7 and was the 1st Platoon Sgt. I had 80 of the most outstanding Military Police personnel in ALL the Services. This was my most satisfying and outstanding job while being in the service. All these troops were as dedicated and professional as those I'd served with in the SF Detachment and I was honestly humbled by their devotion to duty and to me personally as their Plt. Sgt. I'm now 81 years old but I'm still it touch with several from that great Platoon on Facebook. I love each and every one of them and they'll be my Brothers until I die and then some... AATW.

Response by Cpl Jeff Ruffing made Aug 31 at 2021 5:06 PM

2021-08-31T17:06:34-04:00

I imagined the military WAY different than it was. It’s NOT the movies.

Response by SGT Paul Richardson made Aug 31 at 2021 5:47 PM

2021-08-31T17:47:18-04:00

I thought it would be just like at home. My father was WW11 vet and I am not sure he ever got out in his mind. I was making beds with Hospital corner at the time I could stand it seems. Washed Dish and peeled spuds. So it wasn't that much of a adapt for me.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 5:48 PM

2021-08-31T17:48:07-04:00

I didn't, that way I wouldn't be disappointed after joining and I wasn't!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 5:49 PM

2021-08-31T17:49:54-04:00

My expectations were high when I joined the Air Force. And even higher when I joined the Army. I was kinda let down by both, and each was probably due to my career path. The Air Force on the flightless side is different than that of a Nonner. Same for the Intelligence side of the Army, very different from that of infantry. The lifestyle, the culture and the actual demands of both paths I've walked down were far less glorious than what they appeared before I joined both services. But, the service itself, despite bumps and bruises, has been worth it. And so does the future, if I'm being totally honest.

Response by Sgt Phil Villa made Aug 31 at 2021 5:54 PM

2021-08-31T17:54:22-04:00

Was in the first Lottery in 1970. Lost college deferment so unlisted in the Air Force. With two years of college figured if drafted would end up in Vietnam. Straight out of Air Force technical school first assignment the Di Nag Vietnam.

Response by SPC Harry Masse made Aug 31 at 2021 6:41 PM

2021-08-31T18:41:11-04:00

Well I always said I was in at the worse time. I thought I would make a career out of it. Loved being an MP but Carter was president (yes little p) and the bubble burst and I got out. Now with the current president, I'm not so sure Carter was the worse.

Response by PO2 Roger Diez made Aug 31 at 2021 6:58 PM

2021-08-31T18:58:27-04:00

I had been in Army ROTC in college, and on the drill team. My Navy boot camp commander used me to teach the manual of arms and I got promoted to second in command of the recruit company. After boot camp I had several technical schools. Shipboard life was pretty much what I had expected.

Response by SFC Byron Perry made Aug 31 at 2021 6:58 PM

2021-08-31T18:58:45-04:00

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Response by SCPO Bill Bowen made Aug 31 at 2021 7:28 PM

2021-08-31T19:28:58-04:00

I responded well, however it was NOT what I expected even with all my friends who had already joined telling all of the details. Reality as I knew it was gone and a new phase of being conditioned to a way of life outside the civilian world had begun. As basic wound down I began to realize what it was all for and began a 25 year career. Through it all it was worth it. The ups and downs, the good and bad we made the most of every move, every new unit and all of the new friends and shipmates.

Response by SSG Frank Hartwick made Aug 31 at 2021 7:39 PM

2021-08-31T19:39:09-04:00

Had no idea was only 18. after being out went back in army reserves was somewhat different compared to coast guard

Response by A1C Frank L. Smith made Aug 31 at 2021 7:40 PM

2021-08-31T19:40:02-04:00

I need to add.......it was the best adventure of my life, I matured, gained confidence, and found myself unafraid of challenges, and ready to own whatever happens.
There's a lot more, but I'll end with......I have no regrets for the time I gave Uncle Sam and value the lessons !!

Response by SFC Mark Thomas made Aug 31 at 2021 7:54 PM

2021-08-31T19:54:14-04:00

Care free and lived for the weekend. between the age of 16 through 18

Response by PO2 Daryl Tindle made Aug 31 at 2021 8:22 PM

2021-08-31T20:22:09-04:00

Certainly not doing laundry by hand and hanging outside in sub-zero weather at Great Lakes Naval Training Center and shoveling snow off of the'grinder' to practice marching.

Response by PVT Pat Morrison made Aug 31 at 2021 9:38 PM

2021-08-31T21:38:45-04:00

I knew when I enlisted the unit would be an overseas posting. Thinking I would also have the opportunity to travel. But it turned out my commanders were more restrictive than I might have expected. 1957 -1960.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 9:51 PM

2021-08-31T21:51:52-04:00

Didn’t have much of a clue. No one in my family that is still alive has served and the few that I met that did never talked about it (WWII vets). I did think it would be a lot stricter, a lot more hard working, way more stressful and dangerous. I’m glad my brother in law asked me to go with him to the recruiters office. Luckily I was one of the few to have a honest recruiter and so he gave me a better idea of what to expect.

Response by PFC Larry Cunningham made Aug 31 at 2021 10:01 PM

2021-08-31T22:01:58-04:00

My father made me think it was going to be tough, like it was for him in the Marines in 1960. It was not easy but it was not as bad as it was for him.

Response by SP5 Doyle Hughes made Aug 31 at 2021 10:54 PM

2021-08-31T22:54:50-04:00

Tough!

Response by Maj Gerald Taft made Sep 1 at 2021 12:27 AM

2021-09-01T00:27:19-04:00

With my military background consisting of four years of AFROTC, including a four week summer camp, I expected active duty to be much more rigorous and structured than my first assignment turned out to be. In Systems Command we followed an 8 to 5 duty day of office work. No formations or military functions; I didn't even know where the orderly room was or if we had one. A few years later I got into SAC and there was plenty of military discipline, drill and spit and polish.

Response by SSG Conrad Sylvestrelamb made Sep 1 at 2021 12:35 AM

2021-09-01T00:35:03-04:00

I admired it until my hand was forced to pay arears @10% to LA county . It was n easy pay check. Enlisted for 3 stayed 22yrs 8mths 2weeks and 1day . To include 2 tours in Iraq. Retired and miss my job . Only grandkids wanna know why you wait till 30 to join. Double dipping baby momma LOL .

Response by Sgt Brigid Totten made Sep 1 at 2021 12:50 AM

2021-09-01T00:50:33-04:00

Pretty much like I thought, maybe funner because of where I traveled. I was raised pretty much Military from the get go :) so knew pretty much what to expect. Dad was retired Navy, brother in laws were Coast Guard, Air Force and Army, had a cousin in the Marines. I was in all kinds of service organizations growing up, plus marched, so that all was easy for me.

Response by SSG Rafael R. Rodriguez Sr. made Sep 1 at 2021 12:53 AM

2021-09-01T00:53:35-04:00

I thought military life was going to be easy. Went to Boot Camp at fort McClellan Alabama and I learned how to shine boots, make hospital corners and iron my uniform nowadays it's a lost art cuz we don't shine her boots and most of the soldiers don't iron their uniforms and they don't know how to make hospital corners.

Response by SPC Charles McFate made Sep 1 at 2021 2:53 AM

2021-09-01T02:53:31-04:00

I went in w/ the intent on getting in shape, getting some discipline and traveling the "world" on Uncle Sam's dime. First 2 were accomplished, 3rd not so much... Ft Leonard Wood, KY, Ft Sam Houston, TX and Ft Ord CA...

Response by SPC Kenneth Bowles made Sep 1 at 2021 4:56 AM

2021-09-01T04:56:56-04:00

I imagined the Army to be much worse than it was. I got most of my perceptions from two officers from the Second World War. I really expected training to be a lot worse than it was and I had my basic at Fort Carson, CO, in January! When I left there in April, there was still snow on the ground. I didn't expect as much fowl language as I heard. I knew there would be lots of discipline and I rose to that challenge.

Response by SrA MikeandKathy Harrison made Sep 1 at 2021 7:38 AM

2021-09-01T07:38:17-04:00

I had imagined that the physical training would be exceedingly hard & it was! I thought the mental training would be difficult but that was not as hard as I imagined! I never thought that politics ( not governmental politics but rather duty station personal politics) would play such a great big role in promotion & advancement! In certain duty stations, kissing butt was almost a requirement to get a good Airman Proficiency Report! THAT WAS DISAPPOINTING TO ME!

Response by PVT Bryan Blaha made Sep 1 at 2021 8:10 AM

2021-09-01T08:10:49-04:00

Thank you and God bless you SPC Les Darbison and thank you for your service.

Response by SMSgt Michael Gleason made Sep 1 at 2021 9:37 AM

2021-09-01T09:37:51-04:00

It (especially basic training) turned out to be pretty much was I was expecting. Though my father was in the Army Air Force during WWII, he never talked about it much. (I did overhear him tell a neighbor, "I fought in WWII so my sons wouldn't have to go to war".)

Response by CMSgt Elbert E. Clayton made Sep 1 at 2021 10:39 AM

2021-09-01T10:39:38-04:00

Squadron 3704, Flight 887 began for me on my arrival at Lackland AFB on October 29, 1955 along with about 10 other recruits from the Midwest, and in particular St. Louis, Missouri. We had traveled overnight on the "Texas Eagle" Train. This was my first train ride. It was six (6) days after my seventeenth (17th) birthday (October 23, 1938). The first two to three weeks of basic training for Flight 887 was markedly marred forever by two "Maverick" Tactical (Technical) Instructors who used our flight for illegal profit and gain. The flight was repeatedly placed on "Kitchen Police-KP," extra duty details, and other duties not germane to our direct military training. At about the third week, the two TI's were removed from duty, placed under arrest, and were themselves the next day wearing "Prisoner" labelled uniforms and pushing brooms and rakes. Flight 887 received a new TI (A/2C Wright) immediately, and he told us very little about what had happened, except to say we had two weeks before 5th week Drill Competition, and he intended to cram 5 weeks of lost time into that two weeks. Flight 887 trainees did see both former TI's the day after their arrest wearing their Prisoner labelled uniforms and performing extra labor details. Rumors within the ranks suggested that the Flight had been swapped, or sold out, for monetary or other illegal gain, which had resulted in very little direct military training, and more than our fair share of KP, etc. The flight didn't win 5th week Drill Competition, but we did very well for the circumstances. I have posted a version of this to several websites along with the appropriate Flight Photo for named Squadron 3704, Flight 887. I would welcome anyone who sees themselves on that photo to contact me at " [login to see] ".

Response by SSgt Steven Imlay made Sep 1 at 2021 10:52 AM

2021-09-01T10:52:52-04:00

The whole idea of war scared me but when civilian life wasn't going well for me I opted in. I was out of work and had a wife and stepchild to support and there were not much in options out there for me. I had two recruiters, one who lied about everything, think Pvt Benjamin, and one who didn't sugar coat anything and told me the truth. Thank you Sgt. I went in during the Carter administration which meant there were no veterans benefits upon leaving the service. Reagan reinstated them but didn't make it retro-active. It took waiting on Trump to arrive to get some veterans benefits. Thank you Donald. I've been waiting for the axe to fall since January 20, 2021 because Biden vowed to undo everything Trump did. I want to keep the little I have but am cautious about the future.

Response by SP5 John Burleson made Sep 1 at 2021 12:25 PM

2021-09-01T12:25:37-04:00

I was conned into a 4-wear enlistment by a devious recruiter. Sgt Ross (?) related Goldie Hawn tales of beach-side condos and a big boat in the bay. What I got was a 12-man squad room in the Alps, waist-deep in snow and cold, that I shared with a squad of decidedly unmilitary team mates. We were to military intelligence as Hawkeye Pierce was to military meds. But as i live by the "Icheered up and things got worse" philosophy, the whole thing was funny. The Army spent two years training me to walk in a straight line and then put me in a position where I could easiy revolt by deciding to have an ear problem. This led to an Army phamlet submission which translated "Don't Shoot! I know secrets!" into every Warsaw pact language we could find. I don't know what my 201 file related but I have the distinction of being the only first-termer not forced to sit in the re-enlistment sales pitch. Sempra ineptra!

Response by CPT David Starkey made Sep 1 at 2021 1:31 PM

2021-09-01T13:31:21-04:00

A lot more do and much less wait.

Response by CPT Allen Saum made Sep 1 at 2021 1:58 PM

2021-09-01T13:58:33-04:00

I'm an army brat, so I was somewhat familiar with the military when I decided I wanted to be part of it. My father was an Armor officer, so I went Armor branch. I was infatuated with tanks. It wasn't too much of an adjustment to army life as a soldier from being an army brat. The biggest thing was who I took orders from!

Response by Sgt Stephen Brown made Sep 1 at 2021 3:27 PM

2021-09-01T15:27:25-04:00

I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, and it wasn’t. The feeling accomplishment was something I didn’t expect.

Response by PFC Jack Evans made Sep 1 at 2021 5:03 PM

2021-09-01T17:03:37-04:00

Pretty much as it was with lots of Drill and daily PT . Not much contact with Officers (True), but plenty of contact with Sgts (somewhat true). I had a fair amount of ROTC training going in, so had some basic skills (Bed making, close order drill, M-1 carbine and M-1 Garand field stripping and cleaning) which helped a lot, Was surprised at how little my fellow recruits knew about weapons and how frightened many of them were when they had to handle them.

Response by PV2 Glen Lewis made Sep 1 at 2021 8:03 PM

2021-09-01T20:03:28-04:00

I figured it was going to be a lot more regimented and difficult than it actually was.

Response by CW2 Richard Hawkshead made Sep 1 at 2021 8:33 PM

2021-09-01T20:33:31-04:00

I imagined like I saw on television in my youth. Tough DI, crawling in the mud and swinging on ropes and horizontal bars like a monkey. A lot of the early days did go that way except I forgot about the blisters. Most of my Army life was experienced in Vietnam, and that was nothing I had ever imagined.

Response by PO2 Robert Winder made Sep 1 at 2021 10:53 PM

2021-09-01T22:53:36-04:00

It was about what I expected. Both my parents and my uncle served in WWII, so I grew up hearing sea stories. Other than seasickness, I had an enjoyable four years.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2021 11:25 AM

2021-09-02T11:25:18-04:00

I had a fair idea. My father served in WWII and both my older brothers served during the Vietnam years. It was something I always wanted to do. I faired well at basic and AIT as I spent the entire time as a squad leader. This also helped in my career as I spent most of it in higher positions than my rank showed. Almost all of my time as a E-5 I held E-7 positions. So yes, I feel I was well prepared for my military life.

Response by RallyPoint News made Sep 2 at 2021 11:58 AM

2021-09-02T11:58:51-04:00

Congratulations to SSG Private RallyPoint Member, SGT Jake Sheffield, PFC Joseph Corrado, PO2 Roger Diez, and CPT Adriana Sorbel. You've all won a $100 Amazon gift card! An e-gift card will be sent to the email address associated with your RallyPoint account.

Thanks to all who participated by logging in and sharing!

Response by CPO James Walker made Sep 2 at 2021 5:53 PM

2021-09-02T17:53:13-04:00

Had heard some good stories and also horror stories as well. Decided to go in with an open mind and learn all I could. Had a blast.

Response by SFC Michael Kinsley made Sep 2 at 2021 9:18 PM

2021-09-02T21:18:53-04:00

basic wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be.
once I was in a unit it was not as exciting as I thought it would be. I quickly added TDY to my vocabulary.

Response by PFC Anthony Williams made Sep 3 at 2021 12:44 AM

2021-09-03T00:44:46-04:00

It was nothing as I imagined. I was blessed having served that resulted in traveling the world and seeing 8 different countries. It exceeded my expetations

Response by Sgt Jerry Genesio made Sep 4 at 2021 5:32 PM

2021-09-04T17:32:33-04:00

I don't believe I gave it much thought. As the product of a 12-year-long parochial school education, I knew the Red Army was roaming the streets of Budapest and it was my duty as a Catholic to kill a Commie for Christ. President Eisenhower said he would send U.S. troops to fight with the Hungarian people if they rebelled. They did, and he didn't. That was my first encounter with political reality. I'm much, much older now, and a bit wiser.

Response by SPC Lyle Montgomery made Sep 4 at 2021 6:43 PM

2021-09-04T18:43:39-04:00

Didn't have a clue. I was good at metal working and mechanics and thought I might end up doing that sort if work but the Army needed infantry. I spent a year in Viet Nam as a m60 gunner in a leg infantry unit All I learned to do was kill enemy and blow stuff up. I didn't like the killing but liked blowing stuff up. It sure didn't do me much good as a civillian. I went into machine work so it all worked out.

Response by CPL Edward Williams made Sep 5 at 2021 9:03 AM

2021-09-05T09:03:50-04:00

I thought military life would be glamorous and it would be an alternative to college. After joining, I realized it was a different way of life. Before Vietnam, soldiers were treated with the utmost of respect. We received hug discounts at hotels and airlines. All of this BEFORE Vietnam!

Response by CPL Robert Headrick made Sep 6 at 2021 5:57 AM

2021-09-06T05:57:17-04:00

I had no idea what to expect. The recruiter told me, after basic the military was just like any other 9-5 job, it just started at 4am sometimes or didn't end sometimes for 72-96 hours straight.

Response by SGT George Smith made Sep 11 at 2021 12:34 PM

2021-09-11T12:34:13-04:00

I thought it would be harder than it was. If I had not gotten sick I would have stayed in for the full 20 or more..

Response by 1SG Clifford Barnes made Sep 11 at 2021 10:14 PM

2021-09-11T22:14:36-04:00

Came from a military family and didn’t want anything to do with the Military. Got drafted and found that l liked the Army way. Retired as a 1SG best job in the Army Hooah

Response by PVT Robert Bernhardt made Sep 14 at 2021 5:34 AM

2021-09-14T05:34:17-04:00

I imagined the military to be an experience of glory and gore from which either alive or dead I would return a hero. My first assignment was advanced training for artillery survey. Then I was sent to S. Korea, at the border of the DMZ where my experience was recalibrating survey markers that had been moved from their original position on mountains and in villages, and I was promoted to corporal. Then I was assigned to Ft. Hood Texas where I became survey section chief, promoted to Spc. 5, then made a sergeant training basic trainees. Then, after catching my first wife exiting a motel with her boyfriend from high school, I re-enlisted to go to Vietnam. There I was injured within a week while following an order, sent to the Mash unit in Da Nong in a circus sized tent filled with cots full of injured fellow brothers at arms. My injury was a ruptured disc at L5-S1. I could still walk but it was very painful. I entered the tent, nurses and doctors running by me, helping what I guess was hundreds of injured kids my age. I stood there looking eye to eye with one guy in a cot who was totally wrapped in gauze. He died while we were looking at each other and I left my body and went with him to the Light, where a voice said I don’t belong there, found myself back in my standing body. I got the attention of a doctor running by me, told him my situation, was exrayed, and put in the cot the guy I watched die was in, then sent to Osaka Japan where after two months I was operated on by a young doctor not much older than me, then sent to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington DC. There I was assigned to the baggage department, working with a guy who had his shoulder and jaw blown off who lived off base in Washington DC near DuPont Circle. He invited me to his basement apartment where he gave me LSD. Soon I was assigned to Ft Sill OK where I was survey section chief at the time of the ‘68 race riots. My unit was trained to fight the rioters who were citizens I felt a had good reason to riot. Because my oath at enlistment was to protect citizens. When I got a 3 day pass to Dallas, I decided to stay there rather than go against my oath. I called home to talk with my parents, was told they were told a discharge was waiting for me, so I returned to Ft Sill and received my discharge. I later learned there were 500,000 of civilians and Vietnam veterans who refused to fight. President Carter gave us all amnesty for our conscientious objection and my discharge was upgraded to honorable.

Response by SPC Timothy Marlow made Sep 16 at 2021 2:48 AM

2021-09-16T02:48:45-04:00

That first night after that never ending long day. Its really not that bad. Just some yelling so yell back.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2021 3:57 PM

2021-09-20T15:57:18-04:00

I grew up in an Air Force home and I knew what I was in for, the re-assignments and overseas tours. So it wasn't a surprise for me. It was life as usual continued.

Response by CPT Mary Garrison made Sep 21 at 2021 1:17 PM

2021-09-21T13:17:25-04:00

Seems funny now, but I didn't give it much thought. I joined a student nurse program in college; so it was nearly 18 months before I actually went on active duty. Basic training gave me a small taste of the military, but with all the classes, it was like college again. First duty station, stateside, was almost a repeat of civilian nursing. Military nursing didn't really sink in till I arrived in Vietnam. Again, though, it was nursing...minus the white uniforms and caps.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2021 4:32 PM

2021-09-21T16:32:01-04:00

I was expecting it to be exciting and full of adventures, but it is just protocols and a routine matter that is considered an unproductive sector and I hope it will be like that

Response by A1C Lloyd Box made Sep 24 at 2021 4:06 PM

2021-09-24T16:06:33-04:00

Military life was prominent in my family. My grandfather served in France during WWI. My father served in Italy during WWII. My Uncle Dick Wright served with Patton. All of my Box ancestors, except my great-grandfather, volunteered for service all the way back to the French & Indian war. So you see that I had great insight into military life.

Response by SGT Robert Jenkins made Sep 26 at 2021 10:13 PM

2021-09-26T22:13:13-04:00

It was just as I was told it would be. As it was a family tradition to serve.

Response by PO3 Rick Smith made Jun 15 at 2022 10:38 PM

2022-06-15T22:38:32-04:00

Had no Idea Except I was going to be in The Navy as was my Dad & sail the seven seas & see the World.! but....that did not happen or me!o:(

Response by Xchancybe Ky made Oct 17 at 2023 9:33 AM

2023-10-17T09:33:44-04:00

Thank you for sharing the update on the sweepstakes event, even though it took place two years ago. It's always good to know when events have concluded and prizes have been awarded.
Looking back at discussions about military life can be a reflective experience. People often have different expectations before they join the military, and it can be insightful to revisit those perspectives with the benefit of hindsight.
If anyone is interested in similar events or exploring different gift card options, they can always check out https://www.vaocherapp.com/. It's a handy resource for various types of gift cards and vouchers.

Gift Card & Voucher Management Software

Revolutionise your gift voucher system with VaocherApp. Streamline gift certificate management & simplify voucher redemption. Get started in 5 mins with 30-day free trial