If you knew back then what you know now, what changes would you have made while in the military?

Two things that I could have done different while in the Army would have changed where I am at now. First, I had a friend that was an Instructor at Ft. Rucker for Blackhawks. He wanted me to put in my warrant packet. He said he would help me study and get all the requirements to become a pilot. I wasn't really looking that way at the time, but that would have really changed my life today. Second, while instructing at Airborne School, I was the squad leader of a First Sergeant who was the 1SG of HHC Task Force 160. After he graduated, he call me to ask if I wanted to come to Campbell and be his S-3 Air NCO. I was about to get married so I said no thanks, If I had done that, I probably would have moved up in rank quicker. However, I staying the course that I did set me up to be where I am now. If I would have picked either of the other routes, who knows where I would be. Could be better off, but could be a lot worse off.

First, I'd never would have started out in the Reserves/National Guard--Go Hard, or Don't Go at All! Definitely wasted too many years (10) in both those components. Secondly, I would have joined the Marines for my enlisted--Communications. What prevented me before, was two Uncles that just weren't right upstairs! Tried to go to school online for the basics. "Try" because, that was still a fairly new concept back in 1992. Also, even today, I still prefer that "Brick and Mortar" class vs. online. It's more personal. Third, would not have started a family without a college degree (i.e. Bachelors). Got out of the military. Fourth, would have completed my Bachelors degree full-time. Participate in the ROTC program. Finally, come back in the Army as an Officer--Logistics.

I would have joined at 17 instead of 24, and would have went straight Active Duty instead of reserve. I love being in the Army but I definitely would have worked on education earlier.

I would have joined right out of high school instead of racking up a year of college loans first and I would of joined active Air Force like I wanted to instead of the army guard

Would have stayed active instead of transferring to the reserve.

The one change I would of made, it would of been to join the RA instead of the NG. Now I served in the NG for almost 17 years and look back and I am proud of my service. There were ups and downs but overall, I would do it all over again! Another change would of been to join a younger age. I join when I was 30 years old, although I did try, I encounter some difficulties such as language barrier and also at the time I was acostume to the metric system instead of the English systembecause I was raised abroad.

Going out with a 13D

I would have been more adventurous. Went to Airborne School and gone Ranger. You can only do that stuff when you are young.

I would still join the military at age 17 and be more focus in pursuing my education. One thing that I will do different is join the Active component and retire after 20 years (age 37). After getting all that training and skills I will then look and start my 2nd career in the private sector.

The funny part, if I do have a time machine and I give this valuable advice to the younger me... the younger me would just probably brush it off and say "yeah right"... its just the younger me being me I guess.

I would have extended for the deployment, rather than re-upping.