If you never joined the military, where do you think you'd be right now?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 02:53:14 -0400

I was working at Safeway in the produce dept when I enlisted. I wanted to be a cop, but I would've needed at least a two year degree to be considered...so maybe a cop.

When I went home on leave after my first deployment, a lot of my boys were locked up...or maybe I'd be locked up.

I'm in a much better place....

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 3:05 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 03:05:16 -0400

Dead or in jail.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 3:07 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 03:07:39 -0400

Go to war or go to jail, the symbolism in uncanny.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 8:24 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 08:24:38 -0400

Interesting question, SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member. I fear that I would be working in a mill somewhere near home in upstate New York. Maybe construction (building houses). I, too, am in a much better place after doing 30 years in the Army.

Response by SSgt June Worden made Mar 16 at 2015 8:41 AM

SSgt June Worden — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 08:41:14 -0400

I have always said that had I not joined the Marine Corps I would not be where I am today... It's hard to say where I would have ended up, but thankfully I took advantage of an opportunity that I will be forever grateful for!!!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 16 at 2015 8:57 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 08:57:02 -0400

I really have no clue.

I wasn't ready for college. I didn't enjoy school that much to begin with, and wasn't planning on going. I had done ZERO research on any.

I was a hard worker, so I probably would have been managing a restaurant or a retail location. But with a lot less life experience to back it up.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 9:34 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 09:34:14 -0400

I would be working for Nintendo of America in Redmond, Wa. I was a game-play counselor and a consumer service representative from when I was 16 until I graduated college, on and off. Great place to work and a great job. Don't know if the place or the job is still there with the advent of the internet since I left the job, but it was awesome while I was there. They had just come out with the Super-Nintendo when I left.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 10:09 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 10:09:47 -0400

Probably working at the Texarkana Gazette, like my Mamaw (retired from there) and my Mom (worked there for almost 10 years) did. Since I grew up in that place (and I'm talking about watching newpapers being actually printed on the printing press....and when you are a kid that's pretty amazing) knew all the reporters and managers since I was in pigtails, well I am sure I would have been a shoe in. When I went home on leave I would take all the ladies in my Mom's office donuts for breakfast and visit. I used to pretend I was going to grow up and be a hardball reporter there, so if I hadn't joined that's what I would have done.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 10:14 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 10:14:31 -0400

Assistant Manager at WalMart. I was a Department Manager when I joined.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 16 at 2015 10:21 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 10:21:13 -0400

Either widely successful or fantastically devastated... ... I was on track for either.... and the past holds no draw to me.. I miss nothing from what was not.

I was modestly successful in my 1st chosen career, grateful for and happy with my family life then and now, currently moderately successful in my chosen after service career.

DO I want better? HELL YA.. never be satisfied...always want better yet never feel sorry for what you do have.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 12:27 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:27:17 -0400

The reason I ask: Did you chase your dream...some civilian dreams can transfer over to the military, and sometimes our dreams change and we find another one. Just like to see dreams acheived.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 12:50 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:50:31 -0400

Probably as an auto body mechanic or retail associate. More likely retail as getting the first set of tools was a barrier and retail did not pay enough for rent and tools.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 16 at 2015 2:09 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 14:09:13 -0400

I wouldn't trade one life of my moment for any other. Sure there were times I wish I hadn't lived, many that I wouldn't live again for any price.

My time in the service is a vital part of the trail that got me to where I am today. The training and the trials molded me. Even though many of the friendships didn't last beyond a tour of duty, their memories linger with me. All this helped fashion me into the old fart that I became.

And, I'm entirely happy with it. Change anything, and I could be miserable.

Even my ex-wife. She taught me to appreciate the one that I've been married to these past 38 years and made me a better husband.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 2:48 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 14:48:17 -0400

Nowhere good. I was living with my dad in college to become a cop.But I kept failing high school level English. Still can not pass it which I find odd -3 tries in 3years-. I can sell an 18 wheeler to a blind man coming out of bankruptcy in person. The art of language written or typed just seems to evade my grasp, and because it has cost me so much money I loathe language arts.

But now I have a house in my home town renting it out. Debating on what my next big purchase should be another house to rent out or camper. It would be cool to have a 3" ball hitch camper. PCS,TDY,ETS no problem.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Mar 16 at 2015 3:57 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 15:57:35 -0400

Cedar Rapids, IA.

Oh, you mean more than where I would be located? I know that just having made it through OSUT changed me for the better. I hate to even think where I would not have gone, if not for the military.

Response by SSG John Bacon made Mar 16 at 2015 4:07 PM

SSG John Bacon — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 16:07:08 -0400

I would probably have been an architect as I was taking Drafting/Architecture and CAD classes in High School.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Mar 16 at 2015 4:19 PM

SGT James Elphick — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 16:19:43 -0400

Nowhere good I'm sure. Was totally burnt out on school by my senior year but college was an expectation so I probably would have wasted a bunch of my parents money before dropping out. Other than that it is hard to say.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 16 at 2015 6:48 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 18:48:01 -0400

Inconceivable!

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Mar 16 at 2015 7:18 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 19:18:33 -0400

Dead, for sure!

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Mar 16 at 2015 7:23 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 19:23:47 -0400

I was headed in the wrong direction at 17 and wasn't getting along with my Dad (Korean Veteran). My parents signed for me and I believe the military saved me very early in life. If I had to go back and do it over again I would still have enlisted. I think every young man and woman should serve their country and in the military. That is just my opinion. There are many out there that would disagree with That opinion. My Dad and I are great friends now and I understand why he was the way he was, due to his combat experience and purple heart. They called it Combat Stress back then. Sorry for any mispelling or grammatial errors. Working on my phone.

Response by Sgt Martin V. made Mar 16 at 2015 8:47 PM

Sgt Martin V. — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 20:47:55 -0400

I really don't know where I would be, but I can tell you that I am ahead as a person and more importantly as a father. I guess I learned a thing or two during my enlistment :-D

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Mar 16 at 2015 10:22 PM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 22:22:47 -0400

Question requiring a lot of thought.

A proactive recruiter got me into active duty service by moving me from joining the reserves. He called, asked if I still wanted to be in active navy. I said yes, and was on a plane within 4 days. I understand he got in a bit of hot water over that.

I was set up to join the reserves as an operating room technician. If that worked out, I have no idea where it would have taken me. It would not have taken me to Great Lakes where I met my husband though. So I'm kind of happy they way it all worked out.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 17 at 2015 12:13 AM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 00:13:42 -0400

I would be a PE teacher in NJ... or living in a van down by the river... Honestly, I don't think it would have turned out well...

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Mar 17 at 2015 12:15 AM

SFC Collin McMillion — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 00:15:10 -0400

The military gave me a purpose and a way to be who I wanted to be. The disipline, the training, the sense of purpose, the education, the experiences I have had truly shaped my life. Without these things I would probably have ended up like so many young men where I came from, just hanging at the pool room, getting high or drunk, staying in trouble and finally getting myself killed.

Response by SFC Boots Attaway made Mar 17 at 2015 12:23 AM

SFC Boots Attaway — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 00:23:49 -0400

I do not know as I wanted to study in a few different fields mainly Astronomy and magnetism. Big problem with that though is I couldn't afford college so I would probably wound up at the local paper mill or saw mill.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 3:44 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 03:44:44 -0400

In my hometown, doing the same stuff over and over.... living by paycheck to paycheck, probably growing a full beard haha, aside from all that I love the Military its always been my dream and I didn't want to be a guy who kept wondering well what if I would have done this or done that. So I did do that haha.

Response by Cpl Rory Mcvey made Mar 17 at 2015 4:21 AM

Cpl Rory Mcvey — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 04:21:37 -0400

Livin in a van down by the river

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Mar 17 at 2015 5:38 AM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 05:38:55 -0400

The Army commissioned me as an Active duty Chaplain when I was 46. They dropped the age cutoff to 40 two months after I got in. The Army was the only one who recognized my 20 years of civilian work as diverse and strong. They have given me opportunities for getting healthier and becoming more well trained. They have paid for me to earn a doctoral degree. They paid for me to do four units of CPE. They gave me an opportunity to meet some of the best Americans I would otherwise might not have met. The Army has just in three years made my life so much richer. I regret not having joined when I was younger.

Response by Sgt Dale Cusack made Mar 17 at 2015 8:16 AM

Sgt Dale Cusack — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:16:53 -0400

Since I received my draft notice the day I left for boot camp after enlisting in the Air Force, I guess my decision would not have changed very much, although I believe if I had been drafted I very well may not be here now.

I had wanted to be a CPA but couldn't keep my grade point average up enough to retain my college deferment.

I was offered reenlistment at the end of my first tour but had decided to get into computers, still a new career in the military and being a radio operator I could stay in my MOS for a second tour.

I believe I made the right decision in enlisting when I did and returning to civilian life after one tour. I do occasionally wonder what would have been if I did stay but I believe the family my wife and I raised were more important.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 10:19 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 10:19:11 -0400

I would have been living in a van down by the RIVER eating government cheese!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 11:17 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 11:17:36 -0400

Dead...homeless....insane asylum...somewhere not pretty

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 11:56 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 11:56:14 -0400

I would hate to think, joined when I was 17 and was lucky to have graduated from HighSchool

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 12:49 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 12:49:45 -0400

Most likely up to my eyes in debt from student loans. The college party life was never my thing anyway. The camaraderie I've experienced so far while serving is unlike anything else. Best decision I've ever made, hands down.

Response by CPL Daniel Moore made Mar 17 at 2015 10:59 PM

CPL Daniel Moore — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 22:59:03 -0400

I would still be in my hometown and would not have my children.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 8:15 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 20:15:37 -0400

Working at Starbucks...

Response by SrA Branon Lamphere made Mar 18 at 2015 11:39 PM

SrA Branon Lamphere — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 23:39:15 -0400

I'd be dead in a ditch for sure from a drug overdose.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Mar 19 at 2015 8:00 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 08:00:01 -0400

I try not to think of such horrible circumstances....

In all seriousness, I would probably still be back in ND going through college. I would hope anyway.

Response by PO3 Scott Kiser made Mar 25 at 2015 11:27 AM

PO3 Scott Kiser — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 11:27:09 -0400

Still surfing/traveling full time

Response by PV2 Violet Case made Mar 25 at 2015 5:34 PM

PV2 Violet Case — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 17:34:28 -0400

Well for me I was married to a cheating man and working part time at a law firm and at a book bindery. But in my case I loved the Army it made me strong and stubborn. But would not be as sick most of you no the story already of Ft McClellan. It was horrible and so are the affects from it. I probably would not have walked again after my accident if not for the military training. But I would not be sick either like I am. But I actually did love the Army even tho they made me sick and the men were pretty hard on us back then. But where I would be probably working full time at law firm or a private investigator because I was working with one on and off from the law firm too and found it very interesting.

Response by PO1 Aaron Baltosser made Apr 1 at 2015 4:39 PM

PO1 Aaron Baltosser — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 16:39:01 -0400

More than likely I would be dead from a physically demanding job. Either working in a nursing home, the job I had taking care of old folks was brutal physically. My second job was as a security guard. No upward mobility in either job.

Response by MAJ Jessie Taylor made Apr 1 at 2015 5:02 PM

MAJ Jessie Taylor — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 17:02:42 -0400

Law Enforcement

Response by SGT John Wesley made Apr 1 at 2015 5:09 PM

SGT John Wesley — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 17:09:05 -0400

Early 80's... Drugs and alcohol... I'd be dead had I not got scared and left for the military.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 5:11 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 17:11:36 -0400

Hi, Staff Sergeant LoGiudice.

I couldn’t tell you. I can say two forces saved my life: my wife and the USAF.

Tony

Response by SGT Mark Sullivan made Apr 7 at 2015 10:25 PM

SGT Mark Sullivan — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 22:25:16 -0400

When I joined, I was already in college. I had done enough credit hours for an Associates in General Education. There were so many things I wanted to do, but, nothing felt right. I probably would have ended up working in some warehouse somewhere, and I would have never left St Louis

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Mar 5 at 2017 4:24 AM

PFC Jonathan Albano — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 04:24:32 -0500

I probably would be an accountant- and I probably would have hated it. I use to be so money oriented in High school. It went so far as me choosing the MOS with the largest sign on bonus for no other reason than that bonus. While a bad way to make a decision affecting the outcome of one's entire life, it's how I discovered that I love working with electronics.