Is military service a higher calling?

Capt Ross Nussbaum — Mon, 21 May 2018 07:30:42 -0400

Many of us were asked “why did you join?” Some of us believe that service is a higher calling. Others wanted an adventure, to pay for school, or to get away from a bad situation. I’ve heard many of these answers. Tell me your thoughts.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 21 at 2018 7:49 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 21 May 2018 07:49:06 -0400

To me it was, proud of my time in the service.

Response by SGT David T. made May 21 at 2018 9:22 AM

SGT David T. — Mon, 21 May 2018 09:22:56 -0400

Honestly, I needed a job. There was no ideological motivations as to why I joined. I don't regret it for a second, but I am glad I am out now. It set me on a path that led to a great career.

Response by PO1 Don Gulizia made May 21 at 2018 9:23 AM

PO1 Don Gulizia — Mon, 21 May 2018 09:23:52 -0400

I think a good percentage join for some reason other than "duty." However, after the first obligated tour, I think one stays because of that "higher calling." Hell, I didn't do 20 for the money or fame!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 21 at 2018 9:57 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Mon, 21 May 2018 09:57:45 -0400

I don't have any movie lines to say here or any patriotic bumper slogans. I joined for the first time out of bordem. The second time was to pay the bills. I've told people that patriotism doesn't pay the bills but the, "I will" and the "I can" will continue to save the day during rough times.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made May 21 at 2018 10:40 AM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Mon, 21 May 2018 10:40:22 -0400

You ain’t doin’ it for glory, money, or a comfortable life. If you are sacrificing a ‘normal’ life to do something others won’t do... then you are probably answering a higher calling...

Or avoiding jail...

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made May 21 at 2018 10:40 AM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Mon, 21 May 2018 10:40:57 -0400

I agree with some of the posts below. I did not join for a "higher calling." I was a 21 year old drop-out that had worked hard since 16 years old and had nothing to show for it. I had worked roofing with my father, then, (because of the movies) decided to be a cowboy. After a couple if years doing that, I saw there was very little future in either job.
I applied at out local PD and Sherriff's department, thinking perhaps I would like being a cop. No HS diplomat? No cop. So I enlisted into the Army MP's. The rest, as they say, is history.
I will admit to a certain familial pressure. We have had a long history of military service. But it was mostly about a job and a decent future.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2018 10:48 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 May 2018 10:48:49 -0400

There were no good jobs to be had and money for college was not available.

I had little idea of what military life would be but, I knew others who had served.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2018 11:07 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 May 2018 11:07:08 -0400

I'm not sure what higher calling means. I joined to serve my country just as my father did.

Response by Maj John Bell made May 21 at 2018 9:09 PM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 21 May 2018 21:09:35 -0400

I could have spent more time with my wife and children on other careers that were open to me. I could have easily made more money on a couple of paths that were open to me. But I would never have been so proud of what I did, and who I did it with.

Response by MSG Lance Kelly made May 21 at 2018 11:31 PM

MSG Lance Kelly — Mon, 21 May 2018 23:31:17 -0400

As a retiree I don't recall the last time I was asked why I joined. The question I always get is if I had been deployed. Why does it have to about that? Does that make a difference as to when or if someone were deployed? As for joining I enlisted between my junior and senior year in high school. I wasn't college material and I had no ideas about a job. I played sports and during the summers I worked for a program that provided summer jobs to lower income families. My brother was in the Army and took me to the recruiter. He told to get an office job so I wouldn't get deployed; he was infantry. I joined as a 75B (Human Resources, 42A today) and got Germany in my contract. My first assignment was with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fulda, Germany. My brother got stationed in Baumholder with the 8th Infantry Division. Desert Storm happened and the 11th ACR got the call, not the 8th ID. I hated my initial four years and wanted out. The best thing to happen was meeting my wife there (she was the daughter of a 1SG, not mine). I got out, got married and was back in after six months. I realized that the Army was a good thing and I got Germany in my contract again. I retired after 28 years. If, during the initial four years you told me I would retire at 28 years I would have said you are crazy. So I didn't join for the best reason but in the end I have been reward with a wife, children, and a retirement.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made May 22 at 2018 6:39 AM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Tue, 22 May 2018 06:39:31 -0400

My dad was a WW II veteran and when he tucked us in at night he would tell us stories about his time in the Army. I just wish I could remember most of them. I decided at a very early age that I was going to join the Army. I was sworn into the Reserves two weeks after my 17th birthday, unfortunately, Dad did not live to see that day.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 22 at 2018 9:14 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 22 May 2018 09:14:46 -0400

Many take the education/adventure/running away on the 1st enlistment- those of us who stay the course do so a high calling. Leading mentoring/training troops was the joy in my life which keep me going thru all the idiots/deployments and senseless crap in the system. Many times I did not like the system, but I loved my troops and my unit.

Response by SSG David McPherson made May 22 at 2018 12:40 PM

SSG David McPherson — Tue, 22 May 2018 12:40:49 -0400

For me it was a higher calling doing over 26yrs between Active, Gaurd and Reserve

Response by LCpl Tommy Preston made May 25 at 2018 7:14 AM

LCpl Tommy Preston — Fri, 25 May 2018 07:14:36 -0400

I joined the Marime Corps because it was a dream of mine since I was 12yrs old. I meet a friend of my fathers son who was a Marine and he looked so confident and strong. Gave me a cover I wore everywhere. I asked what do they give ya when you join, bonuses or something? He looked in awe and said "We give you thing, a chance to earn the title of United States Marine! To be in my brotherhood." Sold!

Response by PFC James Sullenger made May 30 at 2018 8:55 AM

PFC James Sullenger — Wed, 30 May 2018 08:55:48 -0400

I wanted to serve as did my father to keep our way of life.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jun 18 at 2018 5:32 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 17:32:54 -0400

I beleive some people join for various reasons but overall when they are in for a while I honestly beleive they morph into the higher calling bracket when they realize they are actually part of something bigger than themselves.

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made Feb 19 at 2019 4:20 PM

MSgt Stephen Council — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 16:20:11 -0500

Capt Ross Nussbaum For me, it started as the fastest way out of an abusive home at seventeen years old. I graduated high school and was in basic training less than a month later. Five months later, I turned eighteen. It eventually turned into a higher calling that led me to a 24 year career of highs and lows. The lows were manageable, and the highs were unbelievable! I picked up a Bachelors and two associates along the way and raised a great family. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I have even mended the fences with my father who has long since, apologized for the way I was treated and I have forgiven him. We have a great relationship now.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2019 5:13 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 17:13:08 -0500

I just wanted to be in the military, Marines or Army

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2019 8:11 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 20:11:37 -0500

It is a civic responsibility of healthy adults (in particular, men) in a free country. However, I don't think I understood that at the time I joined. So, I joined because I was bored. However, I do now think that it is a civic responsibility.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Feb 19 at 2019 8:22 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 20:22:42 -0500

Capt Ross Nussbaum Joined to protect my slightly younger brother,who was discharged during Marine basic leaving me in the Marine Corps.Still honor my decision. Semper Fi

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 19 at 2019 8:23 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 20:23:19 -0500

Someone has to do it.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Feb 19 at 2019 8:36 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 20:36:30 -0500

Truth be told I joined the Army in 1965 (great timing huh) to straighten out my loser lifestyle, almost flunking out of High School,drinking ,dead end menial jobs ,etc ,I wish I could say a higher calling, but in my case mostly selfish reasons, still one of the best decisions this now old man made ,oh and the “adventure part” that I got in spades!

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Feb 19 at 2019 8:40 PM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 20:40:27 -0500

When I joined in 85, I had two guys in boot camp with me that were "join the Navy or go to jail..." They ended up doing full 20 year careers.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 20 at 2019 11:47 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 11:47:01 -0500

I think your main question is in the same vein as the others listed. It is generally one of many,?a higher calling can be one, while the other can be as well. It is unlikely that more than one applies.

For me, I felt the higher calling of sorts after spending some time around a recruiter who impressed me as a person. Then I began to look around at my circumstance and decided it was what I wanted in life (or at least I thought it was), turned out I was right. My recruiter friend did not think I should join, turns out he was wrong. I will say that I have had friends, acquaintances, and Soldiers John for any number of reasons and not one was better than the other. Whatever the reason, once you are hooked we all have the capacity to excel. Thank you for your service.

Response by Cpl James Dickinson made Jul 4 at 2019 3:45 PM

Cpl James Dickinson — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 15:45:30 -0400

I wanted to serve in the finest fighting force, the United States Marine Corps and serve my country.

Response by Sgt Ivan Boatwright made Nov 28 at 2019 7:59 AM

Sgt Ivan Boatwright — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 07:59:22 -0500

I am not exactly sure what drove my first attempt to join. I was five years old and I had heard stories about Korea and watched John Wayne movies. I remember loading My father's navy seabag with a change of clothing, as well as my brown and yellow teddy bear. There was a Marine recruiter living at the end of our street with his parents. I do not remember how I did it but I got the bag and myself there where he was in his dress blues. I was ready to sign up and go to war. He turned me down but told me to come back when I was older. At six while in my first-grade class, I discovered I was deaf in my left ear. To me, no big deal, I had never realized until the hearing test that I was. Then the teacher dropped the bomb, I would never be able to serve in my Marine corps. I put my head down on the desk and cried for the rest of the day. I had an operation at 17 to try and correct the problem so I could join, it failed.
After I quit college, I decided to try and beat the hearing test. There were hundreds in line to take the test. I moved forward in line questioning each person I could as they left after taking the test. I moved to the rear of line and questioned others until I figured out the timing of the test. I tested as one of the highest on the hearing test. What drove me from five to nineteen, I have no idea other than John Wayne and the desire to be a hero. Oh yes, it was also the dress blues.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 19 at 2020 1:02 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 01:02:02 -0500

This is an old discussion thread, Capt Ross Nussbaum, but I thought I’d comment anyway as I think there’s another way to approach your question. Frankly, it’s a higher calling regardless of why an individual starts such a journey and perhaps continues the journey. It’s a higher calling because of the oath, whether it be the oath of enlistment or the oath of office. I took both. I can think of few professions that require such a complete commitment.

Response by SGT Steven Wade made Dec 19 at 2020 1:47 PM

SGT Steven Wade — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 13:47:09 -0500

Not any more it isn’t defending your country still is.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2020 2:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 14:03:59 -0500

Its not why did you join but Why did you stay.

Response by SSG Byron Hewett made Dec 19 at 2020 3:11 PM

SSG Byron Hewett — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 15:11:50 -0500

Its in my DNA and a higher calling, My family military history goes all the to the founding of the country and everyone has served in all branches nobody expected or forced anybody to join, everyone joined because they wanted to serve, defend, and protect our Constitution and Nation.
Think that everyone who served in my family did so not just because of a call of duty but because of the examples set by everyone who did serve and most of all as a higher calling.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2020 4:35 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 16:35:32 -0500

It's at the top of the list, right below giving one's life for the Country.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Dec 19 at 2020 5:44 PM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 17:44:03 -0500

Ross I am not sure if it is a higher calling but I am very sure it is a calling. Thank back over your years and remember the guy/gal no matter what the circumstances was just fighting everything. I ask myself several times over the years why, why in the hell would he do that? Maybe part of the reason is they were not where they were supposed to be. I have seen the opposite as well. Dont get me wrong I am not saying it is a bed of roses and easy duty, far from it. All the great Americans I know and myself we have been to many ugly places and seen to many brothers come home in flag covered boxes to say it is easy. But easy does not make it your calling, far from it. My Mother would say God will not give you more than you can handle. Which only reenforces my thoughts on calling. I could go on and on with this but I am going to stop for not...

Response by Wayne Soares made Dec 20 at 2020 12:03 PM

Wayne Soares — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 12:03:10 -0500

Thanks for the share Captain Nussbaum

Response by SSgt Chuck “Gunz” Gundlach USMC Ret., MBA made Feb 14 at 2021 4:28 PM

SSgt Chuck “Gunz” Gundlach USMC Ret., MBA — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 16:28:46 -0500

Yes, but not for everyone, and even then, not all services are for everyone, and to break it down even further, not every MOS is for everyone.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2021 8:54 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 20:54:13 -0500

At first maybe, before I knew better.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 14 at 2021 9:02 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 21:02:49 -0500

Absolutely and unequivocally yes. SMs members have various reasons to sacrifice and perhaps make the ultimate sacrifice. Many will garner a deep sense of intimacy with their fellow warriors through training, congregation, suffering, and showing pictures of and stories of their families. Some of them will fight extra hard to and protect their buddies at the 9 and 3 oclock. Some will cover the retreat of a unit. Some will not leave a fellow SM behind. Some will take bullets so the other soldiers don't have too. Some will fight for the concept of a free country.

My memory is not good so I will try to be as accurate as I can be. SGT Sylvester Antolak was leading his squad in Cisterna, Italy when his squad faced a German machinegun nest. There was quite a bit of open ground between their last covered and concealed position to the machinegun nest. He took it upon himself to charge the Germans by himself. He went down 3 times and got up 3 times to finish off the Germans.

In Korea SGT Joseph Vittori's in squad was supposed to defend a forward slope of a mountain with 4 crew served defensive positions against an overwhelming force. He was the last one capable of fighting. He ran from one position to another one to give the impression we had a stronger force defending the hill.

In France SGT Vito Bertoldo and a small group of soldiers were ordered to cover the retreat of his unit. Due to his poor eyesight he became a cook, but he found a way to get into the infantry. He became the last soldier standing. He eventually put himself in the middle of the street behind some objects he collected to give him concealment. Perhaps he fought for 30 straight hours, I don't remember. But he fought one German unit after another one by himself.

In Somalia MSG Gary Gordon and SFC Randall Shughart, both SF Snipers, requested to be inserted to defend a 160th pilot who was shot down. They did it because they had a leave nobody behind mentality and perhaps protect a pilot so he could live to see his family again.

Before the Battle of Trenton George Washington and his rag tag army marched all night in blizzard like conditions and commenced river crossing operations that night as well. His army was underfed, underpaid, often lacked requisite winter uniforms or shoes. A few of the Continental Army soldiers died marching to Trenton.

There are various impetuses to sacrificing. It can be patriotism, protecting fellow SMs, and an undeniable winning spirit. The military is not the most honorable profession, but there is no profession more honorable than the military.

I am done ranting. Have a great night.