Posted on May 10, 2015
SSG John Erny
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Posted in these groups: C92a59d8 FamilyImages 3 SupportD60255850e3c05df655ee458a76b5784 Holidays
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Responses: 24
GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
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Both my parents did --- which was a good thing since I was 17 and needed their signatures to do so.
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SSG Paul Setterholm
SSG Paul Setterholm
11 y
My maternal grandfather died in ww2 my great uncle was closest thing I had and he was combat wound in Korea. My dad was served in the Air Force at the strategic air command in Omaha during Vietnam. I graduated at 17 and a friend wanted me to enlist in marines with him. They had just gotten blown up in Beirut and my mother would not sign for me. She wanted me to go in the Air Force like my dad. I wanted to be infantry since I was a kid because the two relatives among others all served in the army. She eventually agreed to let me join army.
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SGT William Hardy
SGT William Hardy
>1 y
Yes both of my parents were supportive although my mom didn't like the idea of me leaving
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SPC Heather Compton
SPC Heather Compton
>1 y
My mom didn't like it, but she supported me. Since I was living with him at the time, my father signed the papers because I was only 17, but as soon as the recruiter left, he promptly informed me I wouldn't make it through basic training much less finish the 5 year contract I was about to sign. He was so very wrong.
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SP5 Joel O'Brien
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With a low number(this was back in the early 70's) I knew I'd have to enlist in order to beat the draft. Up to this point, I'd never considered the military. After looking over what each service offered(I really wanted to go Coast Guard but they were booked solid) I went Army because it was able to offer me the closest to what I wanted. My mother, a Navy WAVES veteran of WWII, understood my position. All in all, things worked out well for me and I trust I made Mom proud.
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I didn't think she would at first because I was a little older and a single parent. She, however, was extremely proud. There is a strong family history of Navy in my family, including my mother's dad. She has been entirely supportive. I want to carry on the tradition.
Col Squadron Commander
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Nope, she was all paranoid about all the conflict going on. My response, there will always be conflict!
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COL Charles Williams
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Absolutely she did. I think she worried, but I joined in 1980, and it was a different world. Those who joined after 911, have a totally different world and perspective.

I can still remember, in 2006, I was on green ramp, getting ready to deploy from Fortress Bragg to Iraq and I called my mom to say goodbye. I had been deployed many times before. But, she was still crying on the phone, and telling me to be safe. I had been in the Army for 26 years...

Mom's never stop worrying.

I am just glad I never had to stay at home and have a family member deploy.
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A1C Rich Ringer
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My father was ok with it since he was in the Navy. My mother was not too happy.
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PO1 Sonar Supervisor
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She backed me 100% and now she watches me from Heaven. I truly feel like she is my guardian angel.
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SSG John Erny
SSG John Erny
11 y
I am humbled
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TSgt David Holman
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When I joined, I had been politely asked not to return to my university for the next semester, so she wasn't happy, but I think she understood I needed to do something.
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SGT Herbert Bollum
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My oldest brother was in ROTC in high school, then went NAVY during Cuban missile crisis. He retired.
The next brother went USMC one tour during VN experience.
When I finally joined ARMY she was just as proud of her youngest for doing what is right.
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PO1 Lyndon Thomas
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Unfortunately she passed away long before I signed up. I think she would have, since my dad and her dad were both Army
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