Was choosing your branch of service everything you thought it would be? Did you expect more or less?

I was gonna join the Army at first to be a Ranger like my granddad but I eventually went with the Marines because 1. I thought they'd get me to war sooner than the Army and 2. everyone knows that Marine Dress Blues are panty-droppers, pardon my French. Both of those were eventually realized, so yeah, no regrets.

But for real, it was not everything I expected, but when you're a nasty civilian, your expectations are probably unrealistic to begin with. That being said, it was absolutely a positive, life-changing experience and undoubtedly the best 4 years of my life.

I debated for a while between the Marine Corps and Navy. Honestly, when I walked into the recruitment office, I was intending to speak to the SSgt in the Marine Corps office, but she was out and about. Across the hall the Navy recruiter was in, and I thought to myself "Well, in my military family, no one has served in the Navy yet". 2 years later, here I am, and I do not regret it one bit. Some aspects are better than I expected, some fall short, but overall a decision I'm proud of.

I do not regret the branch I chose one bit. I have heard so many recruiter's "lied to me" and or "it was nothing like the recruiter said it would be". People drop out or DOR from basic because they ran with the basic knowledge of what a recruiter gave. My recruiter didn't BS me one bit. I walked in and asked for 5+ yr, Fort Drum and 11B. He paused asking if I was sure. "You can go a lot of places but you choose Drum?"
Yea yea yea, figured if I can live in one of the most the miserable places to be stationed as a grunt then heck it may help me when I deploy so screw it. He even tried to talk me out of Drum and suggested a 3 yr contract to get my feet wet. I regret nothing. Best decision I ever made for my future.

I have a deep love for the Navy. Though I respect all branches and believe that I would excel in any atmosphere, I am proud to continue on the traditions of the Navy and being a part of something greater than myself. I do not regret my growth personally or professionally, the Navy has made me a better person and leader.

I was suppose to be become a Sniper for the USMC, but I wanted to talk to the Navy recruiters and see how it was and here I am :) It has been a fantastic pick so far!

Saw Rambo on a Sunday evening and was at an Army recruiters office that next Monday. Arrived at Ft. Benning 3 months later. The craziest and best thing I've ever done! Raise the re-enlistment age to 50...and I might just do it again...

Choose Army due to a generation thing! My grandfather, 1st generation born Lucken was Army, dad was Army, so I went Army. Cav Scout interest me to at the time.

Hell my son John was 4th generation Army to serve in our family! :-)

I got more much more than I expected. I never thought I'd make the type of wonderful friends I've had thru the years, truly a band of brothers. When leaving high school, I considered the the Marines, but Army Infantry has been a family tradition back to WWII. I think my dad& granddad may have broken my leg if I joined any other branch!! Haahaa! Met some great sailors, marines& airman thru the years, but I so so so love the Army. Miss it too. I miss my friends. Great topic and thanks for posting this! Blessings to all of you on Easter day!!!! Hooah!

At first I was crushed because I did not get the branch in the Army I thought I wanted. I wanted to be a Soldier since I was 12.

I realized there was so much more to the Army than anyone really could tell me, or that I was really able to understand at the time. It is what you make it.

What decision are you trying to make?

Choosing the US Army was an easy Choice , My Father and Older brothers all served in the US Army throughout my life. It was an honor to serve.