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

I expected more, especially after hearing my grandfathers (one marine and one in the air force) talk about their time in. But it is what it is.

I almost went Navy because I was in ROTC in high school. But because of my high school friend, I managed to go Air Force because of the buddy program. Unforturnately she didn't make it and I entered by myself. My experience was what I made of it.

I walked into the recruiters office and said send me to boot camp. I never regretted it on bit.

At that time in my life it was more of a calling than a decision. There were a few very bad days and thousands of great days. I will never regret being a Marine.

Yes it was. I had relatives in the Air Force and understood the mission at the time. Honestly I joined because of the job market in 1982 and stayed because I liked serving my country. I still miss the Air Force and being around a military culture. This is why I like Rally Point. The different points of view of the posters and their slant on the various services is very refreshing to me after dealing with civilians on a daily basis.

I joined the Army back in 1986, went to basic training in 1987. I joined the Army as they were the only recruiters in the area (other branches had offices, but I NEVER saw them). This was back in the 1980's, so I had aspirations of becoming something akin to Rambo.... Actually decided to go Combat Medic as there was potential of civilian skills possible with that.... Was not exactly what I thought it would be, but I did enjoy the people. Went Army Guard when my AD Tour was up...deployed to Desert Storm. Went to Nursing School and went Air Guard (Army was kicking nurses out in mid 1990s). Decided to go active duty Air Force. Will retire end of this year and feel that I have had a good military career and a total of 3 NOT Hollywood military style deployments (Desert Storm, OIF and OEF). I feel my military was MUCH MUCH better then anything Hollywood could come up with!

I followed an attractive young lady into the recruiter's office while shopping for sneakers, was told that AF basic was just one big mind-game and was informed of this thing called TACP where I could work and live with the Army and blow stuff up with planes and helicopters and artillery...

I chose two branches with one decision, and then got to work with Marines in Iraq too, so I had the best of all worlds if you ask me. Did my six, thought about staying in, then got offered a job with DHS and jumped ship. OK with my decision to leave, but would have been happy to stay too.

Dad was USAF and he steered me towards the USAF w/ the biggest selling point being the Quality of Life (at the time). He reminded me that the main fighting force of the Army/Marines/Navy was the enlisted man. In the Air Force the officers fly the planes. He was right. Worked on some great installations with awesome facilities and services. No regrets.

I love the navy so far