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

I'm the son of a career Army Soldier/Cav Trooper so my entire childhood was as an Army Brat.
As I considered my own service, I first considered piloting helicopters (as my father did in Vietnam, twice, and for several years later), then Armor (Tanks), as that was his branch as a commissioned officer.
While in High School I considered the Army and Marines as those each had what I was interested in, however after I received my USMA appointment, I told the Marines I was going into the Army.
During my 5.5 years of pre-commissioning training (that's another story!) I still considered both until I realized that I preferred ground combat. Armor was my first choice for an Army Branch and I have had a blast for over 22 years in tanks, mech infantry, mortars, light cavalry and many other assignments.
Looking back, this was the best choice for me and I have no regrets for choosing to be an Armor/Cav Trooper in the Army!

My only regret was not re-enlisting. I loved the marine corps. Dont get me wrong it has it suck and stupid games everyone hates. But all in all. It was an amazing experiance and i wouldnt change it for the world

I enlisted in the Marine Corps because they offered me the best deal, even though at that point, my dad and most others did not seem to think I was packing all the gear needed to be a Marine. I am reasonably intelligent, but I was a very atypical Marine. By that I mean most Marines are hard charging type A personalities and I am a highly introverted type B who would rather read a book or hop on my bicycle and ride all day than engage in the typical kind of BS that went on in my barracks.

Simply put, the experience forged me into the person I am, but it did not and does not define who I am. I am a long way from the trailer park where it began, and I learned that, within reason, I truly can accomplish any thing I set my mind to. I don't want to go back but I can say with certainty that I am proud of having been a Marine and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to have served with some of the most incredible people I've ever met.

My advice to you would be to learn as much as you can about your interests, your personality, and what your goals are 5, 10, or 20 years from now. You will get more out of your experience if you know going in what is expected of you. Service is not entirely selfless and the selflessness will be required in any branch.

It's not what I've expected. In some ways, it's MORE than what I'd expected right before taking The Oath, but then, the longer I've been in, it's been less and less than what it was when I started. Seen some cool stuff, done some cool things, but overall, in some ways, it has exceeded expectations while still somehow managing to be slightly underwhelming.

Ever since I was a child I was mesmerized about the Navy. All those great movies and on screen characters larger than life portraying experiences unimaginable for a child. I joined the Navy at age 17 and really wanted to be an air controller but I was too young for that rating, so I opted for Operations Specialist with a goal of certifying as either an ASAC or AIC Controller. I was able to meet my goal but along the way my best friend changed rates to the Seabees and encouraged me to do the same. I thought what new adventures awaited me and jumped ship for the ground pounding Seabees as an Equipment Operator. During a stint as a Navy Recruiter I was introduced to the Airedale Navy, brown shoes, and decided the AW rating was for me and flying in S-3s as air crew doing similar work from the get go as an Operations Specialist aboard ship. Needless to say, my dreams of being a brown shoe fell apart when I met my wife who had other plans, the US Air Force.

My new girlfriend yet to be wife was also Navy but had sights on a commission in the Air Force and my life changed forever. After the Gulf War I sought an early discharge, joined the Reserves, and started college. A few years later with a new sheepskin in one hand and my other hand raised I swore into the Air Force as a brand new butter bar, 2nd LT. What a wakeup call the Air Force was to me. After spending nearly 17-years enlisted Navy it was strange to say the least to be an officer but the AIR FORCE. My first duty assignment in the Air Force was at Keesler Medical Center and what a strange land, uniforms, and customs met me head on. Thankfully shortly after my reporting for duty several other brand new butter bars reported in, all mustang officers like me and some from the Navy. It was here that I really learned and lived Air Force, all thanks to my new found mustang officer buddies. I have to be honest though, it did take me nearly 4-years to feel like I truly belonged to the Air Force, but I always had a fondness for the Navy. After several more assignments I knew I had found a new home until I met another former Navy enlisted, now mustang Air Force officer at Yokota AB, Japan. He was in the process of completing an inter-service transfer into the little known US Public Health Service (PHS) and talked up this uniformed service. You guessed it, another adventure was staring me in the face.

Let’s just say, I too did an inter-service transfer into the PHS and what a world it was. I found I could serve anywhere in the world, work in or out of my career field, and pursue any one two three career choices at my discretion. Simply amazing!

Do I regret any of my career choices, no! I miss my buddies but we all know they will always remain buddies and who knows your paths may cross again. I live my Navy days daily by communicating with my Navy buddies via emails, phone calls, and we have our 3rd reunion this year. As to my Air Force buddies some have retired, some are still serving and we talk all the time about our careers and bouncing ideas off of each other. As to the PHS, there are a large number of former military members serving and I have actually served with two of my Air Force buddies at the same command after they had switched to the PHS. I find those former military officers keep a close circle of friends; I suppose it’s from shared similar military experiences. Regrets, a few; but what fun I have had exploring a full career in several different jobs along the way and wearing three different uniforms. The ending of my story yet remains, another 3 years before we plan to call it a career. I wonder what adventures lay ahead!

While I enjoyed my time in the Air Force as I approached my end of service I considered transferring to the Army. My desire was to fly on helicopters and be in a position where I felt my contribution mattered. My desire was to be in the fight not 2,000 miles away. I hoped to become a Warrant Officer. One of the NCOs I worked with was prior Army and after discussing my plans with him, I changed my mind. I then looked into options in the Air Force. I found what I thought was a perfect fit. Flight Engineer on MH-53J helicopters and service with AFSOC. After a year of training I went to SERE where I had a seizure. Diagnosed with epilepsy I no longer qualified for flight duty. I enjoy and I am proud of my service. I wish it could have been longer.

I actually expected more. The physical part was fine. The intellectual aspect was less than admirable. Not very challenging when I look back on it.

It was not hard for me at all. My father was in the Army, My uncle's were and I have cousins. It was like a right of passage thing in my family. I agree with SSG Derrick L. Lewis It is really what you make it. I love the Army and I over came a lot of fears and adversity in my career thus far. I would change it for the world. There are obviously some things we wish we could have done differently and wish we could change, but overall I love it and I love the Army!!!

Army wasn't my first choice, but we didn't have Naval ROTC. I've had a helluva good time so I don't regret it.

I enlisted in the Marine Corps in early 1955 to 1959 ,would I do it over ? you better believe it. my biggest regret in life was not making the Marine Corps a career. The Corps was every thing I hoped it would be, after 56 years of being out , I still am active with anything to do with the Corps, Marine Corps League, together we serve, MCS&F, VFW and many more organizations. Starting in 1955 the Corps was my life , and still is.