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

To be truthful, I only joined the Navy because I didn't meet the weight requirements for any other branch (I wanted to be a Marine) but here I am 6 years later and I wouldn't change it if i could.

I knew the risk and defaults to my career path so yes it's what I expected and no I did not expect anything different

Yes and No. I joined the Army hoping to be a Combat Medic, and that's exactly why I ended up as. Worked in an Aid Station, worked in an FST, had my own platoon. Treated people under fire, went on patrols, all the "Army" stuff you would expect.

What I didn't expect was what to expect of the Army in Garrison. Which consists of mainly picking up trash/cigarette butts, SHARP/EO/Suicide briefings, Layouts etc..... An Army not at war, is just soldiers doing busy work.

I am proud to be a Marine. They have tested my strength and more.

Being that I'm the only one to join since WWII, I feel honored to represent my family name through the Marines. As difficult as it was at times, no one (I hope) signs the dotted line in hopes of an easy life. It was all the challenges I had hoped for and more. Nothing like being pushed to your limits on a daily basis. Go in with the right mindset, and get out when YOU want to.

Semper Fi

I would say it was what I thought it would be. Unfortunately I broke my foot in boot camp and my contract was null and void so I did not get what I wanted out of be in the service at all. I had decided to join the Marines When I was in 8th grade and thought I would be there for ever. Since I broke my foot my contract changed from EOD to artillery then after only about a year and a half of that they sent me to Japan for security forces guarding naval ordinance for the remainder of my time. Then when I was back to Pendleton to exit the corps they asked if I wanted to reenlist and o handed him a list of MOS' and he said no no no you get to go back to your artillery unit in Camp Lejuene. So I said artillery is for reservists. There's nothing in the real world that artillery can do for you. So I did my four years and got out. But I am still proud to be. Marine and am part of the Marine Corps League.

My father was Army, so it was the first place I looked when I decided to ally for an ROTC scholarship. I thought it best to at least check out the Navy and Air force programs, which proved very helpful. I met cadets and officers at three schools, each environment was completely different from the others and something about the Army just felt right. Years later as an Army Nurse Corps Officer, I had the opportunity to serve along side Navy and Air force Nurses and other medical service members, which further confirmed in my mind that I chose the best one for me. I loved every day of my service and my only regret is that I couldn't serve longer!

I was 19, going no where fast. I needed some shaping up. The Marine Corps offered me exactly what I needed...a challenge. It paved the way for the rest of my career. I think had I chosen another branch, the results may or may not have been the same.

I now serve in the Guard and it also offers me exactly what I need. I am happy with both of my decisions and choose not to speak negatively about other services, but I know my time in the USN would probably have been quite different, had I chosen that route.

I think in the end it ended up being more than I expected. When I first went my number one goal was to be MP. I checked with three services and only one would guarantee me what I wanted. I ended up doing 25 years, wasn't my original plan. I met my wife during my service time and we raised two children during my career. Definitely more than expected.