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

Joining the Marines was the best decision I've ever made

It, believe it or not, was so much better than I told it would be. Unlike some, the head games they plaid in Basic Training wasn't even comparable to the stuff the thing that had me did. Needless to say when the DI's would try to get under my skin by saying something nagitive about her, I got dropped for laughing at it. Until the Sr. Drill had a talk and found some things out about my personal life. He let me know that it was never ment to be personal, they was trying to break me down to build me up? It all stopped after that but they would say silly things like no smiling, with a smile on their face, i would just drop I was happy to be there. I felt like I belonged. I got 3 meals, a bed and cloathing. It was so much better than the things the Vets (that knew my father) told me it was going to be. I think they did enjoy their job at times, but nothing others said it would be.what ever they did or tried doing to me was better than a jail cell I was headed for. Yes I was not a model young man growing up, but luckier than some to know or felt that I belonged. I seen some that just hated everything about, "What we signed up for" they must have come from better homes than the one I was blessed with.

I'm happy with my choice just pissed because of the burn pits taking me out of the service

I was in the vietnam war from 1970 and 1971-1972 would go back to find my brother and sister.

Meh, Army was the only one who would guarantee I'd be a medic. No regrets. I DO regret 2 active/4 reserve. C'est la vie.

No, it hasn't, but then again one of my few mottos I do practice prepares me for that. Expect the worse, hope for the best. LOL

I knew what I was getting into my recruiter had his easy "A" wi thjng me. He told me no lies and I gave him no shit.

Choosing my branch of service was easy. I enlisted slightly after 9-11 because I felt a great pain after some terrible people stabbed at the heart of our nation and was lost in a rage that could not be processed properly by the mind of an 18 yr old. I do however regret not getting a definitive AFSC prior to signing on the dotted line, because my job required a drivers license. Not only did I not have a license but, I was stationed in Germany right out of tech school so I could not get one overseas due to the fact that it would have been entirely too expensive on my meager military pay. I expected much more from the Air Force than what I received, and to be honest, if I could go back and make that decision all over again, I would probably make the decision to get a useful education instead of one that has very few transferable options in the civilian world.

When making a decision be sure to factor in "tribal culture." Each service is a distinct tribe, with traditions going back many years. Each one has a particular mission and a culture that grew up around it. I did 3 years in the US Army Reserves during grad school (Engineers/Fire Fighter) and I learned a lot about the culture during our summer training and weekend drills. I'm glad I did, it helped me down the road when I was put into a joint assignment. I've worked with Sailors and Marines and glad for them and the job they do very well, I just wouldn't have fit in to that culture. So look about and give this some thought -- not to where you want to be in 5 years, but 20 years down the road when you are 42 and perhaps not as keen to do the things you enjoyed while younger. Enjoy the selection process because you'll be living with it.

Joine the:
Air Force If you want to be a pilot or in the aviation industry.

Army if you just want to serve and you aren't sure how gung ho you are yet. Also if want to go the Special Operations route it has the most options (Ranger, Special Forces, Delta Force, 160th, The Activity or whatever they call them now, and yes there are more. If you go this route try to start out in the Infantry, then go Ranger and work your way up the SOF food chain from there. Spec Ops is also a great industry to be part of after you retire.

Marines if you are gung ho and want everyone in the entire branch to be as well. They have Spec Ops too, but theirs is still fighting for an identity, and I am not talking about Force Recon which isnt part of SOCOM.

Navy if you want to be on ships and in the maritime industry.

This is a very simplistic view of the different bbranches, but there is so much you don't know that it isn't worth getting into it. Every job has its challenges and most are equally important. Think about what you want to do IN GENERAL, and what you might want to do after your time in service is over (combat arms, medical, logistics, aviation, maritime, etc.)Even if you end up a lifer, you will most likey retire a Lt. Col. Or higher (if officer) and will probably go corporate afterwards, many do.

A