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

I originally wanted to be a Marine but since I was still in high school my parents said no and took me to an AF recruiter, I told him I didn't want a desk job. Next thing I know I'm watching a video of these people four wheeling, snow trekking, and having firing drills...I said sign me up Security Forces was the best for me.

Overall I am satisfied with joining the Army, I originally wanted to be a Marine, but the Army offered me 20k for a sign on bonus, and at the time, money was a big factor in deciding my career path, so I went where the most money was. Although I've had my ups and downs over the last 7ish years, I couldn't imagine doing anything else and dread to think where I could have ended up had I decided against joining in the first place.

I was a military brat I knew what to expect. I was born in 1945 and grew up during a time when military service was expected and accepted. As a kid we played cowboys and we played army, we were preparing even then. It was the time of the "draft" and knew that enlisting was the best way to do something you wanted to do. So when the right time came I enlisted for armor Europe and I got it. The only thing that bothered me was only getting six months CONUS duty between overseas tours. Especially when I had a "gravy" assignment as coach of the Fort Irwin rifle team. Looking back I sometime think I should did like one of my tank commanders. He saw the future in 1966 and re-upped data processing equipment repair, he saw the computer age coming twenty years before most of us.

No thought there would be more use of common sense

So far, there's tons of stupid stuff but overall I can't complain. Wouldn't be doing anything better outside the navy, that's for sure. And my recruiter was awesome, too.

The Air Force recruiter would not talk to me at all. He said I was too big. The Navy recruiter was more pleasant so I joined the Navy. My time in the Navy was great however if I had to do it over again I think I would have joined the Marines

My choice of the US Army was crucial to my success. In understanding the various roles of each service and the Military Occupational Specialties unique to each service, I could then match my service to my talents, gifts, and graces. In my case, I was interested in Special and elite forces like the paratroopers as well as in occupational specialties in law enforcement. I chose service with the 82nd Airborne Division as both enlisted and later, after winning one of the first 25 ROTC scholarships for active duty personnel in 1975, as a commissioned officer. I served with the 82nd until I received an injury that precluded further jumps and was transferred to the Military Police Corps, where I had both a degree in and civilian experience in law enforcement as a deputy sheriff.

I came in under the student loan repayment option, which, at the time, was only being offered by the Army. All that aside, the Army was a wonderful choice for me. I am proud to have served and grateful for the honor and opportunity to have earned the title "soldier".

The Few the Proud!!!!! Sums it up for me.... I do however very much respect any person in any branch whom serves our country.

Ben in 17 years greatest decision I ever made.