Posted on Apr 5, 2015
Was choosing your branch of service everything you thought it would be? Did you expect more or less?
354K
975
706
133
133
0
Army
Air Force
Navy
Marine Corps
Coast Guard
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 589
10
10
0
9
9
0
Choosing the Marine Corps was everything I expected and then some. Already having two older brothers serving at the time I enlisted and seeing how the Corps was positively impacting their lives, it was a decision I made without hesitation. Reflecting back on a very rewarding 20-year career, I am very thankful for the tremendous experiences serving this great country as a U. S. Marine.
Semper Fi
Semper Fi
(9)
(0)
8
8
0
My initial training in 78 at Parris Island after I enlisted in the USMCR went exactly as my recruiter had briefed. It was only later when I wanted to go an active duty did things change. I was only offered certain MOS not anything close to what I wanted to get into with the statement of take it or leave it. The Air Force was not only more accommodating but turned into a great place to spend a career.
(8)
(0)
8
8
0
Both my parents were Army, so I had a solid idea of what I was getting myself into. That being said, a lot had changed since my parents had left the service. Looking back, I may have tried harder to get into the Airforce as a JTAC or CCT. Mainly for the opportunities outside of the service. There isn't much out there for an infantryman.
(8)
(0)
Cpl Peter Martuneac
I wouldn't worry about it too much, staff sergeant. When I got out and potential employers asked me about what I did in the Marines, I found a way to turn "slaying bodies and blowing stuff up" into the stuff they want to hear, like developing leadership skills, critical thinking, multitasking, and working well under duress. It's all true, so you're not lying, but they don't need to hear about all the less "politically correct" stuff. It's all about how you package yourself.
(2)
(0)
8
8
0
I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I would never change my branch or MOS. Besides my wife and children, the Army is the best thing that ever happened to me, its made me the man I am today.
(8)
(0)
8
8
0
This is going to be kind of long. I originally was going to join the Marines, buy 2 of my buddies talked me into the Navy thru the buddy system. I thought about it, and said OK, because my old man served in the Navy. They pulled out of MEPS two weeks before shipping off to boot camp, and I was"stuck" with going to Navy. I was upset at first, but then I realized that the Navy was pretty awesome. I do not regret joining the Navy, and now me and my father can swap some fun stories about our Navy careers.
(8)
(0)
PO1 Stephen Caldonetti
Thank you, I was mostly stationed in San Diego, and it was nice there also. I definitely miss the Navy, and its great to see so many fine men and women continuing this great Navy
(0)
(0)
7
7
0
Never considered anything but the Air Force. Was assigned to a job for which I was not qualified. I did the best I could and earned 2 promotions. While doing that job I took full advantage of available education and found myself selected to go to school for a degree and then a commission.
Things turned sour after Viet Nam and I was forced out.
Finished in the Army Reserve.
I loved the Air Force and planned to spend 30 years. Got almost half of that.
Still no regrets.
Things turned sour after Viet Nam and I was forced out.
Finished in the Army Reserve.
I loved the Air Force and planned to spend 30 years. Got almost half of that.
Still no regrets.
(7)
(0)
7
7
0
My recruiter had it easy, I walked in and said sign me up. I knew what I wanted, I knew I was ready.
(7)
(0)
MSgt Chris Adams
No, I entered via the Los Angeles MEPS in 1991. Not positive but I think the one I went through was damaged during the Rodney King riots.
(0)
(0)
SPC Michael Puckett
I had to enter active duty at the Fresno MEPS in 1992 due to the LA MEPS being completely destroyed.
(0)
(0)
CW4 (Join to see)
With out a doubt I got everything I bargained for. I wanted 3 things from the Army. I wanted to be an officer, fly helicopters and be assigned over seas in Germany. I got all of that and then some. I was prior Air Force and honestly I wanted to experience more of the soldiering involved in the military life. The Army fit that bill. I retire this month and I have no regrets other than I could of taken more advantage of the opportunities in the Army. The Army allows you to apply for anything. As long as you have the credentials the Army will take you on. No other branch will give you that kind of latitude. After I left active duty Air Force life I stayed in the AF reserves. When I applied for the Army I was basically a civilian with no prior aviation or Army experience. I applied for Warrant Officer school and aviation school. I took the test, passed and on to the Army I went. I ended up flying the AH64D LongBow attack helicopter and will retire as a CW4 this month. I served in Kosovo and Iraq. I have been all over the world and seen the world from the sky....how great is that.
(2)
(0)
MSgt Jim Wolverton
Same here, I knew that I wanted to joing the AF from a young age and it never changed throughout high school.
(0)
(0)
6
6
0
It took a second time to get it right. I joined the Navy at 17 and then went back in after Sept 11. 2 totally different ways of doing business. The Navy was like a job. You went to work you did your job and that was it. It was a nice way to do things.
The Army is more like well the ARMY. You shit in a bag and you eat out of one too. Somebody is always bitching about something. You go off to some country you care nothing about and run up and down the roads waiting for some caveman with a cell phone to blow you up. I LOVED THE ARMY!!! It was an adventure everyday and It was something different every day. I thank God every day I reenlisted in the Army.
The Army is more like well the ARMY. You shit in a bag and you eat out of one too. Somebody is always bitching about something. You go off to some country you care nothing about and run up and down the roads waiting for some caveman with a cell phone to blow you up. I LOVED THE ARMY!!! It was an adventure everyday and It was something different every day. I thank God every day I reenlisted in the Army.
(6)
(0)
LTC Wayne Brandon
Now this made me laugh! It hit home and while Army ways could be a real pain in the neck at times, I loved nearly every minute of my career and would do it again in a heartbeat.
(1)
(0)
5
5
0
I enlisted when I was 27 with the goal of commissioning. I chose the Army because their commissioning age offered me a chance to meet that goal. My enlisted time was more than I hoped for and turned out better than I could have planned. My experiences and training set me far apart from my peers and continues to as I begin this new phase in my career. It was definitely more than I expected, but everything I hoped for.
(5)
(0)
(1)
(0)
(0)
(0)
1LT Benjamin Flasher
Likewise, Sir. I enlisted at 30 with every intention of commissioning when I finished my degree. Now almost 33, I report to OCS next month.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google