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

When I joined the Delayed Entry program for the Army in 1982, I had already spoke with the recruiters of the USMC, and Air Force. The Army gave me a kicker for the VEAP, thus giving me an additional $12,000 for my post secondary education. I eventually cashed in my contribution to the VEAP, when I was married and expecting our first child. I enjoyed my career in the Army and was at the 10 year mark when I was given a hardship discharge due to family issues at the time. In 2000, I joined the NY Air National Guard, to increase my retirement points, but I was accepted into the AGR program and began building my active duty so I could retire in 2010. I miss the camaraderie and the mission. I made the most of my duty assignments by experiencing the local culture and pushed to further my career by seeking more training and receiving my Bachelor's degree while on Active Duty.

@ Cadet LT Ruben Vargas. My first love was always the Army. Unfortunately my school's ROTC Battalion (Liberty Battalion-Northeastern University) did not impress me so I wavered a little bit and actually walked into the Marine Corps recruiters at one point. Long story short, I did the civilian thing for a bit, then came in enlisted and eventually got my OCS packet. I have absolutely no regrets. I love my choice of the Infantry. It is, among the other combat arms branches the only field in which you have direct contact with an opponent equally vested in your failure. I have spent countless cold nights, especially here at Fort Drum, out in the field wondering why God hates the Infantry so much but at the end of it all you are in a brotherhood of men (and perhaps soon to be women) who willingly chose a field that pits their mettle against the others of all our adversaries. No other feeling like it. Out on a patrol or in direct engagement with the enemy you are with with your brothers and it is up to each of you to take the best you get from the enemy and pay it in kind and more. There is no more powerful a way to feel alive than to experience other's attempts to deny you that right. Truth be told, that is why I picked the Infantry. Not for some thirst for glory but to know that whatever test I faced, I had my men with and around me to face it head on. Of course, now I am on Staff where all hope goes to die. Climb to Glory.

I am very happy I ended up in the army. Initially I wanted to become a navy corpsman but my recruiter kept pushing me away from that job and trying to get me to become a nuke. I told him no and he refused to do my paperwork. So I walked over to an army recruiter, told him I wanted medic, 4 months later I was in BCT. At the time I had very little knowledge of the army but know that I am in I love my branch.

I have had the opportunity to be a part of two branches. Both the Army and Navy have provided unique opportunities and experiences. I don’t know if I could ever say either was exactly what I expected, but I can easily say both are much more than I expected.

Wanted to join the Marines, they said go back to school.....I know right! Went down the line and Navy was happy to allow me to chip paint. Little did I know back then, 5 years later I would be with a Marine Infantry unit as a Corpsman. I put everything into the Navy, and it gave me everything back. Great family (wife issued in my sea bag), Masters degree that I did not pay a dime for...and still have my full post 9/11 bill, and lifelong friends. Yes I would not of changed anything!

I could not ask for a better experience than I got, although I dis not get my full 6 years, I still got more experience from deploying and serving than any other job I've held in my time in the workforce.

I chose ARMY due to the high quality of training in Electronics. Many people told me AIR FORCE or NAVY would be better but I went to Redstone Arsenal and audited a few classes. After I got out I spent 31 years in Data Center IT and made serious money every year. I retired early and am very happy.

Thank You,

Rick

It was what I thought it would be, however it's changes now almost twenty years later...had I known I may have chosen differently

I really think I expected less until I went to my specialized traing, WOW, I was not ready for that, but survived where so many failed. After that really nothing much surprised me and I did love it!!!!

I had wanted to be in the Air Force and fly Jets since I was young. When I got glasses in 5th grade my dreams were crushed. But I still had a love affair with anything that flies. After 2 years in college and doing quite horrible, I knew I needed a change. I went to the Air Force recruiter and said, what can you do for me. Its been 23 years since then 2 since my retirement, and I never regretted it. I still have a passion for anything that flies, but now I just read the history and hopefully record it for others with similar tastes.