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

Yes I was satisfied I looked at all the Branches before I decided.

One of the reasons I joined the military was because I could not stand my stepfather. The second reason I joined was because I could not afford to go to college after I graduated high school. I enjoyed my time in the Air Force. As for what I expected there was really not a whole lot that I expected during my time in the Air Force. One of my older sisters had joined the Army after she graduated high school. When she found out that I had enlisted in the Air Force she was highly upset with me. So I did not talk to her for almost six months. The first time we talked after I enlisted, she noticed a change in my attitude. So she decided that I had made the right decision for me. I hope this helps answer your question.

I knew for a long time I would join the military, and after growing up in the Air Force, I knew that wasnt what I wanted. My father was Navy during WW II before moving to the newly created USAF. After discussions with him and friends who went Navy, I did too. With their help, I more or less already knew what to expect, especially regarding initiation rights & jokes that were played on the "new" guy after reaching one's first ship. Back in the mid to late 70's ('76) things were pretty much what I expected and what I was told to expect. I wouldnt hesitate to go back in time and do it all over again.

ATON... who joins the CG wanting to be the hwy repair man? But after A school I was sent to a small boat Station. LE, Search and Rescue, cool joint ops and all the fish I could catch. I kept my feet ground and changed my expectations as I matured.

I never spoke with any of the other branches. I just chose the one I believed would challenge me the most. However, after my first enlistment ended, I spoke to an Army recruiter about the WOFT program. But when Kuwait was invaded, I couldn't see myself in any other branch, so I reenlisted into the Marine Corps.

I think the majority of us probably didn't have much of an idea about the workings of each individual branch other than the obvious...Air Force=bombers and fighters, Navy and Coast Guard=ships and other water-borne vessels, Marines=Army-like force delivered on water-borne vessels, and Army=tanks and paratroopers. It is mostly after we become involved that we really develop the ability to compare, and it is usually a continuous learning process in that regard. I spent an entire career in the Army and I'm still learning. I had no real idea of exactly what I was getting into because at that point in my life I had no real idea what I wanted to be in life and I was searching for it. I have no regrets at all over the path I took and would do it again if we were blessed with imperishable bodies which didn't age and break down.

In my case it is a family tradition dating back to my 4th great-grandfather, Conrad Pulis who crossed the Delaware with General Washington, that our family serves in the Army. My daughter has carried on that tradition with the pride such traditions deserve.

I chose Army and I am/was happy with the choice. It was a bit less challenging than I expected.

Joining the Army was my decision. I walked in to the recruiters office and asked where do I sign. Sure there are thoughts about what it may have been like if I joined other services, but the experiences I have had with the other Services have only confirmed I made the right decision.

My "choices" were pretty much made for me. After doing Beast Barracks at West Point, the Docs decided they didn't like my eyes. So the choice was E-3 and off to 'Nam or Honorable Discharge. Took walking papers as I wanted to go to engineering school. During my first year at a JC, I pulled a draft number of TWO. So that meant I was headed to boot and E-1 Army for 'Nam. I did a bicep slap on that one and joined the Navy Reserve. Boot and A-School at Great Lakes. Graduated 1st in the class and did some Active for a while. Wanted to get back to school so stayed reserve. Working at hospitals and going to war for my summer vacations paid for UCLA. I liked the military so looked at officer programs. They all wanted to send me to OCS which after doing Beast and Boot I wasn't interested. The Navy relented and had me do the 6 weeks at Newport, RI in the Officer Indoctrination School. You went there already an O-1. I can't tell you how tough it was to live in King Hall with 6 other guys who were doctors and lawyers and 80+ nurses. 1976, Tall Ships for the Bicentennial, summer....

Career wise, it's always what you make of it. This one just happened to be my path. There were joys, tears, exhaustion, and boredom. It was worth it to me because I stood the watch and was able to take care of my crew.