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

I joined the USAF in 1969 and served to 1991. I enjoyed most all the assignments I got and the jobs I did. Too bad I was lied to until I became bitter towards my leadership. Few told the truth as most just politicked their way along and worked much harder to avoid doing their duties and stealing the credit for ideas and work done totally by others. What made it worse was that senior NCOs and commanders knew it and let it continue. I'm sure this practice continues today.

I was in the USAF, and a made a statement.

Had one of my friends from high school to go into the Marines with him. Well it took two years later and I went in and never regret it not once. I regret leaving the Marine Corps since that's all I did was serve eight years. Now I'm in the National Guard and it is a culture shock going from the toughest branch of service.

I joined the Air Force shouldn't I be flying planes, not this desk? ;) Its everything I thought it would be and shines in ways I would have never guessed! I talked to people that were in all branches before I 100% chose and the Air Force sounded best, then I went to talk to the recruiters and he reinforced what I was told (I didn't tell him I did market research prior) and by then I wasn't going to waste the other guys' time or give false hopes...

Fly.Fight.Win

I enlisted in the Air Force in 1972. Retired in 1992. I can't imagine picking another branch of service. I had no real preconceived ideas. I don't think I had a clue as to what I should expect. It was an adventure. I would have liked to travel more. Only did one overseas assignment in twenty years. But I can't imagine life in any other branch of service after working with all of them.

Army recruiter dicked me around for nine months. Walked next door and joined the Marines.

First choice was Army. Wouldn't of had it any other way.

I originally was going to the AF, my mother didn't approve. I was 1mo from turning 18. She wouldn't sign the papers. I told the recruiter to call me back on my birthday. He agreed. A wk after I turned 18, a recruiter called & asked when was I ready to join. I told him tomorrow. We got off the phone, once we agreed on a location to meet & go over my options. I walked in thinking it was the AF recruiter I was meeting. To my surprise, it was the Army. I went to MEPS the same wk & had my orders. (I did research & weighed my options before I jumped on the army wagon. I, not for 1 second regret my decision. I would do it all over again.

I was trying to get into the Air Force office, but the Marines were the door just before theirs, they astounded me with their confidence and uniforms and I was hooked.

I went in going for grunt, then had to switch it to combat engineer, didn't realize I was 1100/1300 combat utilities, and could have been anything with an 11 or 13 in front of it.
I ended being a gas pumper, so wasn't exactly what I expected job wise.

It met my expectations and more.
The skating concept I wasn't expecting, and I enjoyed.