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

I think so. I kind of knew that I'd be riding a desk for a while, so my decision to join the Marine Corps gave me good reason to get up off my keister and do something. It changed the way I think, the way I eat...and the way I live. I will always be grateful for that, until the day I die.

I was a Joint Officer so I saw the best and worst of all services.

All are similar in that the CORPORATE CORE it is less rewarding because it is coldly about number of authorized billets, funding & the Service's aggregate goals ("yes Col Snuffy did no wrong but we need to hang someone since this [pick an event] went public"). Out in the operational arms, the focus on dedication, loyalty & service is more rewarding. Neither are wrong, they just deal with different realities ("what you see depends on where you sit.").

With that in mind I loved my timing in the USAF although as a late bloomer, I figured out "the career game" too late but would not change anything regardless. In my case, ignorance (of the sausage making) was bliss. Glad I was focused on the flying and the "story" from training ('fly fight win' etc) and ignored or missed "the game." I hear the same from many friends who were on the same type vector as myself and from those on a much more successful track (O6+). This is true of all services from my observation.

I will say two things stood out to me from 21yr - how did I miss the Coast Guard? Great role & awesome locations! Marines - while they tend to take their recruiting materials too seriously...seem to overall produce the best officers (though they don't need the volume needed by big Services) of the 4 services. Apples to oranges but its worth saying.

So - yes. Loved it & appreciate the other services as well.

No, when I went in, my one drill sergeant was a drug addict and the other was just trying to get along. I went through basic but left, shortly thereafter. didn't see the need to be in . Our company commander walked around with a camera all day. that was about it. waste of my time. thankfully, I was a ghost operator before I went in and went back to chasing drug lords. at least, I knew who the enemy was.

Joining the Airforce is a tradition we've started. I followed my brother, and my younger brothers will follow soon. Even if it is a different branch, I'll still be proud

Back when I joined the Navy, it was to have a choice. We would be drafted immediately on leaving high school, so the only real choice was which service you would enter. I was glad I chose the Navy, and I did get what I expected from them. Eventually, after a four year hiatus, I returned and completed a 27 year career. Would I join today's Navy? Probably not. Too much political correctness in all the services, but the Navy seems to be specializing in it. They are doing away with centuries of tradition and pretty much gentrifying what used to be a proud service. Your mileage might differ. Oh, and by the way, you will not be leading soldiers. When you graduate, you will lead either Sailors, or Marines. What are they teaching you at that Academy?

My decision was based on difficulty and appearance, but also that my dad was a Marine as well. I wanted to look great, but also have a challenge.

I am beyond happy I chose to become a Marine.

After my first year in college I found myself very disillusioned and regretting not joining straight out of high school. I was considering dropping out and joining, but managed to wander into the local ROTC office. The PMS talked to me, said I could try out the class with no obligations. Well, after a year, I was sold, I went to LTC that summer and contracted. I never saw myself as a leader, but ROTC really changed me, and I was good at it.

My only real regret was being assessed into the reserves instead of active duty, but, with the wars currently winding down, it is nice that I get to do everything a normal infantry officer gets to do while also being able to focus on my civilian side. Overall, I could not be happier with joining the Army, I would do it again in a heart beat.

I had family members that had served in all the branches of the military, so I had enough information on what to expect when I enlisted for the U.S. Army.

The USMC recruiters promised me everything!! Once I was through boot camp it became clear that I was lied to! I made the best of my 4 year hitch. It definitely had an impact on my decision to end my time in the military and not persue a career. That being said the experience I recieved while serving has changed my life for the better and I still carry that degree of perfesionalism with me. It has helped me through out my live and made me the man /father/worker I am today. For that alone I am greatful!!
SEMPER FI !!!!

Navy CB's best thing I ever did!