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I joined the Army when I was 17 to escape a bad family situation and to earn some college money and I fulfilled my contract and ETS'd three years later because I felt like I was just too stubborn and independent for an Army career. But looking back on it nearly 50 years later, the Army was really good for me and to me. It gave me a stable life for three years while I grew up some and kind of got my act together. It taught me electronics, which helped me innumerable times in my career. I learned what a good leader is from so many great examples, and what a bad leader is from a few bad ones. It taught me lessons that made me a better husband, father, employee and friend, and gave me a wealth of stories to turn to if conversation ever flags. I had a chance to serve my country and stand tall with my fellow Vets. How about you? What did you get out of the military? I'd love to hear your story.
Posted in these groups: 
Military Life
Military Career
Military Life Military Career
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 21
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If someone had told me I’d Enlist in the Army in 1983, I would have thought they had lost their last functioning brain cell!
I graduated HS in 1974 and from UNC-G in 1978. A BA in Psychology wasn’t in demand; however I did manage to become a Probation/Parole Officer in 1981. (seems my desire to take a course on Juvenile Delinquency led to a minor in Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice.)
After two years spending countless hours in Judges Chambers with Attorneys making plea deals inspired me to become a lawyer. I was very comfortable in the Court Room and never lost a case nor was my input ignored by Judges.
My issue became financial and my Dad suggested the Military. Five of my six Uncles and my Fad served during WWII. My Uncle Ensign Eugene A Greene was a dive bomber during the Battle of Midway. My Dad was Army Air Corps during WWII and AF during Korea. He was a bombardier.
I went to the recruiting station in Fayetteville and, even though I hadn’t taken the ASVAB, the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps were definitely interested in a college graduate who wanted to Enlist! My original choice was AF, but the recruiter made me angry and I made him very angry when he received my ASVAB scores. I was also interested in the Navy. My deciding factor was actually the length of the contract and not having to cut my waist length hair. My contract was Basic, AIT, OCS, and then Airborne.
I was injured in Combat Basic in January 1984 and still managed to graduate, only 125 of the females who started Basic with me graduated. AIT was easy (75C, Personell Management. I was still suffering from my injury, but managed to survive. During my out processing physical, it was finally diagnosed I had broken my anterior and superior right pelvic bones. There went OCS and Airborne. I was offered a medical discharge after AIT graduation. I opted to stay in and awarded a P3 Profile. I could still keep my MOS, however, my contact had to be rewritten. I worked the E7 Promotion Board while awaiting my new contract and PCS orders.
Ft McClellan Alabama was a great duty station! I worked Monday through Friday 0730-1630 in a skirt!
After 18 months, I came down on orders to Germany. Unfortunately, no one at McClellan knew anything about this post in Germany!
That was due to the fact it was a NATO Combat post in northern Germany closest to the Berlin Wall! Why would you send an injured female with a husband and three month old baby to a Combat Post! (needs of the Army)
Northern Germany was freezing and I was once again NCOIC of Enlisted Promotions for the entire (3500) post. I loved my job and working with the Infantry, Artillery, Tankers, and 2/1 CAV was always exciting! My Unit hated me because I arrived in highly startched BDU’S and spit-shined boots! I did come from TRADOC and now I was 2nd Armored Division (FWD)...Patton’s Unit from WWII.
After 18 months of freezing, pain, frustration, constant alerts, and 12 hour days; I requested a medical discharge. I flew TDY to the Medical Board and got 20% service connected rating and an Honorable Discharge.
I didn’t go to law school, instead I obtained two Masters Degrees from
ECU and worked for the Marine Corps as a behavior therapist at Camp LeJeune.
I learned numerous lessons in the Army. I built upper body strength and knew paper processing isn’t difficult nor does it takes weeks!
My Army background was a plus while working for the Marine Corps. I just had to learn the difference in rank.
A learned dedication and determination.
The most important thing I learned was: “Adapt & Overcome”.
I don’t fit a minute regret my decision, even though it took me thirty years to reach 100% service connected.
My one regret was being stationed at Ft McClellan as it was a toxic waste dump and the water and soil were literally poisoned by PCB’s from the Monsanto plant beside the Post. PCB is one of the chemical components of Agent Orange.
I graduated HS in 1974 and from UNC-G in 1978. A BA in Psychology wasn’t in demand; however I did manage to become a Probation/Parole Officer in 1981. (seems my desire to take a course on Juvenile Delinquency led to a minor in Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice.)
After two years spending countless hours in Judges Chambers with Attorneys making plea deals inspired me to become a lawyer. I was very comfortable in the Court Room and never lost a case nor was my input ignored by Judges.
My issue became financial and my Dad suggested the Military. Five of my six Uncles and my Fad served during WWII. My Uncle Ensign Eugene A Greene was a dive bomber during the Battle of Midway. My Dad was Army Air Corps during WWII and AF during Korea. He was a bombardier.
I went to the recruiting station in Fayetteville and, even though I hadn’t taken the ASVAB, the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps were definitely interested in a college graduate who wanted to Enlist! My original choice was AF, but the recruiter made me angry and I made him very angry when he received my ASVAB scores. I was also interested in the Navy. My deciding factor was actually the length of the contract and not having to cut my waist length hair. My contract was Basic, AIT, OCS, and then Airborne.
I was injured in Combat Basic in January 1984 and still managed to graduate, only 125 of the females who started Basic with me graduated. AIT was easy (75C, Personell Management. I was still suffering from my injury, but managed to survive. During my out processing physical, it was finally diagnosed I had broken my anterior and superior right pelvic bones. There went OCS and Airborne. I was offered a medical discharge after AIT graduation. I opted to stay in and awarded a P3 Profile. I could still keep my MOS, however, my contact had to be rewritten. I worked the E7 Promotion Board while awaiting my new contract and PCS orders.
Ft McClellan Alabama was a great duty station! I worked Monday through Friday 0730-1630 in a skirt!
After 18 months, I came down on orders to Germany. Unfortunately, no one at McClellan knew anything about this post in Germany!
That was due to the fact it was a NATO Combat post in northern Germany closest to the Berlin Wall! Why would you send an injured female with a husband and three month old baby to a Combat Post! (needs of the Army)
Northern Germany was freezing and I was once again NCOIC of Enlisted Promotions for the entire (3500) post. I loved my job and working with the Infantry, Artillery, Tankers, and 2/1 CAV was always exciting! My Unit hated me because I arrived in highly startched BDU’S and spit-shined boots! I did come from TRADOC and now I was 2nd Armored Division (FWD)...Patton’s Unit from WWII.
After 18 months of freezing, pain, frustration, constant alerts, and 12 hour days; I requested a medical discharge. I flew TDY to the Medical Board and got 20% service connected rating and an Honorable Discharge.
I didn’t go to law school, instead I obtained two Masters Degrees from
ECU and worked for the Marine Corps as a behavior therapist at Camp LeJeune.
I learned numerous lessons in the Army. I built upper body strength and knew paper processing isn’t difficult nor does it takes weeks!
My Army background was a plus while working for the Marine Corps. I just had to learn the difference in rank.
A learned dedication and determination.
The most important thing I learned was: “Adapt & Overcome”.
I don’t fit a minute regret my decision, even though it took me thirty years to reach 100% service connected.
My one regret was being stationed at Ft McClellan as it was a toxic waste dump and the water and soil were literally poisoned by PCB’s from the Monsanto plant beside the Post. PCB is one of the chemical components of Agent Orange.
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SPC Nancy Greene
SPC David Roberts you are most welcome. My story is definitely different from most! SPC David Roberts
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SGT (Join to see)
I went to that same recruiting office in late fall '82, with the AF on My mind. The recruiter said He had an open appt. a couple of months out, so I walked across the hall to the Army, and made somebody's month, a walk in that scored 135 on the ASVAB. Had to make a couple of trips to MEPPS in Raleigh before the Army and I agreed on a career path, glad they talked Me out of Nukes. Dealing with the VA is a sometimes biotch, but I'm really glad I have the option. I enjoyed My time active, and having it on the CV helped considerably in the after service life.
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SPC David Roberts Good and bad. Like my Father before me, I wanted to serve my country. I enlisted knowing that I would go to Vietnam. In Vietnam, I was in the bush when I heard that we had landed on the Moon, and I thought that the Space Program would be a good career. When I left Vietnam, I was in Okinawa when I learned that my best friend had been killed the day after I left country. Stateside, we had a bad drug problem and I decided to not re-enlist. I started work as an Operator at a chemical plant on the Houston Ship Channel. I started college and between my G.I. Bill and my high paying job, I was able to save money and buy a house. Once I earned my degree, I worked on the Space Shuttle Program for 33 years.
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