What is the best reason you have heard for people joining the military?

2015-03-25T18:55:09-04:00

I know people join because family members present and past were in and it is a family tradition, and after 9/11 serving our country was a popular reason, but what are the off the wall reasons?

For instance - I failed out of college right out of high school, worked odd jobs for a year and was given an ultimatum by my dad - work construction with him, or go back to school. I went to buy sneakers instead, and ended up trying to introduce myself to an attractive young lady that ducked into the AF recruiters office before I had a chance to say hello. That was a Wednesday, and I signed up on Friday of that same week because of her walking into that office.

It all worked out and after six years as a TACP, there isn't a thing I can complain about...

So - what are the reasons?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2015 6:57 PM

2015-03-25T18:57:26-04:00

Learning about the real world and not just 25nm around one's house. lol

Response by TSgt Anthony Ellis made Mar 25 at 2015 7:18 PM

2015-03-25T19:18:23-04:00

The reason that I heard mostly back in the day was to get away from small town USA and explore the world. I must say that this was one reason that I joined the USAF in 1977 and had fun my entire twenty years!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 3:49 PM

2015-03-26T15:49:33-04:00

Although it sounds selfish I joined for school. Going to med school is expensive and I was after the GI Bill at the time and to get away from the small town that I lived in. Now, going to school is still one of my main priorities but so is actually serving and helping other service members.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 10:49 PM

2015-03-26T22:49:58-04:00

Duty, Honor, Respect, vocational training. masochistic.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2015 1:57 PM

2015-03-27T13:57:11-04:00

My family has a history of military service, so that influence was there from a young age. My hometown offered little opportunity after high school, and I had no desire to go to college at that point in my life. By joining the Air Force, I could do something meaningful, get out of my hometown, and it didn't require a college degree. Really wasn't a tough decision for me. One of the best decisions I ever made.

Response by SSG Matt Murphy made Mar 28 at 2015 6:20 PM

2015-03-28T18:20:11-04:00

Older brothers....my heroes.....

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Mar 31 at 2015 11:46 PM

2015-03-31T23:46:58-04:00

I heard one of the people in my unit from 2/17 CAV, 101 ABN, say that he had been waiting his entire life to serve. His dad was with the 101st...grandpa was in the 101st...great-grandpa was in 1 ID. That's all I can remember, but it kept going.......

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 12:14 AM

2015-04-01T00:14:10-04:00

I don't think that the reason someone joins is as important as what they make and get out of it. I joined to kill three years of my life because I had to be 21 to be a cop and 19 years later I am still doing it. Plus hearing someone say that they wanted to part of something bigger than themselves is a cop out answer they heard in a commercial.

Response by BG David Fleming III made Apr 1 at 2015 8:39 AM

2015-04-01T08:39:57-04:00

The best reason I've heard for joining, was said from someone watching the towers fall on 9/11, feeling obligated to answer the call and serve the nation.

Response by Cpl Bernard Bates made Dec 28 at 2020 1:09 PM

2020-12-28T13:09:34-05:00

I was 17 never been anywhere. I spent my whole life on a farm. I wanted to see the world. My family was poor so the Marine Corp was my answer to travel. I heard a lot about the Marine Corp and I wanted to be the best. I spent 18 months on Okinawa and a year in Vietnam. In 4yrs I was also at Parris Island, Camp Lejune. Vieques Puerto Rico, Quantico Va., Camp Pendleton aboard the USMTS Daniel Sultan and the MSTS Mann. The Marine Corp said "if the Marines wanted you to have a wife they would issue you one." So after 4yrs and only 21 I joined the Army. They didnt care if I got Married. I spent 3yrs in the Army with my last yr. in Vietnam. Those 7yrs in the service was the best time of my life. Semper Fi.