What made you want to join the military? Also did you make lifelong friends while in?

AN Jacob Thiede-Smith — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 03:30:08 -0400

Also do you ever think about ehen you originally joined as a bright eyed recruit who was rrady for anything? Who wanted to keep serving or did that slowly change overtime?

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Mar 16 at 2020 3:37 AM

SPC Nancy Greene — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 03:37:28 -0400

Personally; I wanted to become a lawyer.
Never made any ‘lifelong’ friends while on Active Duty; however, I only stayed in for almost 4 years before requesting a medical discharge. I did utilize VR through the VA fir MS degrees.

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Mar 16 at 2020 3:49 AM

SGT Robert Pryor — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 03:49:23 -0400

I am still friends with all of the surviving members of my team -- after 51 years. I joined so I could go to Viet Nam. I learned to love it over time.

Response by SGT Ej P. made Mar 16 at 2020 5:35 AM

SGT Ej P. — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 05:35:51 -0400

AN Jacob Thiede-Smith cuz of Family both in the Military and Law Enforcement... since high school being in JROTC, always wanted to be in the Army... FOR SURE! some of my lifelong friends now are my battle buddies especially those who I deployed with!

Response by SPC Joseph Kopac made Mar 16 at 2020 6:13 AM

SPC Joseph Kopac — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 06:13:13 -0400

Draft number 103. My wife asked if all the guys I trained with had the same birthday. The Army somehow split us up so that wouldn’t happen.
Yes, I am still in contact with a pal who was in the same squad in Vietnam.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 16 at 2020 6:29 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 06:29:18 -0400

Had two uncles that were WWII Navy vets, had other relatives fight in various wars in different branches of the military.

Response by 1SG John Highfill made Mar 16 at 2020 6:46 AM

1SG John Highfill — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 06:46:35 -0400

As a young man I dreamed of joining the Army I guess it was growing up in the 50s and 60s helped shape that mindset

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2020 7:09 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 07:09:42 -0400

The Judge uncovered unrealized needs. Just kidding.

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Mar 16 at 2020 7:23 AM

LTC Stephan Porter — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 07:23:45 -0400

Joined for the training and money for school... stayed to serve!

And yes, made some tremendous, lifelong friends over the ost 30+ years!

Moreover, it is our ability to pickup where we left off with friends from years ago (that maybe we haven’t seen in awhile), and how quickly we can become friends, that makes the biggest difference.

Response by 1SG John Highfill made Mar 16 at 2020 8:02 AM

1SG John Highfill — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 08:02:02 -0400

It shaped the man I became going to Viet Nam has affected me the most and made the adult I am mostly in a positive way

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2020 8:34 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 08:34:17 -0400

Had a job that ended, and basically only other jobs available were minimum wage, so I didn't join to serve. I joined because I was unemployed.
I wasn't ready for anything.
Made a number of lifelong friends.
Over time I decided to retire.

Response by SrA Zach Litgen made Mar 16 at 2020 10:30 AM

SrA Zach Litgen — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 10:30:45 -0400

I was in highschool when 9/11 occurred. After seeing this I clearly made a decision to join the military and make a difference so that would not happen again. After tours to Iraq and being in the service, 6 years was enough for me. However, my 2 best friends are from the military. 1 of which was my sister flight in basic training. Never regret my service. Proud to serve!

Response by SP5 Leo Fitz made Mar 16 at 2020 11:29 AM

SP5 Leo Fitz — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 11:29:13 -0400

When we were young,(50sand 60s) that is what my family did.Five enlisted different times of course, two of us stayed in the states ,three over seas. One of us went to nam, but didnot return. I never thought about staying in but did my time honorably. Yes I made some friends, but all gone now. No regrets.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2020 11:47 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 11:47:18 -0400

I believed that aiding South Vietnam was a just cause, and as with SGT Robert Pryor, I knew I was going to Vietnam. My father died serving our country, so I also wanted to serve our country.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2020 12:08 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 12:08:17 -0400

Long story short. I originally only joined for school, but realized I loved it so much more than just a stepping stone.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Mar 17 at 2020 6:37 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 18:37:33 -0400

I enlisted when I was 18 knowing I would be drafted but wanting to control where I went. I keep in touch on a regular basis with the man who was in the lower bunk with me in the upper during recruit training and reunite with my friends from Vietnam (69) regularly. I joined fully intending to serve my three year enlistment then leave, but after I recognized what we meant to our nation, I stayed for 25.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Mar 17 at 2020 9:48 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 21:48:43 -0400

9/11 happened my Senior year of high school. I never had any interest in joining the military, but about 6-7 months later I suddenly felt that it was what I needed to do. Wouldn't trade any of it for the world, although by the time my first enlistment was up (and I had been stop-lossed for a year & a half), I was burned out and needing something different.

There's still a few people I keep in semi-regular contact with; no matter the time since we last talked we always pick up like it was yesterday.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 18 at 2020 7:08 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 19:08:05 -0400

I wanted to be a leader.
I wanted a varied career.
I believe in a strong military.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2020 7:24 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 07:24:02 -0400

I joined during the Iran hostage crisis. I made several friends I still keep in touch with friends from 40 years ago.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Mar 19 at 2020 10:55 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 10:55:42 -0400

To escape not working in the same place my father did- joined on my 19th birthday after working two jobs for a year after graduation. I have not left yet and in May go over 36 years- it has been a good career. I am the first in my family to graduate college- very late in life, but still. Took a commission after 28 years enlisted. Have traveled all over the world and have friends in many different countries. A month ago I made contact with a family I was stationed with back in the 80s- he was the best mentor and friend and just feel out of touch over PCSs and life. 32 years later- picked right up where we left off. I speak with frineds from other countries weekly if not more. I have a place to stay in almost every region I want to travel too.

Good question.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Mar 19 at 2020 10:59 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 10:59:43 -0400

It shaped me as a man joining at the age of 17 and I grasped onto it fo 37 straight years from PVT to Staff Sergeant and then from 2LT to COL. I've made many friends and as a veterans I continued to make more friends here on RallyPoint AN Jacob Thiede-Smith! Never thought about stopping until I reached a point where it was time to let uthers get promoted and move up the ladder of leadership and then onto my next phase of helping Veterans.

Mikel J. Burroughs
Colonel (Retired)
Chairman, Board of Directors
Victory for Veterans (VFV)

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Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Mar 19 at 2020 11:43 AM

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 11:43:02 -0400

I joined the Army in 1966 as I felt it was the thing to do for our country. It opened my mind and eyes and helped me grow in ways that are hard to explain! Would I do it again - Hell Yes!!!

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made Mar 19 at 2020 3:24 PM

SGT Steve McFarland — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 15:24:15 -0400

I joined the Army to realize my dream of being a professional musician, without having to compete with every other wannabe musician for a place to play.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2020 4:44 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 16:44:03 -0400

This is a rough question. I joined for two primary reasons: to improve my daughter's life (she is about to turn 13) so she got better than what I had, and to serve for those that couldn't. I joined in 2008, so DADT and the trans ban was still in full effect. While I was worried, my daughter and life long friends helped me feel stronger. Most of my family served our great nation, it was the natural choice for me in the end.

Response by PO1 Tim Smith made Apr 11 at 2020 1:18 PM

PO1 Tim Smith — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 13:18:13 -0400

I joined because I couldn’t afford to go to college and I didn’t want to work in a factory my whole life. I learned a great skill and keep in contact with a couple guys from my ship after 40 years. I enjoyed the Navy and would have continued to serve after my 6 year enlistment, but 6 to 9 month cruises everything other year doesn’t make for a great family life!

Response by CMSgt Donald ONeill made Apr 12 at 2020 9:32 PM

CMSgt Donald ONeill — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 21:32:21 -0400

I always want to join the military as a kid . Even after I got out of Vietnam I missed the military and joined the Air National Guard . Most of my friends from Vietnam are now gone but have many from the Guard I keep in touch with

Response by SCPO Michael Beard made May 22 at 2020 12:30 AM

SCPO Michael Beard — Fri, 22 May 2020 00:30:29 -0400

I joined back in 1971 to keep from being drafted into the Army. Had no interest in going to Viet Nam so the Navy was the best I could think of on avoiding the draft in to the Army. First duty station was the Philippines and ended up going TDY for 10 months to Vietnam. It turned out to be a good decision because I ended up spending 26 years in the Navy and met a lot of great people that ended up being life long friends.