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People join for a multitude of reasons and I can't help but quote Jack Reacher: (Tom Cruise) "There are four types of people who join the military. For some, it's family trade. Others are patriots, eager to serve. Next you have those who just need a job. Than there's the kind who want the legal means of killing other people."
As a veteran of two wars and countless deployments I can honestly say most of these were or are BS and obviously dramatized or embellished for the sake of the audience.
I can't say that a war movie ever motivated me to join the service but some people, some heroes I've met did.
When I was a kid I was out shoveling snow for money and the elderly man I was working for offered me some hot cocoa afterwards. While I stood in his living room I noticed military memorabilia on the walls which sparked conversation. There was this silk map of Germany and a compass the size of a nickel in a frame that was the most memorable. He was a Jewish gentleman that was recruited by OSS during the war. The map was sewn inside his clothing because it wouldn't be felt if searched when captured and the compass.... Well it was put where no one would look for it. Apparently you would swallow it and wait to get it back.
It was heroes like this that made me join.
As a veteran of two wars and countless deployments I can honestly say most of these were or are BS and obviously dramatized or embellished for the sake of the audience.
I can't say that a war movie ever motivated me to join the service but some people, some heroes I've met did.
When I was a kid I was out shoveling snow for money and the elderly man I was working for offered me some hot cocoa afterwards. While I stood in his living room I noticed military memorabilia on the walls which sparked conversation. There was this silk map of Germany and a compass the size of a nickel in a frame that was the most memorable. He was a Jewish gentleman that was recruited by OSS during the war. The map was sewn inside his clothing because it wouldn't be felt if searched when captured and the compass.... Well it was put where no one would look for it. Apparently you would swallow it and wait to get it back.
It was heroes like this that made me join.
Heroes
Movies
Edited 5 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 11
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My 3rd gen grandfather was a Buffalo Soldier, so in essence to keep the family tradition going?
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I joined because there was something missing. I joined later in life-like a divorce, remarriage, two mortgages, two colleges, three kids and two dogs later in life.
Long story short, I wanted to enlist right out of high school, but was offered employment with the LA Co Fire Dept. I "postponed." I then made the jump to law enforcement and "life happened."
When I saw the chance to enlist this time I took it immediately (obviously with careful dialogue and consideration of my "XO" at home.)
I've been in about 2.5 years now and have loved every second of it.
I've met some amazing people. I've done some amazing things. I've been to some amazing places.
The experience has actually been surreal and a very welcome suprise. I knew I would like it. I just didn't know that I would like it this much. I've often said that I never feel as good as I do as when I'm around other Soldiers and service members.
Also, my Dad was and is a Soldier. He served during Vietnam (HHC/1/22/4ID '68-'69).
Long story short, I wanted to enlist right out of high school, but was offered employment with the LA Co Fire Dept. I "postponed." I then made the jump to law enforcement and "life happened."
When I saw the chance to enlist this time I took it immediately (obviously with careful dialogue and consideration of my "XO" at home.)
I've been in about 2.5 years now and have loved every second of it.
I've met some amazing people. I've done some amazing things. I've been to some amazing places.
The experience has actually been surreal and a very welcome suprise. I knew I would like it. I just didn't know that I would like it this much. I've often said that I never feel as good as I do as when I'm around other Soldiers and service members.
Also, my Dad was and is a Soldier. He served during Vietnam (HHC/1/22/4ID '68-'69).
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I joined our Army because I needed a change in my life. Only after I was in did I understand what "service to our Nation" was really all about. Aside from my family, the Army has been the biggest part of my life for almost the past 25 years. I continue to serve because I would have it no other way.
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SFC (Join to see)
I'm with you, Im still pushing on after a quarter of a century. People always ask me why and I jokingly reply, one because I can and two because I'm in better shape than most of the soldiers we have today.
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