What made you want to serve?

2015-01-04T07:53:28-05:00

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.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 4 at 2015 8:02 AM

2015-01-04T08:02:57-05:00

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.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Jan 4 at 2015 7:59 AM

2015-01-04T07:59:04-05:00

My 3rd gen grandfather was a Buffalo Soldier, so in essence to keep the family tradition going?

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jan 4 at 2015 8:52 AM

2015-01-04T08:52:29-05:00

As the son of a Soldier, my father was my hero growing up. So, it was only natural that I follow his footsteps and I would not have traded the experiences for anything else.

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made Jan 4 at 2015 11:10 AM

2015-01-04T11:10:18-05:00

Never really considered anything else seriously. Told myself I was joining for college money... It was a good a lie as any... But truth is that its a family tradition.(Hank Williams)

My grandpa was Army with Pershing in Mexico and in France... My Dad was Army in WWII in the ETO jumping the Rhine... Older brothers in Vietnam... I've managed to hit everything between 83 to 05... And could I break the mold? No my son enlisted in 07 is going on his 8th year in the Army also.

I hate to say it... But I guess its in the blood! "This We'll Defend!"

Or the more biblical quote... Isiah 6:8 and the lord said, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?". And I said, " here am I! Send me!"

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 11:22 AM

2015-01-04T11:22:11-05:00

I grew up in Yokosuka, and spent the majority of my life around the Navy, so in the back of my mind, I always knew I'd end up joining. I did three years of college, but poor effort and lack of discipline on my part got the best of me, so I went to the recruiter, took the ASVAB, eventually signed a Nuke contract, and now here I am.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jan 4 at 2015 11:42 AM

2015-01-04T11:42:44-05:00

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).

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 3:58 PM

2015-01-04T15:58:54-05:00

I do not know for sure when I decided I would serve, it has always been something I knew I would do. The last group in my family to serve were grandparents and out of six kids I am the only to do so. Though a majority of them are very patriotic it was not something they had ever wanted to do.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2015 1:04 PM

2015-01-05T13:04:13-05:00

Real cheesy but here goes...

Col. Kilgore stepping off of that Huey in Apocalypse Now, unbothered by a mortar round landing right near him. I wanted to be that guy, in the crisp, freshly starched BDU's with the spitshined black boots.

Unfortunately I got ACU's and tan boots, but I dont regret any of it because at the end of the day I found it was the professionalism the service has that i have yet to see anywhere else on the globe.

But, I was raised to believe that every citizen should give back to our country, and I still believe to this day that ideal to be true. Maybe not actively in the military, but some sort of service for the government.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 7:03 PM

2015-01-06T19:03:58-05:00

Originally, it was from broken heart and failing to do well in college. My folks told me that they'd foot the bill for college as long as I kept my grades up... I didn't, and they held to their end of the bargain. I broke up with my girlfriend in the spring of that year, and I REALLY needed a change of scenery. I knew the Army would help pay for college with the GI Bill, and I raised my right hand and departed for Fort Benning right after the school year ended. I also had a bit of a patriotic streak, so that was sprinkled on top of my reasoning.

Pretty mercenary, but pretty common. Money and love...

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Jan 8 at 2015 12:29 PM

2015-01-08T12:29:56-05:00

I first joined the Army to obtain money for college and to learn a trade, I knew at 18 I did not have the self discipline to go to college and succeed. Yes, I could have stayed home with mom and dad and worked until I was ready but I wanted to see the world as well. So I found the nearest recruiter and enlisted. My factors money for college, a job, skills, and discipline.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2020 8:32 PM

2020-01-28T20:32:54-05:00

Honestly? Like, no-sh*t embarrassing awful unfiltered truth?

It looked easy.

Harder truth: that assessment has mostly been correct, and I’m well into my third decade of service