What was your reason to serve your country? Did this reason change while serving?

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 22:32:07 -0400

Unfortunately. Service to country has become a thing of the past. Think about it In WW2 over 12% of society served. Now it's less than 1 (.5%).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2017 10:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 22:39:55 -0400

I joined shortly after September 11, 2001. My BASD is 8 May 2002. I did so because I felt a call to go 'do something' in response to what happened. There was also the added benefits of college that came with it. I was initially going to get out after that first 4 year enlistment, but a series of circumstances have occurred that led me to this 15 year mark. I don't regret a thing.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Sep 25 at 2017 10:40 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 22:40:42 -0400

I was in a bad place in my life. I had no direction and no meaning to my life. I wanted to be a part of something that was bigger than myself. So I started over, went to the recruiters office, and my life has never been better.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 25 at 2017 10:43 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 22:43:02 -0400

I served because we were at war with communism and that battle was being fought in Vietnam at the time. I served because I could. I suspect that the percentages of those serving would be higher if they were needed, but today's battles are fought with fewer, better service members. All volunteers.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Sep 25 at 2017 10:45 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 22:45:13 -0400

No money, lousy grades, crappy job. The Navy recruiter called me first. It was a fantastic 22 yrs.

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Sep 25 at 2017 10:59 PM

LTC Tom Jones — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 22:59:07 -0400

Draft notice received on 16 April 1967 which just happened to be my 21st birthday. Happy birthday from Uncle Sam.

Response by SP5 Rick LaJiness made Sep 25 at 2017 11:49 PM

SP5 Rick LaJiness — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 23:49:03 -0400

draft...1972-74

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 12:06 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 00:06:39 -0400

SFC Stephen King My father was a Captain in the Air Force who served in WW and Korea. When I was seven, my father was killed when his plane crashed during a training mission. I served because I believed that serving my country was the thing to do, and I also felt strongly that aiding South Vietnam was a just cause.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Sep 26 at 2017 1:17 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 01:17:46 -0400

The draft was in full force when I enlisted in the Air Force in 1966. At that point in time for every nine draftees eight went in the Army, one in the Marines. The Air Force and Navy never resorted to the draft. I had no reason to believe if I didn't enlist I wouldn't be drafted and I might have more choices. My high school grades were ok, I could have gone to college but I suspect I may not have done well if I did due to lack of motivation. I had no idea at that point in life what I wanted to do so it also gave Me some more time to decide.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 4:28 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 04:28:27 -0400

I originally enlisted because I ran out of money for college. I first tried to join right out of high school in 1982 but was turned down due to a shoulder injury. The Carter economy had choked my home town nearly to death in the early eighties and I lost numerous jobs because of business closures. Finally, I decided to try joining the military again in 1985. This time they took me since I'd had surgery on the shoulder. I did very well and tried to make it a career but with a "Needs of the Army" (NOTA) statement I went from a corporal promotable in an E-6 slot to a specialist in an E-2 slot and a new leadership that was intent on making sure I knew I wasn't an NCO yet. They put me on every crap detail they could until I made the cut-off score for E-5 and then they did a 180 trying to get me to reenlist. I was done. ETS'd and went back to college. Ended up back in the Army Reserve in '93 and then the Guard in '96. Can't seem to quit since I never developed a civilian career of any value. In it until I retire now, probably in 2024. Funny thing is that just about a month before I got that NOTA my BN CDR and BDE CDR offered me West Point and I turned them down like an idiot. Worst case I'd be a retired O-5 right now; best case I'd be tracking for a star. Now I'm just trying to make O-5 before I retire...

Response by PO3 Grant Skiles made Sep 26 at 2017 7:24 AM

PO3 Grant Skiles — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 07:24:12 -0400

I enlisted wanting money to finish my college education in Accounting. What I did not do is stick to my guns and go into the right rating for myself. I allowed my recruiter to talk mr into being an Electronics Technician. I loved doing the hands on and could trouble shoot gear that was not working properly. What I could not do is take the test very well. I wanted to be a Sea Bee or linguistics where my accounting courses would help me advance and finish my degree. It took me7 years after I left the Navy to go back to college and I finished my degree in Education. I did this with having full custody of 3 children.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Sep 26 at 2017 9:29 AM

SFC Stephen King — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 09:29:33 -0400

My reason is very simple I considered it an honor and duty to protect the freedom of those who served before and after me. I am a Navy Dependent and I choose to serve will in college so when Desert Storm was in effect I had to go active. Duty, country and Family.

This never changed and I was so happy when my Son carried on the tradition.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Sep 26 at 2017 10:08 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 10:08:05 -0400

SFC Stephen King "What was your reason to serve your country?"
If I may, your question may be better asked if you add "And did your reason change over time" or the like..

"What was your reason to serve your country?" for me can not be answered in a single reason.
I JOINED because it seemed an honorable way out of a life style I was not pleased with being in.
I stayed for almost 29 years because I felt the Nation needed a military, and if it needed one, it needed folks in the military that were pretty good at it....and I found I was pretty good at it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 10:23 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 10:23:44 -0400

SFC Stephen King I was stagnating in college. I had coasted through my Freshman & Sophomore years. My father was in the Air Force during Vietnam. One of his brothers had retired from the KS Air Guard. The other brother retired from Active Navy. My Maternal Grandfather served in WWII in France. After he passed, it was like a voice in my head telling me to check out service. I walked in to the recruiter's office & the rest is history. There was no negative force leading me that direction, rather my own mind trying to get me straight.
I feel like I didn't do enough, so I've been trying to get back in for 17+ years.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 10:51 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 10:51:01 -0400

Originally I enlisted because I wasn't a good student in high school so there weren't going to be any scholarships thrown at me and I don't come from a family that could afford it. After a brief stint and a 7 year break, the itch got bad enough that I went back for 4 more years. After another year off I came back again, this time with the MOS I really wanted, not the one I was conned into. Now they're stuck with me until I'm too broken or they tell me to leave.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 10:51 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 10:51:19 -0400

I joined because the Army has been a "family business" on my dad's side. There has been an Unger or Matlack in the U.S. Army since 1775. Service to our nation is in my family's DNA.

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Sep 26 at 2017 11:10 AM

SGT Jim Arnold — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 11:10:32 -0400

in 1983 I enlisted. The economy sucked, jobs were scarce for someone without a skill. my patience was non existent for waiting for an opportunity to come along. Going to college was out, not enough money or time to study. The military has been a great thing for me. Where else could a runt with a "attitude" make good

Response by AA Joseph Moody made Sep 26 at 2017 2:04 PM

AA Joseph Moody — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:04:45 -0400

It was the first ride I could find out of a crap situation when I was 18. Yes there were some other factors as well but in all honesty I was taking the first ride I could find to get out of my parents house.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 26 at 2017 2:23 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:23:52 -0400

We were at war.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 2:31 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:31:28 -0400

It was something the men in my family line had done for generations. I followed suit with my father, grandfather, and etc. We took pride in service to our country. I simply stayed for a career (something my forebears did not).

Response by HN Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 2:45 PM

HN Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:45:40 -0400

As a cadet, I have not been able to serve yet; and am anxiously awaiting the day to serve along side my brothers and sisters. While some people do not like this response, I stand by it, although it is nothing against my country, what we stand for, and where we go; I value my fellow service members lives above all. My Great grandfather, Grandfather, Father, and I all decided to serve for the men and women to our left and right.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 10:37 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 22:37:20 -0400

I serve because I'm able to and because I know that I'm not gonna be any good anywhere else so I figured I'd better be useful to society

Response by Nicole Thomas made Sep 27 at 2017 12:59 AM

Nicole Thomas — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 00:59:41 -0400

Those who chose to serve like my oldest son have heart and metal within. ..

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2017 2:28 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 14:28:41 -0400

I wouldn't call it a thing of the past. Remember that while the numbers were high during WWII, there was in fact a world war going on and the security of America was at stake. I'd like to think that if we ever deal with another Hitler you'd see a similar outpouring of volunteers.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Sep 29 at 2017 1:58 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 13:58:13 -0400

I first looked in to enlisting about six months after 9/11 during my Senior year of high school. Part of it was that and wanting to serve something bigger than myself, and part of it was almost as if a switch had flipped and something deep inside said it was what I needed to do. Prior to that point, I had always had respect for service members but felt the military was not for me.

Response by PO2 Chris Petty made Sep 29 at 2017 6:01 PM

PO2 Chris Petty — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 18:01:16 -0400

I served because i love this country and i love planes and the navy. VF-74 aboard the USS Forrestal. Plus i hated high school, it was boring and i aced every test without studying. This was before our school had a gifted program. I love my service and i wouldn't change it for anything.