Posted on Sep 25, 2017
What was your reason to serve your country? Did this reason change while serving?
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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%).
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Service
Service
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 24
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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.
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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.
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SPC John Parmenter
In 1961, the U.S. & Soviet Union were locked in a Cold War which had the potential of destroying all mankind. In those days, every young American man worth is salt served in the Armed Forces. Someone needed to "whup the Rooskie Bear" so I joined the Army after high school to do my part. It was my good fortune to be assigned to a unit which traveled around the country & overseas. While still in school, I had served in the U.S.A.F.-trained Ground Observer Corps. No regrets.
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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.
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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.
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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.
I feel like I didn't do enough, so I've been trying to get back in for 17+ years.
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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.
This never changed and I was so happy when my Son carried on the tradition.
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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...
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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.
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MSG Laura Washington
Thank you for your service and the sacrifices you Family has made in service of this great nation.
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Sgt (Join to see)
MSG Laura Washington - Thank you Master Sergeant. I appreciate the many years of service that you have provided to our country, and continue to provide.
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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
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