When you first entered the military, did you think or know that you would make a career out of it?

SPC Margaret Higgins — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:05:01 -0400

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 30 at 2015 9:22 AM

SGT David T. — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:22:57 -0400

No. My original plan was to do my 3 years and go home. I ended up staying a bit longer but still got out before retirement.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 9:23 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:23:28 -0400

LOL During my first hitch I told the retention NCO - You could me me a Msgt (E-8 and E-9 were just coming out) and I would not stay in the *&*(^^ outfit.

P.S. I wound up with 23+ years total service. My retirement letter says 39 years and 2 days. But, they count IRR. I don't.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Sep 30 at 2015 9:28 AM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:28:56 -0400

I initially joined the Air Force as a four year diversion to get out of my hometown, I didn't really see myself making it a career until after a few reenlistments. It was difficult at times due to the ever changing nature of the Air Force and continued policy changes associated - but I'm proud of my accomplishments and the brothers and sisters in arms that I've worked with along the way.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 9:34 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:34:47 -0400

my original plan was four years...

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 30 at 2015 9:38 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:38:11 -0400

SPC Margaret Higgins - That was my plan since a very young age. I don't remember ever wanting to do anything else.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 9:40 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:40:34 -0400

When I first joined, yes I planned on a career in the military. But, after 10 yrs and still being a SPC and at the end I had a not so good attitude so I got out. Spent 5.5 yrs out but came back in. Now I am in it to win it or until I am dead or the Army no longer has a need for me....whichever may come first only time will tell.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 10:08 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:08:44 -0400

Interestingly enough, the answer is I didn't know:

Little backstory-I originally enlisted in the USMC. After some difficulties during basic training (medical) I was discharged and spent two years trying to recover and figure out where I was going. My best laid plans were laid to rest because I thought I was going to be a Marine for quite some time. That didn't end up being the case. A long fight, assistance from a Senator s office, and a very sharp recruiter, helped assist with getting that issue taken care of.

Enter the National Guard, where I am nearing the end of my enlistment and I will not be reinlisting. I came on as an aircraft mechanic. I worked hard, learned my profession to a T, and finally got promoted to Sergeant. I was living the dream with a 6-4 Tech job working 4 10s, every Monday and Federal Holiday off, making good money for someone with only 2 years of college. The government shut down occurred, and I decided that my pay check would no longer hinge on the musings and whims of political figures. I bit the bullet, sunk a ton of money into flight training, and now I am living and doing the profession I always dreamed about.

I now teach people how to fly and fly corporate jets for a living. If you had asked when I first signed my enlistment papers if I d be where I am now, I d flat out tell you "no". If I wasn't a pilot I d probably still be a technician working on Apaches. I would definitely say that my career within the military has definitely been a huge factor in my success-the traits and character qualities learned within the Army has proven to translate into the civilian sector, and the mechanic side of the house DEFINITELY attributed about 50% of my success in a very rigorous and difficult flight training program. Long story short-I think a career has its seasons and its times: knowing whether or not you are going to make a career out of it depends on where you are at in your career.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Sep 30 at 2015 10:21 AM

CDR Terry Boles — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:21:42 -0400

Isn't this one of the questions we privately ponder from time to time? I wasn't sure about making a career when I entered the Navy, but the longer I was in and the more I experienced and grew, the more I enjoyed my contribution and felt like it was purposeful. The family was not enamored with frequent and long deployments so I gave in and separated after my first hitch. A really good Navy buddy stayed in contact and convinced me to join the reserves, the rest is history. I found myself back on active duty and making concessions for both career and family. Its been a bit of a longer road to where I am today, and my peers are a decade younger than me, but that's OK as it keeps me young myself. It has become a lifetime career with only 5-years out of uniform with two separate careers, enlisted and commissioned, and when I retire in a few years from now it will be strange to not wear a uniform everyday, no doubt!

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 30 at 2015 10:30 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:30:50 -0400

Nope, needed a job and training. I planned on four years and gone. HOWEVER, twenty one years later I felt like it was time to go.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 10:36 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:36:02 -0400

I was pretty sure I was going to stay forever but that decision has been cemented with every tour.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 30 at 2015 10:45 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:45:48 -0400

I intended to make a career out of the Army SPC Margaret Higgins. I tried to do my best at what I was doing, didn't always succeed; but, I learned from my mistakes and learned the importance of asking good questions and listening to the answers.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 30 at 2015 10:50 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:50:37 -0400

Nope. Went in because my father and grand father were Soldiers. After getting through AIT, I was just like every other PVT; Thought I knew everything, could take on the world and win with my M16, wanted every medal or badge known to man, a 82nd Combat Patch, and out drink any and everyone. My initial enlistment was five years for MP. Towards the end, I realized that I really didn't know sh*t (but needed to learn), I couldn't take on anything with my M16 but the range, was kinda iffy on the medals, still wanted that damn patch, and was really slowing down on the alcohol. I reupped and reclassed...18yrs later, I knew a little more sh*t, but overall still didn't know sh*t, but knew where to look or who to ask, had realized the business end of my M4 wasn't a joke as I had seen it when I was younger, I didn't want ANY more medals. I was good and didn't care. Wasn't a MP anymore (Signal 25B), but had gotten the damn 82nd Patch. Overall I think the Army allowed me to have it, more than me have the Army, and that damn 82nd patch didn't compare to my 1ID that I have on everything.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 10:50 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:50:56 -0400

I joined the Navy under a 6 year enlistment and had every intention of doing my 6 years and getting out and going to college. That was before the Navy waved a hefty SRB in front of me to essentially add 2 more years to my already 6 year contract - I took the bait and went to college while in the Navy, ultimately finishing my degree and pursuing a commission. Best decision I've made in my military career imo.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 10:59 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:59:45 -0400

When I first enlisted, I liked the job and the paycheck, but it wasn't easy by any means. My last 10 months or so, I got myself in trouble and, although it wasn't career ending trouble, I had a bad attitude towards the Army. So at that time, I wasn't planning on making a career out of it.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 11:45 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:45:15 -0400

I wasn't sure I was going to survive after that barbershop experience in Boot Camp!!! But almost 33 years later, my hair finally grew back!!!

Response by LTC Henry Barber made Sep 30 at 2015 12:45 PM

LTC Henry Barber — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:45:38 -0400

I thought I would complete my initial enlistment and be done. The hook for me was the college benefits.

Response by 1SG Antwan Nicholson made Sep 30 at 2015 1:31 PM

1SG Antwan Nicholson — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:31:22 -0400

I joined on 1 Oct 86...retired 30 Jun 11. 24 years, nine months I served.

I signed up to do no more than four years just trying to figure out "what I wanted to be when I grow up". All I really knew at that time is I wanted to be my own person with my own money and not being an "indentured servant" to my parents anymore.

It took me over two years to really get the grasp of military life. By time my first reenlistment came I was like, "My friends are here...I have steady income...we work like slaves, but party like Rockstars....Why leave?" I re-uped for two years...then two more...and so on...and so on...and so on..... Always taking the minimum...always ensuring my finances were in order prior to re-up time.

Throughout these years I developed a hobby called "Soldering". Never looking at my service as a career, but as a hobby. To me, a career is a job. The Army was never that for me. Nothing beats teaching and coaching Soldiers.

Finally, after 14 years of service, the time came for me to reenlist "indefinitely". I was still skeptical of committing for that length of time. Then I had a Soldier I was trying to convince to do her first reenlistment. For months she told everyone she's getting out. When I asked her, without hesitation she said to me, "I'll re-up if you do it with me." So on the Army's birthday in 2001 we both donned our Class A uniform and reenlisted together. A very proud moment for me. I'm also pros to say that ten or so years later, she became an Army Nurse.

So to end my babbling, "NO". I never thought I'd stay in till retirement. And in retirement, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 2:03 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:03:06 -0400

Nope, got out for five years after my initial 3-year term. Came back in and been in ever since.

Response by SPC Robin Price-Dirks made Sep 30 at 2015 9:14 PM

SPC Robin Price-Dirks — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 21:14:04 -0400

I tried to make it a career. I was on career status at 6 1/2 years. Then came the boom!! Cutoff scores of 999 and a yahoo who wanted "favors"!!!

Response by SPC Robin Price-Dirks made Sep 30 at 2015 9:14 PM

SPC Robin Price-Dirks — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 21:14:45 -0400

I tried to make it a career. I was on career status at 6 1/2 years. Then came the boom!! Cutoff scores of 999 and a yahoo who wanted "favors"!!!

Response by SPC Robin Price-Dirks made Sep 30 at 2015 9:16 PM

SPC Robin Price-Dirks — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 21:16:59 -0400

I tried to make it a career. I was on career status at 6 1/2 years. Then came the boom!! Cutoff scores of 999 and a yahoo who wanted "favors"!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2015 11:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 23:44:50 -0400

My Dad was an Army man, and I respected him very much. I couldn't imagine another career path.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 1 at 2015 1:01 AM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 01:01:16 -0500

Family history initially, and I enjoyed my first 4 years, so I kept going!

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Nov 1 at 2015 1:02 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 01:02:06 -0500

I wanted to join the Army and fly, but took a ricochet in my right eye from a .22 pistol when I was 18. I was 26 when I was able to join, but I felt it was too late for a A.D. career, so went Reserve. I always had the feeling I needed to serve because I was so lucky to be born in the best country in the world and it didn't get that way by people just standing by. I felt I owed my country a debt which needed to be paid. Even though my entire career has been Reserve, I felt I could do my part. Secondly I also wanted something to supplement my retirement. I knew it probably wouldn't be much but something was better than nothing.

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Nov 30 at 2017 5:52 AM

A1C Ian Williams — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 05:52:54 -0500

Yes, I did. The best decision I ever made.

Response by PO3 Art Womer made Nov 30 at 2017 11:26 AM

PO3 Art Womer — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 11:26:13 -0500

No i didn't think I'd stay in for as long as I did. I enter the Navy Reserves Dec 7 1967, because a friend of mine was in and said he like what he was doing, I was still in HS and waiting to grad. in June 68, the height of Nam. Was not afraid to be drafted if need, but had the opportunity to enlist, so I DID. I transferred to the regs in Feb 69, was separated in Jan 73 to the reserves, then transferred to the Army Reserves the follow year. Was discharged 1984. Had good experiences all the way and learned about life in general. Would I do it again? HELL YEAH!, but this time as a cook LOL

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Nov 30 at 2017 11:42 AM

SP5 Joel O'Brien — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 11:42:42 -0500

Never considered it a career, even though I was doing something I enjoyed. Enlisting to beat the draft was my reason, just got lucky in what I got. My enlistment was not influenced by both my parents having served in WWII.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Nov 30 at 2017 4:12 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 16:12:46 -0500

Yes, it was my plan from when I was about 6 years old.