When you were young, what was it your dream to do when you grew up? Did the military help, hinder, or change your mind about this dream?

2017-06-08T04:54:11-04:00

When I was younger I had a few things that I wanted to be; a cartoonist, an archeologist, or a writer. I have always written in my free time and over the years my service has mixed into my poetry to create incredible pieces. I am still hoping to make writing my life's vocation and my GI Bill will get me the schooling I need to be successful.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2017 5:07 AM

2017-06-08T05:07:53-04:00

I actually remember a reservist, female, two houses down from when I was maybe 10-12 years old. I wanted to be like her. I wanted to join the service. It wasn't until I was 33 years that I joined Active Duty Army. 9-11 hit me hard as a civilian; seeing all our troops over there; I wanted to be there.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Jun 8 at 2017 7:46 AM

2017-06-08T07:46:52-04:00

I think it did both... It was the best ting but it did take me from what was my path... or it was my excuse. Either way glad and proud I did serve.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 8 at 2017 9:42 AM

2017-06-08T09:42:13-04:00

To be honest, my military service was only an interlude that allowed me to delay facing life's decisions. I joined after law school which merely taught me that I didn't want to be a lawyer. While serving, I entertained the idea of making it a career but the service wasn't entertained by me
After being RIF'd, I was finally forced to commit to something.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jun 8 at 2017 9:53 AM

2017-06-08T09:53:59-04:00

I wanted to be a Soldier for as long as I can remember, my Dad and his buddies convinced me that while Tanks and Infantry were cool being an Engineer was the coolest because you could still be a Paratrooper, blow things up and have a trade when you left the service.
God bless them all as they were rite and life has been good to me for taking sound advice from great old men.

Response by SPC David S. made Jun 8 at 2017 10:16 AM

2017-06-08T10:16:47-04:00

I would say that the military is not for everyone - for some it will do them good others will hate their time in service as well each person's experience is unique - what branch, MOS, where they are stationed, deployed and so on. For me I lost a good friend, but as well a lot of my really close friends all served as well. One became a doctor, ones a nurse, another became a film producer. I'm sure in some way their military service changed them for the better. I wanted to be a fighter pilot yet ended up in IT/business. I saw keep your dreams alive - there're like fires and need to stoked and tended to - don't let the flames die out. As well many famous authors have served -

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2017 10:44 AM

2017-06-08T10:44:11-04:00

At first, I was like almost every kid in that I wanted to be a doctor. As I got older, that feeling changed. Then, after all those years of watching John Wayne movies and GI Joe cartoons, I knew the military was my path to be. And even though I had changed my mind about being a doctor, my first MOS in the Army was that of Medic. Just a little bit of irony.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2017 9:42 PM

2017-06-09T21:42:14-04:00

When I was really young I wanted to be a train engineer... That has not happened. However, I did get to drive an actual Army locomotive on Fort Bragg during a rail head a few years ago... albeit ~50 feet with instructions of an actual locomotive engineer. As I got closer to 18 and even today, all I really wanted was a wife and family with an honorable job to support the lot. I got that. I have no complaints. However, I still want to drive locomotives. Ask this question in 10-20 years mate.

edit: misspelled "not" of all things.