Who Influenced You To Take The Oath And Join The Military? - Login & Share to Win!

Every generation of my family has served. However, my stepdad, Army Officer, probably influenced me the most. I needed college money and to get my life on track

WWII, I was 17 had to get my mom to sign papers for me to serve. It was my duty to defend the country I loved so much. I served in the US Coast Guard. 1944-1946

Circumstances, I needed a way to pay for college

As a child I always wanted to be a soldier, it was my life's ambition

My ROTC staff and "mini-camp" at UCSB. Was totally disinterested in the military before that.

That is a simple question but the answer is way more complicated. I was influenced by all my ancestors who fought in some capacity since the American Revolution. Some are documented in history books, some in family history. I even got to know and talk to a number of them. Duty. Honor. Country.

My older brother, who was on recruiter duty at the time.

I was looking for a life that had more to offer than the Trailer Park. I tried to join after dropping out of high school in the 10th grade but Uncle Sam wouldn't take me because I didn't have a GED. I worked on getting my GED and tried again, this time I wasn't accepted because the entry requirements changed and I needed an actual High School Diploma. With my attempts crushed I continued with entry level construction type jobs. One day my friend told me his brother joined the Army and I thought (wow, they wanted him but not me?) He told me I should go talk to his recruiter because he claimed to be able to get anyone in the Army. Turns out he was right. This was the beginning era of the Gulf War and Uncle Sam was increasing his numbers (I didn't realize this until the end of AIT when I had an award to wear on my uniform already) Now here I am with a Masters degree in Education, how ironic.

Gregory "Pappy" Boyington.

My High School classmate enlisted in the Navy after graduation. I visited him while he was in boot camp and decided to enlist. He had enlisted with electronics as his goal and I did the same. He went to ET school and I went to FT school and continued to submarine school. My time in the Navy was more than I hoped for and influenced my life after as a civilian.