Posted on Aug 6, 2021
Who Influenced You To Take The Oath And Join The Military? - Login & Share to Win!
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RallySweeps
Oath
Re-enlistment
Military Life
Service
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 804
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My grandfather’s WWII Naval service, and my youth along the shores of Lake Huron.
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It was a personal decision for me I wanted to change where my life was heading and decided that the Army was for me and it definitely made an enormous difference in my maturity growth. I made a lot of friends while serving but unfortunately did not keep in touch but have many wonderful memories.
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The trailblazing Navy Seaman (SN) in this 1953 photo influenced not only me, her daughter to join the military, but several other family members as well. My mother was raised in a poor section of South Los Angeles during a time when women were not encouraged to join the service. No matter. She enlisted, loved the Navy, the adventures, and of course the spiffy uniforms.
Oh, did I mention she told me that joining the Air Force would be like attending a pajama party? Though she's left us for a better place, I thank her everyday for letting me go to the party.
Oh, did I mention she told me that joining the Air Force would be like attending a pajama party? Though she's left us for a better place, I thank her everyday for letting me go to the party.
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CPL Eudora Powell
Was she allowed to go on ships? I tried to join the navy in 1975, but was told women were not allowed on ships. I wanted to follow the footsteps of my deceased brother. Instead, I joined the army.
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SSgt Veronica Sanchez
CPL Eudora Powell,
Thank you for your question, your service, and that of your deceased brother. My mother served in the Navy during the Korean conflict. At that time the occupations offered to enlisted women were largely clerical so no she was not allowed to deploy on Naval ships. My understanding is that authorization for woman to serve on vessels began in 1994.
On a side note, if not a member already please consider registering on the Women in Military Service for America as a female veteran.
https://womensmemorial.org/index.php/about/
Thank you for your question, your service, and that of your deceased brother. My mother served in the Navy during the Korean conflict. At that time the occupations offered to enlisted women were largely clerical so no she was not allowed to deploy on Naval ships. My understanding is that authorization for woman to serve on vessels began in 1994.
On a side note, if not a member already please consider registering on the Women in Military Service for America as a female veteran.
https://womensmemorial.org/index.php/about/
Our Legacy | Military Women's Memorial
As the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service, we educate and inspire through innovative and interactive exhibitions, our world-class collections, and engaging programs and events for all generations. We honor the commitment, contributions and experiences of every woman who serves in, or with, the Armed Forces.
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My Father served in the USAF during Vietnam, my husband and I are retired USAF after 20 years that included Desert Storm. Ok here's the hat trick; our 3 kids all proudly served the USAF during 3 deployments each to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. LOL. When our family comes together we proudly share stories of military life and awesome travels. Oh did I mention that we have seven 7 grandkids? Our clan gathers to listen intently to everyone's military lives. Oh I wonder if there will be a forth
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My dad. Since I was in kindergarten I wanted to be in the military and I made the promise then too. I wanted to keep my promise.
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My Dad, Mom, Brother and Older Sister. Dad Joined the AF the last year of the Korean War-Met Mom who was a Chaplains Assistant in the AF. Brother joined the Army and my Older Sister the AF (ROTC)...What really inspired me was when we were stationed at Clark AFB and we (the entire family) had the honor of cheering the Vietnam POW as they were flown in after being released.
James A. Kennedy
SFC, USA
Retired
James A. Kennedy
SFC, USA
Retired
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I was graduating High School, I wanted to improve myself and the world. I was not a sit-down at a desk type of woman. I was a "go out and get it" type of person. That's exactly what I did
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My brother signed up to serve before me and our father, uncles, and grandfather before him. I was attracted to the concept of their service demonstrating that they appreciate and were willing to defend the country we are all lucky to inherit from those who sacrificed much to build. LTC (Join to see)
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Many family members actually. I had an uncle in the battle of Remagen during WWII, my dad was in the Army and in Korea during the Korean War, another uncle was a careerist in the Air Force, one cousin was a career soldier, another got killed in Viet Nam. On my mom's side, One Uncle served in the Navy, and two served in the Army, one in Viet Nam, and the other in Germany as they did not allow brothers in the war zone at the same time. Finally, growing up in Chicago in the late 60's, and my oldest sister was a hippy, I saw first hand, her friends all doped up on acid and everything else, saw the kind of crap they did to the police, and to soldiers returning from Viet Nam, I was influenced by spite for them. So I had many influencers in my life. I did not go in to serve as a career, especially because my Dad HATED the Army, and my uncle in Viet Nam wasn't too fond of stuff that went on, so I went in to serve as a patriotic duty and carry on the family tradition of service.
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SP5 Robert Kennedy
Very cool, SFC Howard Holmes. Those "airport hippies" greeted me at the Seattle airport 12/18/1967. Didn't like them, faced Court Marshall if caught "responding" to them. I wanted nothing more than to get home for Christmas.
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SFC Howard Holmes
Thank You SP5 Kennedy, and to ALL of you who served in Viet Nam - Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. You guys were and are the best. I wanted to be one of you, but just wasn't old enough. Missed by 4 years. I Love all of you who went, no matter what you did afterward, and I used to feel the same way about John Kerry until he went off the rails. He went and served, then voiced his opinion and picketed the war (but is now an elitist) so EF him. But I know not of one instance where a Vet who went and joined the "peace movement" ever threatened or physically harmed, or called returning vets any of the ignorant names. My heart is and will always be with you guys, and if you're wearing a hat or shirt that shows you are a Viet Nam Vet, I will do my best to get to you and thank you.
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SP5 Robert Kennedy
Kind words SFC Holmes. Thank you on behalf of the Nam "branch" of our military family. This is why I would rather hang with veterans than any other segment of our population.
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SFC Howard Holmes
You're welcome, and they all come from the heart Sp5 Kennedy, fully from the heart to all of you. I fully agree, listening to the stories, even the colorful ones, are fabulous, because one can usually tell the completely B.S. stories vs. true stories with embellishments. Well, the guys who lived through the situation to tell the story has earned the embellishment. In the long run, you can usually tell who are real and who have been through some sh!t, because they will respond in such a way that you can feel their empathy, and the sincerity therein. And no, there is not a civilian who could ever truly understand, so we'll let Dick Marchenko write his Rogue Warrior stories for the civilians and let him B.S. them on the History channel. LOLOL. I know a Vietnam Navy Seal who served with Marchenko and says maybe half of his first book is true. And this guy didn't go around flashing his SEALS card, he has to get to know you pretty well, and know that you are a veteran before he speaks about it.
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