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

In a sense, Andrew Montaño (Montanio on Virtual Wall) can be credited for my having enlisted.

I was visiting his buddy Robert Martínez' sister when the 2 proudly announced they had dropped out (high school juniors) & enlisted in USMC. I'd noticed that Hispanic dropouts enlisting in the Corps were more apt to be sent to Vietnam, & tried to discourage these young men from making fatal decision. Andrew dismissed my warning, saying he & Robert had already been sworn in.

As I entered mom & pop store I was working at 8 months later, his picture caught my attention. I stopped just long enough to learn he'd become a Vietnam War statistic 6 Aug 1969.

Several months later, as classmates compared plans for what they'd be doing when we graduated in the spring, it occurred to me that all I'd focused on was things to do DURING my senior yr: continue role as care provider for siblings so our mom could support us, try to maintain passing grades, work after school to reduce my mom's burden by supporting myself. Having no other preparation than child care, housekeeping & food service, PLUS wanting to earn higher education while remaining independent of my mom's support, I decided to let "Uncle Sam" provide the means to attain my goals. As I arrived at that determination, simultaneously thought, what better way to honor Andrew's memory!

Know my father served gave me the desire to serve

Young and adventurous.

I was restless at seventeen Enlisted in Mar of 1969.

Vietnam Combat Action Marine 1969-1970

Although my Dad and my Uncles did influence me to join the military, I also joined so I wouldn't get drafted and sent to Viet Nam. But after a tour on a ship off the coast of Nam where I used to see all these River patrol boats and Swift Boats that I thought looked pretty cool so I ended up volunteering for River Boats. Real smart but sometimes Fun.

Way to go

My 2 uncles .

drafted

Recruiter at local recruitment center.