Why did you join the military?

To get a T-shirt

I tell myself and other people that I joined because I was third generation military and as the eldest son, it was my destiny. I never really wanted anything else either. But it's also true that my parents were getting a divorce and I was pissed at them and didn't want to be with either of them so, on Friday the 13, June the 13 1980, my 17th birthday I joined up to get away from them! Take your pick.

I joined the Navy because I did not want the draft to take me into the Army at some later date.

I joined the army to prove to myself and everyone else that I can do any that I put my mind to

My dad was a Combat Infantryman in the Battle of the Bulge. In 1968, out of high school, I went to see a Army Recruiter about joining up. I asked him what jobs I could qualify for? I was wanting Armour cause my Dad was in a Armoured Division during WWII.
Here's what he said, "You're 18, out of high school, not married, we'll get you anyway. Why would I want to waste my time testing you for what you want"
So, I went right across the haul to the Navy Recruiter. He said that the Navy was pretty full up and asked what the Army Recruiter said to me. When I relayed the conversation to the Navy Recruiter he said called the Army Recruiter every name in the book.
So, I took the ASVAB, scored very high and chose Engineering for my rate.