Why did you join the military?

Was 1971 and Vietnam was still strong. I enlisted so would have some options as to what happened to me.

I joined for family tradition, benefits, and honor.

For maturity and the educational benefits

Kill Commies, lol!

Didn’t want to work in a factory my whole life.

Also had an Uncle who was wounded on Iwo Jima and told a ton of stories. He was one of the lucky ones, wounded by a Japanese Mortar round.

I had a good job at the time but felt there was something missing. Had two uncles (1 Marines and 1 Navy) and my grandfather (Navy) who served during WWII a cousin that served in the Coast Guard and another in the Navy. So I joined the Army to continue the family service and found what I was looking for. It continued on with my son and 1 of my daughters both going Army.

I had just dropped out of college and went to the downtown Boston military recruitment center to learn about the various branches, when a tall Marine Gunny approached me and asked if I was here to enlist in the Marines....So I thought.....",Why not??"

I was going nowhere fast; high school drop-out. Joined the Army in 1955. Got my GED fast as I could, great assignments (some of a lifetime). Saw the World, literally. Retired with a good pension after 24 1/2yrs, Graduated from College, Retired Law Enforcement (Police as a Det Lt). Not to bad uh?

I reckon 45 of the 50 boys in my BCT platoon joined for the means to kill people legally. Didn’t matter who we when to war with, they just wanted to do some kill’n. Welcome to the infantry...

I was 17, had been on my own for a couple of years and survival was tough. The idea of a steady job, 3 meals a day and all that went with it was enticing. After I was past basic survival then the idea of technical training, travel and service to country kicked in.