Why did you join the military?

My Dad was a WWII Navy Veteran in the Pacific and during the Korean War My Mom and I were with Dad at pearl Harbor Hawaii. A lot of the members of My family had served, during WWII and Korea. Our family had two members that served during the French and Indian War while We were a British colony. Three family members marched with the Minutemen from Sudbury, MA to Concord, MA to battle the British at Old North Bridge on April 19th 1775. With the exception of the Civil War fought in every war up through Korea. Once I was in the service I spent most of 1968 into early 1969 in Vietnam. I also had been a Cadet at Bordentown Military Institute, Army ROTC Bordentown, NJ before entering the USAF as also had been a Cadet in Civil Air Patrol, the Auxiliary of the US Air Force. There is a lot more detail of My families Military History also which I'm very proud of. While I served My Dad told Me over and over again how proud He was of Me for My service which He had encouraged. The draft was going on 1n full force during 1966 when i left for basic but I enlisted in the Air Force which proved to be a good choice for Me.

Dad was a WWII vet who was in the Army Air Corps as a combat photographer stationed at Lowry Army Air Base near Denver, CO. In February 1945 he was assigned to the Infantry and handed a machine gun. I grew up watching war movies with him. I had wanted to join the Army for as long as I can remember. My parents jokingly swore that the first sentence I learned to say was 'I want to join the Army'. I was sworn into the Army Reserves two weeks after my 17th birthday. Dad didn't live long enough to see me fulfill my dreams.

SSG Elizabeth Koss My father was an Air Force Captain who died serving our country, so I had a strong desire to also serve our country. I also believed that aiding South Vietnam was a just cause.

I was a nineteen year old street corner punk,barely graduated High school,had a succession of low paying,dead end jobs,blossoming alcoholic,no discipline,no future,I joined to have change in my life,I was definitely changed! Those short three years have affected the remaining decades decidedly for the better, Welcome Home Brothers.

The reason(s) I joined the military:

1) A family tradition, as it were. There has been at least 1 person every generation on all sides of my family that have served. There has been at least 1 person on all sides that had served in each war since 1914 (US and Canadian military).
2) Growing up, listening to the stories of those in my family that had served....they just inspired me to join.
3) GI Joe and John Wayne. No, seriously. They, too, were motivators.

I joined because I wanted to be all I could be. It may sound cheesy but at the time I really didn't see much going on after high school and I wanted to serve my nation. I am at 22 years of service with 17 active. I wouldn't change a thing.

SSG Elizabeth Koss, fine to mention my name.

My decision to join the Army was influenced by a combination of factors, not the least of which was a response to the events and sentiments of the time. One of these factors was the Army's recruiting campaign in the 1980s with its slogan "Be All That You Can Be." While this slogan served as a catchy jingle, it was the subsequent phrase, "Get an edge on life, in the Army," that struck a chord with me. The notion of gaining an advantage in life through military service made sense. Moreover, the Soldiers in those commercials felt genuine, not mere actors trying to appeal to me. Consequently, I sensed that the Army was a tangible pathway from high school to adulthood.

In the fall of 1983, a respected upperclassman who had joined the Marines was killed in the bombing of the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. The experience at my school's memorial service stirred me and the respect I had for this Marine made me feel closely connected to military service, as if it were more likely than not that I would serve. President Reagan's rationale for maintaining and fortifying America's presence and protection in the world made sense to me. Rather than withdrawing, his arguments underscored the importance of commitment and duty. To his credit, he heightened my sense of duty.

At the age of 17 in November 1983, shortly after my friend's passing, I made what could be considered my inaugural adult decision. I enlisted in the Army Reserve, opting for a delayed entry into active duty. I attended basic training between my junior and senior years and AIT and active duty after HS graduation. This decision proved to be one of my best, providing me with the edge I sought in life and marking the beginning of a 32-year career in the Army.

I was privileged to be born in the best country in the world. For this, I felt I owed a debt to my country, thus I joined. You can learn more about me at: https://beslagsmed.wixsite.com/mikelwdawson
Feel free to use my name

In 1960, I was a 17 year old high school dropout and every single mother's nightmare. I came home one day and told my mother that I had talked with an Army Recruiter and he said if she would sign the papers, I could enlist in the Army. Her response: Where's the Pen! I joined the Army to get out of the rut I was in that was leading me to a wasted life and probably repetitive times in jail. Living with a single mother trying to support four kids, I needed guidance and discipline that I was not getting from home. Early on, there were times I regreted the decision. However, looking back, it was the best decision I made in my entire life.

I have written about this elsewhere on Rallypoint. My dad was born to a life of wealth and privilege in the Ukraine. The Russians invaded and starved out the people. Rich, educated folks like him were killed. He got out and eventually wound up in Germany. He was drafted into the Vermarcht and fought in WW2. After his release from a French prisoner of war camp he settled in Germany and met my mom. Dad always wanted to be an American in his heart. In 1953, he, my mom, sister and brother immigrated to the USA. My other brother was born shortly after they arrived and I was born several years later. Dad spoke about how proud he was to be an American. The local American Legion post made him an honorary member even though he fought for the wrong side.

As I kid I made up my mind that I would serve a hitch in the military. The reason was so that I could pay back my country for giving my family a home and way of life. I enlisted in the Navy at 17 and served for four years. I got out and moved back home. Took me a while, but I realized I wasn’t done and went back to active duty in the Coast Guard, because I missed military life.