Why did you join the military?

To start with it was my dream to join the Army. I just had to go in a lot sooner than planned. I was behind in school, my father was very abusive, and I couldn't do anything right. So, at 17 years old I talked with an Army Recruiter and a buddy oof mine wanted to join on the buddy system. I father had to sign for to join

I joined the military to run away from a very dangerous childhood the military was my only way out, if anything I’m glad I did join the military I’m a better person for it, it thought me a lot about god,country,and life.

I had a draft lottery number of 270 based on my birthday. When Nixon announced they weren't going to draft any numbers above 100 that year, my mom was super relieved. After I joined, my mom was mad enough to kill me; she got over it eventually (30 years later). I'd been working in the family business during junior high, high school, and 2 years of college, but wanted something different and exciting.

My paternal grandfather was a WW I Coast Guard Veteran, my dad was a WW II and Korean conflict Veteran, with credit for Vietnam. I had a great uncle who was a code talker with the Marines in WW II, who went on to serve in the Korean conflict, he also did 3 tours of duty in the Vietnam War.
I was a transplant to the United States and was naturalized at a young age. I decided in my mid teens when I was old enough to join the military I would do so. This country gave a lot to me, and going into the military was my way of giving it something back.
That and a number of family that had served in the military.
I enlisted at a time when it was not "cool" to be in the military, did not matter what branch. Post Vietnam Era when this country was still in turmoil from it.

I joined the Air Force right out of high school. I didn't know what I wanted to do and college was not an option. I tested high on all four work areas but Engineering and Mechanical was full (or so I was told) Admin and General were what was left. The options for Military Police, Medic and RIA was what was left for me. I wasn't interested in MP or Medic for personal reasons. I ask what RIA stood for and one seemed to know. So I picked that. It wasn't until I arrived at Goodfellow AFB and the first day of class that I found out I would be a Radio Intercept Analyst. I feel as thought I lucked out. That job lasted for my remaining three years and fifteen years with NSA and 22 years with TRW.

There are two reasons I joined the military: 1. My Father was a highly decorated WWII Veteran of 20+ years. 2. "Ask not what your country can do for you but rather what can you do for your country." President John F. Kennedy

I turned 18 in "72 while in high school. I talked about joining the Army but my parents (my father) said I would spend half my enlistment in the brig. So, I ended up going to college where my parents had no say and joined the ROTC Program. When the military downsize both the enlisted and the officer corps, I was honorably discharged just short of bening commisioned. In 1980 I enlisted in the Army Reserves because I did not feel that i had colpleted my original Oath I swore to my country.

To avoid crashing-and-burning after my dad committed suicde, which led me to start committing stupid peer-pressured criminal offenses and two stints in jail. It was the best thing I could've ever done, and I thank the Lord for putting me on the right track!

In 1962, I was 19 years of age. I decided to volunteer for the draft for several reasons. I decided I rather volunteer than wait until my 20s because I didn't want to be in a position in my mid 20s where I might have a job and start a family, then be torn away to be drafted. Also I did not want to enlist where I'd have to serve 3 years instead of 2. I wanted to serve my country as early as possible and then be able to carry on with my life uninterrupted.

When I entered the Army, my first pay as an e2, was only $59 per month. Had I been married with a child and bought a house, my family would have never survived financially. Thus my decision to volunteer for the draft. It was not necessarily out of patriotism and such, but feeling I would get drafted regardless, and just wanted my service to be over ASAP. And of course I still had to serve 2 years active and 2 years of inactive reserve once my active 2 years finished.

In retrospect, one of my best decisions because it allows me to use full VAMC services for the rest of my life. The VAMC is a life saver for me. And of course to go to college using the GI Bill.

And of course my appreciation to all here who have served.

I joined for two reasons. First was almost every male member of the family had served. Second was that I had gotten laid off, it was a recession, and I was running out of money. Found out that I liked it.