Posted on Feb 26, 2014
Why did you join the military? Why did you leave?
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I sought a commission because I felt called to serve. On 9/11/01 I was in the seventh grade attending class in Northern Virginia. I saw how the attack on the Pentagon affected my community. My friends lost parents. I consider myself a Patriot, and as an able-bodied young man, I joined the Infantry because it is where I thought I could have the most direct impact on the mission, and on Soldiers. <br><br>Having served for a couple of years now, I've learned that the military isn't exactly what I expected. Leading Soldiers is the greatest privilege I've ever known and they humble me every day. <br><br>Our priorities as an institution, however, seem a little off-base, at times. The bureaucratic processes of this organization often seem to take precedence over the mission, and our Soldiers. Power-point slides, CUBs, BUBs and DUBs seem more important than executing tough, realistic training. <br><br>All of this has left me questioning my future in the military. I want nothing more than a simple career, serving this Nation and the honorable young men and women of it's Army. <br><br>I'm too new at this to be jaded. Am I just a young lieutenant who needs to shut up and get with the program? Or have others had these same concerns, and perhaps even left service as a result?<br><br>Please be professional and constructive.<br>
Service
ETS/EAS
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 88
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I needed fulfillment in my life. I needed to do something that mattered. I did the college route. I did the employment route. I wasn't happy with the direction my life was going. The military gave me a deeper appreciation for the little things in life.
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I joined because I wanted to do something that mattered, I left because it became clear that the Army I joined was on its way out.
I watched the loyalty change from soldiers to code, and the focus shift from being the best to being good enough. When the ACU came in the Army changed and I couldn't get out fast enough.
I watched the loyalty change from soldiers to code, and the focus shift from being the best to being good enough. When the ACU came in the Army changed and I couldn't get out fast enough.
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I joined because I lacked responsibility and discipline, I served 10 years and got out this week because I felt more than ready to get back out in the civilian world and apply my "improved" self and more importantly, focus on my family.
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cuold not find a decent job and decide o joint no regrets
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Hi, SPC Higgins.
I had wanted to join the military since I was a kid, for a lot of reasons. The kicker, though, was a friend joined and talked me into it. He had already joined the Air National Guard, and was waiting on dates for Basic and Crew Chief tech school. We tried to go to Basic together, but he left before I did.
Here’s the punchline. That knucklehead was in Basic for a week before he decided he couldn’t take the pressure, and threatened to kill himself if the AF didn’t let him go. They put him on the first thing smoking back home, and separated him. He got back right before I left, and spent the rest of the time trying to convince me of the horrors that awaited.
I had wanted to join the military since I was a kid, for a lot of reasons. The kicker, though, was a friend joined and talked me into it. He had already joined the Air National Guard, and was waiting on dates for Basic and Crew Chief tech school. We tried to go to Basic together, but he left before I did.
Here’s the punchline. That knucklehead was in Basic for a week before he decided he couldn’t take the pressure, and threatened to kill himself if the AF didn’t let him go. They put him on the first thing smoking back home, and separated him. He got back right before I left, and spent the rest of the time trying to convince me of the horrors that awaited.
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Following my grandfather's and father's steps. My father was against me joining after high school. so I went to college for a year (hated it).
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I set a goal for myself. I'd always wanted to serve, and I didn't want to age out of the opportunity. I set a deadline - "If I don't have kids by 30, I'll join the military." I followed through. :)
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I need to prove to myself that I could do something with my life. I enlisted in the army in February 1966 after a dismal first year of college. That was the best move of my life. I owe the army for helping me grow up and taking command of my life. After my three years of service I was able to return to college and get the degree that I never thought was possible.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
Ever since I was a child I was mesmerized about the Navy. All those great movies and on screen characters larger than life portraying experiences unimaginable for a child. The day I was sold on the Navy was the very day I drove to a nearby theater to see what movies were playing to take my date to later that evening. I saw the Navy recruiting office and walked toward the door when the Marine recruiter popped outside and shook my hand. This Marine recruiter had visited my home many times trying to convince me to join; I think he got his hands on the high school football team roster and was calling upon these graduating student athletes. I was polite but affirmed I wanted to hear what the Navy had to offer and proceeded inside the Navy recruiting office. Let’s just say, that day I was sold and I joined the Navy at age 17 wanting to be an air controller but I was too young for that rating, so I opted for Operations Specialist with a goal of certifying as either an ASAC or AIC Controller. Oh, that Marine recruiter…my father and he stayed friends and fished a lot together…as to the date, I had the date that evening but there were no movies of interest to see that night….and I married my date.
Ever since I was a child I was mesmerized about the Navy. All those great movies and on screen characters larger than life portraying experiences unimaginable for a child. The day I was sold on the Navy was the very day I drove to a nearby theater to see what movies were playing to take my date to later that evening. I saw the Navy recruiting office and walked toward the door when the Marine recruiter popped outside and shook my hand. This Marine recruiter had visited my home many times trying to convince me to join; I think he got his hands on the high school football team roster and was calling upon these graduating student athletes. I was polite but affirmed I wanted to hear what the Navy had to offer and proceeded inside the Navy recruiting office. Let’s just say, that day I was sold and I joined the Navy at age 17 wanting to be an air controller but I was too young for that rating, so I opted for Operations Specialist with a goal of certifying as either an ASAC or AIC Controller. Oh, that Marine recruiter…my father and he stayed friends and fished a lot together…as to the date, I had the date that evening but there were no movies of interest to see that night….and I married my date.
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