Why do you serve?

For me, it is "the family business", The pay is good, it has stability (well, us too!) but nothing beats the knowing that you are serving your country and are part of a long unbroken line of patriots who took the oath to defend this country knowing that the collective freedoms all Americans enjoy might cost one's own life.

If we served for the pay then the vast majority are getting short changed. For college, then why continued service? Family, sure my father served 28 years in the Army but I didn't join because of tradition.

Service to the men and women next to me is the only reason to continue a military career in my opinion. Taking the charge to make those that come behind up better than we are and leave our nation in better hands. I don't believe that I would get the same sense of fulfillment from any civilian occupation. I am thankful everyday to put on this uniform and stand next to the best Airmen in the world.

Thanks to all that have served no matter how briefly and those that continue to serve.

My reason started out because I had very few choices in life left. It was pretty much join the military and straighten my life up or live on the streets with a huge debt that will not go away. I was racking up some serious debt because I was young, careless and stupid with my money. I was evicted and I was about to get my car repossessed (it eventually happened). I knew I was at the end of my current career as a car dealership parts counter salesman, so I knew I needed to decide on what to do about my future. I picked up an Employment Today newspaper and saw an ad for joining the military and getting the sign on bonus. I didn't qualify for the bonus (some score wasn't high enough), but decided it was either this or be homeless so I decided to sign up anyways. I eventually deployed, reenlisted, got a bonus, and used that bonus to help me get rid of some of my debt. I worked the rest of it off. Now my reason for continuing to serve is to provide for my family because I cannot see myself doing anything in the civilian world that can provide as good as the military has.

Well, I certainly didn't do it for the money. Besides my Grandfather, no one else in my family has served. College money is a nice perk, but I gave my Post 9/11 GI Bill to my wife. Ultimately, I served to be a part of something bigger than me. Originally, I joined (out of high school), because I needed to grow the hell up. A part of my choice to come back in was for some family security, but mostly, I LOVE my country and I think it is important to serve her!

on my first term was the pay. on the second and on cuz it makes me a better man knowing that only a very small fraction of the population in the US can do what I do

I went with "Other since there is a limit" because there's not just one reason.

When I first joined the Army in 1993, it was partially family tradition (all of my grandparents and their siblings served) and partially out of a sense of of duty/honor. However, the MAIN reason was that it was the only way a poor kid from the trailer park was going to go anywhere. Then I went to AIT in my hometown (which is the worst thing that can happen to an IET soldier) and blew my opportunity (getting injured and separated in the process).

When I joined the Navy in 1996, it was to serve and also to travel (be careful what you ask for, lol).

When I attempt to return to service (Reserves) in 2015 (after being out for 13 years) it will be to serve and to set a positive example for my newborn son.

I want him to grow up understanding the sacrifices that provide for the freedoms he will enjoy like I did.

Joined to help pay for college. Never realized what an education I'd be getting. To learn about concepts like duty, honor, integrity... Do it all over again if I could.

I initially joined in 98 to get out of my house (rebel 18 year old).
Re-enlisted to deploy with my buds 3 times.
Went indef cause I somehow love what I do now.

A little of all of the above when I started.

Now because of service to my country. I can't imagine it not being apart of my life. I get a little worked up when people complain about the military without trying to fix the situation they are in.