Would you join the military all over again if you could?

CPL Adam Schoenwald — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:38:02 -0400

I am sure the questions gets asked a lot, but being as i'm one the the FNGs around here I want to know. If you could start your life over, would you go back into that recruiting office and sign your name? Would you pick the same career path or do something different? Maybe even change Branches altogether? As I am now almost 15 years retired I can't help but wonder where I would be if I could have stayed in (medically retired here) I wanted a career for sure, so I would do it again. I love the Army, but if I were to do it again, I would probably become a Navy Guy. My dad was a medic in the Navy, and we like to rib each other about how our perspective branches were superior to the other, but at the end of the day, I think working on an Aircraft Carrier would have made me just as happy.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Sep 3 at 2021 1:39 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:39:44 -0400

In a heartbeat.

Response by SGT Michael Brand made Sep 3 at 2021 1:47 PM

SGT Michael Brand — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:47:46 -0400

I'd probably enlist in the Air Force instead of the Army.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2021 1:50 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:50:48 -0400

For me, this is a hard question to answer. The reason being is that the last 10 years probably would not be the way they are with me if I could go back. My wife, my daughters....I can't risk that. Now, if you asked me this 12 years ago before my wife and I got together, I would certainly answer a hard YES that I would. Especially if I could take my knowledge with me. I would more than likely take a different component path as I had started out in the Reserves then went Active. Probably would have gone with a different MOS as well.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Sep 3 at 2021 1:58 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:58:30 -0400

I would still have joined the Marines without a second thought. I am proud I served and earned the title of United States Marine. Things weren't perfect but it all worked out for the best in the end. I never went in intending on making it a career. I wanted the educational benefits.

Response by SrA John Monette made Sep 3 at 2021 2:03 PM

SrA John Monette — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 14:03:48 -0400

If I went back and changed anything, I probably would not have my beautiful wife and kids. If you asked me before I got married, I would have reenlisted. Stayed with the same job, Security Police.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Sep 3 at 2021 2:10 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 14:10:46 -0400

I would do it all again in the same MOS.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Sep 3 at 2021 2:22 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 14:22:18 -0400

Every minute of every hour of every day I would do it all again. I just received my first retirement check and while I do not miss it, it was one of the two best decisions I ever made (the second becoming an RN). I never need to leave my town again and will have stories for the rest of my life of places I have been, people I have met, and lives that I have lived. They gave me a start in the medical field for free, paid my college loans, and made me a pretty good nurse.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2021 2:44 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 14:44:23 -0400

Oh, instantly. Like you, medically retired. Having to get out broke my heart.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Sep 3 at 2021 2:51 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 14:51:53 -0400

Absolutely no doubt would do it all over again in the same job.

Response by LCpl Ash Carson made Sep 3 at 2021 2:59 PM

LCpl Ash Carson — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 14:59:01 -0400

I would go back but change my career to what I do now.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2021 3:09 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 15:09:19 -0400

Would I change anything? No.
Would I do it all over again? At this point, that sounds exhausting.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2021 3:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 15:51:30 -0400

Without hesitation! I have had a great time, my only regret is that I am going to have to stop eventually.

Response by LCpl Kevin Bryson made Sep 3 at 2021 4:04 PM

LCpl Kevin Bryson — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 16:04:08 -0400

DEFINITELY would do it again. Don't know about the career choice or not. Some of my experiences made me who I am today.

Response by SSG William Jones made Sep 3 at 2021 4:38 PM

SSG William Jones — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 16:38:53 -0400

I'd stay with the Army because it's a family "thing". My dad served with the 34th I.D. from 1942-1945. My maternal great-grandfather also was in the Army but his uniform was gray. As for MOS's, I guess I'd be satisfied with the any or all of the several that I have had. Also, would keep my "H" identifier. Liked being "on the trail".

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Sep 3 at 2021 7:14 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 19:14:06 -0400

No Changes, except I need to be 50 years younger

Response by A1C Robert Underwood made Sep 3 at 2021 7:39 PM

A1C Robert Underwood — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 19:39:03 -0400

Yes, I would, I would do a better job than before and would stayed in.

Response by PO3 Mark Nicholson made Sep 3 at 2021 7:45 PM

PO3 Mark Nicholson — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 19:45:21 -0400

I would biggest mistake i made was not making a career of it.

Response by CPL Christopher Trafnik made Sep 3 at 2021 9:33 PM

CPL Christopher Trafnik — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 21:33:48 -0400

Not during thi administration

Response by PO2 Colleen O'Hara made Sep 4 at 2021 12:18 AM

PO2 Colleen O'Hara — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 00:18:02 -0400

I miss it and think about my time in the service. Although this new woke military would make me say say no. It isn't the same military, and I do not believe the change is a good one. There is no way in hell anyone is forcing me to set through any kind of "woke" training of any kind.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Sep 4 at 2021 2:50 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 02:50:58 -0400

Total do over in same branch and specialty.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Sep 4 at 2021 7:14 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 07:14:03 -0400

Without a doubt. The only thing I would change is not beat my body up so bad and I wouldn't have volunteered for my fifth combat deployment. That last one really fucked up my good shoulder and quickened my retirement.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 4 at 2021 9:24 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 09:24:36 -0400

Or to add to the question, if you joined the Air Force, would you do that again, or actually join the military?

Response by A1C Michelle Pagan made Sep 4 at 2021 9:35 AM

A1C Michelle Pagan — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 09:35:13 -0400

I'm the similar. I would do it again, but do something else.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2021 10:06 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 10:06:18 -0400

I wouldn't even have to think. Sign me up any time.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2021 12:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 12:05:57 -0400

Yes. But no extended break in service

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 4 at 2021 12:45 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 12:45:37 -0400

I'll go counter with an absolutely not. Been there, done that. I'd take a different road to the future. It was a coin flip to be a doctor or engineer back then, so make the other choice great.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2021 12:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 12:53:21 -0400

I would enlist again. Even though I love my infantry days, I'd go the aviation route.

Response by SFC James Welch made Sep 4 at 2021 1:11 PM

SFC James Welch — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 13:11:37 -0400

I would have gone into Aviation sooner!

Response by PO1 James Akins made Sep 4 at 2021 2:47 PM

PO1 James Akins — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 14:47:43 -0400

I would if I could go back into the service, I served a total of 17 years, 14 years active and 3 years in the Naval Reserves. I had a good time serving in the "Navy", it was both a rewarding career and difficult at times but all in all it was the right place for me. I had no plans to go into any service at the time I was in high school, but me and my best friend was bowling at the time and between games we stopped by the military recruiting offices that was near the bowling alley. Our first choice was the air force but the recruiter wasn't in, we weren't interested in the marines at that time, talked to both the army and navy recruiters and the navy took both of us on the buddy system. I at that time dropped out of my last year of high school with three months left to go and went in. I was basically unsure of my future plans at that time and what direction to go so I went with the navy path. I completed all my military training basic and school course work in "Great Lakes, Illinois", then served two tours on the "USS California CGN 36", was on the pre-commissioning crew for the "USS Reid FFG 30" and "S.I.M.A./N.R.M.F. -Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity/Naval Reserve Maintenance Facility", Long Beach, California". I met and worked with some wonderful and awesome people along the way and we had each others back.
To make a long story short, I met my wife of 38 years, have four grown boys and one grandchild, completed all course work for a "GED", high school diploma, two year "Associates in Applied Science Degree for Electronics Technology" and had a good career path as a "Maintenance Technician".
My son recently asked me if I had a good life and what would I change, I responded the path I took wasn't planned lead it all to fate and chance because of raising a family and putting their needs first, but the one thing I would change is to complete twenty years of service in the "Navy".

Thank you,
James C. Akins (GMM1)

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Sep 4 at 2021 6:43 PM

Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 18:43:54 -0400

I had an opportunity to fly helicopters for the Army. There was a program where army officers flew helicopters from the factory to the testing site. Visual acuity was not as much a criteria, which suited me very well. But, I had to skip a class in order to test for it. I decided against. I might have decided differently, if I had to do it again.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Sep 4 at 2021 6:46 PM

Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 18:46:38 -0400

In a funny way, I actually did. After I retired from Title 10 service (Active Duty/Reserves) I joined what was then the California State Military Reserves (CSMR), which later became the California State Guard (CSG). I was inducted at my Retired rank of Lt Col, and was subsequently promoted to Col (CA) about one year later. The assignment was as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff for the California Military History Command. Loved it!

Response by 1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel made Sep 4 at 2021 10:13 PM

1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 22:13:55 -0400

I was a Navy Sea Cadet in high school and I was all lined up to enlist in the Naval Reserve in 1971. The complicating factor for me was that I had changed my preferred function from admin to medic. That meant (in 1971) I would be assigned Fleet Marine as a Corpsman. I have never been physically strong, and I knew I was not capable of dragging or carrying my comrade out of the combat predicament we would be in, so I enlisted in the Air Force. The fact that my DI let me take the Basic Training Bypass test prevented me from being a Security Police guy for my 4 years. I didn't discover that fact until I was in-processing at my second duty station and found the Security Clearance in my file for Security Police. I believe I would have been miserable in that job and would likely have had a less than honorable outcome. The fact that I became a medic allowed me to blossom into an amazing career in emergency medicine and then in teaching. Only later did I respond to the Call I heard from God when I was 7 years old to become a priest. Having a long life behind me I am thankful for my time in the Air Force and would do it again if the circumstances were the same.

I am thankful I was able to raise my sons in an environment where they had choices. While none of them chose the military, I remain proud of my service.

Response by 1SG Joseph Dartey made Sep 4 at 2021 10:47 PM

1SG Joseph Dartey — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 22:47:28 -0400

Dam skippy!!

Response by SrA Chizoba Nwadiogbu made Sep 4 at 2021 10:53 PM

SrA Chizoba Nwadiogbu — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 22:53:09 -0400

If I was more informed, I would have rather joined the Air National Guard or been an Officer as these two choices more aligned with my aspirations and goals.

Response by SSG Jim Hasse made Sep 4 at 2021 10:57 PM

SSG Jim Hasse — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 22:57:23 -0400

While in Vietnam, I got an Army nurse pregnant, married her, and got out of the Army. Two of the biggest regrets in my life. I made E-6 in less than for years and so wanted to stay. I had been promised HALO school if I stayed.
My dress uniform still hangs in my closet. I last wore it at my wedding on January 6, 1969. I was with 5th SFG, Project Delta.

Response by SSG James Knopp made Sep 4 at 2021 11:40 PM

SSG James Knopp — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 23:40:51 -0400

Absolutely I would take the oath again as sure as the sun rises each morning.
I have only one regret and that was never being deployed during my career.
As a child I always played Army and before I graduated high school enlisted under the delayed enlistment program.
The military has made me the man I am today.
But, the military isn’t for everyone and many soldiers are serving because of economic reasons only. That being said, I believe true soldiers are born to be warriors and serve with purpose and dignity.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 5 at 2021 12:14 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 00:14:42 -0400

Yes I would without hesitation. I kind of lucked into the army. I was offered accounting positions, but bean counting would be a slow death professionally and personally. One day I had the thought hat army careers can be diverse, and that variety was very appealing. However there is the downside to diversity. I became incompetent when I received new jobs, and rarely did anyone help me in the endeavor to understand the new position. Sometimes I tried to capture the flow of the operations and create flowcharts.

What I miss most about the army are the soldiers and NCOs. Staff work can be mind blowingly numb, but it all works out at the end. I got what I wished for. Then I realized, I had to be a good leader, and I did not know the definition of a good leader. I only had vague idea. The army became a leadership experiment for me.

(I am not done, I am tired)

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Sep 5 at 2021 1:52 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 01:52:39 -0400

actually had spent eight years on Active duty and got out for eight years then went back into an Air Force Uniform for another Fourteen years for a total of Twenty Two years in Air Force Blue and then retired. If I had to do it again I'd still go Air Force.

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made Sep 5 at 2021 5:04 AM

PO1 John Meyer, CPC — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 05:04:13 -0400

I would. Same branch, which I had little choice of anyway due to a medical condition that the Navy really wasn't all that concerned about as compared to The Marines. Yes, I wanted to be a Marine. But I think I would have chosen a different rate (what you'd call a MOS). It was a job, but wasn't really what I'd call a "dream job" for me unlike most people I met in my rate. I was a meteorologist. But then my original intent for enlisting was to get my life straight; I had absolutely no intention to make it a career. I was aimless and had no direct in my life. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I tried college for one semester and decided it wasn't for me. I wanted a job and I though the military would be the best way to go since they will train you for a job and you get paid at the same time.

Response by PFC Gilbert Johnson made Sep 5 at 2021 8:37 AM

PFC Gilbert Johnson — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 08:37:16 -0400

Yes I would. If I could I would do it all over again.

Response by COL Carl Jensen made Sep 5 at 2021 10:09 AM

COL Carl Jensen — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 10:09:58 -0400

The Army chose me via the draft, while I was avoiding it, but it all turned out well. I enjoyed my stay. The only change would have been finding an ROTC unit near the college I was attending. I didn't know I could do that at the time. Had my college had Army ROTC I would have joined it at 18.

Response by 1SG Terry Zamarron made Sep 5 at 2021 10:28 AM

1SG Terry Zamarron — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 10:28:28 -0400

As a Graduate of USASMA (Sergeant Majors Academy) I think maybe I might have went the USMC path. Another challenge.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 5 at 2021 11:42 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 11:42:44 -0400

I would join the Air Force again. I wanted to be a pilot since I was about 10. I would still go to college and take AFROTC. I might have taken a KC135 or C118 out of pilot training to open more options to fly with airlines. C130 flying was good and sometimes even fun. I wouldn’t have volunteered for a pilot training instructor assignment. I loved teaching and the Tweet could be a fun airplane to fly, but I hated Air Training Command. Should have stayed in C130 world.

Major change I might have made was taking advantage of the AF offer allowing pilots with 7 years experience to go to law school on DoD’s money. I think I would have liked being a JAG. Transition to civilian world might have been easier.

All in all I would do it all again tomorrow if I could.

Response by PFC Joe Thomas made Sep 5 at 2021 11:46 AM

PFC Joe Thomas — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 11:46:48 -0400

Not under this administration and current woke leadership.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2021 8:52 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 08:52:35 -0400

Yes, but a different route. I would've joined as an officer.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Sep 6 at 2021 10:27 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 22:27:34 -0400

Without a second thought. I would go back to Fort BRAGG (It will always be Fort BRAGG no matter what they want to change the name to) in a heartbeat. 82d AIRBORNE is still my home and I have been retired for a long time.

Response by SGT John Garrett made Sep 7 at 2021 10:22 AM

SGT John Garrett — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 10:22:34 -0400

Hell yes! Due to family problems I got out after 10 years. That’s the part I regret!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2021 10:50 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 10:50:14 -0400

I don't know that I would. I certainly would have looked at civilian and full time reserve positions much earlier in my career.

Response by PO1 James Akins made Sep 8 at 2021 10:40 PM

PO1 James Akins — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 22:40:35 -0400

Thank you very much for responding good to hear from other military people and I'm new to this site.
James Akins (GMM1)

Response by SPC Lyle Montgomery made Nov 24 at 2021 12:07 PM

SPC Lyle Montgomery — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 12:07:20 -0500

Yeas but I would still only do the 2 year hitch. I was proud to volunteer for the draft but had no intentions of making a carreer of the Army.