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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dam skippy!!

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.

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!

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.

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)