Where did you enter the military?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:20:22 -0500

People sign up for the U.S. Military from around the world...what's your story?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 9:23 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:23:28 -0500

SGM Private RallyPoint Member, I was commissioned at the U.S.S. Constitution in Boston, graduating from Northeastern University! Then off to Fort Benning, Georgia!

Response by SrA Andrea West made Dec 9 at 2014 9:30 AM

SrA Andrea West — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:30:03 -0500

I joined up from Denver when I was out of school for a few months. My brothers, Dad, and uncles were all in the service at some point and it seemed like a logical thing to do.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 9:31 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:31:02 -0500

I joined in Little Rock Arkansas, December 10, 2011. Tomorrow will mark my 3 year anniversary. Joining the military has made me more responsible, a harder worker and a better person. I am currently in ROTC pursuing my Masters Degree and will more then likely commission active duty.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Dec 9 at 2014 9:31 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:31:11 -0500

Commissioned at Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, PA. I had enlisted at the Harrisburg MEPS station about six months prior to that however.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Dec 9 at 2014 9:48 AM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:48:42 -0500

SGM Private RallyPoint Member I entered the USMC in Killeen, TX (the home of Fort Hood). I went through MEPS in Dallas, TX. When I returned to active duty in the Army, I went through MEPS in San Antonio, TX.

Response by SN Renee Strauss made Dec 9 at 2014 10:16 AM

SN Renee Strauss — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 10:16:40 -0500

I enrolled at the St. Louis Meps center.

Response by Col Stan VanderWerf made Dec 9 at 2014 11:19 AM

Col Stan VanderWerf — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 11:19:56 -0500

Purdue University, ROTC, entered active duty 1983.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 11:41 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 11:41:11 -0500

Indianapolis.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 9 at 2014 11:42 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 11:42:14 -0500

SGM Private RallyPoint Member, I enlisted on 9AUG69 in Jacksonville, FL and reported to the reception station at Fort Jackson, SC on 28OCT69. I was commissioned at Fort McClellan, AL on 16JUN73.

Response by Capt Dominic Manaligod made Dec 9 at 2014 11:57 AM

Capt Dominic Manaligod — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 11:57:42 -0500

I enlisted in the Navy back in September 1990 at Naval Station Subic Bay in the Philippines. This was when the Status Of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the U.S. and the Philippines was still in effect. The Navy promised to show me the world and exotic places, but whenever I asked for Rota Spain, I always end up in far more exotic places like Oakland, CA, Orlando, FL and San Diego, CA. I asked for a tour in Europe but got sent the other way in Okinawa. On my 11th year in service, I got picked up for an AF commission. I asked to be deployed several times but I was told engineers can't do research work in theater...unless it has to do with high velocity copper-clad lead poisoning. I retired in 2012 from the COMSEC community and now working as an Army civilian....to date, I have not been to the exotic places that were promised when I enlisted.

Response by SSgt B Mac made Dec 9 at 2014 12:33 PM

SSgt B Mac — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:33:04 -0500

Recruited out of Ft Walton Beach, FL, MEPS at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Dec 9 at 2014 12:50 PM

PFC Zanie Young — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:50:56 -0500

Joined the military from Ft Dix on 24 Aug 1989. Then got to fly to Chicago before landing in Ft Jackson, SC for basic. I think I have been to Chicago 4 times before I could kiss the military goodbye...

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 12:51 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:51:12 -0500

Small town USA, SGM Private RallyPoint Member. I entered the military from home in upstate New York. My first duty station (Infantry OSUT) was at Fort Polk, LA.

Response by SGT Kyle Taylor made Dec 9 at 2014 12:58 PM

SGT Kyle Taylor — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:58:50 -0500

Went through MEPS in Raleigh NC but was from Fort Bragg area.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Dec 9 at 2014 1:17 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:17:57 -0500

After I started Nursing school at Univ of South Florida in Fall '94, I was working with Navy recruiters on a possible Navy commission. However, Navy wouldn't give me a waiver for my eyesight. So I talked to Army recruiters instead. During a recruiting trip to Ft Lewis, the Chief Nurse of AMEDD recruiting recommended that since I was still junior enough in school to seek out a ROTC commission instead. She was hinting heavily at the mid-90s drawdown and subsequent decrease in direct commissions. So when we got back, I talked to the PMO of my schools Army ROTC battalion. He was MORE than happy to sign me up. Joined ROTC in the Spring semester. Went to Adv Camp (now LDAC) at FT Lewis in June of '96 after I graduated, and commissioned at the end of camp in July '96. Passed my NCLEX in August. Reported to OBC at Ft Sam Houston in October and then to BAMC in December afer graduation. The rest, as they say, is history.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 1:23 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:23:55 -0500

I enlisted in San Antonio and went through MEPS there April 17 1989. Went though boot camp and my A school at RTC Great Lakes, IL (affectionately known as Great Mistakes) then served the remainder of my AD time on board the USS JFK CV-67.

I think probably the only thing I would change today is that I would have continued in the Reserves rather than lapsing back into the IRR. I had a boss who wouldn't work with me and I was young and didn't want to fight him since I had rent to pay.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 1:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:33:20 -0500

Joined back in 97 from San Juan, PR. There the recruiters got it easy, we go to the station uninvited, they don't even need to go to the schools or anything. Got out and joined from Tampa, FL the second time, was severely disappointed in the recruiters there until I found one that was actually squared away.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 1:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:31:41 -0500

I entered the Army at Waynesville/St Roberts (Ft Leonard Wood), MO in 2003

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Dec 9 at 2014 1:32 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:32:56 -0500

I was commissioned a 2LT - Infantry, Regular Army, upon graduation from the Army ROTC Program at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide).

I entered active duty one week later at Fort Benning, Georgia, where I was born and both my sons were born (on two different assignments there).

Coincidently, my wife, whom I met at the University of Alabama, is from Phenix City, Alabama and was born in Columbus, Georgia. (For those who do not know, Fort Benning is adjacent to Columbus, GA and Phenix City, AL).

There is an old joke about Phenix City (which used to be called "Sin City") that says that "only whores and football players come out of Phenix City"... My wife played right tackle... :-) :-) She sure caught a lot of ribbing over the years for being from Phenix City.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 1:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:36:40 -0500

SGM Private RallyPoint Member I enlisted in MEPS San Juan, Puerto Rico

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 1:46 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:46:03 -0500

Originally enlisted in the delayed entry program (DEP) in 1996. Actually processed through the Jackson, MS MEPS station in August 1997. Five years active-duty as an aircraft electrician, three years in the Air Guard as a ground radar technician, and now five years in the Army Reserve as a Signal Support Specialist/Signal Officer/HR Officer.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 2:34 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 14:34:03 -0500

1974. Syracuse, NY. My father was an Air Force Recruiter in PA with tours in Vietnam, Korea and Thailand. The early and mid 70's were not very friendly times and I am glad that veterans of this day did not have to go through that. But I loved the job especially in the Weather Field although a few friends have died or dying including one Forecaster who has Leukemia and is beginning to falter very fast. Please all pray for him.....

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 2:56 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 14:56:25 -0500

I enlisted in the Air Force in 1966 in Fayetteville, Arkansas in the delayed enlisted program and then went on active Duty January, 1967 in the Telecommunications career field. I finished my degree and was commissioned in 1978 and served the last 13 years as a Security Police officer.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 6:54 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 18:54:34 -0500

Signed my papers at the Taunton, MA Armed Forces recruiting station. Took my oath at MEPS in Boston, MA. Did my OSUT at Ft. Knox (I suffered through Agony, Misery, and Heartbreak. I'm a real Scout!). First duty station was Ft. Hood.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 7:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:23:21 -0500

Dallas MEPS. Man that place was crowded. My recruiter came to pick me up and took me and one other recruit to the hotel only to find out it was over booked. He then had to take us to a different hotel. My roommate in the hotel that night had to drink 2 gallons of water and eat a bunch of bananas in order to meet minimum weight. He was so damn skinny... He made it by 2 pounds.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 9 at 2014 7:22 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:22:42 -0500

My first day in was the start of cadet basic training on July 1, 2002 at West Point. Time goes by so quickly.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 7:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:52:22 -0500

I originally enlisted in Atlanta, GA in 1985. When I got out and went National Guard in 1989, again, I enlisted in Atlanta, GA. When I decided to come back active duty and join the USCG in 1992, I again, enlisted in Atlanta, GA. When I decided after completing two years in the CG to come back to the army, I again, enlisted for the last time, in Atlanta, GA. While technically each of those is considered to be "re-enlistment", I don't think of them that way, because each one had at a minimum, a 15 day break in service. It wasn't until my last enlistment, that I decided to make a career of the Army and remained in until my retirement this past September. Now I live in NC.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 9 at 2014 8:18 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 20:18:51 -0500

I entered the Navy out of the MEPs Station in Baltimore Maryland. Best decision i ever made at that time. I found out i was graduation the day before we walked (was waiting on my grades) if i would of gone to college i would of failed out and became a bum im sure of it.

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Dec 9 at 2014 8:40 PM

1SG Frank Boynton — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 20:40:40 -0500

Denver, Colorado Aug 11, 1972

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Dec 9 at 2014 10:50 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 22:50:32 -0500

The year was 1986 and I wanted to get seriously away from an alcoholic wife and well the military was the answer. I entered the recruiting station in HOUSTON, TEXAS, took ASVAB, did physical and signed the same day. I got delayed entry to do Military Police, they said it couldn't be done as I was 24 and out of school, but they wanted me. Kept telling me I should go MI for the bonus, it has been and never will be about the money. I went to MEPS in Memphis after dropping off the then wife at her mother's house. First duty was Fort McClellan, Alabama.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 3:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 03:48:41 -0500

Enlisted in the USCG through the Harrisburg, PA MEPS 07JUL98. Enlisted in the USA through the Anchorage, AK MEPS 07JUL08.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 2:31 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 14:31:21 -0500

Enlistment 1: Oakland, CA
Enlistment 2: Kissimmee, FL

Response by PO1 Bruce Ramsey made Dec 10 at 2014 6:33 PM

PO1 Bruce Ramsey — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 18:33:51 -0500

I joined the Navy in Detroit, Michigan, September 1990. Thought it was the worst decision in my life until I started boot camp and retired in 2010. Wouldn't change my decision if I could.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 12 at 2014 11:48 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 23:48:56 -0500

Denver Colorado
Easiest recruit that guy had all year Id bet.
No haggle, no sales pitch, no waivers. I walked in knowing what i wanted and that it was available plus I was qualified.
Took the ASVAB that day, and reported to Benning a few weeks later

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 10:35 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 10:35:19 -0500

I entered both Army and Navy from the old San Antonio MEPS (before they moved it onto Ft. Sam Houston). I went to Army bootcamp in 1993 at Ft. Sill and AIT in 1994-95 at Ft. Sam.
With the Navy, I went through Great Lakes (since it was the only choice anymore) at the end of 1996 and did Nuclear Field MM A school in Orlando (before they closed the base). After I washed out of Nuclear Power School (because hey, we were in Orlando, who wants to study all the time and not enjoy the sun and fun), I went to Groton for Basic Enlisted Submarine School and Torpedoman C school. I finally got to the Fleet in early 1998 and was stationed in Groton until 2002 when I transferred to CIVLANT...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 4:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 16:03:38 -0500

I enlisted in the Army at the Seattle MEPS on 6 APR 2010 and left for OSUT at Fort Knox. SCOUTS OUT!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 7:55 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 19:55:17 -0500

Bayamón, Puerto Rico September 2013. Went to BCT in Fort Jackson in January 2014.

Response by PO2 Don LaLonde Jr made Dec 17 at 2014 3:48 PM

PO2 Don LaLonde Jr — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 15:48:02 -0500

I went to Navy Boot Camp in Great Lakes.

Response by SGT Brian Jarvi made Apr 21 at 2024 9:54 AM

SGT Brian Jarvi — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 09:54:08 -0400

The area for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the MEPS out of Milwaukee Wisconsin. August 2,1982