If you've been in the military, why did you join in the first place? Any regrets?

Question

When I was about to graduate from high school, I marine recruiter was really trying to get me to join, but I just couldn't see myself fitting into the military. Don't have the discipline, unwavering loyalty or the willingless to put my life on the line for someone else's reasons. But their are millions of people who do join the military, and I was just wondering why and if it was a good decision in retrospect.

Answer 1

I've never regretted it, but then again I do have that unwavering loyalty and willingness to put my life on the line for my country.

Answer 2

Joining the military was something I wanted since I was a child. All the men in my family had served and they took great pride in the service. But as I got older I knew it was the only way to get out of the little town I was from and really see the world and be on my own. I was Active Duty for 12 yrs, and recently joined the Guard. I wouldn't change a thing about it. I have people I've met from the moment I signed up that I still have as very close friends, I met and married my husband in th emilitary...we started our family, I've been all over the world and expereienced new things and I've been away from my husband and boys during the Iraq War, I've grown as a person but most of all I'm proud to serve my country...there's no other feeling like it. I tell many young people and recruits that the military saved my life and gave me life and that's the truth. NO REGRETS, NONE!!!

Answer 3

I joined the Army because I always wanted to serve my country. I got the chance to meet people from a variety of backgrounds from all over the world, got to travel, got to have experiences that were amazing, learned so much, got a decent paycheck with great benefits, and a scholarship. Absolutely no regrets. It may not be for everyone, but the discipline and loyalty that you feel that you are lacking are developed (even if you start off with a good dose of both) by being in the military. I don't know how old you are, but they have raised many of the age limits - it may not be too late to find out for yourself.

Answer 4

I served in the Marines and am now a Navy Seabee reservist. Imagine that!! I joined out of tradition mostly. Dad retired Navy, Several uncles Army. I was taught from birth that this country wasn't a gift. It came from hard work and the willingness to fight for what you believe in. Actually a very small percentage of military personell are involved in combat. Most work behind the scenes, supply, logistics, transportation, that sort of thing.

It is not an easy life, there are drawbacks. You may have to leave your family for several months. But I can tell you this, no one is more proud of anything else they do. I hear older men say "I am retired from the coal mines, or the steel mill, or the bank" and they do not have no where near as much pride as when a man says "I am retired Navy, Army, Air Force, or Marine".

Answer 5

Bound's hubby here:

Answering your last question first ... whether your decision to not join the military was a good decision can only be judged by you ... no one else. If you can look at yourself in the mirror and be comfortable with who you see ... then you made a good decision.

Now, I joined because I beleive in my country and the principles upon it was founded ... not the politicians that people see as "the government". We are a nation of neighbors ... neighbors look out for each other. The rights, privileges, and liberties that I am able to enjoy were secured by the sacrifices of others before me (for which I am appreciative). If my neighbors and my children are able to exercise those same rights, freedoms, and liberties ... then more sacrifices must be made ... perhaps by me if necessary.

Freedom is not free ... it takes sacrifice, and I am willing to make that sacrifice for my family if need be. Having made that decision, I can look in the mirror and be comfortable with the man I see! I have no regrets ... and I would do it again.

Answer 6

Being a resident of the south side of Chicago & 16 years old, the stage manager of our high school's drama department & bombarded with daily news of the ongoing Vietnam conflict, I knew that in a couple of years I was probably going to be drafted & killed. To circumvent the system, it seemed that my 'rebellious' attitude needed to be adjusted from a counter productive prospective draftee to that of an enthusiastic volunteer. Not only was it easier to adopt the patriotic mindset, it also effectively allowed my acceptance of responsibilities to 'blame only myself' if things didn't go my way. I had realised that if enlisted at 17, my assignment to VietNam or any combat zone was curtailed until my 18th birthday, by which time I expected to be locked into a safer role. It worked! After 12 years of training, education, maturing, travel, responsibility, hard work, lots of fun & adventure, it would seem silly to do it any differently. Being stationed in Germany the 1st 3 years, where I met my Australian bride, the travel throughout Europe was enlightening for a 17-20 year old, to say the least! Following the next 3 yrs in Texas, processing returnees from SE Asia, another 3 years in Europe led to an opportunity for even more travel & promotions to be able to finally get the prized Schofiled Barracks job! That's when it was reasonable to know that I was '...all I could be...', and turned taxidriver. We spent 23 years in Waikiki! Now retired in Australia, let me thank you for your question. I highly recommend the US Army for development far beyond the wildest imaginations. This beachside home with a splendid wife is testiment that there's absolutely no regrets! ;-) +2!

Answer 7

I dropped out of high school and enlisted in the Navy at 17. A few months later I am on the bridge of a destroyer steering on a full power run during beautiful weather at sea.
I got to see the Pleades out of sight of land, go through a gale off Cape Hattaras, crew a 5" 38 gun, and do a little traveling.
Much of it I did not care for, but over all ... it was a neat adventure. Afterwards I used my GI bill to help get a degree from a major university. Its a good way to see if you can adapt.

Answer 8

Well, I was one of those silly people that joined to fight for my country because I was sick of hearing the people back home ***** about it instead of doing anything. The benefits are great, and you hardly do all that much anything but training and you rarely ever put your life on the line(despite what the media says and everyone else who is looking for attention). For the most part I don't regret joining, though I sometimes missed being around my loved ones, it was truly worth joining though in the long run.

Answer 9

i never regret it but i must admit, its hard sometimes because theres so much negativity and all we ever really want to hear is a thank you froma stanger every once in a while. what i hate is when some stanger comes up to a service member and yells at them or blames them for the state our nation is in. They act like we can do somethign about it, like bitching to any servicemember will somehow solve anything. All i can say is that the next time you see someone in the military, stop and thank them for what they do because its hard to do what we do. The pay is ****, the responsibilities and the requirements are **** too. But at teh end of the day I can say "hey, yeah i sacrificed alot, my family sacrificed alot, my mother sacrificed, my husband, my daughter, me. But I am part of something bigger than myself and I am dedicating my life to do what many peopel dont see themselves doing". You even said it yourself, you dont think you have the discipline to be in the service. Wel. . . someone needs to have it. That someone is me, your next door neighbor maybe, or a friend from high school, or a co worker, that someone is the person you should thank every day for doing a job you will never be forced to do yourself. And that knowledge, the knowledge of giving up a little of yourself and sacrificing a little for your fellow americans, your family, your friends, is the best feeling in the world. I wouldnt take it back for anything

Answer 10

I joined the Army in 97. Different time. I joined because it is a good paycheck and I wanted to get training in the telecommunications field. Which I did get. I reenlisted 3 months after 9/11. I reenlisted because I wanted to serve my country. I wanted a combat patch. I think it has been great. I will never regret the last 9 years.

Answer 11

I didn't join, I was drafted Feb. 1969 into the army. Luck would have I became a air traffic controller. Served 23 months in Nam. Met and worked with some of the best people ever. Regrets, you bet. Have PTSD and affects of agent orange (diabetes). Glad I served but . . . .