2007-05-22 06:55:11 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Several things: My wife, who if I had not taken a certain set of orders and had not turned down an extension in Viet Nam, I would have never met and had over 38 years of marriage so far; 5 ships: many friends I still keep in touch with; 32 countries (stationed in 3, my family was with me in 2), 6 continents(including 13 months in Antarctica with a trip to the South Pole),8 oceans/seas, met a pen pal I had in 7th/8th grade who lived in Mauritius, I can go to 6 countries and not have to stay in a hotel, being part of a BIG family...no matter where I went, I was accepted. Meeting so many different people, experienced many different cultures. I met a guy in Kenya (1979) who was from Ghana and we still write 2 - 3 times a year. My wife still keeps in touch with a neighbor lady from Sardinia. I picked up 7 languages and still dream in Italian from time to time. Even today, being retired military (Navy) gives me something in common with other retired military I meet (and work with). It's quite a large community. I have retired Navy stickers on both my vans and my motorcycle. A lot of what made it worthwhile being in the Navy isn't very tangible. Memories of places, shipmates (some have passed away). I have 3 shipmates who come from out of town to spend time with my wife and I and still several others who keep in touch by mail and email. Oh, yes, and the retirement...pays my mortgage and then some. And then there's the pride of having served my country for over 20 years and hopefully have been an influence on the troops who worked for me and trained under me. My (on base) barber who I rode constantly as a seaman, made Senior Chief (E-8), one was a Master Chief (E-9) and Command Master Chief of a ship. My son joined the Navy and the Master Chief on his first ship worked for me as an SK3(E-4) and spent a lot of time at our house in Sardinia. One of my troops was an alcoholic and I worked with him on that problem. 4 years later, he was selected for OCS and last I heard he retired as a Lieutenant Commander (I heard that from our division officer who lives not too far from me now). I'm not saying that was because of me, but it makes me feel good to know at least some of my troops suceeded in their Navy career. Oh, yes....and I got out of Delaware, and saw the world...at least a good part of it. As far east from Delaware as Pakistan and as far west from Delaware as Thailand, as far north as Nova Scotia and as far south as the South Pole (had the most southern fried chicken in the world).
2007-05-22 15:01:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Comraderie, belonging, family, pride, honor, integrity, learning to be something important.
Joining the military is one of the most unselfish acts a person can do. Why? Because you join the service to take care of others, to protect those you don't even know, give up to and sometimes even your very life for those who won't appreciate it until what you fought for is gone again.
Joining the military is worth the graduation from boot camp, the satisfaction of completing something harder than you ever thought you could. Joining the military is worth seeing yourself in a uniform for the very first time. An important, fulfilling uniform. You look good, you feel good, and you are good.
2007-05-28 06:36:32 · answer #2 · answered by Kathryn P 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Stationed/Lived in Sacramento - 4 yrs, Korea - 1 yr, England - 2 yrs, Wisconsin (as a recruiter) - 5 years, Florida - 3 years, and Minneapolis (as a medical recruiter) - 5 years.
With my original job in the Air Force (construction- Red Horse) I did a bunch of traveling: bases throughout Korea, bases throughout England. Community relations- repairs on Castle Hedingham, Travel to bases throughout Germany, Crete, Egypt, Somalia, and to many locations in the USA.
Retirement is making my house payment + additional cash that is being saved away. I will continue to get my retirement pay the rest of my life.
Champus - non contributary Health Insurance (I pay a small deductable which has like a $300 or 400 max) + I only pay $350 per quarter for supplemental insurance through Air Force Association. The only better health insurance out there is working for an employer who pays 100% and there are not a whole heck of a lot of employers doing that.
Friendships made the entire 20 years. If you stay in long enough, you end up running into people that you were stationed with at previous bases. Also, meeting many people who know the same people as you. It's one huge family.
A good choice.
2007-05-22 07:32:02 · answer #3 · answered by Bob 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Besides the satisfaction of doing my patriotic duty, I loved the travel opportunity. Before I joined the Navy, I traveled all over the US and Europe. After I joined I saw much of Asia, the Middle East and Australia. I have been to many of the places that most people dream of visiting and dozens more places they have never heard of.
On top of all of that I have been to the places where history was being made. Off Mogadishu just after Blackhawk Down, in the Philippines when the people revolted against Marcos, Crossing Kadaffi's Line of Death. I miss this most of all since retiring.
2007-05-28 16:45:44 · answer #4 · answered by morgan j 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The military has given me experience that I likely would not have gained elsewhere. It gave me pride, self confidence, respect for others.
It offered me the chance to see how small the world really is, and a chance to visit many places. Perhaps some of you have heard the old saying,,,, Join the military, travel to far away places, meet interesting and exotic people......... and kill them! I would ammend that to read.... meet interesting and exotic people......... and HELP them!
I was in Panama during that conflict, and I served during desert shield and storm. I was proud to serve. I am MOST proud of a small deployment to Argentina. Middle of no where 3 hours from the nearest town. No media coverage. No weapons! A small group of civil engineers, and 2 medical personnell joined a handful of others and built a clinic for the local folks who were dying from Cholera. This is the Military at its best!
2007-05-28 05:19:43 · answer #5 · answered by Aging Hero 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1. College money...although I was only promised $10,800 in GI Bill money (back in 1990, my MOS was not a college-fund MOS and there was no 'kicker' like there is today), I have collected well over $40,000 in college benefit from the Army in the form of GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, Student Loan Repayment, etc.
2. The retirement...When I went in in 1990, I thought 4 years and I'm done. I have just over 3 years left before I am elligible for retirement...as I am now a reservist and not active duty, I have to wait until age 60 to start collecting, but the estimated $1200.00 (in today's dollars) per month I will collect in retirement will be a great augmentation to my social security.
3. The medical benefit at retirement. TRICARE is not great, but makes a great medicare supplement. No "Part D" for me to get my perscription drugs.
4. The experiences...I have learned more in the Army than I have throughout my undergrad and masters degree combined.
5. The people...I still keep in touch with individuals that I met during AIT back in 1990-91. Those are lasting friendships.
2007-05-22 07:01:55 · answer #6 · answered by Robert N 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It gave me a chance to mature and respect what I have. I got all of the "partying" out of my system when I was in Germany for my first three years. Learned to appreciate the simpler things in life. Made me want to do better.
I didn't join for the college money (even though it's putting me through school now). I didn't join for bonuses. I joined because I felt it was something I needed to do for my country. And I am glad I did. I got to travel, see countries that I never thought I would see on my own. Meet people from all around the US and Europe. Work on equipment most people will never see in their life time. The list can be endless. It was a great experience for me.
The military is what you make of it, like any other job. I chose something I thought we be fun and exciting, and was. There was hard work involved too, but that's what makes us better.
US Army med-retired
M1A1 Abrams
2007-05-22 07:14:57 · answer #7 · answered by Rawbert 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Finding out who I am... physically, mentally, and spiritually. I was pushed harder than I thought possible, and I overcame many personal obstacles. I was raised in a culture of community service, so I felt like I got the opportunity to give back. I had the opportunity to meet people from all over the nation... and the world, too, for that matter.
And, I met my husband because of the Army. He joined the Army after I got out. I'm from the East Coast, and he's from the Pacific Northwest. We would never have met otherwise!
Life is about opportunities. You either grab them, or you watch them pass you by.
2007-05-22 09:42:53 · answer #8 · answered by DD 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Pure enjoyment, I spent 20 years in the Navy, I loved my job, I was working, for the most part, with some very fine people, many of whom become the best of my friends. I also loved the travel. Yes, the life is hard, there were also miserable, grueling times, but on the whole I look back on a positive balance. I also loved the travel, and then there was the benefits and pension when I retired.
2007-05-22 09:40:26 · answer #9 · answered by rich k 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
knowing I enlisted (1987-2002)for the sake of protecting my home, family and country. I have an very long family history of military background. We been in every war and conflict and it is a great honor to serve with pride.
I learned much I would have never done other wise. Respect not only for others, but for the most simple things in life most don't even take into consideration. Hoo-ha!
2007-05-22 07:02:31 · answer #10 · answered by IndianaHoosier 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Had just run out of college money... so it was a JOB, a HOME, and food.
In my 15yrs, I finished my bachelors and masters degrees. I sailed and flew all over the Pacific and Indian Oceans. I got to drive across the USA twice. I made friends that are still friends even though I left the Navy in 1999.
Best of all, I got my commission as an LDO and made Lieutenant Commander before I got out... so I outrank my little brother who went thru NROTC and outranked ME for 6 years :(
2007-05-22 07:10:20 · answer #11 · answered by mariner31 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋