Why did you enlist?

[Big_Dave]

I've heard a lot of great enlistment storys (reasons) over the years.

What's yours?

I needed a little discipline because I was 17 and restless. I had dropped out of high school (normal daytime), enrolled in alternative school (evenings) and worked as a cook in a Greek restaurant at night. Then I enrolled in the auto mechanics class at the local Vo-Tech. That lasted 1 semester before I said, "Screw it" and quit.

We married young (I was 19) and there were no 'real' job opportunities where I lived, so I enlisted in the Army.

After 9 1/2 years, I admit the last 18 months I was in, my outlook on the Army was 'jaded'. There were too many new changes and policies when I came back to stateside duty. To be honest, after serving almost 4 years overseas, stateside duty was like the 'boy scouts'. :wtf:

[Bookworm]

I was in the wrong place at the right time and was implicated in a crime (I Was Not Involved) so the Judge gave me a choice ---- Military or Reform School --- I chose the military and I have never regretted it.

Dave

[driver62]

I joined the USAF in 1959 because I didn't want to get drafted. I figured 4 years in the AF was better than 2 years in the Army.
I ended up staying 12 years.

[The_Governor]

I was a handful as a teenager and its a miracle I graduated from high school.

My dad gave me these options as I approached graduation;

1)Go to college,pass all my classes,and he would pay for it.

2)Get a job,pay rent at home or get my own apartment.

3)Enlist in the military.

I barely passed my classes in high school..........major F%$#-off...........I knew there was no chance of passing at the college level.

What kind of job do you get when your 17 with just a high school diploma?

The military was the best choice although my old man liked to have s#it when I came home and said I need his and moms signature to enlist in the USMC............My dad was an Infantry Officer/U.S.Army.........Quickly told me I never get through "Boot".

I graduated from MCRD Parris Island Platoon 3031 H Company,Third Battalion in July of 1978.I was an Aviation Structural Mechanic in the 3rd and 4th Marine Airwing.

Becoming a Marine instilled the dicipline in me to go on to college and complete a four year degree in just under three years.

In hindsight I wish I had retired from The Marine Corps...........some of my fondest memories in life are there.

Semper Fi.................Richard

[USAF_2T2]

I wanted to be my own person, and didn't want to be in any other service but the Air Force. My Dad was in the Army and he told me he would whip my a$$ if I joined anything else but Air Force. He told me that it offered jobs that you could do whenif you got out.

Best advice I ever took.

[forksfl]

Joined the USN May 77 after dropping out of my junior year. Originally wanted into the USMC to fix F4 Phantoms but my recruiter fed me a line Oh we cannot guarantee your school. So when this Navy PO1 squid said they would I went for it. My folks had moved us across town into a newer home the previous summer and demanded I go to the high school down the road not the school where I knew everyone. Despite having money & a car & a great ater school job. I never looked back did 23 years. Could have done 30. Spent 2 good years with the Marines at MCAS Iwakuni Japan fixing their Harrier, Hornet & Prowler motors. Plus with the devil dogs givin me the business about bein a slacker squid I got in the best shape of my life so I became an official devil duck. Later I got sick of the politically correct Navy way things got after slick willy was voted in. Plus I was in F14 maintenance/flight Ops and we worked hard for a living. While watching lawndarts mechs(FAGS-aka F18 guys) polish canopies and play cards and workout.But it was the best thing I ever did for my self as my brothers and sister are stoners, been in prison and just bags of crap in life. I have some great memories of my career. It has helped me be a very safe driver today. So yes I am voting for John McCain as I know Naval aviators they are great guys to work with. Cuz the other guys is way way out there but he would be good as president of France.

[Randg1]

I joined the USAF in 1959 because I didn't want to get drafted. I figured 4 years in the AF was better than 2 years in the Army.
I ended up staying 12 years.

In 1953 I joined the USNR for the same reason. I really don't like to dig holes or live in the dirt. For some unknown reason I was never called up so I did my 8 years of monthly meetings and yearly cruises and got out.

[saddletramp]

In 1971 I was 18, just out of school with a draft number of 29..............

Joined the AF and went into their engineer flight unit, and after basic went to DaNang and rebuilt the runways and other road projects. The B52s would leave in the morning, then the charlies would blow the crap out of the main runway. The forces would go get em and after we got an all clear we would go out and fix the holes so the buffs could come home.............:cool:


659th Aviation Engineers Group, Vietnam 1971-1973