Military Service

[iBen]

Have you or did you serve in the military?

I always wished to go to the Marine Corps, but was rejected due to having too many tattoos when I actually went, so was picked up by a army recruiter, and here i am! what's your story?

 

[Loki]

I wanted to go to college.

 

[netty2424]

I wanted to go to college.

I did too. I ended up playing basketball and that was my direction and motivation. Looking back, I wished I would've spent time in the military at some point.

 

[Urban_Assault]

Was going to do either teaching or Mechanical Engineering, couldn't decide. Got a scholarship for engineering at the Univ. of Missouri in Rolla, but found out I was going to be a daddy. Had to support the family, so I joined the military instead.

Did 6 years active, then got out and became a contractor. Still a Reservist. Don't regret it one bit. Got free training and a butt-load of experience, making a decent living. (Still paying for the divorce, but that's another story...)

All things considered, I'm an extremely lucky guy to be where I am.

-Tim

 

[RedWhiteandBuell]

Went into the Air Force at the end of summer after I graduated high school in 2001. Served 6 years in 2F0X1 (Fuels) career field. First 2 years I spent in Okinawa, Japan. Deployed to Tallil AB in 2003. Then got orders to Offutt AFB in Bellevue, Nebraska and spent the remaining four years of my enlistment here. While I was active here I deployed to Qatar in 2005 and Kuwait at end of 2006-beginning of 2007 and went TDY to Nellis once. During my last two years they drastically started cutting back jobs in my career field. Long story short I couldn't get a special duty (applied several times), never got picked up to cross train into anything so I basically said if you aren't going to beg me to stay in I sure as hell am not going to beg you. I wanted to stay in, but it just didn't seem like it was meant to be.

Separated August 2007, The first year out was pretty rough for other reasons besides just trying to find a job (Ex-gf BS). They had been talking about contracting out the Bulk Storage section of the career field for A LONG time, especially right before I was getting out. A year after I separated they FINALLY got the Storage section contracted out Air Force wide. I knew the guy in charge of that section at Offutt at the time and told him to let me know the minute it got contracted. He called me and I've been working there for the last 4 years (almost).

 

[flyeboy]

Retired 2F0X1 (Fuels) here. 21.5 years in POL, been everywhere to include 6 years in Germany. Good deal on contractor work RedWhiteandBuell. I was the CRO at Barksdale for a while. Crap job. LOL I joined up two years after high school just to have a freaking job. Turns out I loved it. Would serve again if 20 years younger!

 

[Kuntreeboy]

13 years Active AF Military Police had to get away from the small town life! Living the Dependant/Reserve life for now

 

[ReconLdr]

I started off in the Marines. I enlisted 1 week after my 17th birthday and went to boot camp a few weeks later. I did 6yrs active (2 as an Artilleryman and 4 as an Amtracker) and joined the Pa Army National Guard (Cavalry Scout). All totalled I had 23+ years of service. I just retired 1 February 2012.

I've been working as a DoD contractor (Systems Engineer) for the last 8 years.

 

[Joe Hamm]

5 years in the Marine Corps so far... First job was aviation ordnance (6541) and deploy Jan 09 to Jan 10 to Iraq. I lateral moved to UAV operatorbin 2011 now Im looking at a deployment to Afghan here soon.

 

[turboraven]

5 years Active Duty Army and counting. Was Direct Commissioned back in 07'.

 

[ArmyMP09]

Wasn't going anywhere in life and needed to make some doors open. Was 25 when i went in. Still in the reserves, which as a MP is cool because you are always getting called up for stuff. Right now getting road certified to work on FT Meade, beats normal reserve training. My first 3 years in the reserves I was only home 6 months. Rest of the time was training or deployed. Without the enlistment bonus never would started riding.

 

[CityBoiX5020]

2 year E-4 stationed at Aviano AB Italy. Deployed once in 2010 to UAE. I did 4 years AFJROTC in high school and figured, ehh mind as well do something with this certificate, pretty much to get away from the street life and do something with myself. Best decision I couldve made!

 

[firefighter1c57]

from 94 til current. Active Army, Army Guard, Air Guard, Army Guard. 2 trips to Iraq, leaving for the Ghan in June. Oh, 12B. Combat Engineer for those that don't know.

 

[mmcn49]

Drafted in 67 at age 18. Sent to Vietnam for one year. Very grateful to have made it home.

Only plus was the GI Bill educational benefits. Attended College/University for 6 years after leaving the Army, earning two degrees.

 

[GAXB9R]

4 years United States Army. 63B stationed in Baumholder, Germany in the 1 st Armored Division. Deployed to camp liberty/camp victory in Baghdad Iraq. Med discharged due to lung issues from being over there. Miss it everyday still. Got out in 08.[cool]

 

[cincybolt12]

Joined at 18 cause i didn't know what i wanted yet. Went 11b for 3n a half years, honorable. Did a 14 month tour in bahgdad. Had a baby and no reup. I really loved it but just something about being able to talk **** and hide behind rank rubbed me wrong. Now trying to get back in college in a few months cause i took a break due to a broken hand at uti. Headed to mmi when i go back, super excited for that

 

[xtreme]

This month will be 13 years in the US Caost Guard. It has been great so far. By the way the USCG does not look down on tattoo's I am covered in them. This has been the best decision I ever made. I travel all the time and going to college. Its a great life.

 

[brumbear]

B/4/1 tank hill!!!!!!
3/84th FA (pershing)
HHSB 801st maint bn 101st

 

[ANIMOSITY]

Due to hit 20 years in Oct. Joined active as a 19D Cav scout (greatest job ever) spend 10 years active. Mostly Germany and a little at Ft Carson. Deployed to Yugo land a few times as a UN F*#k. Hated it! Thanks Clinton!Then got out the end of 2000, after some trouble. Joined back 3 days after 911. But due to my Diability (marriage) I went reserves, as a mechanic. Now Im in BFE Illinios as a 35F Intel guy. And now I have a few more deployments to Iraq playing PsyOp guy. The oly thing I would change out of my entire career is Not getting out. Had I stayed I would be retireing this year at the young age of 38.

 

[vance580]

Marine Corps here. Saw no direction in my old town and had been working a while. Decided to go into the military. Looked at the Army since I was 26 at the time and decided to go big or go home when I found out the Marine Corps would take me that old. Did 4 years as an 0311 infantry and a 0313 LAV crewman. Made lots of friends and went to a few far off exotic places. After I got out and about to be getting a divorce finalized I'm a 31 year old college student taking advantage of the GI Bill and wouldn't change a single thing. Luckily no kids so the divorce wont costs me too much. I'm going to school for mechanical engineering so I'll see where that takes me. It is all about being smart while you are in too. Alot of guys start making money and are young so they get into debt over their head. I used my deployments and time to pay off my debt to the point now I only have a very low car payment and rent and utilities. Buell is paid for. Living the bachelor livestyle now- cheap studio apartment, nice car, nice bike, and getting an all expenses paid college education.