Can you say "draft" 1964? Options - get drafted into the army at a very bad time -or learn to repair AC&W radar in the air force. Just call me zoomie.

Later I got out, a friend of mine convincesd me to hook up with the FLARNG for a period of time. Met some really good people and helped train quite a few as a senior NCO. My feelings are kinda on the edge of everybody should do a term in the military.
emdfl | Email | Homepage | 03.30.05 - 8:13 am | #

Prettt much the same reasons as you stated Chris.

I internalized a lot of what I read as a kid (especially Heinlien) and felt (and still feel) that I owed it to our society.

I went through the same thing into looking at LE (actually took several tests and interviewed at several Departments) and found the BS factor too high. Most of these people were not serious, they looked at as just another job.

And when asked about what I thought about OIF and Enduring Freedom, my usual answer was "frustration", that I was not helping my brothers and sisters going into harms way.
Randy | Email | Homepage | 03.30.05 - 9:26 am | #

Have to agree with you and Randy as for your reasons for serving. I would only add, being a second generation American, that also played a part . ALL the countries my fore fathers (and fore mothers?) came from were under direct control of the Russians since the time of my birth. (and I was second generation on both sides of the family btw) So I had a keen interest in being a part of something which was actively working against the forces which not only controlled my families "roots" but sought to take over my country as well. I have found it interesting that although family members on both sides of the tree have answered their countries call I am to the best of my knowledge, the only one who made a career of it.
Oh and cause it is never too early ..."GO NAVY ! Beat Army!!"
Guy S | Email | Homepage | 03.30.05 - 10:45 am | #

I've got a bit different story; why I didn't sign up.

At 18, in my senior year, among the group of people I messed around with were two sergeants from Fort Sill. One day when a bunch of us were going to get together for dinner I got to their place early and said "Ive got a question for you. I'm thinking of signing up for a hitch when I graduate. What do you think?"

They looked at each other, then looked at me and almost in chorus said "Don't!" I was shocked, I'd expected 'keep your mouth shut in boot camp, stay away from this, go for that'. I think I actually stammered a bit when I asked why. Brian said "If there were a war on or an emergency, I'd say glad to have you, proud of you for signing up. But you and the peacetime army wouldn't get along together."

I was a standard dumb teenager who'd been taught to pay attention to what experts say, so I didn't sign up. And I do regret it. Along with having served, I'd have done a lot of growing up a lot faster than I did.
Mark | Email | Homepage | 03.30.05 - 5:53 pm | #

Why'd I join? For the ROTC scholarship-I actually wanted to join the CIA, and the Army seemed like a good route.

Of course, I originally intended to go MI as well, and here I am, almost 9 years later, still in the Infantry, with no thoughts about quitting.

Why don't I leave? Honestly, because I can't think of anything else I really want to do.
Heartless Libertarian | Email | Homepage | 03.31.05 - 1:00 pm | #