Why Are You Serving?

[Calmo70]

I don't post all that much. Been on a few forums - but mostly just read what other folks have to say. Maybe it is because of the climate in the Air Force today with the recent "resignations" of the CSAF and the Secretary, constant deployments, cuts in personnel, etc, etc - but IMHO it certainly seems there is a lot of complaints about being a member of the Air Force these days.

Full Disclosure - I am a retired Transportation/Airlift Chief who retired in 1998. Have been working as a Defense contractor for the most part since I retired. I am both a Vietnam Vet and a Desert Storm Vet - although I will not tell you I have been in "combat" other than a few mortar rounds coming into my base in Viet Nam (but none close to where I was physically located). Had 14 assignments in 28 years service (two tours in PACAF and five in USAFE). Have worked my share of night, 12 hour/7 day a week and black ops shifts and tours. Also, had two MAJCOM staff assignments (SAC and USAFE).

Having said all that - everyone has a right to bytch about their job, the Air Force, the current situation. Hell, I did my share while I was in (we called in belly-aching back then). However, I would like to hear from everyone exactly why they come in (and/or) if it is really that bad now - why they are still serving?

Let the intelligent replys spring forth!! For all the wannabe's that just want to bytch - unless you got something constructive to say - I would remind you that it is better to stay silent and thought the fool, than to open your mouth and confirm it.

[technomage1]

At the start, it was because I needed a job.

Now, it's because I like what I do. Oh, I have things that upset me like anyone else. There are good days and bad days. But mostly I'm proud of what I do and I enjoy it. I'm proud of the impact my job has on the AF and of the responsibilities that I carry. The money's not bad either, and I've gotten to go places and see things I never thought I would. Our pension system can't be beat, and we mostly take care of our own. The AF isn't perfect, by any means, but I think the majority of people in it care.

That stuff may never make a recruiting poster but there it is.

[Shrike]

I joined the USAF straight out of high school for a few reasons:
1) After 13 years of being told to read a book, asked what was important about what I read, and then given someone else's opinion about what I should have found important, I didn't feel like paying $15000 a year to continue doing that i.e. going to college.
2) Military service seemed like an interesting opportunity to travel while at the same time learning a marketable trade.
3) The USAF had the jobs that interested me the most.
4) Patriotism - America truly is a land of opportunity, and I thought doing some service would be a way of thanking my country for all it's done.

I originally planned on "Four and out". But I discovered I liked what I was doing, and - more importantly - the quality of the people I was working with was amazing.

When it came time to re-enlist, I didn't even give it a second thought.

I've come extremely close to getting out once, at 11 years TIS when stuck at a base I didn't like doing a job I didn't care for. But I volunteered for a remote and it re-charged my batteries.

Here I am just shy of 20 years in, and I'll be going for at least four more. The common thread at each assignment I've been at - good or bad, whether a hectic operational environment or a more static one - has been the people. I haven't gotten along with everyone I've ever encountered - who does? - but overall it's the people I've met along the way that have kept me going. Different races, religions, cultures, educational backgrounds, economic backgrounds, all coming together for different reasons, but melding into a team and accomplishing the mission - protecting and serving our great nation. That is impressive.

That's why I'm still serving.

[Calmo70]

I guess I should add why I came in and why I stayed in.

I was 17 when I joined and my father had to sign permission for me to join. He wouldn't allow be to join any branch except the Air Force (he was Army Air Corp during WWII). Basically, I joined because I knew that I (nor my parents) could not afford to go or send me to college. In my home town about the best job around was working in a turkey processing plant - which I did for two months and decided there had to be a better career choice and went into the Air Force.

Why I stayed in - like most I wanted to travel, I did enjoy my job, meeting new people, etc, etc. But, I guess the biggest reason - I didn't see anything better. But, I guess the one thing that I have had to do in the Air Force that gave me the real sense of what serving in the military is all about is being a Military Customs Inspector in Vietnam and Thailand. No, I am not talking about inspecting your household goods before they are shipped back to the states. Any shipment going to the US from Vietnam and Thailand had to be inspected for contraband and drugs and that included the aluminum body transport carriers whether they were empty or not. Seeing soldiers, airman, sailors, and marines who had given their lives in a body bag encased in an aluminum transport container was something that made me know what it truly means to make the ultimate sacrifice.

I would have retired at 20 - but got caught up in Stop Loss in late 1990 (Desert Shield). By the time I could retire - had a line number for Chief and decided to take it. Ended up back overseas and then just stayed in until me and a Senior Enlisted Advisor (Command Chief now) didn't see eye to eye (as I saw it I was old school - he was an E-9). But, that is my opinion and won't write ten pages of why that is my opinion. But - I digress. Anyway - was told to PCS from my base to the Pentagon or retire. I chose the latter.

Anyway - that is my story and thought it was only fair that I gave my reasons for staying in (and ultimately getting out).

[S97Batess]

Started out by enlisting in the Army with my best friend under the buddy program (get stationed together at after basic). My father was sick at the time and my younger brothers were still living at home...since I had only one year of Junior college at that time, getting a decent paying job was not possible (at least not enough to support the family). There was a bonus to be a tank driver/gunner and I took it. It helped with the funeral and when two of my younger brothers were old enough they enlisted as well...my fourth brother came in a year later and all four of us were active duty in different parts of the country (and sending home money for mom and my youngest brother). Damage to my knees resulted in being reclassified into the laboratory at the hopital. This in turn led to a 4 year degree and a chance to attend the military's medical school in Bethesda. I changed service to Air Force at that time. After 29 years now, I still am glad that I chose this life. To be able to help take care of my fellow troops and airmen with the abilities that the military imparted on me is something I wouldn't trade for anything. Like any other job, there are parts that are irritating (pt program is one), but all in all, this has been a good life. I continue to serve with the hope that caring for the people in the military will result in more airmen and troops staying to at least 20 and paying it forward as it were.

It is a great feeling to know that you helped a fellow airman get better and it is with pride that I continue to wear the uniform. When the day comes I cannot do one or the other, I will retire knowing that I made at least a little bit of difference in this Air Force.:)

[ChaplainC]

Shrike, I love this aspect! "Different races, religions, cultures, educational backgrounds, economic backgrounds, all coming together for different reasons, but melding into a team and accomplishing the mission - protecting and serving our great nation. That is impressive."


Chief, Good thread. Thanks.


I got in because I knew it was where I wanted to be in my life. Dad was AF granddad was Air Corps. I knew it treated my family well growing up, and I wanted the same for my kids and wife. Did ROTC and found out that there were no jobs in the AF that I wanted to do but fly, and they told me my eyes were not good enough. Bumped around, did a lot of things in glamorous places, but God just kept nudging me to go back into the AF somehow. Turned out he wanted me to be a chaplain. So... here I am... In my faith we do not pay clergy, not one red cent. SO for me to pay for three to four years of graduate education from a private university, if this does not work out for me then I spent all that money and time for nothing. That is how much my wife and I knew we were supposed to be in this career field. So far we love it. It has been an amazing experience and I absolutely love the people. Further, as mentioned by others, I knew that I needed to serve this country. What better way than serving those who would serve everyone?

Blessings

ChaplainC

[FGO]

You know I get a kick out of people outside the military who think the only reason we are in the military is because we couldn't afford to go to college or because we needed the money and couldn't get a "real" job.
I had full ride scholarships through college and plenty of opportunities post-college. I came in first and foremost because I wanted to serve my country in the military...and not find myself sitting on a rocking chair later in life regretting that I hadn't served.
I chose the AF because as a young boy we routinely had RF-4 aircraft flying low over our house (I grew up on a farm). From a young age I was fascinated with flight, and with the AF, so it was only natural to go blue.
You know there's been more than once in my 16 years I've almost hung up the uniform, but the people I get to meet and work with are more than enough reason to keep doing what I do--serving my country.

[THELADYKT]

Someone sent me this quote and I though it somewhat appropriate:

Marriage is like the Army. Everybody complains, but you’d be surprised at how many re-enlist.

People need a place to vent I think. This is a great way to do it. Its mostly safe from the retrubution that would happen if they vented in the workplace.

As for me.... I needed someway to pay for college. I couldn't afford to go and parents couldn't pay either. I was burned out a bit after highschool. Frankly I needed something as a buffer between HS and College. I intended to do my 4 and get out. And I came very close to it also due to some very chauvanistic people I had in my first assignment. But I got a great supervisor after my 3 year point and my outlook changed. I decided to do 4 more and see what happened after that. Each time until I got to the 15 year point was a check and balances thing. In the end, I knew I had it good in the military overall and decided to keep going. I was blessed with great jobs in my little over 20 years. Areas/bases were really bad at times and I chose to move for family reasons (I did the beltway shuffle for over 10 year unintentionally; had to get my kids out of PG county).

Its like that old saying. the serenity prayer I think.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

[Mr. Ralph]

This is a great question for discussion. (I honestly think about this a lot. I just passed my 15 year mark two days ago.) To be totally honest, I initially joined to get the heck out of my hometown. It would be a lie to say I initially joined for patriotic reasons. I was down in San Antonio at BMT exactly 10 days after I graduated from high school.......and believe me, that was 10 days TOO LONG!!!!

My hometown had (and still has) a very depressed economy. My chances of doing anything meaningful and law-abiding was slim. As a young 18 year old my scope of life was limited. (I spent all 18 years+ 3 months of my life up to that point in one city around basically the same kind of people.) I knew that I had to leave home if I ever wanted to grow into the man I wanted to be.

Well, joining the Air Force was the best decision I could have ever made. I don't like hyperbole or exaggeration....but I'm telling you the truth when I say that joining the Air Force literally saved my life. If I didn't join I'm certain that I would have most likely found myself engaged in illegal actives of some sort. Also, I love the fact that I was immediately thrust into a working/living environment that resembled NOTHING like I grew up in. (Before going to BMT I had never gone to Texas, and before tech. school I had never been to Mississippi. Both experiences ended up being a GREAT start for me!) My first assignment was Dyess AFB, TX. Yeah, yeah....say what you want but I could not have asked for a better first assignment. That was some of the BEST senior leadership and mentorship I've had since I've been in.

Currently, I would say that my reasons for serving have shifted. I love being a part of an organization that is much bigger than myself. Also, I love knowing that the men and the women of the U.S. Air Force are ready 24/7 to take out bad guys who would seek to do harm to my family. (I'm not a violent person but I wouldn't think twice about giving a "Dirt Nap" to any person or people looking to hurt my loved ones.) Serving in today's force makes me feel that I'm part of the movement to keep my family (and yours) safe.

Lastly, it's been said a thousand times........there's nothing better than Air Force people. I love working in places/jobs where there are people who look differently than me and have different life stories. When I work and live along side people from different cultures I feel tremendous growth. In my opinion, that's the biggest reason why the Air Force excels at what we do. We recruit and train the collective best from so many different regions of the U.S. and abroad.

[warr1or]

I actually went to college first (and graduated), was in the ROTC program. I wanted to be a pilot. My senior year I was told in error that I had double vision, and lost my slot. Even after four letters and doctors visits AETC wouldn't correct the original finding so I decided to quit, but since I had a scholarship I was forced to enlist (LOL yes, I couldn't be a pilot, but I could still enlist, and suprise suprise, I don't have double vision, it was a stupid clerical error). They only wanted me to do two years but I decided to make it the full four. I wanted to do network security but wound up in security forces, which I have some heavy opinions on - the job can be really cool, or really, really suck.

Left active duty and joined the ANG, then cross-trained into a better job. I hit 10 years in August of this year.

I signed up more because I wanted to do something adventurous and exciting. I'm not much of a patriot...sometimes I think the American-flag-waving-in-slow-motion-Fourth-of-July-war-movie-thing...it's not how things really are. I truely believe that the higher ups in the government could care less about military members...if they did, they wouldn't get us into wars so easily.

Let's face it...there's a huge leadership void right now. After a decade, I feel kind of stuck, but at the same time for all of the BS, there are some great benefits.

[10Man]

I joined after high school. I always wanted to be around and work on airplanes.
I also wanted to travel and see the world. I didn't want to grow up, live and die within 10 blocks of my birthplace. My father is an Army vet, my grandad is an Air Force vet. I wanted to serve my country as well as have a good chance to get my life going in a positive direction. At First I was only going to do one enlistment. Well 20+ years later, I still feel good about my decision, now I serve to mentor (which is a lost art) and enstill the core values in the next generation of future leaders, enlisted as well as young lieutenants. I enjoy being a positive enfluence on my younger troops.
So to sum it all up, I serve because I always wanted to be in the Air Force, even in these trying times and amongst the miriad of leadership shake-ups.

[CrustySMSgt]

Great thread Chief!

I joined because being in the Air Force and being a cop was all I ever wanted to do. I was one of those ate-up kids who had Air Force crap all over the walls of my room, collected WWII Army Air Corps stuff, wore my Ike jacket to school... I also loved law enforcement, serving as an Explorer at the local PD for 3 years. My plan was to do 4 years, get out and return to my home town to be a cop.

Got my first screwing from my recruiter & MEPS, when I got some BS line about Law Enforcement guys sitting behind desks, but the Security Specialists (pre- combined Security FORCES) were the ones that did all the cool stuff... since I was joining the Air Force to do cool stuff, I swallowed that hook and became a tally mark in their quota sheet. :rolleyes:

Luckily I remained ate-up and loved being an AF gunt... unitl I hit my 12 year point and got the pleasure of being forced to cross train (81 TSgts had to force re-train, then they shut off all voluntary crosstrains out of SF for 3 years... gotta love it; drag off those who want to stay, kicking & screaming, and then hold those that want to leave). I chose the Command Post, since at the time I was the NCOIC of CSC, and figured the Command Post was pretty much the same kind of gig. It has been good to me, but I'd go back to being Security Forces today if they'd let me.

So now I'm at 22 years, and can't imagine getting out... I love the AF, and wouldn't trade my experiences or the people I've worked with for anything. With any luck I'll pick up CMSgt this year or next and hang out until 30... or until they piss me off, or that sweet Wal-Mart greeter gig I've had my eye on opens up.

When times are hard and things suck, it just makes the stories that much better, and the bonds with those who you shared them with that much stronger.

[CVal]

Hi all,
Full disclosure: I've never been in the military, but I am the daughter/wife/mother of sailors and the niece of a 30-year AF man.

Thanks for sharing why you joined and why you stay. One thing that really struck me was how many of you acknowledge that yes, there are bad points, but good overcomes that. I try to have that attitude for myself in life, and I love to see it in others.

Again, thanks.

[Jdax57]

Why am I serving? That is certainly an interesting question. I've struggled to answer that one for the last 10 years. Is the money? Is it the reputation? Is it serving my country I owe so much to? Or maybe it’s the education benefits?
First of all I have to say I did it out of spite. When, I was in the 5th grade a rather cool and laid back Capt Came to talk to us about the First War in Iraq back in ‘91. I was so impressed with his story that I wanted to be part of that brotherhood. Went home and told my parents that I knew what I wanted to do when I "grew up", I wanted to be in the Air Force. Both my parents laughed and told me they only take the best of the best (I have to admit straight up I was a brat, aggressive little punk behavior issues galore. If there was trouble to be found I generally was in the middle of it.) Anyways, my parents laughing at me hurt me deeply that when it came time for me to choose, I joined out of spite and to prove them wrong. So I joined 2 weeks after High School
Over the last 10 years the view has changed. I serve because I owe the Air Force so much for making me the person that I am today. I serve because of the security blanket I have from the military. Heck you do your job and you do it well and if you go above and beyond what is expected of you, no one is going to fire you or lay you off or give you a pay cut. That’s the reason I'm still in today. And even still today if there is trouble to be found, I'll be in the middle somewhere too (that much hasn't changed...lol).

Full disclosure: I'm a Weather Forecaster came in as a Weather Observer. I didn't buy any of the lines the recruiter sold me. I told him this is the Job I want and if you want my signature then you get me the job that I want, till then no deal. I'll hit my 10 year mark in one week; half way point and I recently re-enlisted for another 6 years. I've been stationed at Dyess, Keesler, Seymour Johnson, Camp Page Korea, Sembach Germany and Nellis. Deployed to Tuzla/Camp Comanche/ Camp Zenica (Joint Forge/Guardian), Al Udeid (OIF/OSW/OEF), Keflavik, and Balad (OIF). I've been in plenty trouble, Article 15 (30 days correctional custody, Suspended bust), I have issues with authority, I hate being wrong, and I'm very competitive (so how do I fit in?....we all have someone to answer to, be death or taxes!!)

So lessons learned in 10 years in, It's in how you sell yourself to your superiors. Be and to the best you can all the time. Always finish your projects on time, never waste a moment crying and whining about the past (it’s done and you can’t change it anyways) and always look for the silver lining in everything you do. Be realistic and not optimistic. There is always a light at the end of every tunnel. Be the example for other to follow. Make your boss happy without being a kiss@ss or a suck up. Be true to yourself and accept who you are. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Does the Air Force suck? Not really, it's a career. And I'll close off with what my mother always told me, “the military is a tight jacket, but it keeps you warm. Don't expect to be a millionaire, but don't expect to starve either”.:D

[usafcmycloud]

When I graduated high school I had no idea what I wanted to do. I went to college for a year, got married, divorced, and basically just bounced around for a while. Then on my 24th birthday I looked in the mirror and said, "Well you're not where you wanna be, what are you going to do about it?" I went to a recruiter's office that day and said, "I don't care what I do, but get me out of this dying town fast!" He laughed and in 6 weeks I was boarding a plane heading to Lackland thinking, "OMG what have I done now?!" LOL I was scared to death...mainly because of the unknown. My dad served during Vietnam, but I was never around any military person in my life. I had no idea what would come. I can honestly say that the first 7 months sucked! I would never want to re-live those days. But, as one thing led to another until I ended up loving what I was doing. I no longer worried about job security. I knew that if I was claening the floors, doing my job, or standing at the gate I'd still get paid. I never worried about someone coming along and taking my job...it's expected. You learn, grow, and move on. The Air Force taught me that no matter how bad I didn't like a situation I knew that if I stuck around long enough it would change. At my three year mark I was out running and passed out. 6 months later the AF was saying goodbye to me because of a bad heart. It's been almost two years now and I miss it more today than ever. I served because I wanted to make a difference and no matter how small a difference I made it still mattered. I am patriotic through and through. I would have loved to have served 30 years. Now I'm just hoping my ticker will last 30 years. If I had to do it again I wouldn't even hesitate.

[Silver Fox]

Why I Joined the Military: There was a war going on. I wanted to go to Afghanistan, or Iraq... really didn't care... and answer my nation's call. I wanted to fight. On the ground. In the mud. Face to face with America's enemies. That said, I'm not a 'die hard patriot'. I think it's right for citizens to question their leaders and government and not take things at face value. I believe in what we're doing in Afghanistan. I believe in what we're doing in Iraq because I think not finishing the job destroys our credibility with other nations and only leaves a power void we'll have to come back and fill AGAIN with more American lives. We've had Iraq War 1 and 2, I don't want to lead men through a third or see my kid in a third, knowing I could have done the job right this time. I'm a military history buff, it's been my life since I was old enough to remember. Some kids read Dr. Seuss, I read Urban Warfare manuals lol... I wasn't even a military brat either. I was just fascinated by it. The only TV channel I watched throughout school was the History Channel. I was totally fascinated by World War 1, World War 2, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Medieval Warfare, Roman Warfare, etc. It was all incredible to me. It's never lost it's luster, even serving now... it's still an incredible profession. I'm fascinated by foreign militaries too. There's something awe inspiring in well trained troops, regardless of what flag they fall under.

Why I Joined the Air Force: I initially was going to join the Army, however, the Air Force recruiter was really good. He didn't lie. He just with held information. Like when he said Security Forces, he implied Security Forces were infantry. He didn't say it out right, but it was clearly implied. He simply withheld the fact that standing a gate, working law enforcement patrol, etc. were part of the job at all. He didn't lead me to believe, but he never corrected my view point that the Air Force still had a seperate Law Enforcement career path. He also never corrected any widely held misconceptions I had about the career field. More or less, I was convinced I was getting into a job that was a tight-knit, tactical environment that operated much like the Rangers. Oh, how naive and young I was. The MTI's at boot camp, mostly out of ignorance I think, fueled this conception so I arrived at tech school ready to be a hard core killing machine. Then I started hearing words like "gate" "law enforcement" "traffic citation" while still hearing "Hua" all the time and being convinced I'd be given a rifle, dropped in Iraq and serve in combat for my country. I could instantly tell this smelled fishy, and after asking around OUTSIDE the career field and away from my blow hard instructors all too ready to tell me they personally killed 50 people... which they of course did not... I learned what I had really gotten into.

Why I Continue to Serve: I think there's no reason the Air Force can't be what I joined up thinking it was. I think there's no reason we can't be an Air-to-Ground Force, our mission is to operate in the Air yes, but I think we should be able to sieze and protect our own ground assets, which we currently can't regardless of what they tell you. We simply can't. We don't even have the man power to secure all of our ground assets, let alone proper training. I think the sooner SF stops doing law enforcement the better. I'll stay in the military, I don't know if it will be the Air Force or not. I'm really, really, really leaning towards commissioning in the Army or Marines (hope to God the infantry) but part of me would really like to stay and have the chance to be in an Air Force that had trained people we could actually call "warriors" and mean it, and not just use the word as some line in a goofey creed. I'd be honored to be part of an Air Force that had real ground warriors, I just don't know if I have the patience to sit around and wait for it. You only live once, and I won't have the chance to be an infantry officer twice...

[The Opinionated One]

I came in because the State of California asked me to find somewhere else to drive that had speed limits that I could obey. I stayed in because I had interesting jobs and actually liked it. Wierd...

[ChaplainC]

I came in because the State of California asked me to find somewhere else to drive that had speed limits that I could obey. I stayed in because I had interesting jobs and actually liked it. Wierd...

That is hilarious.

For everyone else, thanks a lot, I am really enjoying this thread.

Blessings
!

[FGO]

I came in because the State of California asked me to find somewhere else to drive that had speed limits that I could obey. I stayed in because I had interesting jobs and actually liked it. Wierd...

That reminded me of a couple of people I met along the way. One was a MSgt who came in in the early 1970s...because the judge told him either join the military or spend more than a little time in jail (he had a habit of getting into fights and messing people up pretty bad). The other was a SSgt from El Paso TX who ran with a pretty rough crowd growing up. He admitted to me he had a hard time getting his security clearance when he came in, because almost all of his friends who knew him were either dead or serving hard time, so he had a hard time providing any character references on the security clearance paperwork.

[Rastaman]

I joined the AF two years after immigrating to America. I saw it as a great opportunity to see more of the country (and the world) and to get a some help with my education. I'm still here 18 years later because of the same reasons! In addition, I have grown and changed in ways that I would never have thought possible. Even when bad things happened, the fact that there was always someone who was willing to help or just listen was priceless. The AF is my other family now--warts and all--and I'm proud to be a member of it.

[Dart96]

Like many I joined for one reason and stayed for another. I originally joined for the college money. There was no wars going on and like many at the time the GI Bill was pretty tempting. A funny thing happened though....I started wearing the uniform and feeling a sense of pride. Many years later I still feel that when I put on any/all uniforms. When that feeling leaves, I think it will be time to retire/separate.

[FedUp]

I joined because great grampa served in ww1, grampa served in ww2, my uncles were in nam and some in the gulf war....its in my blooooood as gawwwwd is my witness!!

Sike. lol, how often do you hear that? lol. Everytime I hear that I laugh. Makes me think "geeze nobody in your family chain wanted you to have a better life than the military?"

I joined because I didnt want to go to college right out of highschool and I needed a job. I still need a job, so I'm still here.

[Calmo70]

I joined because great grampa served in ww1, grampa served in ww2, my uncles were in nam and some in the gulf war....its in my blooooood as gawwwwd is my witness!!

Sike. lol, how often do you hear that? lol. Everytime I hear that I laugh. Makes me think "geeze nobody in your family chain wanted you to have a better life than the military?"

I joined because I didnt want to go to college right out of highschool and I needed a job. I still need a job, so I'm still here.

FedUp - once again you've shown your ass. I appreciate coming in because you needed a job. If you read my post - that was basically my reason for coming in.

But, to degrade others because they have a sense of family and heritage is childish and stupid. My grandfather was in WWI where he was wounded, gassed, and a POW. When he came back he was under guardianship for six years because of being "shell shocked" - now known as PTSD. But, I didn't join because of him, as I said I joined for the job. But, I certainly appreciated his sacrifices and experience a hell of a lot more because I was in the service.

If you like posting this kind of BS - I suggest you go try starting your own website. I'll even give you a name for it: www.I'maprick.com.

[Joca]

I love hearing why people decide to join the military, it inspires me and it really lives up to the old adage "Everyone has a story"

With that being said- usually everyone's stories are better than mine, and I'm just fine with that. I had money for college, but wasn't really interested. I could have gotten a great job, but didn't really want to do that. My whole life, the only person I've ever looked up to is my older brother who joined the Air Force rigth out of high school because he didn't really have that many options. I was the smart one, the pretty one, and the one that everyone expected to "make something out of herself", and I thought the best way to do that was to join the Air Force.

I came in wanting to mess stuff up, EOD, Firefighting, or Security Forces, that was all I wanted to do, but then my brother suggested I audition to be a broadcaster for AFN, and well the rest is history.

I stay in because everyday I'm continuously amazed by the caliber and professionalism of the airman and other servicemembers around me. We have a few bad apples, and everyone does- but the good far outweigh the negative few. In my job, I get to see a lot of the other jobs that people do, and I get to "dig" to find that one guy that works his ass off on the flightline and gets no respect- but absolutely LOVES his job and LOVES the Air Force. That's what keeps me inspired and makes me want to stay in.

Oh- and of course, getting to box it out with all of you wonderful people on the forums :tongue:

[Wingman Leader Warrior]

Since I tend to annoy people with my opinions, I'll join the less turbulent thread (of course, except for FedUp who, incidentally, also doesn't like my login name).

There is no military history in my family. I was born in a state whose residents and government had so little interest in the military that I had no military influence (positive or negative) growing up. My Dad tells me I wanted to fly when I was 3 years old...everything was airplanes airplanes airplanes from then on--so much, they started to think I was swapped at birth. I learned to fly when I was 15 (when my parents would allow it finally).

After high school, I wanted to join but my parents (whose opinions I greatly admired and appreciated growing up) said I wasn't the military type. Not sure what that means still...I never asked. I applied and attended a four-year college, earned a degree. The entire time (four years), I spent what little money I could to be around and fly airplanes; still with very little knowledge about the military.

I finally decided to seek out a recruiter and join the Air Force. Yes, I wanted to fly...but I could have been an airport bum, worked at McDonald's and flown. I wanted to serve...be a part of a tradition of honor, an organization with a calling of service to country. I'm not and never was comfortable with contentment...I call it stagnation...some people call it dead. So I joined and did well enough to become an Air Force officer and aviator. That was 13 years ago.

I continue to serve, striving for complete integrity and utmost excellence every day, at the pleasure of the Air Force and with my family's continued happiness always in mind until such time as they have no more need for me or the integrity of my family becomes incongruous with continued service. I personally hope that service lasts for 20+ more years. I cannot imagine a better life.

[FedUp]

FedUp - once again you've shown your ass. I appreciate coming in because you needed a job. If you read my post - that was basically my reason for coming in.

But, to degrade others because they have a sense of family and heritage is childish and stupid. My grandfather was in WWI where he was wounded, gassed, and a POW. When he came back he was under guardianship for six years because of being "shell shocked" - now known as PTSD. But, I didn't join because of him, as I said I joined for the job. But, I certainly appreciated his sacrifices and experience a hell of a lot more because I was in the service.

If you like posting this kind of BS - I suggest you go try starting your own website. I'll even give you a name for it: www.I'maprick.com.

lol. Who is degrading people? I simply stated something I get tired of hearing. Alot of them didnt join for any reason other than a family line joining.

[dan5522]

Reason I joined, sounds bad but it is true. I join because I wanted the 10 points vet preference for a civil service test. Came in did about 5 and ran, at that time I didnt know what the Air Force did to me. Got the job I set out to do, did it for 6 years and realized that I loved being in the AF. Stayed Reserve, tried to come back in several times, got shot down each time. Found out about the AGR program (active guard/reserve). I jumped all over this about 4 years ago and now am back on active status. I love the AF plain and simple. I thought getting out in 98 was it for me, obviously I was wrong and wish to this day that I would have never gotten out.

[ringjamesa]

Many, many moons ago, I had "plans" to go to college after high school. Scored well on the ACT as a Jr, went to college my Senior year of high school (on the state's dime). Kept getting calls from recruiters. Realized I couldn't pay for college so figured the AF was the way to go. Did a little over 4 years said this blows and bailed. Was out for a while and decided there were things I missed but didn't want to be stuck for another 4 if I still hated it so I looked at the ANG and said no thanks. My girlfriend joined the AF Reserve so I said what the hey and joined as well. I have been in the Reserve for 7 years and still love it. Now I guess I'm a lifer. I still keep in touch with some of the people I was AD with and none of them can believe that I came back, am still in, and am a MSgt. :-) I don't regret the time I spend ADAF but I definately wouldn't have bucked the system as much as I did if I knew that I would eventually come back. With age comes wisdom I guess. I tried to "fight the good fight" and it always bit me in the kiester whether I was right or wrong.

[Vyper]

Like many, I too enlisted into military service immediately following graduation from high school at eighteen. The reasons I enlisted was as a family tradition, the men in the family served in military service and at eighteen, I was nowhere near mature enough to attend college full-time and I had no desire to waste my time and money trying to prove I could.

In retrospect, I would have to say my military service was the best parts of my life...and I've done quite a few things post-military in my life. But being a part of the military remains as a highlight of mine. I met a lot of great people, many of whom remain great friends. I was fortunate, in large part due to my job specs, of getting assigned to overseas bases for the majority of my time in the military. As a part of the military being "highlight of my life" I had mentioned earlier in my post, I recall a particular event in which it marked for me a specific point in my life where I could visually see myself making the actual progression from a teeny-bopper to adult-hood. It was my first assignment, RAF Chicksands, located in the UK. I recall taking the train into London and meeting up with my dad, who was on his way to Scotland as part of his job. If you can imagine, up until that point I had been just previously a high school student getting his feet wet in his introduction to the real world. So having my dad see me there, physically, in another country on my own with no aid from either him or my mother, to me signified "hey, I'm really doing this" and made the transition all the more real.

So yeah, military service was more than 4-square meals and place to sleep for me. If I wasn't so old and far removed from the military mindset, I'd go and enlist in a heart beat. Iraq, Afghanistan, Tim-buck-tu...you name, I'll go without notion of thought. Civilian life can be great, and it has been...but there's no substitute to the camaraderie you build with your fellow enlistees in service, especially the duties you fulfill together as a team.

[VFFSSGT]

I joined for a variety of reasons myself, primarily because I wanted my life to have meaning and I was not sure at the time what I wanted to do. The Air Force was the quickest way to an education and job that had meaning. I did not want to be another typical 'mindless drone' that worked 8-5 to support their life week to week. The benefits, especially education benefits, were enticing. I have my AS in Electronics Technology and about 60% done with my BS, about two more years... :) I did not get screwed by a recruiter like many, probably because I walked in the office and said I am here to join - they did not have to sell me on some nonsense. I re-enlisted a couple years ago, because when it is all said and done at the end of the day, I still like my job. And another benefit is in times like these, I do not really have to worry about whether I will have a job tomorrow or not…

[JHawkG33K]

I joined for a lot of reasons, and I waited till I was a bit older to do it. I wanted to join the Army right out of HS but I ended up going to college first. I ticked off a dean and ended up getting kick out after my first year (long story). I worked lots of different jobs, got married, had a kid, and kept feeling the need to be in the military. It took a while to convince my wife that it would be good for our family eventually we were at a point where she had no other choice but to let me join.

I chose the AF because I knew the people were of a higher caliber. My grandfather retired from the AF, my dad one of his sisters and his brother all served in the Army and family on my mom's side also served in the AF.

Now the AF is putting me through college and I absolutely love the people I have had the opportunity to work with. I'm proud of what I have accomplished and I have grand schemes to make changes. I don't want to be the guy who complains "things suck" I want to be the guy who makes the changes to the system, and fix the broken stuff.

I love the fact that what I do/did keeps/kept the people of this country safe. I will continue to serve because I love serving people. I want what I do to make the lives of others better. By the grace of God I will continue to serve until they force me to leave.

[Old School CC]

Why did I join? I don't care to share that.
What kept me in? the experiences... I have seen and done things I never would have imagined.
Why am I retiring? the experiences... I have seen things lately I never would have imagined.

[Gunner007]

I originally wanted to go into the army and did the DEP for them and ended up coming into the USAF. I thought i would do 1 tour and get out but i had a douche bag NCO for a boss, the kind of guy who would make you load 12 hours in pouring rain then give you a 35-10 inspections and a reprimand for being out of regs. This guy pissed me off to no end and even though i sucessfully won every award and trophy i could, through no help from him but another NCO who felt sorry for my predicament, the A-hole made it a point to tell me over and over how i would never allowed to re-up if he has anything to do with it. So i re-upped just to piss him off, man did it!! LOL I had wanted to be a door gunner on helo's ever since i was a kid, which is why i wanted to go into the army, when i found out i could do it for the USAF i cross trained and finally had my chance to live my childhood dream!
I enjoy this job immensely, though i dont like all the BS extra duty crap we have to deal with when were not flying but thats pretty much the AF way now i suppose regardless of your job.
I got acouple years left and i am retiring, about the only thing that could make me want to stay in past 20 is if we get into another war with iran or russia, that would be hard to walk away from as a gunner.
Why i ended up staying this long... well i guess once i cross trained and finally got to live out my childhood dream i saw no reason to leave. I have no regrets, i would do it all over again if i could!

[BOHICA]

That's a very good question. I'll have to get back to you on that one....when i figure it out. Initially, it was for all the standard reasons everyone gives; needed a job, wanted to travel, school, maybe a little patriotism. Now, i have no good answer why I'm still serving....Maybe because I refuse to leave the Air Force in the hands of a bunch of retards that can't prioritize, don't really know the meaning of integrity, can't see past thier own needs, don't have any common sense, couldn't lead a fish to water; but can step on people to get what they want, hide in the office until someones looking, can lie to you're face as they're stabbing you in the back, think that thier personal pet peeves mean anything to anyone but themselves, or think they can disregard common courtesy because they have rank. Maybe I'm addicted to disappointment. Obsessed with the idea that someone will see the light eventually. Hope floats, then again so does poop!

[Rastaman]

That's a very good question. I'll have to get back to you on that one....when i figure it out. Initially, it was for all the standard reasons everyone gives; needed a job, wanted to travel, school, maybe a little patriotism. Now, i have no good answer why I'm still serving....Maybe because I refuse to leave the Air Force in the hands of a bunch of retards that can't prioritize, don't really know the meaning of integrity, can't see past thier own needs, don't have any common sense, couldn't lead a fish to water; but can step on people to get what they want, hide in the office until someones looking, can lie to you're face as they're stabbing you in the back, think that thier personal pet peeves mean anything to anyone but themselves, or think they can disregard common courtesy because they have rank. Maybe I'm addicted to disappointment. Obsessed with the idea that someone will see the light eventually. Hope floats, then again so does poop!

I think you nailed it for a lot of us, Bohica!

[reklawj9]

Why did i join?
I chose the AF largely becuase of my AFJROTC teacher in high school (Maj. H K Spiker), and all the stories i heard about my grand mother and the WASPs in WW2.....
But mostly i joined up cause i was 19 and tired of raising my kid brothers while mom worked,( dad had recovered from a bout of cancer and was working agian) it seemed like if i was ever going to have a life and family of my own i'd have to leave, and the AF seemed like the best idea.(mom still refers to my leaving for basic as the time i ran away from home...) this is 30 years later now and i wouldnt trade a minute for a "regular " life, except maybe for the time i found the baby copperheads lounging in the shade of a A7D i was working in louisianna.....nuf said
j9

[JohnnyReb]

Because it's what my clan does.

[Laboi]

I went to some of the most expensive private schools in california, had a everything ready to go to UCSD winter of 2006 for Aerospace Engineering. When i was in grammar school we had someone from the Air Force come into my class and give us the spill of his job i though it was the coolest thing ever. unfortunately i had a very controlling father who wouldnt have his lil boy spoil his life in the military. I have 3 sisters all of them nurses, my 2 older brothers engineers and they are miserably people working jobs they absolutely hate thanks to my father.

Come October 2006, 2 months before i left to Sand Diego. i went on and enlisted into the air force. my dad found out the night i was shipping out. I was disowned and that point had no family. while everyone was spending time with their own families on BMT graduation i hung out with my wingman and his parents AWESOME people btw.

I went on to tech school got put into a job i didnt signed up for, i had a guaranteed job in avionics. i got stationed in minot and work as an 2e1x4, Sensor Maintainer. I deployed last fall/winter. was in minot for 2 years, and im serving my time in a remote now.

despite of all the crappyness i LOVE the Air Force and dont regret a minute of it... i was part of only shop and team to get an outstanding recognition during minots first NSI... i was part of a great deployed team and have found a family in Air Force. No matter where I go despite the fact that i dont care so much for my job, i do my best and get recognized for it, because that is what i've learned from air force EXCELLENCE in all we do!!

I currently am looking to X-cross train into Flight engineer a job I'm sure i will love... and will continue to serve in the air force until i get forced to retire...

Airman Lead the way....yeah i'm corny like that and what?!

[BRUWIN]

Whenever I get down about why I am still here I always think back to 9/11. I was a MSgt only 10 months from being retirement eligible. I was pretty bored with everything. I was stop lossed the day of 9/11. But that was ok for me. Once I saw people actually jumping from the top floors of the WTC I felt so helpless. Here I am a military person yet they attack our civilians? It gave me the motivation to delay retirement and stay. I work in intelligence and there's rarely been a boring day ever since.

My story may sound all corney and hokey...but it's the truth.

[Shaken1976]

When I graduated from high school my aunt and uncle brought me to stay with them in Indonesia. It was an awesome experience and brought me to appreciate all that I have. I came back stateside and worked in daycare for awhile. My time in Indonesia never left my head and I knew that I never wanted to be forced to live like some of the people over there. (For all of those who think it is a democracy over there think again. It is just a word to them) I joined the Air Force under the DEP. Since I had a few months left to go I called my recruiter and asked what the policy was on my leaving the country. I went back to Indonesia and stayed with my family again. (They are Americans who worked for Mobil Oil) I traveled to Singapore, Malaysia, and all over Indonesia. I joined the Air Force to do my part in preserving our freedoms.

On Sept.11 I had been in almost six years. I was sitting at work when I heard about the first plane. At first I thought it was a joke. Then we turned on the radio and heard over and over what was going on. It reaffirmed my intentions to stay. I didn't care about the thanks I was getting from the local civilians. I didn't even care about the people who were giving me a hard time for being in the military. I did what I felt I had to do.

Could I make better money on the outside? Maybe. Would I have to leave my kid for months at a time? Probably not. People say one person can't make a difference. But one person made a difference in my life. Maybe I can make a difference in one more person's life. I know it sounds hokey but it is how I feel.

[Parn]

Joined because I lacked direction in my life, as well as any sense of discipline or motivation. After 9/11 occurred, for the first time I looked at military service as a possibility. Now over halfway through my second enlistment, I'm pretty much a different person entirely. I've had a rather bizarre career so far, and aim to finish up some course material... I'll have three CCAF's under my belt in about two more classes. I'm still deciding whether I should stay in, since the Air Force is still in the middle of silly season. Less than two years left to go, so this is a huge decision for me to make. If I reenlist for a third time, I may as well go for the full 20+. If I leave, I intend on pursuing a bachelor's degree. I'm leaning more towards leaving since I keep getting thrown around from one career to another, and I feel as though my "growth" is being restricted by the Air Force. Three career fields in just over six years is rather unusual, and it's keeping me in a perpetual training environment since the Air Force can't figure out that it's stupid to take me from one "overmanned" career field and throw me into another far more "overmanned" career field. It's given me a unique perspective having gone from maintenance to IT to medical, but it is frustrating when you have to go through CDCs as a 3-level for the third time.

If I leave though, I won't deny that I've learned and gained a lot in my time serving.

[Proud Mom]

Whenever I get down about why I am still here I always think back to 9/11. I was a MSgt only 10 months from being retirement eligible. I was pretty bored with everything. I was stop lossed the day of 9/11. But that was ok for me. Once I saw people actually jumping from the top floors of the WTC I felt so helpless. Here I am a military person yet they attack our civilians? It gave me the motivation to delay retirement and stay. I work in intelligence and there's rarely been a boring day ever since.

My story may sound all corney and hokey...but it's the truth.

Your story made me want to Mom hug the stuffing out of you.

[Proud Mom]

Could I make better money on the outside? Maybe. Would I have to leave my kid for months at a time? Probably not. People say one person can't make a difference. But one person made a difference in my life. Maybe I can make a difference in one more person's life. I know it sounds hokey but it is how I feel.

Mom hug here too!!

I have 2 sons in the Air Force so for me it's quite heart warming to see what motivated all of you. Thank you for sharing your stories.

[???]

Why did I join? Well it wasn't for school I can tell you that much. When I graduated from HS I wanted to be done, I didn't want to spend another 4 years in a stuffy classroom doing homework. While I had an uncle here, a cousin there that joined the military, most of them did a tour and got out. None of my family was really hard core to the bone military. At the same time I needed direction in life. Most of my friends were going down a path that I knew I didn't want to be on, yet I was still going along with them. Then one day we had a college fair at school and the Air Force recruiter was there. I just sat down at a table close to his booth and we started chatting. That night I decided that the Air Force was what I wanted to do, and if I didn't like it then I just wouldn't enlist.

Why did I stay? I love what I do, I love the people I work with (most of the time). I love being deployed, of course I hate the leaving and being gone, but I love the feeling of pride I have because of it. And yes, things did change, 100% tuition assistance is a big bonus. I went from never wanting to open a text book again to 12 years later working on my last class for my BA.

[Seasons]

I joined....cause I wanted to. Cause despite our numbers, there really aren't enough of us. Cause I saw the good in how it affected my dad, and the bad in how it affected my grandfather.

"War is not the ugliest of things..."

[Gunner007]

I have a job that allows me to go into harms way and has for over a decade. I happen to be someone who views war as a necessary evil. I happen to have my own POV towards the islamic world and their ideals on converting the world with the book or a sword. I like and appreciate the deployments! I wish i were a younger man so i could keep doing this another 20 years!

There was several reasons i ended up enlisting at 17 y/o but none of them were a reason i stayed. I stayed because i found i really enjoy the fight. Thats the reason i have stayed in all these years, thats the reason i happen to love my job! If i were 17 again and had it all to do over again i'd do it in a heartbeat! I can say i wish we would hurry up and put the smack down on Iran before i retire so i can get in on that one too!

[biddy1030]

i joined initially for college, i didnt want to pay for it myself and i didnt try hard enough in high school to get scholarships or anything so i didnt have a whole lot of choice. I knew i didnt want to join the army or marines since i wanted a cake job so i joined the air force. I just re-enlisted and things like health care (as much of a pain as tricare is), being able to retire at 38, and having a good job just cant be beat.