Why do you serve?

[Shaken1976]

What is your story? Why did you join? Why did you stay?

[THORSHAMMER69]

Great idea for a thread! This is going to sound funny to most of you. My older brother joined the Corps before I did, and I went to see him graduate from bootcamp. I remember it was raining something fierce and everyone was cowering behind their umbrellas. For some reason they still decided to graduate outside on the parade deck.

My parents and I were at the very end of the bleachers and started hearing this thrumming noise. THUMP, THUMP, THUMP. Fifteen seconds later we start to see a platoon of Marines marching toward us. As we are all cowering...they are marching with their heads held high. It was as if they didn't even know it was raining! They had incredible discipline.

As they marched by people were calling for their individual Marine's attention. Many families were disappointed. These men were unshakable. It took about 2 full minutes for me to figure out what that noise was. It was the sound of 400 heals hitting the deck at the exact same moment. It was breath-taking.

I had never seen any type of drill before that moment, and when I saw it, I knew I was going to be a United States Marine one day. I walked around for the next 2 years with a hard on and goose bumps down my back just biding my time until I could finally join.

When I finally marched across that parade deck, there were tears in my eyes. To this day, I still love drill. I can never get enough. A company of Marines drilling is the most awesome sight this world has to offer.

It might sound romanticized, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I can't wait to hear some of you other guys' stories.

[USarmy]

After a short "discussion" the Judge thought it was a great Idea :D

[THORSHAMMER69]

After a short "discussion" the Judge thought it was a great Idea :D

HAHAHA!!!!!!

You're showing your age with that one. Good stuff.

[NRTrackChamp2004]

i joined mainly for job security. I decided I didnt want to go to college anymore, and quit after my 1st semster. I knew quiting college would dissappoint a lot of my family and such, and I sure didnt want to do that. I knew I had to do something, and make something of myself. I've always kinda been the average person. Blended in with everyone, had many friends in school, did sports, but I never stuck out, was never really above all the rest. And I wanted to be somebody, I wanted to be the best. The general and civilian society make Marines out to be the best, so I decided to join.

[em2style]

I had decided not to pursue college and gave up an opportunity to work a 6 figure job because i was 17, fresh outta high school and didnt want to work 100hr weeks. I wanted to party and relax. That lasted 3 months when i totalled my car, broke my leg, and was bed ridden for 2 months. I ended up working dead end jobs, gained a lot of weight, and became unhappy with myself. My best friend just sort of spur of the moment enlisted and i decided to follow him. now im in better shape, doing a job that i enjoy.
(5711-CBRN) and even looking to pursue a degree in Microbiology and try to work for USAMRIID in MD. Though i wont be able to work there as a Marine, the Corps has helped me find my way and something i love doing.

[em2style]

Forgot to say, i was almost 21 when i enlisted. 3.5 years of dead end jobs.

[LeaderOfMarines]

Back in the mid 90's when I was a recruiter I realized why I actually joined the Marines. I do it for all those who can't. I couldn't tell you how many guys begged me to join the Marines but couldn't due to their circumstances. At first I thought I joined because I couldn't afford college and I sure didn't want to work on the farm anymore. My dad was in the Navy and I wanted more of a challenge with my life. The Marine Corps is the best thing I have ever done, those who have never served will never understand.

[commonsense101]

I served because it was expected. I come from a family of men and women who has served in every branch of the military. My grandfather and I were the only two who served in the Marine Corps. When someone anounces to the family when they are leaving for bootcamp its not a shocker. I got out because I had an opportunity to make about $40,000 more than what I was being paid as a Sgt. and get a 4 year degree before I'm 30. I had the best leaders a Marine could ask for and wouldn't take that experience back for nothing in the world. I got to travel to the Phillipines, live in Japan, Thailand, Austrailia, S.Korea, and take a ride to the sandbox with the 31st Meu.

[Toogr82h8]

On September 11th 2001, I like many others got extremely patriotic. I was working at a Target as a midnight shelf stocker. I was on my lunch break at whatever time it was early in the morning and was drinking a cup of coffee watching the first tower on fire. I then saw the second plane hit and instantly became angry. All morning over the intercom at work they played the news and talked about Terrorists. I knew then and there I was joining.

Now onto why the Marines. Later that day I went to the recruiting center in my small town and there was no one in the Army office. There was a flower shop next door and the lady asked me if I was looking for someone. I told her I wanted to see a recruiter and she said I could leave a card on the corkboard and one would call me. I said that I really wanted to talk to someone right now and she said "Well, there is a Marine recruiter down the street a little ways."

There it is, end of story. If the army would have been working I would not be a Marine.

[SSgtAllen3381]

A Navy Recruiter came to my house after I took the ASVAB...end of discussion. J/K

Well, February before I graduated the Navy Recruiter stopped by my house and I told him that I wasn't interested in the Navy. He asked me what branch I would be interested in and I told him that the Marines would be the only place I would go. Guess who showed up in my Home Room class the next morning? Yep, a Marine Corps Recruiter. Got to talking with him, told him I would stop by his office after school and the rest is history.

My older brother who had already graduated joined after me. I was in the DEP at the end of February and I told him what I had done. He went to his local Rec Office and signed up too. He left for BC a few weeks later and I went in Sept after I got out of school.

But, to make a short story great. I did eventually decide that protecting my family and country was my only choice after High School. I did my 4 years and got out. Three years and 5 days later (to be exact) I was back in the Corps. I actually MISSED the Marine's and the "love" and "friendships" I made as a Marine.

I'm going to retire in 39 Months and I can't wait.

[BigCountry74]

Im not in the Marines but I did try, after alot of paperwork and tests I passed all but the final one. No matter how hard I tried I could not fit my head in that little jar, Guess it was not meant to be!

[SSgtAllen3381]

Im not in the Marines but I did try, after alot of paperwork and tests I passed all but the final one. No matter how hard I tried I could not fit my head in that little jar, Guess it was not meant to be!

Haven't heard that one before.

[coachreese]

I joined because I was affected by Hurricane Katrina. Bouncing back utilizing 9-5 jobs wasn't working. I coached basketball before the storm, and it paid well. However, doing that again was almost impossible because all of the schools and city gyms I worked out of were under water and took much damage. So, after 1 year and some change, I joined up. It's weird because I'm about to be 29 and although it took a crisis to get me here, part of me is glad that I "waited". Reason being, as a teen, I really wasn't out of control, yet, I would cuss out any authoritative individual around me. So, the growth worked in this sense. Also, I'm here for the free college, and the fact that I can learn to be a better business man. That's my story.


Semper Fi

[LOAL-D]

Keeps me off the streets......

[ThePowerGuy]

At the time, I was 17, not exactly "college material" and I didn't want to work a bunch of dead end jobs. I had taken Auto tech for my final 2 years of High School and I wanted to learn more and more about engines. That was almost 14 years ago, and I have stayed in because I love what I do.

[Mike Bacon]

When I was growing up as an Army brat, along with my 3 younger and 1 older brother, it was all I knew about: The Army standards from my SSG/Instructor father. In my teenage years after he retired with 22 yrs, I swore I would never go in. Well, a family friend who happened to be an Army NG recruiter caught me at low tide at the employment beach. He said the right words at the right time and they stuck. I went on to enlist on Active Duty about 6 months after I got back to my guard unit. No more need said about that. My next youngest brother had already enlisted in The Marines a couple years before. After I enlisted and came back from AIT, my two younger brothers enlisted, in the Army and The Marines. A couple years later Desert Sheild/Storm popped up and we were all on our way, separately, to the desert. So, why do I serve? Its in the heritage, in the blood, and its about being willing and able to make a difference. Here I am almost 20 yrs later, back in the OHARNG and I'm an instructor for MOBing units. My son is in Taji right now, driving an MRAP on convoy security missions. Its in the blood.

[MC91199]

I was bored living in a small town and my brother talked me into joing the Army. Now here I am 19 years later. It had nothing to do with patriatism or anything else. Just bored.

[USAFVIKE]

For the military discount at my favorite restaurants and retail stores

[afrunner89]

I think Winston Churchill put it right by saying, "Never in the field of human conflict was so much been owed by so many to so few." For me it was about giving back to all those that served, and in most cases died, giving me what I have today. I also have been wanting to serve since I was three years old. And in the end, I quote JFK saying "When the time comes to lay down my life for my country, I do not cower from this responsibility. I welcome it."

[CplH5811]

I grew up in a family that had military in it, through and through, mostly Air Force though. What made me join the Marines was a week and a half I spent in Camp Pendleton during the summer between freshman and sophomore year. I fell in love with the Corps at that moment. Also, another big factor was September 11th, even though I still had about 2 more years before I could join.

[airman medic]

I joined up for college money. $8000 a semester for tuition is a lot for a recent graduate. I reenlisted because I love my job. I love what I do. I love making sure our troops are healthy and better able to fight the fight. One day, I might go with them, and be able to care for them when they're hurt the worst. That thought is always in the back of my head when I recertify or take a new training course. That is what keeps me strong, and keeps me going.

[ROMBIE91]

Ever since i was 12, i planned that i would join the military. I knew that college was outrageously expensive and so my plan was for the government to pay that expense. I didn't want my parents or anybody els to help with expenses of an education. And I knew i would never be in the finical position to afford it. At the same age in the 6th grade is when america was under attack. To be honest i wasn't scared or sad. I felt the pain of the effected families. One of my sisters high school classmates parents were on one of the planes. I was thirsty for revenge and excited to see how we would kill those bastards that did this.
Less than two years later President Bush met the deadline for the decision for war. I remember small debates in the classroom about if we should go to war or not. I was all for it. I wanted justice, and to see what kind of fire power the defense budget had in its arsenal, and of course to leave some fight in for me when i join. March 20th 2003. We declared war. I remember staying up late to watch the specials on the war, looking at all the ordinance and heavy tanks rolling through iraq. I remember reading and collecting a bunch of TIME magazines of the invasion, and counting down till we entered Bagdad.
It wasn't till my junior year of highschool i really started to get serious. The war wasn't as popular. Sure there there were some events like the capturing of Jessica Lynch, battle of Terrorist controlled Falluja, and capturing Saddam. But besides that there wasn't much talk about the war as there was in the beginning. Flags weren't around as much, the only time you thought about terrorism is when you went through airport security.
I heard about the marines, and how they were the superior fighting force. The uniforms, discipline, conduct, morals, and image all attracted me. I was already very disciplined and was ready to get out of school. Senior year came and everyone was going crazy with college aps. My College counsler was a former yale grad and was big on sending students to college. He was a little upset with me cause he knew i had the grades and it wasn't popular for kids to join the military since most of the town was well off. But i said i was going anyway, and right after graduation on june 9th i swore in. and the rest is history.
- I ran in to my counsler on RA with my recruiter. I could see his eyes in total shock as i imagined him thinking " I thought i got rid of you"...Nope.... a couple days later i sold two more of his students to the Corps!

[POWHITEHORN]

While finishing my Masters degree I ran out of money, was way in debt from the undergraduate, and needed a solution. I was working full time at an NBC bank at night and going to school during the day. I lived in my Nissan Altima and showered at work.

I found a good spot on Poplar Ave near my work in Memphis, TN to park at night. I woke up one morning with a SFC standing outside my car window tapping.

Joined the Infantry immediately. Finished my Masters on the Governments dime and finishing my second. By the way they paid off my past Student Loans. Yeah I had to kill along the way and saw some "Awesome Stuff" but that was my pleasure (to protect the Republic and my Battlebuddies).

After dealing with couple of unprofessional Officers as an NCO I decided to stay in, become an Officer, and make a difference. I cant imagine doing anything else now, its just who I am.

What Makes the Green Grass Grow?

[Rkopp2821]

I grew up on John Wayne movies and made my decision by the tenth grade. I remember walking into the recruiting office and telling them that I wanted to join the Marines. They seemed glad to see me until they found out I was 15. I was a large boned lad and could grow a beard. They laughed and told me to come back when I was 18 or 17 if my parents would sign. I told my father that I was going to take summer classes so I could graduate early and join when I was 17. He told me he would not sign for me to join at 17. I took the classes and graduated early. My father still refused to sign so I told him I was going to live at home not get a job and eat him out of house and home for the next 14 months and then I would join on my 18th birthday. I was at basic training two weeks after my 17th birthday. I joined in 1976 and stayed until 1981 and I never regretted my decission. There were a few times I questioned my sanity.

Keith

[VToney87]

I was 3yrs old when we were stationed in TX, dad would come home hand me his cover to put up for him, but before i did that i smelled something i had never at then smelled before. It was coming from his cover, I wasnt sure what it was then. Later i found out when he took us aboard his ship. It was then I knew this is where i wana be when i grow up. Dad was an ABE after seeing where he worked, what he did and the man he was and is still to this day I knew i wanted that. So guess it's safe to say, I came in to be like dad...

[dkalis]

it pays the bills..

[JTAC_Sean]

I joined because I was all patrotic and shit. That went away years ago.

I stay because a) my enlistment isn't up and b) it's a paycheck.

[SSgtAllen3381]

I joined because I was all patrotic and shit. That went away years ago.

I stay because a) my enlistment isn't up and b) it's a paycheck.

So what happened?

[JTAC_Sean]

So what happened?

Iraq. The Patriot Act. Treating homosexuals like second class citizens. Holding people indefinitely without trial. Waterboarding. Lies and empty promises from both sides of the aisle.

I still love my country, but I weep for how far she has strayed from her founding principals over the past ten or fifteen years.

[SSgtAllen3381]

Iraq. The Patriot Act. Treating homosexuals like second class citizens. Holding people indefinitely without trial. Waterboarding. Lies and empty promises from both sides of the aisle.

I still love my country, but I weep for how far she has strayed from her founding principals over the past ten or fifteen years.

Good to go and fair enough.

[Groovinay]

It's my loyal duty as an American even as a Native American at that. We are a united nation of a diverse group of people that must bind together never breaking the chain link...lest, we become a deserted and ruined land...never to become blessed ever again.

[AMERICANWARFIGHTER]

Now onto why the Marines. Later that day I went to the recruiting center in my small town and there was no one in the Army office. There was a flower shop next door and the lady asked me if I was looking for someone. I told her I wanted to see a recruiter and she said I could leave a card on the corkboard and one would call me. I said that I really wanted to talk to someone right now and she said "Well, there is a Marine recruiter down the street a little ways."

There it is, end of story. If the army would have been working I would not be a Marine.

Good Stuff, I had pretty much the same thing happen to me. I was ready to sign the paper the day I walked into the army recruiting office, but they let me sit there for so long that I went next door to see what the Marines had to offer. That was 20 years ago and now I'm still serving my Corps.

[Gallows]

I joined because I was an idiot.

Oh and so I could stand in the plume of an open burnpit that was burning plastic, garbage, metals, tires, medical wastes, and who knows what else only to have the Pentagon tell us that it was perfectly healthy to breath that.


Looks liky my body differs.


WAY TO GO MILITARY! Super cool pride goes both ways.

[goldwing]

Originally joined the Navy in 1966 to avoid the draft. In life we have to make choices,my choice was to enlist. Not let Uncle Whiskers come calling and end up in a jungle, in combat.
Was overjoyed when my enlistment ended, 3 months early after a short stint in the South China Sea aboard a carrier. When I returned home my Dad said why don't you stay in the Reserves? I despised the reservists because they had it better than us active duty troops and wanted no part of the military.

After a 12 year break on a whim, I rejoined the Naval Reserve for a year and transferred to the Air National Guard as a weekender. Three years later I got a full time Air Technician job and finished my career in 2003. Today I enjoy the benefits of a Civil Service and military pensions. I was proud to have served 28 years.

[ramrod]

I joined the Army basically because I had no where to go. The bridges were burned with my family and I had to live in my car for a bit. Woke up one morning and I knew I had to do something. Air Force was being picky. The Marine Corps was interested, and so was I. But, I strolled into an Army recruiter station and was sold. The recruiter was straight up with me and, believe it or not, didn't lie to me. After I got overseas on my first duty assignment, I was sold. The moral was high and I wanted to make a career of it. I love the comraderie in the places I have been but now I just want to spend time with my kids. I don't regret joining the Army one bit. The only thing I hate is the beret....but thats for another thread.