Economy Woes.. Who's Joining the Military?

[Turbo6Smackdown]

I will.....when it comes time for reenlistment lol. Do I want to be in? Nope. This new army SUCKS. I got out a year ago.
I re-upped because my old team leader from Iraq got notified of this deployment, and asked if I would come. So I reupped to go and watch his 6. After a few months of watching the tele in the chow hall, I realized I was lucky to be here. There's no construction work back home in detroit, why not.
After this enlistment, I'll have only 4 years till retirement, so I mind as well just stay in now..
Boy, was civilian life fun though! I can't wait to get back home to my buick.

 

[SloGN]

I would love to join the military


But i'm single and i purchased a house 4.5 yrs ago and have nobody to look after thing while being in the military and being deployed in various parts of the usa or overseas.



almost 30 here. i wished i would have joined @ 18

 

[Audie1]

HOOAH.................did 13 years in the Army. SFC/E7 16R40......got out after Desert Storm thanks to my EX (biotch). She ran off and left me with my 3 kids, one of which was not yet in school yet. Can't be in a combat arms unit and be a single parent.....to much field time. So I took the early out (SSB) and started working as a contractor repairing military Trucks, Tanks, Apc's along with a bunch of Ground Support Equipment. I'm at 100% disability from the military now for a total knee replacement gone bad! :frown: ....but it pays the bills and my wifey (new & improved model) still works.......I never regret having served, I think that all able bodied guys should serve at least 2 years in some branch of the Military, we probably would not have a lot of the problems that we currently have out of some of these knuckle heads today. :smile:

 

[BoostedEvIL]

I'm thinking about doing the AF reserve. I did 4 years active. My job is pretty stable but the only retirement I'd get is my 401k. I'd like to get some Uncle Sam money too.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

There is no reserves now... If you're in the reserves, you're pretty much active duty Still, the air force reserves is a good gig.

 

[tc86gn]

Recently retired 25+ years. Both active and reserve. Joined when I was 18.

I just hope people don't join for the wrong reasons. I can't count the number of soldiers I had to train for this conflict that said,"this isn't what I signed up for. I just wanted the college money."

It made me sick. Just remember the real reason and responsibility that is yours when you do choose to serve.

It is all what you make of it. My only regret is not going to WOC school.

 

[gordyzx9r]

It is all what you make of it. My only regret is not going to WOC school.

WOCC is one of those programs that more people should take advantage of. I was an E6 when I realized that I'd never see E7 (the MOS was dead and it was saturated with senior NCOs) and WOCC was one of the options to get out of that rut. I wished I had done it sooner. I'll retire in 2.5 years (I hope) as a CW3 and my wife will retire as a MAJ. I got to vacation in such beautiful locales as Haiti, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

If I had known 'then' what I know 'now', I'd have applied for WOCC in high school. It's still one of the only programs in the military that lets you become a commissioned officer without a college education and you can apply right out of high school (or college...or right off the street up to age 29 IIRC). Though, when I look back on what I was like at 18 and what my friends were like I'm not so sure an 18 year old running amok with an AH-64 is a great idea.

 

[Raymond Bunch]

I started this thread due to a couple of my neighbors recently joining the Marines and one joining the Army. Granted, these guy's are young and are very eager to do something with their lives. Main thing though, this is/was a way out for them in regards to the local economy here in Pensacola, Fl. No jobs, folks loosing jobs, crime rates going up, people getting desperate and doing desperate things in order to survive. Above all else, people are looking for an easy way out.

I personally joined because I wanted to become a better person and see the world. I've been in a little over 15 years now and would have it no other way. The people you meet, the places you are paid to go see and the benefits are very hard to beat. Like stated before, there are sacrifices that must be made as well, multiple deployments, long hours, missed anniversary, birthday's, soccer games etc. to name a few. But in the end, it can be very rewarding, not only for me/you, but for the entire family. Lot's of great input guy's, and for the ones who have already served…thank you. :smile:

 

[charlief1]

Hey, I still remember the moto. Join the Army, travel to strange lands, meet new people, and then kill them. Sorry if I offend but we had to joke about it sometimes.

 

[benoitthegr8]

I joined the Army went to interesting place in SE Asia and slept with their women... then one set the hook on me like a Sailfish, Thai women are definitely unique though...

 

[GNBRETT]

I would certainly entertain it if my job was not secure.