Why the military?

Well Jim was in a dead end job... He had been working for the same company for 3 years and they kept promising him they were going to start training him for management soon.... They never did, someone else always came first. He got fed up, and since he really didn't have any job skills, and we couldn't afford college he decided to join the military. He picked the Army because they were the most helpful and had the best offer.

At the time Den was upset with his dad and step mom. They told him he had to do something(he was working full time--half the time more hours than they were) or they would not let him stay there after he graduated high school. At that point he felt like his dad had chose his wife over him and his sister and he wanted out so he signed up for the Navy.

The short time he has been in was really great for him. The schooling he had was better than most of the people had gotten around here.

My dh and I jioned for basically the same reason. The job market was terrible. We couldn't find jobs and didn't want to move into a homeless shelter or back with our parents. So it was join the military or the Peace Corps for me and I have never liked roughing it Peace Corps style very much. Although, I have great respect for Peace Corps volunteers.

I thought about it a lot. I spoke to their representatives and got an application. But the thought of going out to some isolated little village and living in a hut - giving out polio vaccines, drinking the same water (probably filthy) and eating the same food (could be gross) they did, risking stuff like disentary, drove me straight into the arms of the Air Force.

My mom is a long story. But, to give you the basic blueprint...

I was headed to college..and had full intentions of supporting myself (this was Ca State system - very cheap back then - like 400.00 a semester, if I remember right.). Anyway, my mom (And this is typical her) says one day: "no daughter of mine is going to wait tables. I’ll pay for your college". Welp..knowing my mother..I should have known better…but still….

And, of course, the inevitable happended -we got into an argument And she did what I knew she would – the first words out of her mouth were: "Fine! You can pay for your own dammed college". It pissed me off soooo much, I headed straight to the recruiters office - and signed up "Delayed Entry" at 17. Both to pay for college, but also to “show her!” Hmpt!. At the time, they were recruiting hard for HS grads (you didn’t need to be one then) w/ commercials that promised to help pay for college, with just a 24 month commitment. Of course, I didn’t realize at the time, but 24 months only came with crappy MOS’s. I ended up in Field Artilleray…guarding nukes for (and here’s the clincher – signed up an additional year for a measly $1,000.00 buck bonus! Boy..did they see me coming!!) 3 years That last year really sucked. They talked long and hard to convince me to take that additional year (more college money, the bonus, and I could continue taking the college classes on base for free)…and boy…did that year drag! It was 24 hours on/24 hours off..for 3 years!!! Oh..the best part of this whole story is how the recruitor told me that "with my high scores" I could get into something important like Nuclear Weapons. Hah! Do I deserve to live?? What a line!! It was freak'in guard duty - and all we ever learned was how to blow the weapons, and ourselves, up if the enemy ever go tto close! Stuck in those airport-type silos..not even a chance to run!!!

The saddest part…I came back…and only went to State for about a year (decided to take a semester off, and never when back). “ppfffttt*

Oh...and the clincher....

I got held back after AIT because they were having a hard time approving my Secret Clearance BECAUSE MY MMMOOOOMMMM HAD BEEN MARRIED SO MANY FREAK'IN TIMES...AND I HAD SO MANY LAST NAMES (OR ALIASES - IN THEIR WORDS)!

Meg...when I joined ..the movie "Private Benjamin" had just come out. A few of the male troops (basic was co-ed back then..not sure if it still is - I've heard that's changed) took the liberty to nickname me that (although..since the movie was a hit right then - alot of the females were nicknamed that). I definately whined the whole way thru..and my helmet was ALWAYS crooked . My saving grace (I think) was my wise cracking about everything (I even made my drill start laughing at me once..as hard as he tried to keep a straight face). I was the quintessential: Butttttttttttttttttt Saaaaaaaaaarrrrrrggggggggggggeeeeeeeeee.......(while making an "icky" face ). But, I was a good little trooper..and always did what I was told, and followed the rules. My entire 3 years...I never even got so much as an extra duty. I knew just how far I could whine....

Liz..I think having such a dumb MOS was my problem. I probably would have really enjoyed the military..if I had choosen a decent MOS (medical something, etc). A "career" in Guard Duty was just so lame to me. You're MOS sounds great - and you even get to work in the mall!!! All-in-all, I have some pretty funny and interesting memories. But, being in a Field Artillery detachment pulling 3 years of guard duty was the worst!

I had wanted to join since 9th grade. One of my friends who was a year older was going in the Marines. I'm still not sure how she made it through boot camp. Some of my other friends joined the Army. There were only 56 kids in my graduating class and no good jobs without college(which I didn't want to go to). I was told I would be working 3 on and 3 off which works out to only working like 15 days out of a month. Doesn't that sound good? The military has had it's ups and downs but I still love being part of it.