How long did you serve?

[YH88]

I was just wondering how many of you served and if you did how long? or are you still?

[John K]

I served for FOur years, 1980-84 in the USAF as an aircraft mechanic.

[MrRee]

About 5 1/2 years, 62 to 67. I was gonna be a lifer, but things changed my mind.

[jmabbott888]

14 years as a dependant (dad was a Navy Capt) & 2 years active duty in the Navy as an E3

[clutchkiller]

Younghunter88- I nerver served, but joined and was discharged in the hospital due to some surgery. I had the chance to "try again", but by then I had other things on
my mind (A certain young lady). My father retierd from the Air National Gaurd after
20+ years (he also did some time in the Air Force).
It's been one of my biggest regrets in life, never joining. I sincerly hope you consider
enlisting before going to colledge, or taking A job flipping burgers.
To all of you that have served or are currently serving, you have my total respect
and thank you for keeping our country free.

[Huntndogs]

1983-1986 Army dog.....Assigned to the 93rd Evac Field Hospital as an engineer. Fixing almost anything and running the GE turbine powered generator sets. Oh, I was in Jesse's neck of the woods at Ft. Leonard Wood Mo.

Basic training at Ft. Dix New Jersey

School at Ft. Belvoir Virginia (DC is a blurr :P )

Thinking of joining Young?

[YH88]

I'm throwing the idea around.. I think it would be help me become a Law Enforcement officer ( what i hope to be ).. Just seems like there isn't to many people that want to do it anymore.. I have only talked to a few people at my school that want to.. Some say they don't want to enlist because they might get killed.. Its probably this war thats scaring some these kids at my school.. I still got a few years before i have to deciede

[Fred Bear]

USMC 1986-1996 3522 advanced automotive mechanic. Best years of my life. even though I didnt think so at the time.

[RidgeRunner]

24 years in the Airforce retired Aug 1 of this year My son went in the Airforce the day After I retired, And I enjoyed every year I served




RidgeRunner

[Backcountry]

I joined the Army for two years when I was 17 years old. When I got out and started college at 19 I was WAY ahead of the game. Most "kids" starting college at 18-19 years old have no clue about the real world... Me?.. I was an honorably discharged soldier with close to two years of living/working abroad in West Germany. Paraphrasing what Fred Bear said above, some of it sucked, but what I remember most now are the good times. I also learned tons about life in general, and no one can ever say I didn't volunteer.

My kid brother, he's my hero, and he's a lifer (4 years and a wake up until his retirement)... CW4 chopper pilot in the elite 160th special operations avaition regiment... he's helped a lot of real bad people die for their cause since 9-11-01.

Tell your friends at school they have it all wrong. You don't join the military to get killed... you join to kill the other guy first!

I'd highly recomend military service to anyone. At your age, 2-4 years FLIES by. No matter what you do, an honorable discharge on your resume will make you stand out against the rest of your peers (especially in law enforcement) and you'll look back on the good times with pride... and who knows, you might just be the guy to dig ratbag Osama out of his rathole!

Good luck!
Backcountry

[Huntndogs]

Just sign up for the minimum tour 2-3 years. As backcountry said, you can do that standing on your head. You may not like it, but then again, you may stay for 20 years. Looking back, it was the best thing I could do for myself and my Country. Pick a good job with tech training or if you want the status, go for Infantry and Air Assault/ Ranger etc....Thats was just too hardcore for me, but I wished I got to play with their weapons..

[bradne]

Four Years, United States Marine Corps. Believe it or not, I consider it the best years of my life also. Of course there are some hard times, but in all reality, I can honestly say I never regretted it.

I grew up in a small rural town. When I left home at 18 and went to Marine Corps boot camp, it was no doubt the hardest thing I have ever done. However it is just prepatory. I had been aroung the world by the time I was discharged at the age of 22. I was a combat engineer, which basically means I built things and then blew them up with explosives. I was part grunt and part tradesmen. I have seen things that most people never see and done things that many just dream about.

You are young, the best thing, in my opinion, is for someone in your situation to join the military. You can earn the money while your at it to go to college later if you want.

Like I said, there are some rough times. You may be deployed for a good amount of time, and the pay sucks. Take it all into perspective and consider your options. Yes, there is a possibility of death when you go into a combat zone. That is where your training comes into play. I would not let the danger discourage you from joining the Service. Remember, there is danger in walking out your front door every morning.

Good Luck and Semper Fi.

[MIBowhunter]

1984-present, USMC

Seven more months till I go on terminal leave. Best times were up till 13 years, then it get's political. YH88 I think all youth should do a tour in the military, like was stated earlier, you really grow up a lot in those couple of years and it would probably straighten out a lot of misguided youth. Good luck with your decision.

MIB

[spectr17]

8 years in Uncle Sugar's Flying Circus. Great times and bad times. You'll see the world if you get the right job. Make sure you get a guaranteed job in writing. Them recruiters are worse than Amway salesmen when it comes to promising the moon.

USAF has SPs (Security Police) which are now pretty much infantry of the USAF. We always picked on them since they were wannabes back inthe 1980s but they have gotten much better with their training and weapons they are issued. They also have LE's (Law Enforcement) which are the beat cops who man the gates, patrol the base and write traffic tickets etc.

If you want in on the action, try to go aircrew in the USAF SPECOPs community out of Hurlburt Field FL. They have mechanics, radio repair guys and door gunners. More career fields assigned to them too that I can't think of right now. I can guarantee it'll be high adventure. This is the high speed, low drag unit of the USAF. The only drawback is keeping a wife or girlfriend since you can't talk much about where you go and sometimes you'll disappear for months on end with no warning. It's tough with a family.

USAF has better chow, little more lax on regs than other services and better quarters usually. Aircrew gets treated like royalty.

[Hogskin]

I never joined although I don't think a day passes that I don't regret it.

[shufigo]

21 with the AF, and ditto on Spectre's outlook. (16 SOS for one tour). The Air Force has a totally different definition of acceptable quarters and life style, and aircrew is THE reason the AF exists. It'd be really easy to get up on the soap box here, but I really do believe that every physically qualified male should get a two to three year tour, plus as many females as volunteer. And never, ever,ever vote for a politician who was physically qualified to serve in the Armed Forces but declined to do so. That politician is unqualified to make decisions of life and death importance affecting the individuals who did raise their right hands!!

[doghouse95]

13.5 years AB Ranger. Some good times, some bad times.
I'm retired due to line of duty battle injuries.
Lots of good memories, but I paid the price.

[UPER]

Have been serving for over 18 years in the Navy now and do not regret any of it. I have been all over the world and have been places people only dream of. As others have mentioned you can do 4 years standing on your head. And who knows? you may make a career out of it. Make sure no matter what branch you get into you get a good technical field. That and a honerable discharge after 4 years will speak volumes when you are looking for a job. As far as getting killed I think your friends are over doing it a bit, yes the military can be dangerous but we constantly train in peace time so we do not bleed in wartime. Any other questions you have feel free to PM me. Ron

[mrgadget]

4 years in the Marines as an aviation electrician (I fixed jets and choppers). Son of a career Marine, a Master Gunnery Sergeant. By the time I got to boot camp, I figure I had been in the Marine Corps for 19 years already. It was a breeze for me. It was absolute hell for others.

The zoomies hit the nail on the head when it comes to chow, quarters, etc. Air Force is first cabin all the way. Marines would just break the good china anyway.

If you decide on the service, that's great. Don't you dare think about not going to college though!

[COHunter]

Did 8 years in the Army (1992-2000) Cavalry...Hooooah !!!!! now I work for the Chair errrr Air Force. If your an outdoorsy kind of guy which assuming, I'd reccomend the Army or Marine Corps. If you like to stay clean join the Air Force (no offense to the USAF folks here) .

Just depends on what you like to do.

I had a blast and would do it again.(but there were a couple of places I really don't care to see again if you know what I mean)

[mountaineer]

USAF 8 years and still going.

[Hunter29]

USMC 1992-1996 Assualt Amphibious Vehicle Repairman. Recently tried going back into the Marine Corps as a reservist, but hearing is just too far gone. To all you guys that served and are still serving, OOHRAH!! and thank you!

[Coues]

4 years 1988-1992 Army
Desert Shield / Desert Storm

Patriot Missile Operator-Mechanic

When I was in I hated it. Lot's of BS to deal with, as well as a lot of jerks, but it was very educational and time well spent.

As long as you can do what you're told and do it in a timely manner, you'll be fine. If you have trouble dealing with authority, you'll be in for a shock.

If you are need of self disipline, the military is a great place to get some. If you already posses it, then you'll be a great soldier.

[henriksson]

I served in the Swedish army for a year (since I was a Swedish citizen and lived in Sweden at that time). A year is the mandatory time for serving in the army over there. I spent 2 weeks in basic training (i.e. marching) and the rest of the time in the facility where they were testing future draftees. The wepons we were issued were Mauser bolt action rifles from early 1900s.

[Mnfshrman]

1986-present in the Navy. Like everyone has said so far, make sure if you decide to do it.....a good trade is in writing. I still remember when I first joined I said 4 years is it and here I am still in. I do have to say I've seen a little bit of everything and wouldn't go back and change a thing about my decision.

David

[Hogfever]

Been in the Navy 18 1/2 years, another 18 months and I can retire, can't hardly wait. I'll have to get a real job then. It's had it's ups and down, mostly ups, but times have changed alot, can't get away with alot of the stuff you used to. All I can say is if you do decide to join, take every advantage they offer you. Get everything in writing, and use the college programs that are available, they're some of the best and getting a degree is easier now than it ever was. Good luck in whatever you decide.

[Hmebuildr]

78-88 2nd MARDIV MPCO. Went all around the world a couple of times was a Sgt for over 9 years that was the life. Lived in Norway for a year training Marines in cold weather operations. Highly recommend the Corp. Also a proud member of the Leatherneck Motorcycle club

Semper Fi

[waldo2382]

I get my commission in the USN and the Navy is not taking a bunch of people from the Maritime Academies for active duty, so it looks like I'll be an Ensign in the Reserves on May 1st, 2004.

[birdhunter88]

79 to 88 in the Army. O5H30 Military Intelligence Crytologic Warfare Morse Code Intercept as a SSG/E-6 or what we commonly refered to as "Hogs". Loved it and wished I would of never of gotten out after 10. I went in when I was 17 and thought it was time to get out and experiance life as a civilian. I will tell you the decision to get out was harder than the decision to divorce my 1st wife. LOL ! And that ain't no Joke ! I firmly believe that every able body American be male or female should at least serve 2 years in the military.

-... .. .-. -..
b i r d

[Mgolden]

12yrs US Army 6yrs as Medic the last 4 in the Infantry. I highly recomend going into the Military. I wish I had never left. Now i have reached the age cutoff and cant go back in. JOIN you wont regret it you may not stay in 20 but you will learn so much.