re: Regret not joining the military

I joined the Navy before graduating high school in 70 and within 2 weeks of graduation I was on my way to Orlando for 12 weeks of Boot Camp.

Fast forward to week 8 and I suffered a dislocated shoulder that I didn't report. Three days later I suffered a bad dislocation that I could not hide and had to go to sick bay.

Long story short, I had experienced a dozen or more dislocations prior to enlisting and let the recruiter know about it, but they took me anyway.

Once in a medical state in boot camp they decided I was not a candidate to remain in the Navy even though I wanted them to operate to fix my shoulder. Uncle Sam said "Hell no, you have a pre-existing condition and we will not take responsibility for it".

Got a medical discharge and sent back home. Then tried to join the Army, and they turned me down. So I told the recruiter I'd try the Air Force, Marines, etc. and he told me------"Son, if the Army don't want you, no branch of the service will take you"----and he was right.

One of my big disappointments in my early life to not see how I would have fared in the service.

Not eligible for it, so no, but I highly respect people that do so.

I graduated HS in May 2002. I had thought long and hard about going in. A guy that was a Sr when I was a freshman came to recruit for the Marines at my HS right after 9/11 and he pulled me aside and said “no matter what these other guys are going to say, we’re about to go over to the ME. I wouldn’t go in. They’re going to send fresh recruits straight over.”

I had honestly planned on enlisting but that got my attention and I didn’t end up doing it.

Had a conversation with a friend who enlisted as a result of 9/11. He understood that perspective.

I don’t necessarily regret not serving but I wouldn’t have begrudged being drafted at the time.

Most people I know that served are genuinely great people and I’m proud and grateful for their service.

I know a couple of shite heads that are also a disgrace to the uniform.

As someone who served I wish I would have just done what I needed to do in college the first time.

I don't regret it at all but the bs you have to put up with definitely doesn't match the pay.

quote:

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Anybody else feel the same way?

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About not joining the military?

No, never.

I did USMC right out of HS, and two tours in Iraq. I don’t regret it, but there is good and bad. Great friends but some horrific experiences. It was the best of times and the worst of times.

I don't regret my four years active duty one bit. Just wish I'd done it as an Orficer. I was offered a full ride ROTC scholarship at 17 in my Sr year of high school and turned it down. A year later I found myself a PV1 in boot camp. Funny how life changes sometimes.

Sometimes.

I grew up during the Vietnam Era. Got drafted when I turned 18, but got put in a 1H status. Everyone had to register back in the day.

That was a very unpopular war obviously. Went on to college. Some friends went. Know some from our town on the wall. It was a horrific time.

These "proxy type wars" in recent years really ended up doing virtually nothing in terms of the original objectives. Thousands of lives lost and injured for what.

I feel a tremendous amount of appreciation and support for those that have had to go through these wars that devolved from stated patriotic missions to political upheaval. I wouldn't want my kids in those kinds of wars.

But yes, sometimes you feel like you're not "a real man" because you didn't serve. Like a right of passage.

Good thread BTW. Following.

That's a NO for me, Dawg.