re: Do you regret joining the Military?

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Wolf

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:salute: Officer on deck!!!

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With exception to my daughter, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.

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You really should rephrase this.

You and I had the good life. Early 80s military under Reagan. Damn good times.

Spent 6 years in the Marine Corps reserves from ‘88-‘94 based out of WPNS Co. 3/23 in BR and do not regret it one bit. Spent 5 months overseas in Saudi/Kuwait on the front lines during Desert Storm and made lifelong friends with my fellow machine gunners.

About 15 of us are getting together May 14th-16th in Cocodrie for some drinking, fishing and a lot more drinking. May 16th will be 30 years to the day we returned home to Baton Rouge. We’ve held 5, 10 and 20 year reunions, unfortunately 3 funerals for our platoon mates and have had a running group text 10+ years just going through life together...Semper Fi

Zero regrets about joining.

No, not at all. Most of the experiences have been great. I've met great people. I'll forever be part of a brotherhood that only those that served understand and between retirement and disability I'll likely be bringing in $60K a year just to wake up in the morning for the rest of my life. My only regret is not getting stationed overseas beyond Korea and deployments.

Did 32 years, most in the Air Guard. Retired in 2017. The "wokeness" deal is a little overstated, especially for lower level enlisted. It really doesn't have a great deal of impact, but is irritating. One of my kids is currently serving and I have several friends still on AD and in the Guard.

I had a ton of fun as a first term Airman, lower enlisted in the AF is a great life.

Two things I don't like about the AF (now compared to 30) is it has become a "one mistake" AF and careerism has taken over.

Most of my service was before cell phones cameras, so life was much more fun.

My time as a forward observer in a combat mos absolutely shaped who I am today. Without a doubt, regardless of demographics, you will form lifelong bonds and relationships. It will enhance your ability to understand the human race at outside of the traditional comfort of a bubble. You train and fight for the guy next to you.

I enlisted in 1999 with the intention to get my degree and get out. Here I am over 21 years later and the Air Force paid for my BS, MS, and PhD. I’ve met great people (and not so great), made lifelong friends, and I’m set up for retirement and a successful 2nd career. My daughter had my GI Bill so her college is pretty much paid for.

I’ve had the opportunity to command a squadron and lead young Amn to heights they didn’t think they could achieve. It’s been a blessing and I don’t regret it. Is the military outgrowing me with its recent embracing of what I consider fringe society? Yes, but it is still a great option for people. It comes with its own issues for families (moving, deployments, etc.) but if you can get past those, it is absolutely still worth it.

I went to the Merchant Marine Academy and was commissioned in the Navy reserve, my dad was a CWO Army National Guard pilot and he saluted me at graduation which was cool. Navy reserve was awesome spending 2 weeks in in Hawaii or San Diego.
Eventually went active duty in the Coast Guard which was fine, but my 2 master’s degrees and VA benefits are well worth it, I’m hoping the 9/11 GI bill helps me get my kids through college.
I never really had to go into s-it on active duty, but in the merchant marine I carried the 1st armored division and 101st airborne equipment to Kuwait.
If I went to a normal college I probably wouldn’t have lasted, but working through the crap they put me through both regimentally and academically set me up for the rest of my life.