People in the military

[unclebilly]

What percentage of people in the military:

A. Are there because the want to make a career as a soldier etc?
B. Are there because their daddy, their daddy's daddy, and their daddy's daddy's daddy were military men?
C. Are there because this is the best / only option available to them given educational background / geographic employment circumstances?

[tops911]

Well I've been in for almost 24 years now, so I'd pick "A".
For the young kids there are a lot that fall in the "C" category.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by tops911

Well I've been in for almost 24 years now, so I'd pick "A".
For the young kids there are a lot that fall in the "C" category.

Just curious, was "A" the plan 24 years ago?

[crustychief]

"A" was my plan when I went in 22 years ago. I retired at 20.

[johnnywishbone]

i hated school. at seventeen, joined the navy. submarine school. machinist mate school. air conditioning and refrigeration school. sere school. six years seven months. after two trips to nam and a year in-country, had enough. got out. five years in steamfitter apprenticeship. school two nights a week. retired now. no school. jp

[HHI944]

Count me in Group B.

[stomachmonkey]

Well I was going to join as an A but my dad who was a B that joined as an A talked me out of it due to all the C's.

[aap1966]

Not always easily stratified.
My brother wanted to make a career as a pilot, but not doing civilian "commuter runs" and didn't have the $$ to pay his own way through pilot school: would he be 'A' or 'C'?
As for 'B', do kids take it up because of a family history, because previous exposure gives them an appreciation of what's involved or simply because a family history puts a military option "on the radar"? (Brother-in-law is ex-army, his son joined up not for "family tradition" but simply because he was exposed to the army as an option.)
I suspect for most, it's a considered balance of pluses and minuses.

[Erakad]

None of the above. I entered service 24 years ago because of the opportunities the military offered far outstripped anything available in the civilian sector (for my profession), as well as, allowing me to meet/access to personal goals. I have absolutely no regrets. I have been to places, done things, met people, that none of my fellow co-workers so many years ago (and are still tied to the same "factory'ish" job) could ever imagine.

Right now though, with the poor economy, perhaps C applies to many. At least for the Air Force, retention is at a 15 year high.

[Kaliv]

I don't think I fall into any of the above either. Working on 8 years now...and it's taken me that many to kinda decide I might do 20.

I actually got my degree first...and when I didn't land the dream job I wanted...I starting thinking about things I've always wanted to do. I wasn't married at the time and had zero obligations...so I thought, why not join the military just to say 'been there, done that'. So I enlisted planning to do four year and then do something else.

Four year came and I thought it wasn't a bad gig...but no way was I going to do more time enlisted...so I went officer via OTS. I wasn't going to make any commitments until I say the other side. I like it...so I'm thinking 20 now.

And seeing how there are education benefits...you bet I'm going to use them. Finishing up my second degree this week.

No family history in the military unless you want to consider some uncles that had zero influence on me in the area. Or my grandfather who was drafted into the Korea Conflict for about 4 months...it ended before he got shipped over.

[mikester]

My Dad joined the airforce for a number of reasons - C being one of them but he also had a love for aircraft that only the airforce could satisfy. It was also a preemptive ploy to avoid being drafted into any other service.

He did his 20 and retired.

I tried to Join up but due to some health issues was unable to. If I had as planned originally I would be nearing 20 years myself in 18 months (which is hard to believe).

I wanted to not for family reasons - though there was a long history of family service - but because I wanted to server my country, my economics probably put me in the "C" category as well and well - there simply isn't anything I hold in higher regard than a Marine (there are no ex-marines).

Seriously.

[cbush]

I joined because of B (and college $$) but wan't planning on staying in long.

I stayed because of all the bright, dedicated people I work with. Sure there are some nuckleheads, but by and large it is an inspiring bunch of folks. I think it is less important why people come into the service, but why they stay. I have loved every job I have had, and wouldn't change a thing.

[tops911]

I think "A" was the plan 24 years ago, that was a long time ago........
I did not know it at the time I joined but my great grandfather (Mom's side, Germany 1901-1903), grandfather (Dad's side, US WW II) and uncle (Mom's side, Viet Nam) were all artillerymen and I joined the artillery too. My great grandfather immigrated rather than do another hitch in the German Army, My Grandfather and uncle were drafted did their time and got out. As I think about it I think almost all my uncles served, my Dad did not though.
I am the only one to have ever made the military/Army a career.

[Hard-Deck]

Originally Posted by cbush

I joined because of B (and college $$) but wan't planning on staying in long.

I stayed because of all the bright, dedicated people I work with. Sure there are some nuckleheads, but by and large it is an inspiring bunch of folks. I think it is less important why people come into the service, but why they stay. I have loved every job I have had, and wouldn't change a thing.

cbush typed what I was going to almost to a "t".

I joined for college money and to learn to fly. I stayed because there's no better honor in life than to serve.

I've found that people join for many, many reasons and stay for as many reasons.

I wouldn't change my decision, going on 24 years.

[Danimal16]

The poll is incomplete. As Snapper has stated there are many reasons for joining, staying and leaving. Me, went in at 29. Was a structural engineer. Father was a career Marine. I became a Seabee. Mine was a huge combination of factors. Duty, tired of civilian politics at work, single, travel, and some huge adventures!! Best darn construction management education you could get.

[audiman08]

Honestly, I think it depends where you're at in the food-chain. Many start out in C, then move to A when they make rank. A lot of people get out, then come back years later (usually as officers the second time around). We have a lot of older officers in my reserve unit that came back later. Most people have to try the military out for several years before they decide whether to make a career of it. Of course the closer you get to 20, the more likely you are to just stick around.

[desertt5]

I joined right out of high school. No desire to go to college at the time and it was the best way for me to get out on my own the fastest. Decided to do 20 at aboutthe 6 year mark. No regrets at all. I am fianlly finishing my degree this summer.

[m21sniper]

A bit of A, B, and C for me at the time i joined, but B alone would have been enough.

[HHI944]

My dad's side of the family is big on tracing our roots. I've got relatives that fought in ever major conflict the US has engaged in. In my generation of males, 3 of the 4 of us have served and the other is employed by the federal government.

[Seahawk]

Not enough options, but that is not unusual...there is more myth and tribal lore surrounding who serves and why in the military than perhaps any other profession. I, in fact, find the use of the term, "daddy" derogatory by the OP, as do I the, "best/only" reference: Which one is it, the terms are neither synonymous or exclusive.

Why do you ask, unclebilly?