Archive

Do you regret not joining the military?

  • ZWICK 4 PREZ
    I frequently regret not joining the military. My grandfather was in the Army and in Hawaii for WW2 and my father was in the Army and in North Vietnam. I wanted to join the Navy but my Grandpa and Dad always talked me out of it since I'm the only boy on their side of the family (all girl cousins and sisters). I just feel like I should have joined the service like them though.

    Anyone else regret not joining?
  • wes_mantooth
    No, not for me.
  • MANAZE
    When I grad I was 6'2 and 300lbs. I was to big for any of the services I went back 3-4 times and even after 9/11 and every time got turned away. But now I have my wife and kids wich I would never trade for anything so it worked out for me.
  • iclfan2
    Yes. I regret it all the time. I feel like being in the military is one of the most respected professions you can be. I am only 23 and still think about it sometimes.
  • JTizzle
    Yes and no I was gonna go in the Air Force to be a fighter pilot and didn't. Never thought we would ever actually go to war and didn't think I would get to fly much. A friend went though and now he is a pilot, would be awesome to fly a stealth or any fighter jet for that matter!
  • coyotes22
    Yes.

    Dad and two uncles were in the Air Force. Uncle and a cousin were in the Army. An Uncle in the Marines, and a cousin in the Navy.

    I was going to join the Air Force after school, but my mom talked me out of it, since I too was an only son of my mom and dad.

    But, I now have a wonderful wife and two great kids. Might have missed them, had I joined the service.
  • football71
    If I had joined when I wanted to, I'd probably be a retired admiral living on Coronado Island. Or the owner of a dishonorable discharge, one of the two.
  • thePITman
    Nope. And it doesn't make me a bad person for not doing it, nor feel bad about doing it, like I'm getting the vibe from those on this thread that it should?
  • ernest_t_bass
    Yes, absolutely. I agree with what ccrunner said.
  • Mooney44Cards
    No.

    I'd prefer not to die for some bureaucrat's idea of "honor" or "freedom".
  • Upper90
    No, I mean, it's just not for me. It never was in my career/life plan. And while I respect those that are there, but....I never had the desire to be one of them.
  • Enforcer
    After I graduated Highschool I tried to get in but Being a Diabetic I wasnt allowed . There isnt a day that goes by that I dont think about it .
  • GoJPM!
    No regrets. That's what makes this such a great country. You can join the military, that's okay. You can go to college, that's okay too. Hell, you can be a slacker and go on welfare, if you want.

    Life is too short to second guess yourself.
  • Mountlax
    I've always thought about it, but I wouldn't be allowed in for medical reasons.
  • LocoEngineer66
    Only thing I regret is not staying ... I did 10 years ... could have been retiring in 4 years with a 30 year pension and free healthcare the rest of my life.
  • Mr. 300
    Came very close to joining, and would have been playing in one of the touring bands they have. At the last minute decided not to do it.
  • Seymour Butts
    I'm starting to think I should have. I'm the first male in my family that isn't/hasn't served in the military in probably 100 years. Both my Grandfathers served in WWII. One was on the Yorktown (not the one that sunk), the other was stationed in the Middle East. My uncle served in the navy and my father was in the national guard. Hell my great-grandfather was a WWI vet.

    I too have been watching WWII in HD all week and am just amazed at it all.
  • Zen
    Mooney44Cards wrote: No.

    I'd prefer not to die for some bureaucrat's idea of "honor" or "freedom".
    You don't die for honor or freedom, you die trying to protect your buddies on your left, right and the one who has your back.
  • Heretic
    Upper90 wrote: No, I mean, it's just not for me. It never was in my career/life plan. And while I respect those that are there, but....I never had the desire to be one of them.
    That's the best way for me to answer this question.
  • BuckeyeBlue
    Having now served in the Navy for 5 years, I can safely say that the military is not for everybody. The lifestyle is difficult at times (deployments), and some people cannot handle it. They cannot stand to be away from their family and friends for 6-7 months at a time.
  • Chesapeake
    No.
  • mattinctown
    No, never really thought about it, always wanted to go to college.
  • dwccrew
    Upper90 wrote: No, I mean, it's just not for me. It never was in my career/life plan. And while I respect those that are there, but....I never had the desire to be one of them.
    Good answer, I respect people who choose not to serve.

    As someone who has served, I have never regretted my decision to join the military. It helped me build a lot of great friendships that I continue to this day and also helped pay for 100% of my college education. Not too mention I have seen and experienced alot of awesome things.
    BuckeyeBlue wrote: Having now served in the Navy for 5 years, I can safely say that the military is not for everybody. The lifestyle is difficult at times (deployments), and some people cannot handle it. They cannot stand to be away from their family and friends for 6-7 months at a time.
    100% agreed.
    mattinctown wrote: No, never really thought about it, always wanted to go to college.
    You can go to college. I served and also graduated from college with a Bachelor's degree when I was 23.
  • Mooney44Cards
    Zen wrote:
    Mooney44Cards wrote: No.

    I'd prefer not to die for some bureaucrat's idea of "honor" or "freedom".
    You don't die for honor or freedom, you die trying to protect your buddies on your left, right and the one who has your back.
    But you get sent to "war" because of some bureaucrats idea of honor or freedom or protecting either, and you die because you were sent to war.

    I am not questioning anyone who chooses to join, and if there were a cause great enough I'm sure I could see myself joining. None of the causes for war of the past 65 years have been justified enough in MY mind for ME to die for. For those who believe the current or past causes for war were enough to die for, I respect you endlessly, just don't agree.
  • hoops23
    Nope. I was close to joining back when I was 18, but quickly decided against it.

    I don't regret it either.