What caused you to pick the branch you enlisted in?

I probably have a unique story. My brother was an electrician in the Air Force and worked for Lockheed. At one point I realized that I needed a job that would sustain me for life. I saw electronics as that job because of my brother's training.

So, I went to the Air Force recruiter and found out that I was too mean for them, they wouldn't take me because of minor offenses. I had told the Air Force recruiter that I wanted electronics training. He told me to avoid the Army at all costs. He recommended the Navy or Marine Corps and told me I would get the same training in the Marines as I would in the Navy.

Well, I'm not as stupid as I look. I wasn't going to join the Marines. So, I went down the hall and talked to the Navy recruiter. He was sure I could get avionics and wanted me to sign up for 6 years. For an 18 year old 6 years is a long time.

So, I wanted to think about this. I left the Navy recruiter's office and right across the hall was the Marine Corps recruiter. I'm thinking of the advice of the Air Force recruiter. I stood there looking at that Marine recruiter's door for what seemed like a lifetime. Finally, I said, "What the f'ck, they can't make me join." So, I went into the Marine recruiter's office. After receiving assurance that I could probably get the training I wanted, I had one question. How tough is Marine Corps boot camp? This was the one point my recruiter deceived me on. He asked me if I had been in sports in high school. I had two state records in track. He said I would have no problem. I didn't have a problem but, it was a hell of a lot tougher than anything I had imagined and, as you can tell, I was concerned about it.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it! No, seriously, that's how I ended up in the Marines. And I've never regretted it for a moment. The Marine Corps was the best thing I could have ever done.

I know you are a doggie and that's ok. Just keep in mind that the Marines are the toughest outfit, overall.

College. I chose the Navy, mainly Navy Seals, because of the college benefits, which really are the same as the Marines college benefits, NROTC. I also chose the Navy because the recruiter was more like me. My Marines recruiter was perfect, on the ball, and I almost went Marines but I chose the Navy because the job I'll be doing (if I don't get Seals for some reason) is what I'm going to be doing when I get out of the military (if I choose to, but I love everything about the military). The Navy recruiter lost things, was a little bit late sometimes, and I liked that about him. My CO and the woman who is going to be with my group until boot camp (along with my recruiter) works our asses. I had my Navy PT today man, we played Navy vs. Marines football, loved every second of it. Had a lot of fun. I did my first set of Chinese crunches, was a little disappointed when I was the only Navy guy who had an easy time of it. I love the Navy, the military, and my future.

-Billy

Back when I enlisted the Navy's basic school for corpsmen was far superior to the other branches

16 weeks compared to 8 to 10 weeks for Army and Air Force

I picked the Army. My dad and brother were Army. Both were Infantry, served in wars (dad Vietnam, brother Desert Storm). So when I saw the Army Recruiter at the university I went to (graduated with a BSN), I guess the proverbial light bulb went off and I signed up.

I left the Army for the Air Force because I thought I wanted to try Flight Nursing, which was an MOS not available to Army Nurses. Eh, it wasn't what I thought it was going to be, so I switched back to Army. Glad I did. Love the people in my unit, have been mobilized with them and know they are a solid bunch to work with.

Growing up as the youngest of three boys, both my older brothers tried their luck in the service. The oldest was Army Reserve in a unit close to my hometown. He injured his shoulder before he could complete basic training. My older brother, joined the Navy, and tore a ligament in his knee during boot camp in FL. I had uncles who were in the Army, and fought in Korea, Vietnam and couple of other places. When I became a freshman in high school, that was also the same year that JROTC (Army) was added as an elective course. I completed 4 years of JROTC, and had great respect for the NCOs who taught me then. They were in every aspect of our training and instruction. I knew by my sophomore year that I was going to enlist, and after a Blackhawk helicopter landed on the practice football field, I knew what job I wanted. Been working with Blackhawks now since 1989.

1. I was an Army brat, so the Army was out.

2. never even considered the Navy or Marine Corps

3. That left the Air Force

Not definite approximately the Marines, however the USAF has anything referred to as prime 12 months of tenure. That is in which if you don't develop in rank (select up stripes) after a targeted interval of time you're discharged from provider. Each character will have to be competent to (and is predicted to) hit targeted ranks in a targeted period of time; a few do and a few do not. If you do not, it signifies that you're no longer appearing on the anticipated stage. If you regularly omit the ones goal dates, you get discharged. I'll guess the Marines have a equivalent coverage.

I chose the Coast Guard because I come from a commercial fishing family and spent my entire life on the ocean. Also, the missions of the Coast Guard made the most sense to me - marine environmental protection, enforcement of laws & treaties, search & rescue, polar icebreaking, etc. Went to boot camp in February '79, and am still on active duty. I have never once regretted my decision to enlist in the Coast Guard.

Whatever branch you choose, do whatever tasks you're assigned to the very best of your ability. Being a solid sailor, Marine, airman, soldier, etc., makes things much easier.

In all honesty, I knew I wanted to enlist but I didn't care which branch. Five minutes before I was going to drive out and talk to an Air Force recruiter, the Army recruiter called me. That pretty much sealed it from there.

I chose the Army because at the time they were the only branch able to guarantee my job in the original enlistment contract. After 22 years and counting, I can say I do not regret my decision one bit.