Joining the Military for the Right Reasons...?

jimmy s

What are the wrong reasons? I will tell you something I have learned from 18 years of military experience. There are as many different reasons for joining as there are different people in the Military. Everyone has different reasons. Most people will tell you they joined to serve their country, and Im sure some of them did, but most have other reasons for joining. Once you finish Basic training and settle down in your unit and get used to doing your job every day the reasons you joined wont seem so important. You will be busy trying to do your job well enough to earn the next stripe, or attend the next school you want to go to. Just ask yourself honestly," Do I really want to be in the Military or spend the rest of my life wondering what if I had joined?"

scubasniper

Sounds like the right reasons to me bro. Now do your research on branches and jobs, take the test so you know where you stand and what you qualify for, and get serious with the recruiters. If what you want isn't out there, then don't join.

golden r

All three reasons are good ones if you believe in them. I have people join the military every day for a 1001 reasons. They are all good if they believe in them. I joined the army 25 years ago because I knew it was what I was meant to do. I wanted to help others and be a part of something bigger than myself. I found I am a natural leader and excel in tough situations and environments. Good luck to you and hope you believe in what you are doing.

ET1 (SS) USN retired

There is no wrong reason.

I served 20+ years.

Most guys I knew who served over 10 years did it for the money, and the pension.

Anyone who tells you there is a wrong reason is a dreamer.

Trevor

I'm going through the same tough decision now, too. I'm in my first year of college and really not liking it. I'd enlist rather than struggle through three more years of school, but I believe our motivations ought to be similar enough, so let me explain my reasoning to you in hopes that it'll help yours.

My reasons:

I want respect. No matter who you are, not matter whether you're for or against the current war in the Middle East, I think just about everyone has some respect for Marines for the tough training they go through and for the Corps for its strong track record.

I want confidence. After becoming a Marine, traveling the world, and dealing with everything that's thrown my way while serving, I feel like civilian life ought to be a piece of cake (which it's currently not!).

I do not want to lead an ordinary life. At least for four of my younger years, I want to travel, see the world and come back with life stories I may one day tell my children.

I enjoy being physically fit and I want to become even more so. I've tried using my mind to make a living, but I'm not enjoying it, so I figure I may as well try using my body, instead.

I look forward to the invaluable training. I'm considering joining the Marine Corps, and the stuff I'd learn there is something I wouldn't be able to learn anywhere in the civilian world.

My reservations:

I may be injured or killed. Although, to temper this, after graduating from boot camp and completing further training, I will have the confidence of knowing that whatever ill fate may befall me, it will not be the result of a lack of training, and I find this comforting.

I am quiet, thoughtful and calm. I do not at all fit the Marine stereotype, and I worry that I may struggle to make friends in the Corps.

I may be psychologically scarred. To me, this is the least predictable of my reservations. We've all heard stories of soldiers coming back from Vietnam and never being the same. It's happens with every conflict, and I'm afraid it may happen to me.

It may be boring. When not involved in war, soldiers often sit around with nothing to do all day, and often in less than desirable climates with minimal amenities (no toilets, showers, air conditioning, etc.).

Well, those are all my thoughts. Hopefully I brought up something relevant to you that you haven't yet thought of yet.

USMC--TILL I DIE

the best thing you can do is go into the experience with the mindset that you are going in to contribute to you country depending on what service that may mean giving your life which i will do without hesitation...when you hesitate people die haha anyway the big things are HONOR, COMMITMENT, COURAGE...with that mindset you cannot go wrong

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