Why did you guys join up?

[† Soldier Of Christ †]

Hi i am diong a paper for school on why people go into Emergency Services and the military. Where they risk their lives everyday. Can you give me some of your reasons?

 

[MaryS]

Hi i am diong a paper for school on why people go into Emergency Services and the military. Where they risk their lives everyday. Can you give me some of your reasons?

I strongly suggest you post this question at www.freerepublic.com forum where there are many soldiers, veterans, doctors, nurses, etc.

 

[daveleau]

I joined for several reasons:

I decided to go to a military school for the discipline in study that would be impressed on my very undisciplined self in hopes of getting into medical school. I planned to go into the Air Force as a physician. First, because it has always been a dream to go into the military and because I have felt God's calling to defend our nation. Also, because they pay for medical school (over $150k bill) and physicians do not have to pay for malpractice insurance (another very expensive bill for civilian physicians). When I did not get into medical school despite having the credentials, I felt God's call to the military despite feeling His closing of the door to medical school.

Despite my eyes being bad and having no flying experience, I was told that I could fly in the USAF as a navigator. I prayed and God gave me peace with the decision to join. I wanted to help out my fellow Americans. Once getting in, I was given all of my first choices of assignments. I chose the B-52 because of the importance of the navigator position on the aircraft and because of the long range of the bomber which would allow me to be at home more with my family.

So, I felt God's call, had had the desire to fly since I was young (I found a paper I wrote in 3rd grade that told what I wanted to do when I grew up and guess what? It said fly in the Air Force. ), and because it was a good stable job that would fit with my newly disciplined self.

The benefits are also a reason. Besides the job security and insurance, I am getting a Seminary degree for free while I am in and I will later get another masters, also for free. The retirement of 50% of your base salary for the rest of your life after serving for 20 years is also a huge plus ($50k/ year (for a retired Lt. Colonel) with yearly increases after retirement? Ok!)

I hope this helps!

God bless,
Dave (1Lt USAF/ B-52 Stratofortress navigator)

 

[WarSong]

Defend my country

Make a difference

Blow things up

 

[MrsGnomeCrusher]

When I went in, I did so because I wanted to serve my country.

Boy was I naive.

Blowing up things is a common response!

 

[Sybaris]

When I was 6 my folks took me on a tour of a destroyer in Charleston. From then on I always knew I would go in the Navy. 5 days after my 18th birthday I was in, 22 years later I retired. I can't imagine having done anything else especially now that I've got a 9 to 5 civilian job.

 

[John 15:13]

Because I grew up in Iwakuni (well until I was nine at least) and saw the camraderie that my dad shared with his subordinates. Just couldn't picture life not being allowed on the base. It's all I had ever known. Then I joined and boy was that a shocker.

But now I'm likin' it. It's a good life. Just wish one of my wives would have stuck around. Just kiddin' Lord. I'm still trusting you. She's not over yet.

 

[Billnew]

I am a volunteer EMT and ex-Air Force security police.

I joined the Air Force:
1. to see the world,(12 states and 7 countrys, 3 seas)
2. to get an occupation. Wanted to be in Police outside the military, but couldn't join until I was 21.
3.To shoot automatic and semi auto weapons.
4.to serve my Country.

I joined the EMT's for:
1.being apart of a team.
2.being able to work in emergencys.
3.Adrenalin.

 

[AndOne]

For all the money you make, of course!

 

[WarSong]

For all the money you make, of course!

Were you ever junior enlisted?

 

[Glaz]

I was one of those kids who didn't do all that well in high school, no real prospects for college and not much other than a factory job waiting for me after graduation, typical lower class reasons for joining the service. It was a rewarding experience in many ways, in some ways a negative one. Still, I wouldn't change any of it, I know my life is alot better today than it would have been had I chose to just grind out a life never leaving my hometown.

 

[applepowerpc]

Not sure if I'm going a little out of line here, but I'm an Army kid and I can tell you why I did NOT join (i.e. follow in my father's footsteps): You're ineligible for West Point and ROTC scholarships if you had asthma any time since you were 12. I can do an 11-minute 2-mile run, but that doesn't matter--I had asthma as a kid. I can (and do) make 6 digits in the civilian field. Why would I want to join the military that won't even make me an officer?

 

[Glaz]

Not sure if I'm going a little out of line here, but I'm an Army kid and I can tell you why I did NOT join (i.e. follow in my father's footsteps): You're ineligible for West Point and ROTC scholarships if you had asthma any time since you were 12. I can do an 11-minute 2-mile run, but that doesn't matter--I had asthma as a kid. I can (and do) make 6 digits in the civilian field. Why would I want to join the military that won't even make me an officer?

I don't know, why would you?

 

[applepowerpc]

Exactly. That's why I didn't.

 

[inquisitor_11]

lol.. by the sounds of that you have exactly the right disposition to be a staff officer

 

[applepowerpc]

Hopefully not one of the same staff officers who put this asthma policy into effect in the first place. If I truly wanted to "sacrifice for my country", etc., under the circumstances I'd do more good working for a defense contractor anyway. But what they really need to do is get rid of this asthma policy. If I'm fighting on the front lines of Vietnam--oh, well, I'm only a private. I guess I won't get an asthma attack then.

 

[inquisitor_11]

^ Unless you're exposed to even mild doses of CS/CR gas

 

[† Soldier Of Christ †]

Thanks for all of your help.

 

[Glaz]

^ Unless you're exposed to even mild doses of CS/CR gas

Yup. Asthma is a disqualifier for a very good reason: you won't survive long in a chemical warfare environment where you have to wear a gas mask for extended periods of time and there is no taking it off to use your inhaler.

 

[applepowerpc]

I think there's a misunderstanding here. We're not talking people with asthma being ineligible for service. We're talking FORMER asthmatics ineligible to be OFFICERS. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm not aware of a single chemical that singles out either asthmatics or officers. There is only one gas that singles out present asthmatics. It's called air.