Military Service?
Re: Military Service?
USAF 66-71. Shot at and missed, spit at and hit.
Re: Military Service?
USAF 1962 - 1966
Joined because I didn't want to get drafted(5'-6" 140#). Ran out of funds at school, so there I am in San Antonio, 19 years old and never been away from home. The Air Force was very good to me, I had the privilege of working with some great guys.
It was exciting work, new tech at the time, satellite photography.
NOTE Vietnam was heating up by 1965.
Joined because I didn't want to get drafted(5'-6" 140#). Ran out of funds at school, so there I am in San Antonio, 19 years old and never been away from home. The Air Force was very good to me, I had the privilege of working with some great guys.
It was exciting work, new tech at the time, satellite photography.
NOTE Vietnam was heating up by 1965.
Re: Military Service?
Active Duty Air Force here. I've been in since 2010. I'm a Jet Engine Mechanic. I absolutely love my job. I joined rather late by some standards (I was 22). I did the college thing and quite frankly, messed around and didn't care. It resulted in me joining. I can honestly say, I regret it at times--mainly the not trying in school part. There are times I think it was one of the best decisions I've made. The people you meet and become friends with is second-to-none. It's a microcosm of society. It's crazy to think of the friends I gained from different backgrounds, political views, etc.. The skills you learn will greatly help you in the future. From technical skills to communicating.
With that said, if I were you, I'd stick with school--unless it is something you really want to do. Active Duty is not for everyone. It definitely has its perks. I get paid well, receive great medical care and it helps support my small family (wife and a little doggie). However; I don't want to get political, but in the short amount of time I've been in, it's changed a lot since I arrived at my first duty station. From the kids straight out of high school lacking discipline from Tech School to the changes and direction the Air Force is making as a whole.
Have you looked into the ANG or Reserves? I honestly did not know much about them until I went to Basic Training. I work in a unit that is under the ANG so I work with them on a daily basis. If I could go back, I would have gone that route and stuck with school--instead of just now getting back into classes. I'm seriously considering getting out and joining the ANG myself.
With that said, if I were you, I'd stick with school--unless it is something you really want to do. Active Duty is not for everyone. It definitely has its perks. I get paid well, receive great medical care and it helps support my small family (wife and a little doggie). However; I don't want to get political, but in the short amount of time I've been in, it's changed a lot since I arrived at my first duty station. From the kids straight out of high school lacking discipline from Tech School to the changes and direction the Air Force is making as a whole.
Have you looked into the ANG or Reserves? I honestly did not know much about them until I went to Basic Training. I work in a unit that is under the ANG so I work with them on a daily basis. If I could go back, I would have gone that route and stuck with school--instead of just now getting back into classes. I'm seriously considering getting out and joining the ANG myself.
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redhawk44357
- Member
- Posts: 245
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Re: Military Service?
I lost my student deferment and was fixing to get drafted, so I enlisted in the Navy. It was Oct. 1969. The Navy thought I had potential as an ET (electronics tech) so they sent me to school. I spent most of my time partying and not studying so I was soon let go and assigned to the Coral Sea CVA-43 as an unrated fireman apprentice. I spent the rest of my enlistment on that boat. We did 2 Viet Nam cruises and I got to see many foreign ports. Now as I look back I see that I blew my opportunity for an education and a career. But had I stayed in, I wouldn't have met my wife of 40 years and would have missed having 3 GREAT kids. Life is full of choices and all we can do is decide one course or another . I wish you success in whatever you choose to do.