M14 Forum

carpshooter · June 22nd, 2010, 06:15 PM

Would you want to go back and go through your first enlistment again ,and what would you do differently ?

I got drafted ,so as much as the Corps was a PLUS ,I'd do what I wanted to do and be part of the Army , thus enlist with them , cause I like patches on my uniforms , they have large military stations in Germany ( love them German ladies ) , rank comes much faster and that means more pay ,even though I couldn't call myself a Marine then , "one just can't have it all in life "!

Swamp Rat · June 22nd, 2010, 06:47 PM

Right now, no. Possibly in the years to come my mind might change.

dwight55 · June 23rd, 2010, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Would you want to go back and go through your first enlistment again ,and what would you do differently ?

There may be a few minor things I would change if I could do a day by day edit, . . . but if it were an "all or nothing" change, . . . I'd do it in a heartbeat.

May God bless,
Dwight

M21guy · June 23rd, 2010, 05:40 AM

Hell yes I would in a heartbeat.
There was a crap load of poor choices I made. Where would I start? I was a stupid kid. First one being in boot camp when they read off my MOS as a heavy equipment engineer mechanic. (open contract) I should have requested 0311 and been done with it. I wanted a Combat MOS, the folks were dead set against it; so I went in open as a compromise of sorts. I had the chance, but I knew a lot about my assigned MOS; so I left it alone. Stupid, stupid, stupid!!! Follow your dreams you idiot! Now I know better to doubt and compromise.
That was the first major mistake I regret making.

Gunny · June 23rd, 2010, 07:07 AM

Is a Frogs Ass waterproof?....would do it in less than one heartbeat.

The only thing I have Ever regretted in my life is Not Retiring..

RAMMAC · June 23rd, 2010, 07:17 AM

I'd definitely do it again and the biggest change I would make would be to not get married during my first enlistment and then I would have volunteered for every det that I could find. There were good and bad times but looking back I can see that I gained more than I lost.

davidgcalderone · June 23rd, 2010, 09:21 AM

I was an Officer, so techinically I did not have an "enlistment." But I would definitely do it again.

SSGT BUTCH · June 24th, 2010, 10:49 AM

Would not change a thing.

Treetop · June 24th, 2010, 02:10 PM

This post title reminded me of my flight home from overseas. When our C-141 landed at Travis AFB, a huge cheer went up, all through the plane.

As we were taxiing to the hangar, a LCpl. (I think) sitting next to me, looked over, with tears in his eyes, and said "Sarge, I wouldn't go through that again for a million dollars... but I wouldn't take million dollars for the experience, either!"

Smoky · June 24th, 2010, 02:43 PM

Ya know, I would go in a hart beat IF this country needed me, I have always been ready to defend this country and my people from all enemies, foreien and domestic. God, Liberty and country and all the men and woman that have fought (and died) for our freedom. The problem is that now, I would NOT join any organized military WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS. I feel for the guys serving under this administration.
Hope this doesn't burn anybudy up.

RAMMAC · June 24th, 2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoky

Ya know, I would go in a hart beat IF this country needed me, I have always been ready to defend this country and my people from all enemies, foreien and domestic. God, Liberty and country and all the men and woman that have fought (and died) for our freedom. The problem is that now, I would NOT join any organized military WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS. I feel for the guys serving under this administration.
Hope this doesn't burn anybudy up.

Amen, and I have a 19 year old daughter and a soon to be 17 year old son, how do I discourage them without ruining their patriotism. I hope neither one decides to join right now. But then I served during the Carter and Clinton eras so I guess you can survive with idiots in charge.

The Pistoleer · June 25th, 2010, 02:06 PM

I sure would do it again. The first thing I would change is when the Senior DI (Platoon Commander in those days) called me into the duty hut with papers in hand for me to sign up of Officers Candidate School and said "you don't want to be no F--kin officer" and went to tare them up I would have had the nerve to say, "YES I DO". But I just stood there and let him do it. The second thing is that when my 3 year enlistment was up and all my 4 year buddies were headed back to Vietnam I didn't extend for another year. I have always felt I ran out on the guys I had served with for 2 1/2 years.

oldguy5 · June 25th, 2010, 02:46 PM

Today is my 68th birthday. My first child was born when I was in Vietnam. I would do it again and not wait for the hearbeat. Semper Fi and thank you for all of your service.

The Pistoleer · June 25th, 2010, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldguy5

Today is my 68th birthday. My first child was born when I was in Vietnam. I would do it again and not wait for the hearbeat. Semper Fi and thank you for all of your service.

Happy birthday! My 66th was a couple of weeks ago.

scrobosaurus · June 25th, 2010, 04:05 PM

Would go again in half a heartbeat, the only change would be to stay in til I couldn't pass the pt test without wheels on my walker!