Do you regret not joining the military?

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dwccrew's avatar

dwccrew

Not Banned

7,817 posts
Nov 20, 2009 1:20 AM
I don't think anyone should regret not joining. It's for some, not for others.
Nov 20, 2009 1:20am
M

mattinctown

Nov 20, 2009 1:23 AM
Yeah, I know I could have served in the military then gone to college, but never wanted to serve in the military, that was my choice. While I respect people that choose the military, it wasn't for me.
Nov 20, 2009 1:23am
dwccrew's avatar

dwccrew

Not Banned

7,817 posts
Nov 20, 2009 1:26 AM
mattinctown wrote: Yeah, I know I could have served in the military then gone to college, but never wanted to serve in the military, that was my choice. While I respect people that choose the military, it wasn't for me.
That's cool, but what I meant was you could have served and gone to school at the same time. Sometimes deployments interfere with school, but I managed to get done at 23. Went to school while in the military (National Guard). I went on several deployments, most of them were after I graduated and my one deployment to Iraq was also after graduation.

I respect your choice though, as I said, it's not for everyone.
Nov 20, 2009 1:26am
brutus161's avatar

brutus161

The Navy Guy

1,686 posts
Nov 20, 2009 6:49 AM
I have been happy almost all of my 13.5 years I have been in the Navy. I couldn't imagine doing anything else. That being said, if you regret not joining, I can help. Afterall, I am a recruiter.
Nov 20, 2009 6:49am
C

Con_Alma

Senior Member

12,198 posts
Nov 20, 2009 6:56 AM
It's the one thing in my life if I could do over I would change.
Nov 20, 2009 6:56am
Ytowngirlinfla's avatar

Ytowngirlinfla

I wear real chevrons!

2,295 posts
Nov 20, 2009 7:30 AM
I wish I would have joined earlier than I did, but I don't regret waiting. I already have a bachelor's degree which is good when I move up to E6/E7 and for evals.
Nov 20, 2009 7:30am
j_crazy's avatar

j_crazy

7 gram rocks. how i roll.

8,372 posts
Nov 20, 2009 7:41 AM
No, anyone who knows me first hand can tell you I'd be dead if I were in the military. I'm not fit to be a soldier. This is the main reason I hold these heroes in such high regard.
Nov 20, 2009 7:41am
thePITman's avatar

thePITman

Senior Member

3,867 posts
Nov 20, 2009 7:54 AM
Those that served in previous wars were potentially dying to preserve the freedom of the United States. What are today's military dying for?
Nov 20, 2009 7:54am
Darkon's avatar

Darkon

Senior Member

3,476 posts
Nov 20, 2009 8:01 AM
Best move I ever made. Had no direction out of high school. Got an education (electronics).Taught me responsibility and grew as a person. Met some great people that I still stay in contact with 25 years later.
I agree it's not for everyone but some people really should consider this the way the current economy is. Get paid to learn a trade.
Nov 20, 2009 8:01am
H

hilliardfan

Senior Member

193 posts
Nov 20, 2009 8:12 AM
I wish I had joined when I got out of college. It would have been very good for me.
Nov 20, 2009 8:12am
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar

ZWICK 4 PREZ

Senior Member

7,733 posts
Nov 20, 2009 8:27 AM
If you joined when you already had a degree, would your MOS be in a field your degree was in?
For instance, I already have my Electrical Engineering degree. Would I get a job in the military for my degree or not necessarily?
Nov 20, 2009 8:27am
Darkon's avatar

Darkon

Senior Member

3,476 posts
Nov 20, 2009 8:30 AM
ZWICK 4 PREZ wrote: If you joined when you already had a degree, would your MOS be in a field your degree was in?
For instance, I already have my Electrical Engineering degree. Would I get a job in the military for my degree or not necessarily?
Yes you can go into the field of your degree.
Nov 20, 2009 8:30am
J

jmog

Senior Member

6,567 posts
Nov 20, 2009 8:32 AM
Yes. I should have joined the Air Force or been a Navy pilot, and wanted to join after 9/11 but by that time I had some medical issues (gout mainly) that they couldn't take me.

I have the eyesight, reflexes, etc to have been a pilot, but oh well.
Nov 20, 2009 8:32am
CenterBHSFan's avatar

CenterBHSFan

333 - I'm only half evil

6,115 posts
Nov 20, 2009 8:48 AM
In some ways, yes I regret not joining. I come from a huge family with a long military backround. But, it just wasn't the thing for me when I was younger.
Nov 20, 2009 8:48am
Thunder70's avatar

Thunder70

Senior Member

748 posts
Nov 20, 2009 8:59 AM
My brother was in the navy and hated it. Always admired him for joining though. Considering 9/11 happened right after I would have enlisted, I still wish I would have. Would be in a much better position today and have a feeling of contributing to the great country I often times for granted.
Nov 20, 2009 8:59am
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar

ZWICK 4 PREZ

Senior Member

7,733 posts
Nov 20, 2009 9:09 AM
I heard if you left your job to join to military, they'd have to hold your position for you while you were enlisted. Can anyone confirm or disconfirm that?
Nov 20, 2009 9:09am
Darkon's avatar

Darkon

Senior Member

3,476 posts
Nov 20, 2009 9:13 AM
ZWICK 4 PREZ wrote: I heard if you left your job to join to military, they'd have to hold your position for you while you were enlisted. Can anyone confirm or disconfirm that?
Not true. This was for reservist who were called to active duty.
Nov 20, 2009 9:13am
N

Nate

Formerly Known As Keebler

3,949 posts
Nov 20, 2009 9:14 AM
ZWICK 4 PREZ wrote: I heard if you left your job to join to military, they'd have to hold your position for you while you were enlisted. Can anyone confirm or disconfirm that?
I've heard both ways. I've heard if you enroll, they must keep you.
But I've also heard that you have to be enrolled before you take the job in order for them to hold it until you get back.
Nov 20, 2009 9:14am
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar

ZWICK 4 PREZ

Senior Member

7,733 posts
Nov 20, 2009 9:18 AM
Darkon wrote:
ZWICK 4 PREZ wrote: I heard if you left your job to join to military, they'd have to hold your position for you while you were enlisted. Can anyone confirm or disconfirm that?
Not true. This was for reservist who were called to active duty.
Ah, ok. Thanks for the clarification. What if you joined the reserves while you were at your job. you'd still have to leave for a period of time for basic training and such. How does that affect your job?
Nov 20, 2009 9:18am
Darkon's avatar

Darkon

Senior Member

3,476 posts
Nov 20, 2009 9:22 AM
I'm sure you would have to work that out with your employer.
Nov 20, 2009 9:22am
tsst_fballfan's avatar

tsst_fballfan

Senior Member

406 posts
Nov 20, 2009 9:27 AM
My only regret is not staying in after about 10 yrs of service. It is with no doubt one of the most proud things I have done in my life. I agree it's not for everyone.

I make it a point to thank every uniformed veteran I can. It's my honor to shake the hand of some young man or woman willing to give their life to protect ours!!!
Nov 20, 2009 9:27am
O

original_sin

Senior Member

93 posts
Nov 20, 2009 9:51 AM
What other occupation has a greater chance to be killed while at work?

Pass.
Nov 20, 2009 9:51am
Darkon's avatar

Darkon

Senior Member

3,476 posts
Nov 20, 2009 9:55 AM
original_sin wrote: What other occupation has a greater chance to be killed while at work?

Pass.
Without these people doing thier job every occupation would have a greater chance!
Nov 20, 2009 9:55am
F

fan_from_texas

Senior Member

2,693 posts
Nov 20, 2009 9:56 AM
original_sin wrote: What other occupation has a greater chance to be killed while at work?

Pass.
My understanding is that the fatality rate in the military is lower than that of being a citizen in many US cities.

To the OP, yes, I've regretted it sometimes. Sometimes I wish I would've gone to Annapolis.
Nov 20, 2009 9:56am
N

Nate

Formerly Known As Keebler

3,949 posts
Nov 20, 2009 10:35 AM
I'm sure the people on Deadliest Catch have a better chance of dieing.
Nov 20, 2009 10:35am