Anyone else feel compelled to join the military?

[Mizzou]

I asked this question on another forum and someone told me I had a mental disorder lol. Figure I would get more relevant responses here.

So my situation...

Currently a senior in University, have two more years left and I will graduate with a Masters in Accounting and get my CPA.

Joining up goes against all my logical senses. I can make way more money straight out of school then the Army. I know Army life is not glamorous or at all like Hollywood. I know war is really ****ty. And I know I probably wouldn't like the psychological effects of ever having to **** somebody or seeing all the really horrific things you see during wartime.

Yet I have for my whole life had this little nagging feeling that I need to join up.

This comes from a more general feeling that I need to train and prepare myself for the worst... get military training, and buy guns... I've done the latter, picked up a nice Glock 19 and am getting trained with it. But still nothing excites me more and feels right than the thought of going through basic and AIT.

Right now the biggest thing holding me back is my family. I know none of them would want me in harms way and I wouldn't want to put them through the stress of getting deployed...

I don't know, anyone else just really feel compelled to join the military? It seems at every turn I'm faced with this option. I was in Navy ROTC for a semester here but that just didn't work out. Once I learned what the job duties of a surface warfare officer were I said "**** no" before I had to sign papers haha.

[Livingit36]

Im 30 and I felt compelled even with a child. Joining any branch of the service is not for the feint of heart. I urge you understand that expression before pursuing. This isnt a choice for your family...its yours...plain and simple. Dont bring up the naval ROTC bit next time you talk about this.

[clyde]

I don't know that I felt compelled to join the military. I won't lie, when I was 18, I think I would have gone. But, the thought of leaving my sisters, mother, and grandma was just too much. My dad was not around my entire life and I had no other "father types" in my life. In short, I was afraid! I though, "I'll get a job after college and start making money. I'm ambitious! I'll move up the ladder quickly!" Yea, I worked the past 15 years in the restaurant business where I'm faced daily with, " you'd better not get any complaints or you're fired." Or "if you don't get food cost down, I'm going to have to wright you up and suspend you."

So why did I join??? I've been looking for a way to go back to college. I would like to get my masters degree in business. I would love to teach! I could see myself holding math class and tutoring students in High School. But where is that college money going to come from? Then I got a chance phone call from Sgt Corey. I really got to thinking! Could I actually do this? It will be hard, no doubt. But in the end, I'll have accomplished something. I'll have served my country, which is something I've always wanted to do.

I don't want to look down the road 15 years from now and say, "I was a restaurant manager all my life and look what I have to show for it!!!" The way I see it, this is my chance to do something I didn't have the courage to do 16 + years ago. If I don't do it now, I'll spend my entire life regretting it. I can't live like that.

[Mizzou]

Im 30 and I felt compelled even with a child. Joining any branch of the service is not for the feint of heart. I urge you understand that expression before pursuing. This isnt a choice for your family...its yours...plain and simple. Dont bring up the naval ROTC bit next time you talk about this.
That's one of my points of reasoning on deciding whether to join... I shouldn't live my life according to the wishes and desires of those around me. Even if they have my best interest at heart they have no idea what's going on inside my head and in my life really.


I don't know that I felt compelled to join the military. I won't lie, when I was 18, I think I would have gone. But, the thought of leaving my sisters, mother, and grandma was just too much. My dad was not around my entire life and I had no other "father types" in my life. In short, I was afraid! I though, "I'll get a job after college and start making money. I'm ambitious! I'll move up the ladder quickly!" Yea, I worked the past 15 years in the restaurant business where I'm faced daily with, " you'd better not get any complaints or you're fired." Or "if you don't get food cost down, I'm going to have to wright you up and suspend you."

So why did I join??? I've been looking for a way to go back to college. I would like to get my masters degree in business. I would love to teach! I could see myself holding math class and tutoring students in High School. But where is that college money going to come from? Then I got a chance phone call from Sgt Corey. I really got to thinking! Could I actually do this? It will be hard, no doubt. But in the end, I'll have accomplished something. I'll have served my country, which is something I've always wanted to do.

I don't want to look down the road 15 years from now and say, "I was a restaurant manager all my life and look what I have to show for it!!!" The way I see it, this is my chance to do something I didn't have the courage to do 16 + years ago. If I don't do it now, I'll spend my entire life regretting it. I can't live like that.
Awesome that you decided to find a way to better your situation!

I've thought along those same lines as well... I don't want to be 50 years old looking back on my life wondering what would have happened if I had followed that compulsion in my gut.

[sp.copper]

I think if you get that nagging feeling to join, you should follow it.

I have had that nagging feeling for ~3 years and finally listened to it and signed up last week. I wish I would have joined sooner, but that is life.

The Guard is a great place to be. And your family, you get to protect them. That is one of the main reasons I chose the Guard and not the Actives. Quite honestly, I care about my state more than I do my country. My family is there, it is the place I love. Serving in your state means you get to protect them if something ever happens within the confines of that boundary.

[SteveLord]

Im 30 and I felt compelled even with a child. Joining any branch of the service is not for the feint of heart. I urge you understand that expression before pursuing. This isnt a choice for your family...its yours...plain and simple.

Actually, this kind of thinking is reckless and foolish. You do need to weigh in the feelings of your family. They will be the ones stuck at home without you around, whether it will be 4 months at basic or 12 months deployed.

If you think you're the **** now, wait till being gone for longer than a business trip tests your family.

[chd]

Actually, this kind of thinking is reckless and foolish. You do need to weigh in the feelings of your family. They will be the ones stuck at home without you around, whether it will be 4 months at basic or 12 months deployed.

If you think you're the **** now, wait till being gone for longer than a business trip tests your family.

Absolutely agree. Often, the burden of training and deployment falls more heavily on the shoulders of others.

[Chaplain4me]

First you have to get above a 50 on the ASVAB.

LOL jk, I was kidding. If you have a MA, I'm sure you can do ***.

You should think about the 09S option.

[Ababb17]

So MU Huh? Niice I am going there next year for Army ROTC. I ****ing love that place!

[California Major]

I don't know, anyone else just really feel compelled to join the military? It seems at every turn I'm faced with this option.

Article you may find interesting http://www.killology.com/sheep_dog.htm

Read this and tell me which group you feel you belong to.

[GutshotStraight]

Yes I felt compelled to join and serve. I always had it in the back of my mind but always found a reason not to do it, at least until recently.

The college money is nice and any bonus would be nice but it had zero to do with me enlisting.

I love my country and wanted to make a contribution. This answer has been made fun of but it is the truth.

[California Major]

Hey James !

So how many drills until OCS?

[smiggs]

I have always been attracted to the armed forces ever since I was a kid. I planned on joining up with my friends before going to college but my parents talked me out if it. I finished college and started a job but I always had that nagging feeling at the back of my mind. One I day I just decided that either I join up and do what I want or not do anything and regret it for the rest of my life.

[jasonmiller1975]

Article you may find interesting http://www.killology.com/sheep_dog.htm

Read this and tell me which group you feel you belong to.

Definitely a sheepdog. I've wondered many times if I could have been on one of those planes if things might have turned out different...

[Mizzou]

Article you may find interesting http://www.killology.com/sheep_dog.htm

Read this and tell me which group you feel you belong to.

I've read that article many many times, great read... and am most definitely not a sheep!

I actually wrote a little paper about the victimization syndrome and a lack of personal responsibility that seems to be so prevalent in the U.S. today. People just don't have personal responsibility anymore, not even for their own protection and safety!

[Pvt. Mahfood]

You sound just like me! I've always felt like I wanted the excitment but never could bring myself to join. That little feeling in the bottom of your gut. . . yeah it got me and now I'm heading to basic in a week!!! Hooah! :D

[clyde]

I have always been attracted to the armed forces ever since I was a kid. I planned on joining up with my friends before going to college but my parents talked me out if it. I finished college and started a job but I always had that nagging feeling at the back of my mind. One I day I just decided that either I join up and do what I want or not do anything and regret it for the rest of my life.

Hooah brother!

[GutshotStraight]

Hey James !

So how many drills until OCS?

Good morning Sir!

Great question! I do not yet have an OCS date but will be meeting with my COC soon. Our next drill is the weekend of the 21-22nd, which will actually be my first drill ever!

Pretty interesting to have graduated BCT but have no idea what to expect at drill. LOL

For now I guess I am just an unemployed, non MOSQ E-3 who knows just enough to get himself hurt!

Have a great day sir,
James

[apagea99]

I've wanted to join the military since I was about 12. Life choices (nothing illegal or stupid lol) kept me from pursuing my dream of being a pilot, yet I've always held a love for the military. Here I am at 35 and I'm finally going to fulfill my desire to join. I take the ASVAB on Thursday and then on to MEPS on Friday. I'm going to defer my BCS ship date until September as I'm finishing EMT school atm. Life is exciting. :)

[Livingit36]

Actually, this kind of thinking is reckless and foolish. You do need to weigh in the feelings of your family. They will be the ones stuck at home without you around, whether it will be 4 months at basic or 12 months deployed.

If you think you're the **** now, wait till being gone for longer than a business trip tests your family.


Not necessarily so reckless and foolish at all. This person doesnt sound as though they have any dependents or major ties. While although considering your family is a must as I have had to do because I have a child....being young and beginning on this course is alot easier and ultimately the decision is his/hers to make. Despite what his/her family may think. So I urge him/her to do what what they think is best for them as it is THEIR future. If you feel compelled.....go for it. May be the best decision they ever made in life...I know it is/was going to be for me. I ship in two weeks!!! WOOT......Good luck with your decision!

[Livingit36]

Absolutely agree. Often, the burden of training and deployment falls more heavily on the shoulders of others.

Burden??? you mean privilege yes?

[Mizzou]

Set up a meeting with my recruiter to fill out paperwork, then hopefully MEPS in 2 weeks and boot this summer!

This was DEFINITELY the right decision for me! Thanks for the help everyone :D

[SFC Crew]

If you feel compelled it may not be for you. I consider it an honor to serve my country.........never once compelled. I have a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Sport Management. Could I make more money? It's possible, however, the way the job market is today.....I'm doing fine right here. Good luck with that Masters in Accounting (CPA).

Mizzou, Your family does not want you to join so you feeling compelled isn't coming from them. Where is it coming from? Inside? If it's for the right reason do it, you will not regret it. If it's for the wrong reason.......CPA is the way to go. Good Luck.