Military. Who is serving or has served?

racedoll · 03-13-2011, 08:04 PM

Reading some other threads gives me the impression that we have several members that have either served or are currently serving in the military.

I'm curious on: why you joined, what branch you are in/why you chose that branch, and what you do?

Amorok · 03-13-2011, 08:16 PM

I'll be the first.

Active duty USAF since Oct 26th, 1999. I joined for a lot of reasons but mainly because I grew up poor, had a fiancee that I wanted to provide better for than my dad could for my mom, and there weren't any jobs where I lived. I'd pretty much decided since I was little I wanted to join the military when I got older, so it made sense. I couldn't really think of another job that would make my life mean something, where I could make a difference. At least not one that would take me. And lastly, the judge was a REAL big supporter of me not living in Kentucky anymore. Yeah, they still do that in some places.

As for why I'm in the Air Force, it's a funny story. I walked into the recruiting station and went into the first office I saw, which happened to be the Marine recruiter. At the time I was just finishing recovering from something that, among other things, made me lose about 30 pounds. At that age I had almost zero body fat anyway so it was almost all lean muscle loss. I weighed about 120lbs and looked pretty rough. When I told the recruiter I wanted to join the military he asked me how much I weighed and I told him. He said I'd have to gain at least 15lbs before I could join "his" Marine Corps. I said I could do that in a few weeks, he told me no, I'd have to go through a six-month program of diet and exercise, then I could go to MEPS, and maybe a few months after that I could be a Marine. I told him I needed to get out of town a little sooner than that, and he got a little suspicious so I left. The Air Force recruiter just happened to be the next door in the hallway. I asked him how much weight I had to gain to get into the AF and he got all confused. I told him the Marines wanted me to gain 15lbs and I was looking for a better deal. He told me "You don't have to gain weight to join the Air Force, we do that for you!" So 11 years later here I am. If SSgt Purdy had been out to lunch or something I'd be in the Army.

racedoll · 03-13-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amorok

I'll be the first.

Active duty USAF since Oct 26th, 1999.

What do you do in the AF?

Amorok · 03-13-2011, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racedoll

What do you do in the AF?

For the first five-ish years I was an aircraft mechanic working on KC135R's & T's. Then they decided they didn't need mechanics anymore. Now I have a desk job as an Education and Training Manager. I make sure other people keep their qualifications and training current and ensure they get the knowledge they need.

Particle Man · 03-14-2011, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amorok

For the first five-ish years I was an aircraft mechanic

My dad did the same for years.

There are some pretty cool pics of him working on stuff. Wish he was still around to tell more stories.

Dave · 03-13-2011, 08:17 PM

Why: to kill shit
Where: us army/nj arng
what: 19k tanker/19d cavalry scout

This is my eleventh year serving. Three of those were In iraq

tached1000rr · 03-13-2011, 08:24 PM

Much love to all of you who have or is currently serving

Tmall · 03-13-2011, 08:25 PM

Why? I grew up poor and needed a good job.
Which element? Navy (Engineering section)
What do I do? I fix and maintain just about everything mechanical on the boat. Finished technician training last year and will be a Engineering plant operator shortly.

BTW: Canadian Navy.

Captain Morgan · 03-13-2011, 08:33 PM

I joined because I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do after high school. Went to college, but dropped out halfway through the first semester. Sat out a semester, then same thing. Decided I was going to join the Marines, because that's the branch my grandpa had been in. Told my uncle and he talked me into the Air Force instead. Joined up, stayed for 7 years working on radar equipment. Got out because my dad wanted me to work for him. Wish I'd stayed in.

SteveP · 03-13-2011, 08:38 PM

Why? No real direction. Seemed like the thing to do.

1997 - 2002 US Navy.

I worked in an aviation squadron and handled all the aircraft material procurement. Got to play with all the maintenance finances and balance fuel data. Aviation Storekeeper 2nd Class type (AW).

03-13-2011, 08:04 PM	#1
racedoll AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: '04 Kawasaki ZX6RR Posts: 3,392	Military. Who is serving or has served? Reading some other threads gives me the impression that we have several members that have either served or are currently serving in the military. I'm curious on: why you joined, what branch you are in/why you chose that branch, and what you do?

03-13-2011, 08:16 PM	#2
Amorok Issukangitok Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Biloxi, MS Moto: '06 Suzuki Boulevard C50T Posts: 2,225	I'll be the first. Active duty USAF since Oct 26th, 1999. I joined for a lot of reasons but mainly because I grew up poor, had a fiancee that I wanted to provide better for than my dad could for my mom, and there weren't any jobs where I lived. I'd pretty much decided since I was little I wanted to join the military when I got older, so it made sense. I couldn't really think of another job that would make my life mean something, where I could make a difference. At least not one that would take me. And lastly, the judge was a REAL big supporter of me not living in Kentucky anymore. Yeah, they still do that in some places. As for why I'm in the Air Force, it's a funny story. I walked into the recruiting station and went into the first office I saw, which happened to be the Marine recruiter. At the time I was just finishing recovering from something that, among other things, made me lose about 30 pounds. At that age I had almost zero body fat anyway so it was almost all lean muscle loss. I weighed about 120lbs and looked pretty rough. When I told the recruiter I wanted to join the military he asked me how much I weighed and I told him. He said I'd have to gain at least 15lbs before I could join "his" Marine Corps. I said I could do that in a few weeks, he told me no, I'd have to go through a six-month program of diet and exercise, then I could go to MEPS, and maybe a few months after that I could be a Marine. I told him I needed to get out of town a little sooner than that, and he got a little suspicious so I left. The Air Force recruiter just happened to be the next door in the hallway. I asked him how much weight I had to gain to get into the AF and he got all confused. I told him the Marines wanted me to gain 15lbs and I was looking for a better deal. He told me "You don't have to gain weight to join the Air Force, we do that for you!" So 11 years later here I am. If SSgt Purdy had been out to lunch or something I'd be in the Army. __________________ What goes around comes around. Sometimes you get what's coming around, and sometimes you are what's coming around. You see what I mean?

03-13-2011, 08:17 PM	#6
Dave Chaotic Neutral Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cherry Hill NJ Moto: GV1200 Madura, Hawk gt Posts: 13,992	Why: to kill shit Where: us army/nj arng what: 19k tanker/19d cavalry scout This is my eleventh year serving. Three of those were In iraq

03-13-2011, 08:24 PM	#7
tached1000rr WERA White Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC Moto: 2009 GSXR 1300 Posts: 2,448	Much love to all of you who have or is currently serving

03-13-2011, 08:25 PM	#8
Tmall Aspiring Rapper Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Halifax, NS Moto: '12 CB1000R Posts: 3,569	Why? I grew up poor and needed a good job. Which element? Navy (Engineering section) What do I do? I fix and maintain just about everything mechanical on the boat. Finished technician training last year and will be a Engineering plant operator shortly. BTW: Canadian Navy.

03-13-2011, 08:33 PM	#9
Captain Morgan Let's do another U-turn Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Moto: 2009 V-Strom Posts: 3,816	I joined because I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do after high school. Went to college, but dropped out halfway through the first semester. Sat out a semester, then same thing. Decided I was going to join the Marines, because that's the branch my grandpa had been in. Told my uncle and he talked me into the Air Force instead. Joined up, stayed for 7 years working on radar equipment. Got out because my dad wanted me to work for him. Wish I'd stayed in.

03-13-2011, 08:38 PM	#10
SteveP Canyon Carver Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pensacola, FL Moto: The v-twin trifecta Posts: 437	Why? No real direction. Seemed like the thing to do. 1997 - 2002 US Navy. I worked in an aviation squadron and handled all the aircraft material procurement. Got to play with all the maintenance finances and balance fuel data. Aviation Storekeeper 2nd Class type (AW).