U. S. Marines

[JerryNumbers]

I just found out my grandson signed up for the U. S. Marines today January 20, he is 19th, be 20 come April. On January 20, 1966 I took my oath of the U. S. Air Force at Shreveport, LA.

Linda is sadden by this, but I can only feel proud of him for doing this, for there be so few who will volunteer to serve our country here in modern America.

[deafnva77]

Just a question, Did he do it because Obama is in the office? I've heard majority of people sign up because they feel better with Obama being the president.

My nephew signed up for air force

[JerryNumbers]

No, he had been thinking about it for quite some time, he just finally made his decision.

[John81]

I almost joined the Marines right out of high school with two of my friends. When they decided to go Reserves rather than full I determined I didn't want to do that. A couple years later I joined the Air Force. I walked into an Armed Forces recruiting office and the Air Force recruiter was the first one to speak to me so that's where I went.

It's very, very few who join the Armed Forces today to actually serve their country. Most join to get the benefits. Remember early on in the Iraq war when many in the military were crying and complaining that they didn't join to go to war in Iraq? Many of them, at that time, came out and admitted they were there only for the college money or to get away from home or to learn a skill they could use as a civilian to make lots of money.

Those who have joined during this current "war on terrorism" for the specific purpose of serving their country are to be commended. The others are not.

[trc123]

I just found out my grandson signed up for the U. S. Marines today January 20, he is 19th, be 20 come April. On January 20, 1966 I took my oath of the U. S. Air Force at Shreveport, LA.

Linda is sadden by this, but I can only feel proud of him for doing this, for there be so few who will volunteer to serve our country here in modern America.

Congratulations!

[futurehope]

I almost joined the Marines right out of high school with two of my friends. When they decided to go Reserves rather than full I determined I didn't want to do that. A couple years later I joined the Air Force. I walked into an Armed Forces recruiting office and the Air Force recruiter was the first one to speak to me so that's where I went.

It's very, very few who join the Armed Forces today to actually serve their country. Most join to get the benefits. Remember early on in the Iraq war when many in the military were crying and complaining that they didn't join to go to war in Iraq? Many of them, at that time, came out and admitted they were there only for the college money or to get away from home or to learn a skill they could use as a civilian to make lots of money.

Those who have joined during this current "war on terrorism" for the specific purpose of serving their country are to be commended. The others are not.

Jerry,

Oorah! to your grandson. I joined to serve and then ended up not getting to go to Iraq because of being a "short-timer". I've been out for going on four years now and am just now thinking about using my GI Bill to further my education, but I did see a majority of marines when I was on active duty that only signed up for the civilian benefits. It was sad to see.

[HappyChristian]

Jerry, congratulations!!! Please pass your thanks on to your grandson. My son's boot camp instructors told them that the nco's and the co's consider those who sign up during a time of war as heroes...we still have an all volunteer military, and those who choose to sign up during war know that they will likely be in the line of fire sometime.

Where will he be training? My brother was in the Marines, joined in 1978. Trained at Camp Pendleton. The job he was trained to do in the Corps is what he has been doing in civilian life ever since he got out. He never saw action, but was poised to go in after the Iran hostages...but the election of Reagan effectively ended that hostage situation!

When my son joined the Guard, my brother said, "Great. First, my dad's in the Navy. Now my nephew's in the Army...I'll never be able to hold my head up again!" Needless to say, he was joking (somewhat), and is proud of his nephew.

[JerryNumbers]

San Diego from what I understand, and its all official, leaving early March.

Dad was Army, I was Air Force, grandson Marines.

Dad during World War 2, me during Vietnam, grandson during Iraq.

All 3 volunteered, no drafting in our family.

[HappyChristian]

San Diego from what I understand, and its all official, leaving early March.

Dad was Army, I was Air Force, grandson Marines.

Dad during World War 2, me during Vietnam, grandson during Iraq.

All 3 volunteered, no drafting in our family.

I'm sure he will love San Diego!

No wonder he signed up - I think military service almost runs in the blood! My FIL was in the Army - Korean War; My natural father and step-dad both Navy in Vietnam, my step-uncle in Korea. My maternal uncle was a Marine. And there have been family members in every war America has been involved in - including King Philip's War. At least 3 have been Medal of Honor recipients. Sometimes I don't think Josh had any chance to escape military service!

[JerryNumbers]

I'm sure he will love San Diego!

No wonder he signed up - I think military service almost runs in the blood! My FIL was in the Army - Korean War; My natural father and step-dad both Navy in Vietnam, my step-uncle in Korea. My maternal uncle was a Marine. And there have been family members in every war America has been involved in - including King Philip's War. At least 3 have been Medal of Honor recipients. Sometimes I don't think Josh had any chance to escape military service!

And I didn't think to mentioned my older brother who grew up in the orphan home at Texarkana, he was in the Air Force in the late 50's.