Which branch of Service served in?

[Chubminnow]

I didn't join the military, but certainly appreciate big time all those who have. My dad was in the Navy. He passed away this year at the age of 83. He enlisted when he was 16....of course the government caught up with him somewhere out in the pacific (as the story goes). Despite hanging with the men through basic training, etc...as soon as the government was onto him they told him he had to get off the deck and serve the rest of his time working in the kitchen. As soon as they got back to shore he was given an honorable discharge.

At any rate, for whatever reason I was wondering today what made him choose the Navy over any other branch? I wish he were here so I could ask him, but he's not so I'm asking some of you. Which branch did you or your dad serve in and why was that specific branch chosen?

[MsgMills]

I retired from the Army in 1999 as a Master Sergeant....Joined at 17 and retired at 37.....

[DJD]

My Dad was a 30year Navy man. He basically wanted to see the world and was into adventure so he volunteered to be on submarines. He achieved the rank of E-9 and thats as high as you can go in the enlisted ranks.....quite an achievement. That's submariner life is tough duty and when you consider the way things were done many years ago without some of the creature comforts of today you can really appreciate the kind of man he was. He was gone alot while I was growing up which is the main reason I went into the Army.
I was on land all the time and home most evenings.

[DJD]

I retired from the Army in 1999 as a Master Sergeant....Joined at 17 and retired at 37.....

Congrats to you! I got out as a specialist but I have HUGE respect for men and women that stuck it out.

[Chubminnow]

I retired from the Army in 1999 as a Master Sergeant....Joined at 17 and retired at 37.....

Why'd you choose the army? Or...did the army choose you?

[HURRICANEBOB]

Dad:
Service: Navy, Cruiser, Gunners Mate
Why?
Hated to walk, willing to swim home if needed.
Loved mechanical things.
Loved the big guns.
Loved to shoot big shells at things knowing he only needed to get close to score.
Had a turret to hang out in.
Felt secure in a sturdy Hull.
Hated mosquitoes, and willing to risk shark bites.
Dad never thought about jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.
Called me "MEATHEAD" when I joined the Army.

Bob:
Service: Army, Armor/Airborne, "A tank commander/platoon leader"
Why?
Also hated to walk....rode in tanks....but prefer to walk home vice swim.
Loved mechanical things, but with fewer moving parts.
Loves big guns.
Loves to shoot big shells at things.....knowing I WILL HIT IT DEAD CENTER AT UP TO 3 MILES AWAY
Had a turret to hang out in.
Felt secure in an Abrams Tank's sturdy Hull.
Can live with mosquitoes, and scared to death of sharks.
I never thought.....WHEN I jumped out of airplanes.
I called him "long distance" when I joined the Army.

[HURRICANEBOB]

That's submariner life is tough duty and when you consider the way things were done many years ago without some of the creature comforts of today you can really appreciate the kind of man he was. .

I really hear ya. I've toured some submarines, from WWII, Korean war era. How in the heck people could live in those tin cans is totally beyond me. And I have exceptional respect for folks that can go hundreds of feet down, fight an enemy they can't see, knowing they are one depth charge away from not seeing the surface again. Hats off to a courageous man!

[kygorski]

Step father ws retired army, 25 yrs got out in 1946, sgt first class,the old old army. Me 8th united states infantry,M company 28th inf regiment.

[HURRICANEBOB]

My dad was in the Navy. He passed away this year at the age of 83.

Above and beyond all my silly crap......Sorry for your loss. My Navy Dad is gone too, and think of him atleast once every day.

[C-Marshall]

Grandfather-Army Served WWII
Uncle-army-served Vietnam
Dad-Army-Served Vietnam
Me-served Desert Storm 82nd Airborne 1/525 Airborne Infantry
Easy choice for me as you can see above history.And trust me you would have jumped out of a perfectly good airplane if you had some of the pilots that flew the aircraft.Also a real adrenaline rush!

[DJD]

I really hear ya. I've toured some submarines, from WWII, Korean war era. How in the heck people could live in those tin cans is totally beyond me. And I have exceptional respect for folks that can go hundreds of feet down, fight an enemy they can't see, knowing they are one depth charge away from not seeing the surface again. Hats off to a courageous man!

Thanks Bob, I really appreciate that.

[MsgMills]

Why'd you choose the army? Or...did the army choose you?

First branch I came along and seen at the time..Had an uncle who was in the Marines during Vietnam....Loved to watch any and all military war movies....Father even had to sign my emlistment papers for me to join....Mother wasn't to happy about me joining either....