Would You Do It Again?

[Huggyu2]

Very similiar words from AlbieF15. He's more articulate than I am, but I have a simliar sentiments. I'm not Navy/USMC (I'm USAF). I'm very disappointed and frustrated with a lot about about the USAF,..... however,..... yes, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
In 75 years, it won't matter much anyways, so go where you think you should for the reasons that matter.

 

[pilotyip]

Golly there is something we all agree on, lets go have a beer. Oh! I have heard that is now polically incorrect in the military now days. We can all go have a diet coke.

 

[SIG600]

Golly there is something we all agree on, lets go have a beer. Oh! I have heard that is now polically incorrect in the military now days. We can all go have a diet coke.

Not around our O-club, though it's less of a party spot than it should be it seems. But there's always someone there that'll throw the dice with you.

 

[scarface]

I would absolutely go in the Marine Corps again and again; I would also kiss whose ever butt I needed to kiss to get into the Osprey program.

 

[T2Pilot]

I am about to retire after 20. I'd definitely do it again. I agree with the others ... don't join "for the training" or to set up for the airlines. If you want airlines just go that track. If you want to serve something greater than yourself while doing some great flying go military. You may have some interesting adventures and the benefits are significant especially if you stay until retirement. There can be hardships along the way so it takes some introspection beforehand. For me it was easy. I wanted to be a USAF pilot since I was a wee lad.

 

[Weasel Keeper]

I know this was asked of pilots so pardon my intrusion sirs.

I enlisted in 86 as a Tac Fighter Maintenance Specialist in the USAF. I spent 4 years AD as an F-4E/G crew chief, then joined the Air National Guard for 4 more years as an F-4E and later an F-16C/D crew chief.

I'd been thinking the past year or so that had I stayed in I could have retired with 20 on 3 Feb 06.

On 12 Oct 05 I reenlisted in the Air Guard after being out for 11 years and am currently being refreshed as a crew chief on the F-16C+. I'll do my remaining 12 years for retirement since I was kicking myself before for not sticking around.

Do it again? Yup, I am...and it feels good.

 

[skiddriver]

22 years of AD service:

Pros: met wife on a blind date to the Marine Corps Ball, 5 deployments, combat tour, squadron maintenance officer, test pilot school, war college, command tour, good friends, good flying, challenging work, good chunk of change coming in through retirement, qualifications got me a 6 figure job after retirement, and most importantly, the chance to work with some of the finest people I've ever met.

Cons: daughter born while on combat tour, gone during a good portion of the kids' childhood, and in general spent more time away from the family than I would have liked. Turned down promotion to O-6 to retire and spend some time with my children before they left home.

If I had a chance, I'd change some of the details - played more and made more time for my family; but I wouldn't hesitate to do a full career again.

 

[retired guy]

Do it again? Hell yes...greatest adventure of my life. Young, bullet proof, greatest fighter pilot ever made(so I thought).USMC, cruise on a 27 Charlie (ask a squid what that means). Fastest plane in the Navy/Marine Corps (Crusader)....Bad parts..stayed too long, should have resigned sooner...started my airline career at age 29...should have gotten in the reserves...all in all, I`d just hit the "reset" button and do it all again....

 

[Benhuntn]

I managed to get through 28 yrs w/o exhibiting any type of leadership qualities. I had awesome responsibility though with unmatched comradre. I would go back to day one and do it all again but this time I would try to have even more fun than I did the first time if that's possible. (am I the first 28 yr 2nd Lt)?

 

[pilotyip]

golly, retired guy you are older than I am, you flew the F-11 in Advanced Training out of BeeVille? Reserve retirement has made it a lot easier to make it into retirement in this business.