Would you do it again?

Ponyracer1

New Member
Established Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2010
Messages
816
Location
Marysville Ca
I'm steadily approaching 19 yrs in, and it got me thinking. If you could go back to the day you raised your right hand, would you do it again?

I was smart enough to join the Air Force so all in all I can't complain, sure I'd make some different decisions along the way but all in all I'm happy with the decision to serve my country. The travel, pay, and benefits are just added bonuses lol.
 

svtfocus2cobra

Opprimere, Velocitas, Violentia Operandi
Established Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2004
Messages
26,241
Location
Washington
I just finished my 5 years. I would certainly do it again but I would go out for sof instead.
 

5spd07gt

BaggedCobra
Established Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
8,008
Location
WV
Best decision I ever made was to join the USAF. Did my 4yrs and got out but it paved the path for where I am today.
 

1 Alibi 2

Veteran,...retired Navy !
Established Member
SVTP OG 4 Life
Joined
Aug 27, 2011
Messages
6,798
Location
Hackettstown, N.J.
Enlisted out of high school, did 5 + and got out. Joined the reserves, started a 4 year apprenticeship, and a job. After 16 months, decided to go back in & finish my 20........................that was the best decision I ever made.
.
If I got a do-over, I'd skip the broken service, but would serve again ! ( Navy retired )
 

Ponyracer1

New Member
Established Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2010
Messages
816
Location
Marysville Ca
LOL Ya I punched early at 3 yrs, went into the Air National Guard for 3 then came back active. I'd be retired now if I had just stayed in the first place!!
 

RSAGT500

Member
Established Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2013
Messages
353
Location
Haughton, Louisiana
I'm coming up on 14 years Active duty Air Force and I would do it all over again. Only thing I would change is that I should've stayed overseas when I had the chance. It's a PIA getting back over or even just getting out of where I am now to another stateside base.
 
Last edited:

Matts00GT

Mongoloid Mike
Established Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2005
Messages
6,234
Location
Cincinnati
I don't have nearly the time in service as many of you and I'm on the O side of the house, but it's easily the best decision I ever made and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
 

VenomGTX

Awesome SVT Poster
Established Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2007
Messages
5,832
Location
Augusta, GA
I wish I would've joined sooner. I spent 3 years dicking around after high school pretending I was gonna get somewhere in college. I love what I do now.
 

Lobo_Loco

La Mera Vena
Established Member
Joined
May 30, 2009
Messages
1,650
Location
Cutler Bay, FL
i would definitely do it again...went straight out of high school....did 4.5 in the Marines and loved it even though i deployed 3 times to Iraq within my first enlistment....only reason i got out was because of my old g/f....which we broke up a month after i got out...i want ed to go back in afterwards but i guess the recruiter didnt take me serious so i started school and haven't looked back, but i do miss those days
 

saleensc281

Member
Established Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2004
Messages
616
Location
Clarksville, TN
No, and based on the current affairs of both the Army and todays leaders, glad Im retiring in less then 3 years. Anyone joining today, I would say take is as a last resort option.
 

Weather Man

Persistance Is A Bitch
Established Member
Joined
May 18, 2012
Messages
25,764
Location
MN
Would definitely do again. Wish I had worked on my degree during the first 10 in instead of the last 10 when I was deploying like crazy.
 

Nolan

New Member
Established Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
13
Location
United States
Seems to go this way on most forums I've been a part of over the years. The general consensus is somewhat split among the Marines and the Army. Among the Navy and Air Force, tends to be an almost unanimous "absolutely". Happens every time.

I was active Air Force from '01 until a few days prior to '12. Decided to punch at 10.5 years. I began defense contracting about 6 months after separation. Been doing that since.

If I could go back to 18 years old again and stand there with 135 puffed up pounds, lol, I absolutely would. I don't regret the Air Force one bit. Sometimes I wish I'd have got out in '07 after my first six year enlistment, as I'd have come downrange sooner- the money was huge out here back then (in Afg now). But, reenlisting was predicated upon taking a USAFE assignment (just north of Cambridge, England). Some of the best years of my life were spent in Europe in my 20's. Best deployment and best TDY's ever out of that unit, too.

So all in all, the Air Force set me up. I'm good for life, honestly. Being a career intel guy with experience all over the board means there's never a shortage of open doors, and I'm thankful for that. It's all worked out great.

"Semper Fly".
:lol:
 

SVT4ME

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2002
Messages
14,620
Location
Las Vegas
Did my 20 in the Air Force and got out. I would do it again but would have tried harder at promotions, more over seas tours and loved Red Horse and Mobile Com and hated CE.
 

97desertCobra

Procharged!
Established Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
5,386
Location
Back in the USA!
Yes but I would make a lot of different decisions if given a do over. Right now I'm kind of in the process of a do over. Going from enlisted to officer via ROTC. I hate nearly every second of it, but I'm sure it will be worth it.
 

ViperRed91GT

Lightning Guru
Established Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2006
Messages
977
Location
Moore, OK
I wish I would've joined the Air Force instead of the Army, only because aviation in the Army is a bit wonky. However, the Air Force messed up and didn't get the CH-47's.. I still think AF wins out
 

Ponyracer1

New Member
Established Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2010
Messages
816
Location
Marysville Ca
Did my 20 in the Air Force and got out. I would do it again but would have tried harder at promotions, more over seas tours and loved Red Horse and Mobile Com and hated CE.

SVTME, what was your career field? I'm in the same boat, 2 tours in RHS and a few in CE and I HATE CE, the civilians and the limited scope of work is a killer once you've been in the Horse. You mention mobile comm so I'm guessing power pro or electrical? Structures troop here.
 

Users who are viewing this thread



Top