Soldier Stories
Served in the military? Discuss your time and experiences here.
Hosted by Dave Willett
what age did you join up?
barron
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Virginia, United States
Member Since: December 01, 2001
entire network: 666 Posts
KitMaker Network: 66 Posts
Posted: Friday, April 01, 2005 - 12:49 PM UTC
I joined when I was 23
inopia
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Member Since: December 29, 2004
entire network: 120 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Friday, April 15, 2005 - 09:23 PM UTC
I joined the REME at 18, my big bro joined the RE at 16,( his first posting after Junior Leaders was to the Falklands 6 weeks after the end of that little scrap to clear minefields and generally clean up..hell of a FOD plod that..:-) ) and my dad was RAF MP late 40's/early 50's, served in Holland and Germany.
barv
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Scotland, United Kingdom
Member Since: December 24, 2004
entire network: 1,594 Posts
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 - 11:24 AM UTC
,
Cadet ...at 12......RAC...18........REME.....24.......REME .TA....36..... Staff -car driver (civilian-with HQ REME TA)...44..........CIVILIAN. ...(RETIRED)....60

aye,
BARV
Sumpfhund
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California, United States
Member Since: March 19, 2005
entire network: 39 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 10:35 AM UTC
I joined in April 1994 just after my 17th birthday in 11th grade. Went to basic at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., came back home to finish my senior year of school and then was shipped off to Ft. Gordon, Ga. for 31U AIT training. I really wish I would have waited a few years to grow up before I signed.
Best Wishes
Ryan
46mech
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California, United States
Member Since: December 01, 2004
entire network: 9 Posts
KitMaker Network: 6 Posts
Posted: Monday, April 25, 2005 - 05:37 AM UTC
I had just turned 22 when I was sent to boot camp (signed up when 21) in April 1985. I retire from the U.S. Navy this friday 29 April after 20 years, went by fast when I look back.
rbeebe99
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Texas, United States
Member Since: August 13, 2004
entire network: 540 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Monday, April 25, 2005 - 03:40 PM UTC
17 still love it at 33 19k
Manchu34
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Missouri, United States
Member Since: March 08, 2002
entire network: 493 Posts
KitMaker Network: 82 Posts
Posted: Monday, April 25, 2005 - 04:51 PM UTC
My parents signed my papers to enlist into the USAR, Troop D 5 Armored Cavalry, 187 Inf. Bde (Seperate) on 11 January 1975. Did Basic and AIT Jul-Oct 75 at Ft. Polk, LA. Enlsited/Transfered to Active Duty, 15 Nov 1976, to get the Vietnam Era GI Bill to go to College. My plans was to do 3 years and get out. Well, before I knew it, July 31, 1996 arrived and I retired from the US Army.
Darktrooper
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Delaware, United States
Member Since: November 05, 2004
entire network: 581 Posts
KitMaker Network: 146 Posts
Posted: Thursday, May 05, 2005 - 02:21 PM UTC
I enlisted at 17 into the Army Reserve.

To qoute a line from (Capt.) Bill Meacham, a Chopper Pilot in Vietnam, "This Army is all right!"
GrimReaper1
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New York, United States
Member Since: June 05, 2005
entire network: 1 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Monday, June 06, 2005 - 05:54 AM UTC
Joined out of High School 17 sent to Nam at 18
Art
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Michigan, United States
Member Since: March 20, 2004
entire network: 604 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Monday, June 06, 2005 - 10:25 AM UTC
17.

Art
Danial
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Singapore / 新加坡
Member Since: May 23, 2005
entire network: 693 Posts
KitMaker Network: 390 Posts
Posted: Friday, June 10, 2005 - 02:34 AM UTC
i was enlisted at the age of 22 and im still serving my nation now...
DODGE01RT
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British Columbia, Canada
Member Since: February 09, 2004
entire network: 545 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Saturday, June 11, 2005 - 07:44 PM UTC
Jioned the reserves just before my 17th b day ('85).I jioned SVC BN transport co.Was in for 5 years with the last 2 being class B call out (full time) .

I have to say it is 5 years I wouldn't go back and trade for anything.It made me who I an today.

Jim
eerie
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United Kingdom
Member Since: September 26, 2004
entire network: 1,008 Posts
KitMaker Network: 655 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 02:19 AM UTC
Enlisted on the 12th of June 2002 at the age of 21. Served my national service commitment till 18th October 2004. Served as an Infantry platoon sergeant
Spuds
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Georgia, United States
Member Since: August 31, 2002
entire network: 393 Posts
KitMaker Network: 61 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 02:50 AM UTC
12 - started JROTC
16 - started military college
20 - commissioned a brand new 2LT of infantry
44 - retired from active duty
44 - Commandant of Cadets military college
50 - took the uniform off for the last time
USArmy2534
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Indiana, United States
Member Since: January 28, 2004
entire network: 2,716 Posts
KitMaker Network: 531 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 03:09 AM UTC
At the moment...

19 Attempting to join ROTC
21 (projected) commissioned as 2nd LT
...

Jeff
fire_support
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Washington, United States
Member Since: July 20, 2005
entire network: 12 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 09:55 AM UTC
I was 20 when I went in. One trip to the sandbox, turned 21 over there, and didnt get my first legal drink till we came back.
Murdo
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Scotland, United Kingdom
Member Since: May 25, 2005
entire network: 2,218 Posts
KitMaker Network: 760 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 10:52 AM UTC
Joined '82.
Found meself in: Scotland, Falklands ('82), England, Ascenscion Islands, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Belize, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Kenya, Dakar(?), West Germany, Canada, USA... And it was all for free! Infact I was PAID to go!

'Course it wasn't all fun... But....

Civilian now and still working for the British Army! The soft bellied jellybellies! Grrrr! you wouldn't have been able to handle it when I was in! :-)

Worryingly, my Battalion's idea of "training" was sometimes more dangerous than actual "active service"....
Demsul
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North Dakota, United States
Member Since: December 04, 2002
entire network: 29 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Sunday, October 23, 2005 - 02:49 AM UTC
I joined the Army National Guard at 17 in Jan '84. Went to basic between my Junior and Senior year of High School. I joined the US Air Force at 21 and a half. Did 11 "training" days of Air Force Basic in '88. Spent all those days laughing at Air Force Basic and trying not to laugh in the TI's face.
EasyOff
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Massachusetts, United States
Member Since: January 20, 2005
entire network: 926 Posts
KitMaker Network: 289 Posts
Posted: Sunday, October 23, 2005 - 02:59 AM UTC
Heh, joined at 18, married at 19, divorced at 24. What a shame.
LonCray
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Virginia, United States
Member Since: August 24, 2005
entire network: 348 Posts
KitMaker Network: 31 Posts
Posted: Thursday, October 27, 2005 - 06:48 AM UTC
Someone mentioned drinking ages - I went in two weeks after my 18th birthday. I lived in Wyoming at the time, so I was legal to drink (they held out on the 21 year old drinking age for a few years more). I didn't have time to drink in Basic, but 6 months of AIT in Massachusetts under the then-rules for the Army (first half of 1985) was fully legal, as drinking age for servicemembers was 18 even if the state age was 21. Then two years in Germany - no drinking age. Then I came to Virginia, and the Army had by 1987 given in to state drinking ages. Suddenly for about 2 months, after legally drinking for 3 years, I was illegal. Whattaworld!
jazza
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Singapore / 新加坡
Member Since: August 03, 2005
entire network: 2,709 Posts
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Posted: Thursday, October 27, 2005 - 07:37 AM UTC

Quoted Text

compulsory national service when u turn 18 here



I believe this would be echoed among all guys born in Singapore.

Singapore Combat Engineers and ended up in the bridging side of the engineers. Was placed as a raft commander for 3 amphibious vehicles that couples together to transport armor and all sorts across water obstacles.
challenger
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Member Since: December 13, 2003
entire network: 8 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Friday, November 18, 2005 - 03:28 AM UTC
Joined as a boy soldier at 15yrs 5 mths, went on to do 24 yrs discharged 1991
hellbent11
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Kansas, United States
Member Since: August 17, 2005
entire network: 725 Posts
KitMaker Network: 320 Posts
Posted: Sunday, November 20, 2005 - 08:18 PM UTC
I joined at 18 as soon as I could. I took a few weeks off to do some fishing before boot camp. I knew that I didn't want to go to college just yet and wanted to see the world. Joining the U.S. Marine Corps was the best thing I could have done! Semper Fi!
dakotarayne
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New York, United States
Member Since: November 28, 2005
entire network: 12 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Friday, December 02, 2005 - 06:34 PM UTC
Joined up with the army at 19 in 2002. still in, and thinking about reenlisting.