I got off the bus 3 years ago today

[BlueJ1]

3 years ago I got off the bus at Great Lakes and started my military career. In the past 3 years Ive driven across the states from San Diego to Norfolk. Been to Ireland, Germany, and a few other countries that end in stan. Spent 9 months in Afghanistan as a prison guard at the age of 20-21. Flown on all sorts of aircraft including Blackhawks, Seahawks, C-9s, C-17s, and C-130s. Owned my first car. Moved into my first apartment. Voted. Found my limit when it comes to alcohol. Got my first tattoo. Followed up by a few more. Having arguments with bums from Chicago, San Diego, and Virgina. Got chased by a giant spider that nearly poop myself. Been stabbed, shot at, mortared, and poop thrown on me. Wake up every morning and go into work and play with a multi million dollar aircraft. And made some amazing friends along the way that will always be as close as family.

Point being what the heck am I supposed to look forward to in the next 17 years of my career?

[stran]

if you are career military, i applaud you, and pity you.

[Obie303]

Get married, have kids, get divorced, get re-married, and in between all that.....have a few beers.

Seriously, enjoy it.  After a while all you have left is death and taxes.

[Rich46yo]

Its an exciting time, to be young and in uniform. All that travel, adventure, meeting all kinds of new girls. New challenges...ect

I work a part time security detail at a major airport and am always impressed with the quality of the young people coming thru in uniform, or on their way to basic. You have to relish these times instead of counting down months. I played ball and studied my entire 4 years and did a lot of new things. From partying on an ancient Roman castle, to training across Europe, canoing down rapids, chasing Bear and deer in Montana. Course the Vietnam crowd was still around when I was in and they definitely knew how to have a good time.

Congrats on going career. The USN is a heckuva outfit.

[cpxxx]

Been to Ireland,

When were you in Ireland? I know a lot of US military transit through Shannon airport County Clare and some get out and about when the aircraft go tech. In my job as a Skydive pilot nearby. I hear and see a lot of airliners with 'Reach' callsigns going in and out of the airport. Always makes me think about what they're going to or coming from. (You get a lot of time to think while climbing a skydive flight.)

[Dadsguns]

Cherish those early years of your career.  As you make the rank, your responsibilities will increase and your fun meter will decrease.

[john9001]

Point being what the heck am I supposed to look forward to in the next 17 years of my career?

retirement. 

[eagl]

Point being what the heck am I supposed to look forward to in the next 17 years of my career?

If you get promoted, less "fun" and a little more money.  Maybe find a nice girl to share your life with.

Other than that...  I figure after age 27 life is one big downhill slide so you still have a little time left.  Just don't get married and have a bunch of kids too early.  And don't be "car poor" either...  Plenty of really good used or inexpensive new cars out there to drive until your salary matches your vehicular appetite.

[RedTop]

retirement. 

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then you'll be young enough to really enjoy retirment...find a job doing some trivial BS and just enjoy the fact that IF your financially able to....tell ANY Job after your military career to F off when they make ya mad.

[BlueJ1]

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then you'll be young enough to really enjoy retirment...find a job doing some trivial BS and just enjoy the fact that IF your financially able to....tell ANY Job after your military career to F off when they make ya mad.

I dream of that day. Being in the military is a love/hate relationship. But in the future when Im working a normal job I cant wait for my boss to make me mad. If anything I really wont be mad at all. Just having the option to tell him/her to have a nice day and walk out with a smile on my face is good enough for me.

cpxxx, you are correct. I cant remember but one of the two times I flew through Ireland was to Shannon. We landed very early in the morning. The biggest surprise to me being in my first country other then Canada. Was one of the airports it looked like something strait out of the 1980's. There was reddish orange shag carpet and burnt orange seats.

[JunkyII]

  fellow warrior

[hlbly]

retirement. 

while young enough to enjoy it .

[cpxxx]

blueJ1

Was one of the airports it looked like something strait out of the 1980's. There was reddish orange shag carpet and burnt orange seats.

LOL Sounds like it alright, I would have thought more like the 1970s. In fact the whole area around the airport looks like something out of the 1970s Soviet Union. The place is in a timewarp only just kept open by US trooping flights. Don't judge the rest of the country on Shannon.

Enjoy your career in the military, my biggest regrets was never going full time in our military and being just too old to join the US military when I finally got the chance. My second biggest was quitting my reserve unit. When you've been through experiences like that, it gives you a new perspective on civvie life. How easy it is compared to what you've seen and done.

[Maverick]

BlueJ,

You will get out of your career what you decide you want out of it. In a manner of speaking most of the time your own attitude determines whether it sucks or not. If YOU decide it's a great life and move forward with that attitude you should have a great career even after gaining rank and responsibility. Having responsibility for some folks can also be the most rewarding time of your career while you are in a leadership position. You will simply make of it what you want. Best of luck in whichever way you decide to go.

[Curlew]

  Thank you for serving, and good on yah if you continue to serve, our country owes you a great debt