Why didn't you join the military?

[Ian J]

Quick and easy poll to satisfy my own curiosity, as my current job has a little bit of recruiting involved in it.

This is primarily for 18-22 year olds, but really, anyone can answer.

The poll is private, so your names won't show up. And, you can vote for multiple choices.

Comments welcome.

[Stone Cold]

Uhh, there's no poll showing, and I did join the military!!!

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by Stone Cold

Uhh, there's no poll showing, and I did join the military!!!

Argh! It takes a bit to set up a poll you jet-jockey!

[Stone Cold]

Looks better now!! You're just jealous, I get to push buttons and the airplane does it all for me!

Oh, and by the way, I've used the autopilot for a total of 5 minutes so far, out of a total of almost 2 hours of flying. (all empty legs until I get a smoooooth ride down).

[Ian J]

When I flew on an AirNet Lear they used the AP only once for a few minutes that I saw! The prop guys used it more.

[SeatClutcher]

I voted, but you didn't have my option up there, so I had to choose "other."

[SeatClutcher]

Wait.

It is up there.

Number four!

(There was a LITTLE bit of interest, though...it's just that the cons outweighed the pros, for me.)

[Stone Cold]

Yeah, the Airnet Lear guys really hate the AP, and the prop guys/gals usually are happy to have one. The guy I'm flying with now only uses it during cruise, but it's a much better AP than the 35 has.

I'm just getting used to the airplane and enjoying flying while I don't have any pax on board!

[txrevolution]

i did

[JayAre]

Other
First time during High School told them I was interested in Aviation. I was told you were glasses don't bother. After 9/11 went to recruiting office. How old are you and any physical problems? Told them my age and about my steel rod in left leg. Pretty much got the thanks but no thanks.

[aloft]

Had crappy eyesight and a PAS hell-bent on pushing me into missile ops instead of fighting for a waiver to get me a nav slot. I politely told him I wanted to be in the fight, not reading about it from some hole in Montana.

[DAnbert]

Checked "other" so I guess I should give my reason.

When I first tried to go in ('92) they wouldnt take me cause I had a GED. I guess they were being picky at the time.
Then when I was in college ('99) they wanted me (even with a GED because I was becoming an EE) but as per requirements, I would have hit the age limit a couple months before finishing OCS which disqualified me.
Since I am sure me and the military wouldnt have gotten along, It is probably best that neither time worked out.

Total respect for those serving and served!!!

[mikecweb]

Other.
Eyesight prevented me from even getting the chance to serve as a pilot. I'm still very hard on myself about being selfish about this choice but as long as I have a choice I should probably pursue my goals of being a pilot.

[frog_flyer]

I hope to in a few years.

[BCTAv8r]

Because I don't have my degree yet and I want to go in as an officer.

[Velocipede]

Other. I did. 11.5 active duty, 3.5 reserve and a good deal early retirement. Best decision I ever made.

[Mike Lewis]

I didn't see it as a poll option, but in all of my meetings with how to improve recruitment and retention, they always have "increased pay" as an option.

I was curious if the low pay was a factor in people not serving. It never really was a pro or con for me. Granted, I would never have said no to more pay, but that wasn't a factor for my joining or not. I was in for patriotism, service, and esprit de corps.

However, whenever I was on a panel to discuss how to improve recruitment and retention, the things they would always float are "What if we gave you a $10k bonus for 4 years? What if we gave you 15 year retirement?" They never had any of the things I was looking for - longer time on station in critical jobs, bigger say in my career, improvements in Tricare health care, more career broadening opportunities, restoring some of our lost benefits. Everything was about money, however, perhaps because that was an easier solution than trying to fix the harder problems.

[Berkut]

I'm not sure if "poor eyesight" is a medical condition, but that seemed closest.

[Doug Taylor]

I had every intention in the world to fly F/A-18's for the Navy because I was a Blue Angels/LNAS kid but I had 20/25 in one of my eyes an ineligible to pass the medical.

I figured I'd fly in the Navy, do my commitment, get out and then go work for United.

[jbpetty6203]

Age 22, USAF Active Duty, currently deployed, sitting in Iraq as I type this, Crew chief on 130s, currently my 4th deployment, who says its the chair force anymore, we are right here with everybody else!!!
Only 16 more months on my enlistment!!!

[staplegun]

Commander, USNR (Ret.)

I always wanted to be the same rank as James Bond...

Kevin

[Minuteman]

Frankly, "Gulf War Syndrome" from mandatory vaccinations. That was a danger I could not justify under the circumstances.

[Champcar]

I wish I would have joined, I was afraid of the commitment at the time. Young and dumb.

[igneous]

I've considered joining, and still do. I'm 24, and still on the fence about if I really want to be a pilot. That would be my primary reason for joining, as well as to serve my country. My issue right now is that I dont want to spend a couple years getting my ratings and become a CFI and not even make it to the regionals until Im in my later 20's. I feel if I do that I'll be wasting a good part of my life being poor and not doing all that much. If I joined the military I could become a pilot, serve my country and see the world. Then be a pilot as a career when I get out. Im not sure if I could make it into the military as a pilot either. I do have a business degree, and am in good health, but it seems they look for someone with even better qualifications than me for pilot slots

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by Champcar

I wish I would have joined, I was afraid of the commitment at the time. Young and dumb.

Aren't you 22?