I live in the midwest. I'm 30. I've never served in any branch of the military. That will attract attention, as it should. I believe every able bodied citizen should volunteer for service. It would be an honor to repay some of the debt owed for the freedoms others have sacrificed for.
I have volunteered twice.
In 1994, Army. I had only one interest, to be a Ranger. If I remember correctly it was hard to get a straight answer from the recruiter. I was able to contact a Ranger over the phone through a co-worker. (Will PM info. I remeber of him if asked.) He was able to give some advice on speaking with the recruiters. Longer story short = denied in MEPS for Asthma. A med. was idenitfied in my med. history that treated asthma conditions. I recieved the med. for a bronchial infection when I was 8 or 9. I got a note from my doctor and took the respitory test as described in the medical forum section of this site under a heading titled "Asthma and the Army". It was close but the test did not weigh in my favor. My recruiter told me to try again in five years since MEPS supposedly only kept files or details for that long.
So for five years I read military related books. Owned and shot many types of small arms, even competitively. Took a SCUBA class, was unable to take time off for my open water cert. Skydived once in an accelerated free fall course, still have my logbook. Waited.
In 1999 my time turned up again. This time I was working with several former Marines at a DOC facility. I admit they pretty much had me brainwashed. :D In a good way. So I went for the Corps. Security Forces seemed to get all the neat schools. A guy at MEPS asked about my previous processing information. I told 'em I just changed my mind. I didn't want to mess up my chances by mentioning Asthma. Turns out they changed the stipulation to "If you've ever been prescribed an inhaler." So I was good to go anyway. This time my vision was too bad. They said at MEPS the prescription lenses would not seal the gas mask to their standards. There was no way getting around it. Any infantry unit would require respitory protection so that was it.
After reading from this site for a little over a week I felt an intro. was appropriate. Sitting back as a guest is fine. I just felt that using your site demands the consideration of an honest intro.
I hope my details offer enough explanation for my lack of service. It bothers me more than it will ever bother anyone else.
I'll just read the site. Propably won't say much, as my fine avatar indidcates.
Thanks again for this site and your service everyone.
