PANEL 3
JOURNEY TO SERVICE
A wide variety of factors impact a person’s journey to service. For some, joining the military was not a surprise to the family, whereas for others joining the military or being drafted came as a shock. When did they go into service? What was the perception of the military at that time? What sparked their journey to service? Was it out of necessity or the hope for better opportunities? Was it initiated by the draft? Was there a strong sense of patriotic duty?
Jose Rodriguez
"When [my sister] came back home, she just spoke so highly of the Marine Corps, and her experiences and everything. So, I was like, ‘Oh, wow, that's so cool.’ And I never really thought about the military because she was in ROTC until she went. And so when I decided to go into the military, I was like, ‘You know what, I’m going to do the Marine Corps.’ And I also did it because everyone said I couldn't do it. … I was more a timid type of person. It really wasn't my personality. So I chose it, because a lot of people just didn’t think I could do it." Kattie Garcia (U.S. Marine Corps, served 2001-2005).
Ryan Gatrell (U.S. Army, serving 2017 – present): “Growing up, my parents were always military. My dad was really big into the military, always took me around to the museums, and just talking to me about his time serving. And after I was born, my mom was still in the Army National Guard. And just coming home and seeing her in uniform kind of inspired me to go down that path.”
Hector Garcia (U.S. Marine Corps, served 2001-2013), who grew up in South Bronx and Brooklyn, New York, explained, "I did not graduate high school. I did not even think about the military, to be quite honest with you. It's more about survival. Lost some friends growing up. Definitely seen some things in my life. Lost family members, all to the streets. So, I dropped out of high school, ninth grade pretty much...And then from there I went to a detention home program...and pretty much had an opportunity to get into the service if I completed that program." Ultimately, with the support of a close friend he enlisted in the Marine Corps and "...went into bootcamp in January of 2001" at 17 years of age.
“Well, I was always thinking about going to college or going to school, but I was so used to working, I got a job. And I didn't realize it, but I got drafted all of a sudden. I hadn't thought about the service. And I didn't think I'd be drafted, but I was. And that was that. So I had no pre-conceived anything for service. Other than... several people in my family had been in the service. So I was proud of them." Jose Rodriguez (U.S. Army, served 1966-1968).
