Chicago kid joined the military to escape

first time military james brown

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Chicago kid joined the military to escape

Retired Air Force aircraft mechanic James Brown remembers his decision to leave college and talks about the first time he knew he wanted to serve.

01:18 - Source: CNN

Why I served 13 videos

first time military james brown

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Chicago kid joined the military to escape

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first time military earl pumphrey 1

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Soldier with PTSD: 'I could smell the flesh'

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first time military arnie albornoz 2

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After 9/11, serving felt like a calling

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First Time Military UNIFORM John Fer

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POW: 'After 53 missions, I got shot down'

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LOS ANGELES - JUNE 6: Former Iraqi war prisoner of war (POW) Shoshana Johnson salutes as she leaves Crenshaw High School June 6, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. Shoshana, the first black female POW, was captured and shot in the ankles during the U.S. invasion of Iraq on March 23 near Nasiriyah along with six other U.S. Army personnel from the El Paso-based 507th Maintenance Company. Johnson was honored at the high school for her service. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

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Despite capture, POW doesn't regret her service

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WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) presents the Medal of Honor to retired Army Captain Florent Groberg during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 12, 2015 in Washington, DC. Born in France and a naturalized U.S. citizen, Groberg received the Medal of Honor for tackling a suicide bomber and saving fellow soldiers' lives in Afghanistan's Kunar Province in August 2012. He was also badly injured in the attack, which killed four people. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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He joined the military to fight terrorism

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First Time Military UNIFORM Brandon Rumbaugh 2

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Marine: 'Didn't think I was going to make it'

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First Time Military UNIFORM Jennifer Peace

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Captain, Intelligence Officer and Transgender

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First Time Military UNIFORM AJ

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Muslim soldier: Friends questioned my service

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First Time Military UNIFORM Everett Alvarez

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Taken at war: The first Vietnam war POW

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First Time Military UNIFORM Aishah

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An act of heroism inspired this Army captain

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First Time Military UNIFORM Eleanor

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WWII nurse: 'Not too much I'd like to remember'

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First Time Military UNIFORM Albornoz Brothers

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Brothers by blood and brothers in arms

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