I was baptized at age 16 at a Circuit Assembly in the 50s when there was no "indoctrination," no "candidacy" and no other preparation necessaryt. Back then things were very much like Christendom in that any who desired baptism could be done when they were ready on the spur of the moment. The baptism was Biblical in the name of The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit; it wasn't a Corporate Ritual as it has become today. I was drawn to the witnesses through a high school classmate and in my approximately two and one half years of association really did not come to comprehend anything about how the Cult actually "works" behind the scenes and frankly, did not think of the WT Society as a Cult. I just knew that I didn't wish to pursue their very strict set of rules.
By age 19 I was ready to terminate my association with the witnesses and did so by entering active duty with the U.S. Navy. I spent 21 years in the Navy before entering the Fleet Reserve (retirement.)
My family was settled at our new location far from my home city and I was employed as a civilian with an Employment Training Center as an electronics instructor. Witnesses did occasionally call at our home to offer "Bible studies." I chose not to reveal to any that I had prior association with the Cult but did have questions and wanted to know more about how they did things, especially the "disfellowshipping" and the "shunning."
So on and off over the next ten years I participated in "Bible studies," attended meetings at the Kingdom Hall, and had frank discussions with many of the witnesses. I discovered early on that being, in their eyes, non-baptized and therefore not a "brother" was a great advantage. I had considerably more freedom to ask questions than those who were active witnesses in "good standing." Therefore, I was able to gradually find answers to the nagging questions. One of the elders took me under his wing and enabled me to "witness" many events that I'd otherwise not have been able to see.
Yes, it took those ten years of "undercover" observation to finally come to the conclusive realization that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society was indeed a High Control Cult. Leaving their association the "second time" was much more purposeful and, thankfully, was very painless. Painless, that is, compared to what most of you here had to experience and endure with the disfellowshipping and the shunning. Thankfully, none of my family ever became members of the Cult so they were spared any of the potential repercussions.
I am truly in awe of the number of "believing" witnesses who have been able to come to their senses and successfully escape from the Cult. Their stories are frequently heartbreaking and the mental trauma evident in their stories is often painfully difficult to digest. I have the utmost respect for all who've found their freedom and who are making strides in their de-programming and adjustment to Real Life. It is very, very good that a support group such as this forum exists to offer hope to all who have doubts and to offer advice to all who bravely seek an escape.