Creative Writing and the Military: Thoughts and Impressions?

The US Army Warrant Officer Career College encourages students to use creative writing (with critical thinking skills) to reflect on what they have learned through journal writing. Reflection is an important factor in introspection and experiential learning.

I served about seven years with two deployments and I have been writing since middle school. I don't believe that I would have been able to thoroughly process through the events of my deployments and even the bad events that occurred stateside (ie. Divorces). I've self published a collection of poetry and one book, working on a few more at the moment. I hope to make writing my life's vocation. It's my one true love.

I've written a few things here an there. Here is one with poetry and short stories, http://www.amazon.com/Random-Scary-Writings-TL-Decay-ebook/dp/B00DFPAY9Y/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid= [login to see]

Thank you for the feedback everyone. I appreciate reading and learning about insight each of you shared.

I understand that the Profession of Arms is built upon the foundation of being in-uniform, which in turn, leads to the success and cohesion that each of us shares with one another. A lot of my writing and artwork is detached from taking an opinion, and I can definitely relate to those who believe the same.

Learning about the hobbies and activities which may define us all as individuals is exciting to explore, and thank you each for your feedback.

1LT (Join to see) Hobbies are part of what make us unique. The military is not about being unique, it is about being uniform, and uniformly deadly. Our business is killing.

But we are human, and individuals, and some of us are poets, and some of us are authors, and some of us are artists and musicians and cartoonists. One of the Lance Corporals KIA on my first deployment was a great artist. http://www.fallenheroesproject.org/united-states/justin-j-wilson/ (This art is of him not by him...)

Don't expect the military to provide creative outlets for you. Pursue what makes you an individual, but not to the detriment of your profession: be deadly, and lead others to be so as well.

I've only been in for a second but I enjoy painting as a creative outlet. I also sometimes write poetry and will on occasion write a short story.

When I was in the military, there was no direction or guidance toward Creative Writing. Emphasis was on instruction provided through military doctrine. It was not until I was 54 I wrote my first poem. I write from experience and of course, what my mind dictates. I have written over fifty poems with a patriotic theme. I believe Creative Writing is not something we plan to do, it is something that arises from within as a gift, released at a time we are best prepared to develop our creativity. I would love to see military personnel develop their creativity and expression, and many have, through guidance of leadership and group interaction.

I have publish 12 books and happily, at no cost, help potential authors realize their dreams of becoming published authors. Thank you for the opportunity to respond to this wonderful discussion.

I just found this article which sounds great from the outset. The Army wants Soldier-written fiction. In the end it sounds like they are pigeon-holing writers into narrow Army standards.
https://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2016/06/29/new-army-writing-program-asks-soldiers-imagine-future-warfare/86509146/