How did your experience in the military change you for the better?

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 16:57:40 -0400

I'm really meaning this more in a personality or character way, but any and all answers are welcome.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jun 14 at 2018 5:01 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 17:01:01 -0400

For one thing, I sing as a career, now. I am a professional, skilled and talented.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 14 at 2018 5:31 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 17:31:48 -0400

It made me appreciate the immense adversity and sacrifices made by our warriors of the past. They were instrumental against tyranny and evil, and thus, wrote history.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jun 14 at 2018 5:47 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 17:47:58 -0400

That one was really complex...boy, could I relate a few stories about that theme...wow...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jun 14 at 2018 5:49 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 17:49:11 -0400

I gotta give that one some major thought guys...I'll figure something decent to mention out, it'll just take me awhile...pithy question, though, honest....

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jun 14 at 2018 6:06 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 18:06:54 -0400

Unless you’re a complete tool, the military drills in the Team concept. It’s a wonderful thing that is lost in most of the civilian world until something drastic happens and even then it’s short lived. It’s a living and breathing thing for us, and a lifestyle we enjoy. Put us all in a room. We’ll clown the other for a variety of reasons, but let an outsider try to get in or hurt us, and we’re back to being ONE Team.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jun 14 at 2018 7:19 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 19:19:49 -0400

From day one of my short three year career the Military changed my whole outlook on life,it’s discipline ,attention to detail and a non quit attitude helped a going no where teenager to the semblance of a responsible adult (this is still a work in progress according to a certain wife) all in all though ,the experience in my case was beneficial .

Response by SSG Paul Strobaugh made Jun 14 at 2018 10:24 PM

SSG Paul Strobaugh — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 22:24:25 -0400

I was a young kid when I started this journey. Now that it's 12.5 years later and I'm 7 days from putting on the uniform for the very last time, I can see a huge difference in the person I was and the person I've become. The entire structure of my character has changed. I live a values-based, purpose-driven life that I haven't seen many people acquire in other ways. As a 31-year old, I still have friends from high school, many of them, that are either clueless on what they're moral obligations are to the rest of the world or they're solely and completely dependent upon another person to define their lives. The military gave me an open, accepting and analytical personality. Not only do I not judge a book by its cover, I WANT to see the pages inside to know exactly what I'm dealing with. Many civilians are far less accepting, simply because they've never been forced to work outside their own elements and with people that they otherwise may never have chose to work with or learn from. The structure of the military builds the structure within many of us, which is often a much more reliable foundation than can be found elsewhere.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Jun 14 at 2018 10:37 PM

LTC John Mohor — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 22:37:40 -0400

I appreciate the small things a lot more!

Response by MSgt Dale Johnson made Jun 15 at 2018 9:48 AM

MSgt Dale Johnson — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 09:48:04 -0400

Dude, I was the class clown. Never did anything 100% it was always just enough to get at least a C so my folks wouldn't hassle me about grades. All I was interested in was having a good time, enough gas in the tank to go where I wanted, parts to keep my motorcycle running, beer and pizza. It even carried over to the first part of my enlistment, just enough to get by.

I don't even remember exactly what happened to wake me up but when I did and started applying myself I became Honor Grad on almost every course I went to, applied myself at work and overall turned a 180 from what I had been.

Upon reflection it may have been a gradual thing, seeing most of my buddies struggling with a wife right out of High School with kids as an E-2 or E-3. When I got married (I was an E-4 at the time, around 1976) I vowed it would not be like that for my wife and I. The first two years until I made E-5 were the hardest because we basically started with nothing. My wife babysat for several folks near us, I worked a part time job as well as being active duty. We got to the place where we had no debts other than monthly utilities and as best we could kept it there the rest of my career.

So I guess I should thank a bunch of poor Airmen and their families for showing me how I did not want have my life go.

Response by SGT James Murphy made Jun 15 at 2018 12:30 PM

SGT James Murphy — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 12:30:32 -0400

Best Comment heard while on active duty in a foreign land. "We're all made of the same Clay"....

Response by CWO2 James Mathews made Jun 15 at 2018 5:31 PM

CWO2 James Mathews — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 17:31:05 -0400

When I got out of boot camp, I was faced with another bunch of stuff that I had not counted on. My personal plans were already in tatters, and as I began Submarine School at The Sub Base in Groton, CT, I realized that I was facing another very difficult period, in which I was surrounded by senior Navy men who did nothing but shout at you over minuscule things, that nobody else ever seemed to worry about. As I moved through Sub School then things radically changed! My seniors were a bit more patient and seemed like they really cared whether or not I made it. With that encouragement, I went ahead with more energy and met some very impressive people. Within a month I found myself a Seaman(E-3) and in charge of a four-man Seaman Gang, I 'Qualified' in submarines which was a big step, began to stand a below decks watch, decided on what I wanted to do, and after some concerns, because of my record marks, I finally made (E-4) and then rapidly E-5), and then at last (E-6). After completion of my "Chief's Initiation" (at which the Captain approved) I finally felt like I belonged, and one month later, I was made a W-1! At that time I was transferred to a Submarine Tender and was appointed as a 2nd Asst. Division Officer under a Lt. who thought a great deal of himself, and from whom I learned a great deal about what was really necessary for that position and what was NOT to do as a Division Officer! Finally, I took over as a Division Officer and was made a CWO-2. I was then transferred to my last ship, and upon my arrival, I was made the Division Officer for the Torpedo Shops and then began my work to put to use what I had learned which was a great deal! I knew now, that there was nothing I could not have if I really wanted it!. I had learned a bit about leadership as well; Forget about your importance and concentrate on the men in your division, Forget about personal credit, concentrate on those in the Division who do well, talk with those who do not to encourage them and try to find the problem, When angry and frustrated concentrate on how frustrated you would be without your division, Be fair across the board, no matter your personal feelings! I asked to be considered for training to be an Officer of the Deck Underway (OOD) and was within the following year made the most junior Command Duty Officer (CDO) for that ship. Then I was Riffed back to enlisted rank, and after my efforts, I was to be sent back to a submarine where A senior officer awaited me to take revenge on my previous actions to remove him from my ship for his illegal and insistent demands! So I retired, but now with my experience, I knew I could do better, so I went to college, got my Bachelor's Degree, my Master's Degree, and took a very satisfactory job related to repairs and new projects to the "TRIDENT" class submarines and completed a 20 year tour with them. All that would not have been possible without what the Navy had taught me! My view was that if the Navy did not need me, hen I would do my best for someone else!!

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jun 16 at 2018 11:27 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 11:27:27 -0400

Taught me discipline, pride in what I do, leadership, how to mentor and seek out a mentor. Taught me to appreciate what I have and how to go after what I want.
Most of all it taught me that there are no perfect people, but an attitude that does not involve quitting will go further than just about anything.

Response by SP5 Wilbert Jennings made Jul 5 at 2018 9:19 AM

SP5 Wilbert Jennings — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 09:19:53 -0400

Lots of times many do not realize how the training and experiences in the military actually helped them in their civilian lives. The military is like the coach of a team, the players may not like the extra lap or even the coach but when they win, all praise the coach.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Aug 1 at 2019 12:01 AM

Maj Kim Patterson — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 00:01:06 -0400

At ease. This might take a while. I know how to do it myself, I did ask my enlisted (who knew far more) to teach, Stronger Together. Pass it on.

Response by SP5 Wilbert Jennings made Aug 1 at 2019 7:20 AM

SP5 Wilbert Jennings — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 07:20:02 -0400

I served in 68-71 in the US Army and am proud to say I served my country. I am an American and fly my flag and stand when the anthem is played. Many paid the ultimate price with their lives while some are still doing so with PTSD and wounds to their body. The new VA has come full circle and help is actually available . God bless our fallen and those still serving America.

Response by SGT James Murphy made Nov 27 at 2020 11:44 AM

SGT James Murphy — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 11:44:27 -0500

Great Friends! Wonderful People! More History to Learn From!

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2020 1:17 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 13:17:03 -0500

One day at a time, by learning from mistakes.