How has the military impacted your lifestyle?

The military taught me to be a leader. I am very patriotic. I try to do the honorable thing. I have a sense of duty to my fellow man.
I am (can be) very disciplined; and I know how to persevere.
It taught me problem solving.
It taught me self-pride; and how to be proud of others.
It taught me to have a career; instead of just a job.

The military shaped me long before I enlisted SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL.
1. My love of military history as a youngster combined with a faulty yet determined sense of youthful justice was molded into an understanding of just war and how and when it can and should be applied.
2. The military shaped my sense of loyalty to my soldiers, peers and superiors because i knew we were part of a team which could be called upon to defend this nation.
3. The military taught me the wisdom of following through to the best of my ability each assignment I received. While I was saddened by some assignment rejections I understand that there is a well-honed process of determining who goes where.
4. I learned to love living in places where I was sent to that I would never have gone to on my own.
5. I learned to enjoy food I never would have tasted and to drink and enjoy coffee - drinking Army coffee to keep me warm gave me an appreciation for good coffee.
6. Most importantly, military life and the challenges associated it prepared my heart to recognize my need for the atonement of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL, I'll admit,I was a young punk with not much direction before I was drafted. Little did I know how much I would change.
1. I learned how to grow up and be a man.
2. I learned to follow directions and orders.
3. I learned that I was meant to be in the Army. I loved it.
4. I learned camaraderie and that friends are more important than anything else.
5. I learned how to be a leader, and if I acted like a leader, I would earn respect.
6. I learned that I was important and lives depended on me.
7. I learned how to jump out of an airplane safely and land safely.
8. I learned how much I love my country and I will defend it to death.
9. I learned I became a responsible member of the military I loved so much, and still do.
10. I learned I wasn't a coward and that I will defend anyone who needs defending.
11. I learned and remembered how important God is to me and my life.
12. I learned how precious life and loved ones are.
To this day I wish I would have remained in the Army, but, I had seen so much death and destruction of human beings, friend and foe, I didnt want to see it anymore. Yet, here I am, reliving almost everything I saw over and over. But, I have learned how to control that as much as possible.

1. Patriotism
2. Attention to detail
3. Follow-through
4. Citizenship
5. Public-service and desire to help others
6. Conservative/professional attire
7. Professionalism
8. Comfortable around other cultures

And on and on...

I am someone who nowadays would be diagnosed as High-Functioning Autistic.

The Army succeeded in socializing me in ways that nothing before or since has managed to do. This was the luck of the draw -- lots of others in my boots had less positive outcomes.

At age 69 I believe that I largely owe the fact that I am still able to earn a living to what the Army instilled Way Back When.

I only served four years, but they were an important four years.
1. I was serious before the military, and even more so after. I have a hard time putting up with B.S.
2. The military taught me to be a leader which helped in my civilian career.
3. I learned in the military that traveling is fun, for the most part.
4. I was patriotic before the service, and even more after serving.
5. I love to mentor whenever I can.
6. I have always liked history, and now I focus on military history.
7. I have a strong sense of justice and right and wrong.
8. I will keep going until I accomplish the mission.
9. Once a Marine, Always a Marine.

Amen, SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL. That's an excellent question and a great list to get us started. My life is so different from what it might have been, had I not joined the military. One of the big ones for me is discipline. I was raised (at home) in a disciplined environment, but 30 years in the military caused me to live a disciplined life as an adult, and that - I think, at least - has made a huge difference.

Another point for me is patriotism. I remember as a young troop in the Old Guard getting chills and actually shedding tears at some of the patriotic things I saw and participated in. I'm sure I would not be as patriotic as I am, had I not served in the Army.

Finally, gratitude. I was able to travel the world while in the military, and I saw some places that were extremely poor. In Cairo, Egypt (I will never forget this), I saw a little boy begging in the gutter, a nasty gutter. He was disabled. My experiences with that level of poverty have made me ever so grateful to be blessed the way I am, and to have had the great luck to have been born an American.

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL it taught me how to be great battle buddy! You are stellar Sarge! I am glad to know you!

It gave me a better appreciation for my country. It has provided the chances to travel to may different countries I'd never have gone to, met people, learned different cultures, and allowed me to be a member of the largest brotherhood in the world - The Brotherhood of Arms which encompasses soldiers from all over the world. I've met soldiers/vets from so many different countries and just because of the military experience I made a friend/contact, enabled me to travel or get something done I wouldn't have had the chance if not in this Brotherhood.

Not all of my "lessons" were positive.