If someone asked what could you have done differently in your military career, what would you have chosen?

Probably saved more of my pay.

Never trust the word of officers in my chain of command/influence. Total distrust, and constant verification through others would have saved me a lot of misery. Not the least of which, were two investigations that were the result of officers lying to cover their asses. The days of a "gentleman" officer's word being his bond are long gone.

I also would have bought into Google at the beginning. :)

I would have lifted weights sooner, focused on career planning, and less partying, and planned for retirement. That said... I don't really regret much.

In bootcamp in 1983, It was an option to "Opt out" of the government matching education funding. I stupidly opted out and had nothing for college. big mistake. HUGE. but at 17, I only had eyes for the immediate paycheck. Didn't want anything taken away from it.

My military career consisted of serving in two branches, enlisted, NCO, and officer. I enjoyed some great assignments -- and survived some less than great ones. I was not a hero but I was honored to walk with a few. They inspired and motivated me to do more and go farther than I believed possible at the time.

I met and married my lovely wife of 50 years as a result of being in the service, our son survived a difficult birth thanks to military health professionals, and we had the opportunity to see the world like no tourist ever could.

I've considered this question carefully for some time now and come to the conclusion that I wouldn't change my career path because it has provided me with everything I hold dear in life. I would, however, appreciate the opportunity to go back and express my sincere appreciation and undying gratitude to the many men and women who played such an important role in my career.

I would not have tried to train people. I would not have taken the worse shift to train, when I had first say, and I would have taken the more lax shift and made someone else train on the crappy shift.

I would not have shared my internet "kind of hard when they put 4 people to a room".

If I had done the following two changes, I very well might not have hated the Navy due to the problems that resulted from my previous choices. I don't know if I would have stayed in, chances are I would have still gotten out, but I don't believe I would have been 100% dead set on it like I was.

If I could go back I would take advantage of my opportunity to go for the support side of Delta. I don't think I could have survived the Q course, but if I did it would have been a nice feather in my cap and I would have had a more stable career and not moved as much as I did, 7 stations in 14 years, four in a three year span.

I would've gone active duty

Fighting my Commanders decisions. Failed a PT test because the spotter stopped counting my push-ups and I was 5 short. This was weeks before PCSing out of Hawaii. The Commander said I'd have to stay for the next 3 months and do the FIP program before retesting. Only way to do it was being put in a control roster. Passed the test, still couldn't leave because the Commander thought he could take me off but couldn't. Air Force did a draw down and those are the roster were tagged first.

Not much. It was a great show. I think I would like to be able to do it all over again just for the experience of it though, maybe stay enlisted, do broadcasting or water craft. Something entirely different, not because of dissatisfaction, but because it was a challenge. Think about the days of BCT, weren't they fun? Maybe this go around, I would volunteer for everything single stupid thing the Smoke wanted bodies for, be the first for every detail, every example, be in the front of every line. Be the muddiest, sweatiest boot troop on the trail. I guess, I would find the fun in the things that had some fun in it. Too often and too soon, we had to grim up. Being dumb and 17 has it's upside...
Maybe enlist as a Spacecraft Door Gunner...