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I remember when I was a “boot” a CPL told my team and me while during a positive reinforcement session that what was the big deal because it was only four years of our lives. This was a little less than a year before our tours in Iraq and for some Marines the four years in would never see completion.
No one is a fortune teller and therefore most warriors live their lives as if four years will never see completion. I was no different and had my form of fun. However, I am no longer an early twenty-something living the life of a combat Marine. I live a daily routine of trying to be a professional within a company where the “college frat” people excel and old warriors are in the background.
My suggestion to junior officers is to try and spend time with the junior enlisted and have life sessions. Certain warriors, me included could not understand college types and tend to ebb from scholastic settings or civilian gatherings because of exposures that either do not make sense or are just plain foreign from military settings. Sometimes having an idea of how “regular” people act will help with the transition of life after a four year contract.
No one is a fortune teller and therefore most warriors live their lives as if four years will never see completion. I was no different and had my form of fun. However, I am no longer an early twenty-something living the life of a combat Marine. I live a daily routine of trying to be a professional within a company where the “college frat” people excel and old warriors are in the background.
My suggestion to junior officers is to try and spend time with the junior enlisted and have life sessions. Certain warriors, me included could not understand college types and tend to ebb from scholastic settings or civilian gatherings because of exposures that either do not make sense or are just plain foreign from military settings. Sometimes having an idea of how “regular” people act will help with the transition of life after a four year contract.
Posted in these groups: 
Guidance
Junior Enlisted
Guidance Junior Enlisted
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
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Cpl Garcia I have never thought about this. It makes some sonse though. While the combat element is something that is forever going to change a person it is something that cannot be hidden away. I think it is necessary for everyone to come together and share life experiences so that we cna all understand each other.
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Cpl David Garcia
Those life lessons are important and can never be replicated in the “free world”. I am very fortunate to have the job that I have but I do not relate to my co-workers, either they are straight from college or from the Coast Guard/Merchant Marine variety. I would gladly explore other opportunities from organizations that have combat arm veterans. I assisted other brothers from my previous unit with job assistance and those Marines could not operate under the same conditions and left the company. Based on their feedback and my experiences I can only speculate that the exposure to “real world” people is both irritating and confusing.
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Cpl David Garcia
Excellent advice. Additionally, I actually think sites like this can be very helpful...if young soldiers are willing to help themselves.
Excellent advice. Additionally, I actually think sites like this can be very helpful...if young soldiers are willing to help themselves.
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