Were you are the same person you were at seventeen?

2018-10-02T09:13:40-04:00

I was pretty much your average teenager. I wasn't thinking beyond graduation, I didn't have a clue as to what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, but I was absolutely positive that I was madly in love with this Sailor I knew, who was off the coast of Vietnam, and I knew that I wanted to be in the military but I was still a bit foggy on that one, because I had a mother who loved her time in the Navy, and a father who could pull out pictures of generations of family who served in the Marines, but I KNEW what Marine Bases were like, and I wanted to travel, so that was on hold for a bit.
I would spend hours trying to figure out which jeans went best with my favorite pair of cowboy boots, and just what top would be right for church with my new skirt. I was a mass of stupid actions, confused emotions and really badly thought out decisions, because I didn't have plans or any real idea of what I wanted to do or be for the next fifty years... does anyone?
Now I do admit that I made a few good decisions, like refusing alcohol, because I knew damned well, I couldn't do a glass of wine at home without getting giggly, so I developed a stupid way to keep others from thinking I was a prim little girl... I'd ask for Wild Turkey and coke... knowing that no one could afford it, so when they said it wasn't available, I instantly became the Duty Driver, because I just 'had my heart set on the good stuff that night, and nothing else would do..."
I do admit I went thru a raft of frog kissing though... Hey, Seventeen, big brown eyes, red blond hair and a Texas drawl, who looked reasonably good in a cheerleader uniform, what can I say? By the time I graduated, a few months later, I was nowhere near the same girl. I'd had my heart broken by the Sailor, lost three good friends to Vietnam, and taken a long hard look at myself. I signed up for the Army, because the Marines had a waiting list, that was the long and short of it, and by the end of that year, I was in Germany, learning how to ask for the restroom in a few different languages, and still trying to figure out what the hell I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Now, looking back on my life with the perspective of several decades. I know the idiot I was, is nothing like the woman I am now. The girl who wanted an engagement ring, no has a shiney new pickup. The girl who thought she'd die when her sailor walked away, found some amazing strength, married a really good man, and raised two daughters who made it to 18 without jail records or tattoos, which isn't too bad in this day and age. I still don't drink, but I don't look down on those who do. I still remember stupid events and stupid decisions, but they aren't me now, so don't judge the person I am by the idiocy I created at 17, and I will do the same for you.
Look at me now! The graying redhead who has one novel under her belt, working on another, who lives in an RV surrounded by cows, with three annoying little dogs, one spoiled cat, and steps away from her best friend and adopted sister of 50 years. I knit, I cuss, I watch Dr Who and I love Mel Brooks movies. That is the person I want people to know, not the idiot who worried about which jeans would go with what boots or I could get the absolute perfect Farrah Faucett Hair.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Oct 2 at 2018 10:25 AM

2018-10-02T10:25:05-04:00

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz - All I'm gonna say is...I'm glad they didn't have cell phones with cameras and social media accounts when I was a teenager. Some of the stupid shenanigans I did are best long forgotten in the distant past.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2018 12:41 PM

2018-10-02T12:41:56-04:00

In a sense, yes and no. I enlisted when I was 17. I went to Basic Training the summer between my Jr and Sr year of High School. I walked into Basic Training this kid unknowing of the bigger world out there. When I walked out, I was still a kid, just better educated as it were. When I started my Sr year in High School, the first day I am walking the halls thinking to myself "God, did I really act like these kids?" My Home Room class, the teacher had us go around the room telling what we all did during the summer. The typical answers followed: I went to work; I traveled; I hung out.....blah blah blah. When it came my turn, in a short and direct response I simply raised my head and said "I went to Basic Combat Training for the US Army." Every single head (and you could hear every head turn) turned my way. Jaws dropped. I was seen as the kid that wouldn't do that or at least wouldn't make it through Basic. The room was so initially quiet, you could hear a pin drop. I had always been the sarcastic person I am still today, it's just that the Army refined (and warped) my sarcasm and sense of humor. So in that sense, yes I'm still the same person. But, having done all that I have done in the Military....3 MOS's, 3 overseas tours (including one combat tour), countless countries visited, etc....I am a completely different person for getting an even bigger view and education about the world. So on that aspect, I am no longer that dumb 17 yr old kid. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Oct 2 at 2018 1:27 PM

2018-10-02T13:27:07-04:00

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz I can easily say I am not the same person. At 17, I was dating my wife of now 19 years. I was so against everything military, didn't want to join, hated school, thought I knew everything. Now, 39 still hate school but have to help kids stuff, I didn't even do in high school. LOL and look at me know in the military and love mentoring soldiers. Yeah, I joined a little late at 31, but oh well. At least I know I don't know everything now. LOL But I do know more than I did back then in 96.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2018 2:36 PM

2018-10-02T14:36:21-04:00

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz Well said! At seventeen, I knew that I was going to join the Marine Corps and go to Vietnam. I have changed, but my core values are still pretty much intact.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Oct 2 at 2018 2:46 PM

2018-10-02T14:46:23-04:00

At 17 I enlisted in the Marines and had been up to no good for a while. I Had never been caught which was providential for me. I did a lot of things in the Marine Corps that would never pass muster at a Supreme Court hear and there are witnesses to too many of them. Thank God there were not cell phones, videos and cameras everywhere.

But, like most, I settled down, was married, had kids, raised a family and tried to do the right things. I had a lot to make up for. Not the same guy at 55 I was at 20.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2018 5:19 PM

2018-10-02T17:19:26-04:00

Thankfully, very thankfully, no.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Oct 2 at 2018 6:03 PM

2018-10-02T18:03:11-04:00

I enlisted at 17 in the spring semester of my senior year. I wasn't a punk but I did smoke occassionally and had a beer or two but I wasn't the partying type. However, after a few years in I came out of that shell and those years were good as well. Everything that happened and everyone that I met along the way has molded me into the husband, son, father, friend etc that I am today. I was different but not too much different. I do believe that if I had not joined I probably would not have gone to college and done half the things I did in my life good and bad. I am not the same person I was at seventeen. I remember my first true love...Alisha...we will leave her last name out. I broke her heart because I knew she wasn't the one for me. Over the years I knew I could have handled it better and that still haunts me today...still see the look on her face when I broke it off...it broke my heart as well but it instilled in me that folks have feelings and there are always better ways to handle situations...especially with ladies.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 2 at 2018 6:28 PM

2018-10-02T18:28:52-04:00

Looking back is 20/20, hence I look back with a lot of regret I was not a better son, more attentive to my girlfriend, and should never married my first wife. I often have racing thoughts, thus they just show up in my head. I had to mature to live a good life, driven by morals and values that would constrain my actions based on pure deeds. I feel like I am being punished for my behavior when I was growing up. So it is, this is my life now. I am rooted to the past by a chain which is connected to the present.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Oct 2 at 2018 9:29 PM

2018-10-02T21:29:56-04:00

Age 17!...I don't think I was ever that age. I can't remember what happened a year ago, much less 41 years ago!