What did you learn about yourself the first time you were in harm's way? Did you live up to your own expectations?

The first time I was shot at I learned that all my training up to that point was worth all the hard work. I just reacted. Plus I was kinda fanciated by the experience.

I get a bit confused when I'm getting shot at. My thought process slows down a little and I have to be more deliberate in following the training.

I remember the first time I got punched in the face. I was six and I threw a rock at a kid on the playground; problem was he was a lot bigger than me. One punch and my lights were out. When our parents got together to talk it out (my dad and his knew each other from the post in Germany we were stationed at), we were both disciplined by having to spend time with each other.

He and I are still friends to this day, and I visit his family every time I drop back in the Fort Huachuca area. Patience and compassion have brought me much further along in this life than violence and enmity ever have.