Posted on Apr 5, 2021
What do you think your military enlistment proved?
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Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 130
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So, there I was with a degree in Philosophy and no reasonable skills that I could claim. Before making the decision, I investigated joining the Circus or joining the French Foreign Legion. Since I don't read or speak French, I decided that though they didn't require it, life could become miserable, and I'd have to pay my own to Marsailles. Joining the Circus is fraught simply because I really don't trust but do dislike clowns. So, I enlisted in the Army -- in the second year of the Volunteer Army -- and I got experience pretty much everything I might have experienced in the Legion or the Circus. I also got to extend my adolescence for a reasonable amount of time -- 23 years -- and grow into a leader, an influencer, a coach and a mentor. And, given the choice between hanging around with some sort of profile that would let me dodge most things that I thought were part of being a soldier and a leader, I had developed the standards and ethical strength to retire on the 30th of June; my DOR for SGM would have been the 1st of July. But, as Michelle Shocked sang, "The secret of a long life is knowing when it's time to go.."
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SFC Dennis Tremethick
It Proved that I could make it. I told my father that I was joining the army. He said I would never make it through basic training. So I made it through basic training just approve that I could. Since that time I made a 23 year career out of the military. Served many locations doing well he things and I’m proud of the service that I gave my country. In return my country gave me a good career, A pension, And the opportunity to increase my education. So now I have a great civilian career. And I making more than twice as much as I did when I retired.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
SMSgt Bob W. - .....
BOB,?
(Hold On, While In Laugh At Myself For A Moment)...
There Are Many Excellent Reasons You Found Nothing About My College, Trade Schools Or Any Other Such Information, Regarding My Education.
I "DROPPED OUT" Of School, Mid-9th Grade & Educated Myself.
Best Damned Decision EVER... Because Our Schools Teach Very Little Of Anything Useful Once We've Completed The 6th Grade.. YUP 6th ...
Just To Help You See What I Was Considering, I Must Ask Your Cooperation:
Upon Completion of The 6th Grade, Which Programs Were You Taking That Contributed To Your Overall USEFUL Education?... P
Perhaps You Studied The Higher Math Programs, All The Way Through To Calculus. .... Have You Ever Actually Found A Use For Them, Especially When It Comes To Being a Benefit For Employment? That's Exactly Where I'm Coming From,... The Years After The 6th Aren't Much More Than "Time Fillers", Used While Waiting For People To Mature.
Please Refer To My Bio... Perhaps It'll Explain The Additional info...
But In Short, I Fully Retired At 56...And There's A List Of Good Reasons
BOB,?
(Hold On, While In Laugh At Myself For A Moment)...
There Are Many Excellent Reasons You Found Nothing About My College, Trade Schools Or Any Other Such Information, Regarding My Education.
I "DROPPED OUT" Of School, Mid-9th Grade & Educated Myself.
Best Damned Decision EVER... Because Our Schools Teach Very Little Of Anything Useful Once We've Completed The 6th Grade.. YUP 6th ...
Just To Help You See What I Was Considering, I Must Ask Your Cooperation:
Upon Completion of The 6th Grade, Which Programs Were You Taking That Contributed To Your Overall USEFUL Education?... P
Perhaps You Studied The Higher Math Programs, All The Way Through To Calculus. .... Have You Ever Actually Found A Use For Them, Especially When It Comes To Being a Benefit For Employment? That's Exactly Where I'm Coming From,... The Years After The 6th Aren't Much More Than "Time Fillers", Used While Waiting For People To Mature.
Please Refer To My Bio... Perhaps It'll Explain The Additional info...
But In Short, I Fully Retired At 56...And There's A List Of Good Reasons
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SMSgt Bob W.
Rick, yes, I have used "upper math" formulas weekly [if not more often] to calculate weigh per square foot a mezzanine can hold, the number of automotive accidents the company encountered per 100,000 miles, the exposure limits of mixed chemicals. etc. For me, utilizing CERTAIN math did help me obtain a job, other math was useless. The other subject is English. I needed more than a elementary school education to write reports on work processes and develop doable safety programs to protect our employees. Depending of the type of job you have, in many instances, depends on your education and HOW YOU USE IT! I know a garbage man with a PhD in Philosophy [A waste of time going to school]; an artist with a Master's degree who is working at MacDonald's; and an Uber driver with a Master's degree in Oceanography. College is not for everyone. Trade schools are not for everyone. My son knew what he wanted to be in the sixth grade and achieved it. My daughter is still trying to find out what she wants to do. Presently, she is a Barista. For her, school was not an option.
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Nothing other than I have a penchant for living on anger, alcohol, caffeine, and sarcasm.
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Capt Christian D. Orr
SFC Melvin Brandenburg Haha, good one! Or to put a kinder, gentler spin on it, "Semper Gumby."
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Capt Mark Miller
If your response is reality, you may have PTSD. You need to seek some professional help.
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Not so much to prove anything to anyone else but to serve a country that I love.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
PO2 Thomas Dyer -
TOM.?
Before I Decided To Go For A Degree In Philosophy,
I'd Have To Think About It.
TOM.?
Before I Decided To Go For A Degree In Philosophy,
I'd Have To Think About It.
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Not sure I understand the question. It proved nothing, and it proved everything. It is an individual story when taken into context. No one knows what they are getting into, and from the very start (while taught teamwork) it was about the individuals ability to glean from it, and give back what you will.
The rest of the remaining years were the same, the primary difference that you now knew what you were facing and has a personal decision to make, to re-enlist or not. That form me ends the story, once we are empowered with knowledge and an understanding it is very much a personal decision of which, and for you cannot have regret not blame. I served full knowing and would do it all over again.
The rest of the remaining years were the same, the primary difference that you now knew what you were facing and has a personal decision to make, to re-enlist or not. That form me ends the story, once we are empowered with knowledge and an understanding it is very much a personal decision of which, and for you cannot have regret not blame. I served full knowing and would do it all over again.
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This is such a loaded question.
Proved to who? To me? To the world? To Mommy and Daddy? To the miserable ex-girlfriend who dumped me?
I don't really think ANYONE'S enlistment proves ANYTHING.
It proved I could sign a contract. But so did my auto loans and mortgages.
It proved I could honor a contract. But again with the loans.
It proved I could endure hardship. But so did my first wife and my child.
It proved I could fire a gun. But so did the local shooting range.
It proved I could lead others. But so did my job at McDonald's.
It proved I could take orders. But again - McDonald's.
It proved I had the will to win. But so did high school sports.
It proved I could accept defeat. But again with the sports.
It proved I could handle stress. But so did college.
I can go on. My enlistment didn't PROVE anything, it merely displayed what kind of person I am.
And anyone who enlists to prove anything to anybody - even themself - is probably enlisting for the wrong reason.
I don't know what kind of answer you are looking for. Maybe a bit of context can get you a better, or at least more relevant, answer.
Proved to who? To me? To the world? To Mommy and Daddy? To the miserable ex-girlfriend who dumped me?
I don't really think ANYONE'S enlistment proves ANYTHING.
It proved I could sign a contract. But so did my auto loans and mortgages.
It proved I could honor a contract. But again with the loans.
It proved I could endure hardship. But so did my first wife and my child.
It proved I could fire a gun. But so did the local shooting range.
It proved I could lead others. But so did my job at McDonald's.
It proved I could take orders. But again - McDonald's.
It proved I had the will to win. But so did high school sports.
It proved I could accept defeat. But again with the sports.
It proved I could handle stress. But so did college.
I can go on. My enlistment didn't PROVE anything, it merely displayed what kind of person I am.
And anyone who enlists to prove anything to anybody - even themself - is probably enlisting for the wrong reason.
I don't know what kind of answer you are looking for. Maybe a bit of context can get you a better, or at least more relevant, answer.
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I think it proved more about myself than anything else. It proved to me I have the ability to learn, become disciplined, and find my limits and move past them.
I wouldn't say it "proved" anything about other people, other than it proved that we have a lot of misconceptions about other people and proved that anyone can work and respect just about anyone from anywhere.
I wouldn't say it "proved" anything about other people, other than it proved that we have a lot of misconceptions about other people and proved that anyone can work and respect just about anyone from anywhere.
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SPC James Drury
Excellent response, particularly the last sentence which, for me, was a home run blast and a valuable, honest and often unspoken truth.
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CPT James Burkholder
I think this is one of the best comments about military service. Personally I was forced to give myself to something greater (I got drafted and quickly enlisted). I learned discilpline more than I had before, I saw men better than I had seen them before, I saw men as individuals more than before. The two years were the best and the most transformative in my life. A person gets more from military service than can be imagined.
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SGM William Everroad
CPT James Burkholder - I do think a lot of service members miss this part of their experience. They forget that we are products of our environment, for better or worse, and pick up treats and behaviors. I have been getting better at educating younger Soldiers to find those strengths, those small skills the military gave them and capitalize on them.
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Every once in a while I read a post that proves beyond any shadow of doubt that the adage "Every village has one!" is an absolute truth. I came, I saw, I served! I proved nothing.
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Proved? I think a better question would be; "did your experience in the military live up to the reasons you enlisted?" I joined the military for 2 reasons: 1. It had always been my goal, 2. Right off the bat I would earn more than I was at the time. While in I was selected for the nurse anesthesia program, which gave me a great career, for which I will always be thankful for.
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I guess that would depend on whether or not you enlisted to prove something. I did the fiat four to get away from a small town with no prospects and the other 23 because I loved it. I didn’t want/need to prove anything.
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PO3 Aaron Hassay
I joined to kick ass and be the best American America knew and had known...and in bootcamp learned about the then CNO Admiral BOORDA who started as a e1 recruit...and that was my new plan...
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PO1 Rick Serviss
PO3 Aaron Hassay - Admiral Boorda rocked. He was so far up in the chain of command but treated everyone with respect. He loved his sailors.
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