What do you think your military enlistment proved?

I proved to myself I could be a man as men I respected were. I proved to myself I had ability to learn useful skills and trust others. I also learned some rather strong prejudices and biases.

was not meant to prove anything to anyone, but maybe myself.

1st it proved I was not going to be a Marine. 2. My dad was in the Infantry 20 years, WWII, Korea and a secret tour in Viet Nam. My Granddad was in WWI two uncles in WWII. Dad was sure that Rod and I were going to West Point. We knew he was wrong. We both hated the Army. I was 19 when dad retired and I enlisted at 21. Surprisingly it was like going to the home I never had. Made Sgt E-5 in 13 months in Germany, beat by brother by two months. Volunteered for Viet Nam 1. to see what it was like and could I handle it. 2. I wanted to make E-6 SSG. I proved to myself that I could handle the pressure of the job and the wounding. But the only way I was going to get the promotion was to re-up. I knew that meant returning to Nam during the enlistment and I was not ever going back. Yes, I did my job and was praised for it but I was scared when the rockets came in or when Charlie hit the wire. I took convoys out two and three times a week, I knew there was a mine out there with my name on it. How some of these new guys can do two or three deployments I will never know. 1968-1969 was more than enough for me. When people who never served ask if I was ever afraid I think that has to be the dumbest question ever asked.

That a more equitable society is better, healthier for us all.

My enlistment was not to prove anything to anyone. My enlistment was my way to give something back to my adopted country, namely my way of saying THANK YOU to the United States for letting me become a US citizen, and be part of the greatest country that there has ever been.

PO3 Aaron Hassay My enlistment in the Marines proved to me that if I set my mind to it I can do most anything regardless of what anyone else says or thinks. I wanted the title "United States Marine" so bad that nothing was going to stop me short of death. There were only two options in my mind, earn the title or go back to my home of record in a pine box.

That there was something to learn and appreciate every day.

Taking the entire Veteran population in account. Means we did what 93% of the population did not do. It's not about me.
Thank You All! For your Service

What has my military enlistment proved? Interesting question, it proved to me that I am more capable of being myself, proved I had self-confidence when I did not, it proved that I was a good leader and follower, it proved I can be a better person in the face of adversity, and proved that I can do anything when I put my mind to it.

What did it prove? Hmm, well I think that it proved to me, that I could accomplish anything if I put my mind to it, and that is just what I did. I had long career, 34 years and loved most all of it. There are those parts that none of us liked, but honestly would do again. It also proved to me that I was not going to turn out like some of my step siblings who have consistently made wrong decision in life and spent the later years paying for them. I made my own path as this is how it worked when I was in and have had zero regrets on that journey. I am happily retired, blessed with 6 grand children and two wonderful daughters and their husbands, I have a set of skills that are quite varied and still serve me to this day, many of which will be passed on to my grand children to help them in what is become a very troubling world.