What do you think your military enlistment proved?

I didn’t enlist to prove anything. I see the one enlistment people that get out and can’t own enough military apparel, who are walking billboards for the service. I think people like that have no fulfillment in their life and the only thing they have to hold onto is their enlistment, but that’s my opinion. I joined the Army for me, because my family has a long history of service in the military and law enforcement, and because it was realistically my only way out of a small town. 23 years later I retired with a degree and marketable experience, now I continue to serve as a DOD Civilian.

proved nothing to anyone other than myself. I do have a collection of comical stories that I relate to my fellow nurses and other healthcare workers that have made tense situations somewhat less stressful as well as sharing abbreviations not commonly used in a civilian health care setting sure as my favorite... DRT dead right there...

One of the best decisions I have ever made, to join the Marine Corps!
I can now use the VA Health System; and every Marine I have ever met is a Brother!

Proved that I can over come anything and Stay calm in tuff situations

I was a dumb rural kid. I knew nothing about the Marine Corps when I enlisted in 1968 except that they wanted me. I wanted USN or USAF because of the war, but I couldn't score high enough on that test they made you take back then.
I joined up to pay my debt and honor of service like my Pop and Uncle and Grandpa before me. And like other rural kids, I joined up to better myself....just how, I did not know, but I'd have to come out better than I was....working on a chicken farm for $30 a week plus dinners.
I found out that the Marines is a tough outfit. Worried I couldn't cut it, but I did. And I felt that pride folks talk about....still do.
I served my Nation with honor. I paid some of the debt I owe to America. I can live with that.

It proved that one of the baddest combat veterans of all time Marine Major General Smedley Butler's Life autobiography, "WAR IS A RACKET", is relevant to this day... and hidden from us in leadership courses in the MC. It proved that I was wrong about the politicians in this country. I lied to myself about why I thought I was in the Marine Corps. I quickly understood that we were mercenaries. When I got home I also realized that not one f#^$% person could even spell Constitution. My 14 years ended when I was not able to reenlist in my beloved corps after slipping into a 27 minute 3 mile, running into the CO so hard he thought Intoxicated, and failing 6 hearing tests. Who said Assaultman where supposed to hear anyway. IED's, 3M earplugs, and 3 titanium vertebrae who f-ing needs to prove I have proof.

I have proof that the VA says my hearing loss is not service connected. I have proof that I have 4 ex wives, 3 kids, a drinking problem, PTSD, blind in one eye (not dominant thank god), social retardation, and not one ounce of IGAF about hurting some college kids feelings for calling them out (with a couple of exchanged hands) when they were where asking one of the CAM the Ram handlers why she wasn't F-ing the mascot as she was to dark to be a handler.

I have proof that every single Veteran Home loan is a scam. I have proof that the OIG of Veterans Affairs along with 7 other high ranking individuals collect a pretty penny when your house sold in foreclosure. I have proof that the Veteran Administration is actually owned by a Filipino company with 30 employees. That the company is/was (long story, new cage numbers, rules, etc, etc.) of a foreign state, like almost every 3 letter gov type, though I can understand and appreciate why VA types could have let that happen.

Funny, I have not even thought about what it proved, it was more about every imaginary Honor, Courage, commitment wet dream I ever had, was all it was ever going to be. That the imaginary belief that my service was of value, but i can no longer buy a weapon as a DUI I got when I was a boot (and still served another 13 years with combat) is considered a class 3 felony in California. Crazy thing is I still have an open warrant in Riverside county California 20 years later... Now I am forced to machine my own rifles and pistols. Thank you Ghost Gunner for your support.

I got the taste slapped out of my mouth as when I returned I found that Bank of America and Country Wide Home Loans had foreclosed on my home while I was in Iraq. They had my wife and son removed from the home by the local sheriff. My first wife was so pissed that I didn't see my first son from age 4 until he turned 22. I couldn't borrow a second nickle so I could rub two together. However, 10 years later Rust Consulting sent me a check for 130K and said the DOJ had sued on my behalf it was a clerical error. My security clearance was all f-ed up, passed over for rank and billet, my ex wife got at least 700 a month, and I looked like a D-bag everywhere I went as I-PAC regularly notified the company office that I was behind... Thanks DOJ, but I had to live in the barracks or a cash only drug house, with 10 year old pictures of my son while your clerical error was being reviewed.
I am going to get a next time too as because of the COVID lie, i was out of school and work and guess who i threatening home foreclosure.... I am standing on this one gentlemen. Then next company man to haunt my door is going to say good night to CHESTY himself. POAG's everywhere I go. I guess not services engage their people in the arts of weaponry. I am an 03, but the 11 Bravo types need to stop smelling the markers and get back to eating the crayons.

SEMPER FI
and Remember Kids
SAM-K
Suppress Access Move and Kill
Get Sum
Davis USMC

That I should not have waited till I was 32 to Enlist.

I learned quite a lot. A paratrooper learns to overcome fear. Later in the Air Guard I was a Survival/Survival Equipment Specialist. I found that in a situation one must Analyze, Adapt and overcome. I learned to be self reliant.

I don't know, I will say this governments have interests the military has a direct role in serving those interests. Individuals also are part of the military. There is nothing wrong with being a part of an institution when it serves the purpose.

My enlistment proved I could accomplish something I did not think I could do. I was older when I enlisted (29) and had a degree in History but had no desire to teach at the time. As the military would have it, I was assigned to a school and became a Hazardous Materials Instructor teaching at installations all over the world, and loved it. I continued with teaching but as a contractor after I was discharged. So I learned one is never too old to learn a new skill and it can take you places, sites as well as stages in life, you never would have considered beforehand.