What do you think your military enlistment proved?

That I could keep my word to God and my country. That I could start something and finish it. That I could live the Army values.

I didn't want to prove anything. I love airplanes and flying so enlisting in the Air Force just made sense. I wrenched on C-130's and enjoyed living out of a B-4 bag so I have no complaints.

Overall mine was so good that I ended up staying for 36 years. I originally left a good job as a police officer and having two parents who were both medical doctors and myself with a two year degree I decided to join the Army as a 11C even though I probably didn't fit the norm of those who join the military. I Always wanted to join but certainly a sense of service to my Country was one of the driving forces in me enlisting. After 3 years Active duty I went to college on the Montgomery GI bill and within 3 months of leaving active duty, I enlisted in the reserves and spent another 33 years in before retiring as a CSM. While in I used both the Montgomery and Post 9/11 GI Bills to complete my bachelor degree and most of a graduate degree as well as two years of college to my son. I tell everyone joining was one of the best things I probably ever did even though with two deployments that can be a little tough on families!

Nothing really, I joined in Jan of '76 to get away from our current local thinking that a change of scenery would improve our chances of saving our marriage; first wife and I were having some issues and using the military as a way to escape seemed plausible. My first duty station was Ft. Riley and those issues I thought we'd escaped just remanifested itself with new people... She passed away from cancer while I was on a short tour in Germany in '78... for some odd reason that I never knew, no Red Cross message ever reached me until she died on 6 East at Fitzsimmons AMC in Mar of '78

Even though I didn't want to go to college after I graduated High School, I knew I had to do something positive with my life. Not only did I succeed in doing that, but thanks to tuition assistance, and later on the GI Bill, I went to college, and graduated with A Bachleor's degree. I currently work for Military Sealift Command. So, yes, my enlisting in the Army proved I can succeed in life.

Even though I didn't want to go to college after I graduated High School, I knew I had to do something positive with my life. Not only did I succeed in doing that, but thanks to tuition assistance, and later on the GI Bill, I went to college, and graduated with A Bachleor's degree. I currently work for Military Sealift Command. So, yes, my enlisting in the Army proved I can succeed in life.

That I'm a complete f***ing retard and should have joined the Air Force.

As a college freshman, I could study for a psych test or enlist in the Marine Corps. The rest is history.

I think it proved a few things, but one of the ones that really stand out is that.... so, in middle and high school I was severely bullied, really to the point that stuff was stolen from me and ransomed back, my parents house was broken into and only my room was trashed. I think joining the Marines for me proved that I had the mental and physical drive to do something the bullies did not have in them or at least didn't want to attempt. I didn't have to join the Marines, the year I did in 2001, I made 40k that year in the computer industry. I still felt like I had to prove something. My reason for joining was because I was tired of making rich people richer and doing nothing for people who needed protecting.

My military service was a paradoxical existential experience: It was both dehumanizing and humanizing simultaneously. The army contained elements of both verisimilitude and dissimulation. I had no ideological jingoistic partisanship nor did I identify with the strict hierarchical arrangement that was intrinsic to an institution that was organized on distinctive rank and a performance based meritocracy. My intelligence and erudition was far superior to both my junior and senior NCOs and equal to the officers who commanded my unit. This awkward but inspiring situation was partially attributable to answering correctly a quiz of multiple questions on military history overseen by 4 young female Donut Dolly volunteers in my company's mess hall at Dong Tam, the base of the 2nd Brigade of the 9th Infantry Division. The contest was attended by most of the soldiers in my company including all the NCOs and officers. All of them were flabbergasted and impressed by my extensive lcomprehension of military history of the US and countries like Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Canada and the Soviet Union. I was unequaled epistemologically but my knowledge did not lead to a promotion although I unequivocally demonstrated my perspicacity and youthful wisdom. I clearly intimidated my superiors but the respect I garnered from the enlisted men was absolutely galvanizing and motivating. Afterwards, a sensitive staff sergeant recommended that I attend college following my discharge and discouraged me from reenlisting. I interpreted his advice and support of my cognitive gifts as an subtle order which I readily obeyed. His name was Jackson and he played a pivotal role in my further individuation and I have always remembered him not only as a superb soldier by also a refined and cultivated gentleman. He played an instrumental role in my aspirations to adopt the identity of a scholar of both Behavioral Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology. He also played a dominant role in my Humanization which culminated in my commitment to serve others especially people who are afflicted with severe mental illnesses. His companionship[ was an experience that expanded my consciousness and led me to pursue a world of ideas and other smart individuals. He facilitated my entry into adulthood and deepened my self-understanding as a veteran and a academician. He left an indelible impression on me which remains a cherished memory in my reminiscences of the US military. SPC Benjamin