What do you wish you would have known before you Joined the Army?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 14:56:26 -0500

What are some things you wish you would have known ahead time and if you did what are ways you would have avoided it?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 3:02 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 15:02:15 -0500

I was so "green" when I joined the Army, I wish I had known something, anything, about the Army. I was probably lucky that I had an honest and caring recruiter who helped me, tolerated my naivete, and answered my questions.

I guess I wish I had known that I was planning to do 30 years of active duty. That might have motivated me more, day by day, to soldier a little harder, put in a little more effort. I think I did my best, but there's always a little more to give.

Response by CW2 Ernest Krutzsch made Dec 16 at 2014 4:44 PM

CW2 Ernest Krutzsch — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 16:44:40 -0500

I joined in 1971, I wish I would have known how screwed up the Army was at that time. I went to Baumholder Germany and with all the druggies and race problems, I honestly thought I joined the wrong Army. My first day in Baumholder, Germany, someone stole all of my civilian clothes! I did learn that being a good soldier at that time paid dividends and it was easy because a majority of them were totally messed up!

Response by SPC Phillip Ludlow made Dec 16 at 2014 9:17 PM

SPC Phillip Ludlow — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 21:17:03 -0500

Oh! so many answers to choose from! i think " how to work on trucks" whould have come in handy... i didnt know, so i spent quite a bit of time as a PVT sweeping floors in the Maint Bay.