What is something that you wish that more people understood about the military?

Civilians need to understand the premium the military places on education. Many of us hold degrees, obviously the officers do, but many enlisted soldiers do as well.

I wish they'd stop telling me (a peace-time soldier from the 80s) "thank you for your service".

I do understand that most folks say it with a sincere desire to show appreciation, but I did nothing to warrant recognition.

The shared experiences that make friendships that have lasted years later. Whatever was going on - hazardous duty, deployments over the holidays, or just command BS - we were all in it together and equally.

even though I was coastie. and I had been navy before, don't think I was not gone over 180 days a year when I served on ships.

The Army changed my life. Getting my draft notice in 1965 was the best thing that ever happened to me. I decided to join and learn a trade so I could get out of the small logging town where I was raised. I ended up in Germany working in the JAG division, a long ways from a veneer plant worker. After discharge I started school in Seattle where I met my wife. 49 years later, we are retired and we are as much in love as we always were. Thank you Uncle Sam.

Different types of people from all walks of life, different countries, different social backgrounds, different political beliefs, different races/religions all getting along very well to accomplish a goal with minimal problems.

I had buddies and friends when stationed in Germany. As a Pvt, PFC and Spc4 there were lots of buddies. As a Sgt the friends was a smaller circle. In Nam I knew guys but had no friends. However there were those you could trust to cover you and help when needed. This civilians don’t understand. You may not like a person but when in trouble you will be there for them and they for you.

most stories you hear about come from boot camp. Yes boot camp is part of the military, but it doesn't present a true picture of the military. It's just a tool for when you through several hundred strangers, from all walks of life into a whole new phase of their lives. Much of the military can be like a regular job. Combat is the exception to this. My war was Viet Nam. I'm sure things are much different know but I'm guessing combat is still long stretches of boredom coupled with sheer terror. While you do learn to live with it you never get used to it. Now it's a great chance to get some very good job training.

I remember feeling a bit lost after getting out the first time and starting College. In the Army I had identity and a place I belonged, I was aware and sure what my subordinates and my superiors were supposed to do and if they didn’t do it right I could make them as we all were under the same rule book. In college I became a student number and each professor had his own rules. On top of that you had to figure out the rules on your own as they didn’t let you know.

It is something that is greater than oneself. A Force of various Branches that are seperate and different in their goals. A deadly force and highly technologically advanced protector of America and along with our Allies kicking the oppressors in the World down from their regimes. A Military that has high standards and is not and should never be a social experiment. Lastly, it is an all Volunteer Force. It is not for all, but those who made to their respect team be it any of the 5 branches yeppers to include the Coast Guard. It is one heck of an experience and only those whom served xan understand it.