What Things Did You Learn About Yourself That Were Unexpected or Surprising During Your Military Service? Login & Share to Win!

That there was more there than you might have thought there was and circumstances and people that you might not have imagined brought it all out. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

I never thought I could push my body as hard a I did or the mind.

I learned to keep my mouth shut, possibly a little too late I'm sure. I learned that I could be useful, I learned I had a talent for numbers and parts. I learned to live a solitary life and be okay with that. I learned that I could do a lot more things than people thought I could. I learned how to run my job even when there wasn't anyone supervising me, and I was good at it. I learned how to take care of myself because no one else was going to take care of me but me. I learned that despite what people said I had worth, and value to the team I was with. I learned how to be resilient and roll with the punches. I got to see and live with people in every walk of life and I loved the wide variety of people that broadened my horizons in life. I learned tolerance, acceptance, and joy in becoming more than I was by knowing so many different cultures and persons from every walk of life. I wish I could have stayed a lot longer but I loved what I did and would do it again in a heartbeat if I could.

I Was Not The Most Physically Aped Kid Growing Up But The Army Tought That As Long As I Gave It My All And Never Gave Up I Could Do Almost Anything Somthing That Has Helped Me My Whole Life

RallyPoint News: In the Army, I learned how to be a great Squad Leader. I led my Squad members with: Honor; Respect; Love; and, with Compassion.
In the Army I was; a Squad Leader; a Graduate-with-Honor; a Sports Director; and, I was a Sports Director for Dependent Youths.

Learning I could run 2 miles was a HUGE surprise to me! I've never been a runner. I hate running. It was the only thing I didn't think I could do.

That even a guy from a small town and just a High School diploma could use the military as a path to multiple degrees, advancement in service to flag rank, serve with and meet people from across the planet, and still love going to work every day. And then, upon retirement, be welcomed into a new, entirely different career in the civilian world.

I learned that I while I loved the honor of serving and the sense of duty,
I could not STAND the politics.

One of the most important things that I learned about myself in the military are that combat troops also serve on humanitarian missions and this role opened my eyes to a career that I had never considered for myself prior to the military. At this point in my life I have almost completed a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling at a private university and I am working with veterans as part of my caseload. In the future, I plan on providing a certain number of hours per week of pro-bono work counseling veterans who need mental health counseling services. The military experience has also opened so many doors and provided experiences that I could have never gotten without the serving in the Seabees, so many skills are transferable to many different occupations. Lastly, I have no regrets and I am proud to have served my country.

I learned a lot but key among them was just how much sacrifice is truly required to be in the service and how many don't appreciate it until they've done it. My father was a Chief and was constantly out to sea and until I served I thought he had a choice and always made the one to work on Christmas when in fact it was his ship, boss, etc.