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

I learned to achieve my goals, even if the pathway seems to be unaccomplishable. I look my challenges in chronological values.

I got married and had three sons.

that hot enough metal, regardless of how blunt it is when it's hot enough, can cut right through other rusted metal barrels when it is hot enough... yay for in country burn pits combating boredom ;P

Early on (basic training)I learned that a command is a command is a command.Our 1st Sgt briefed us on guard duty and the importance of holding our ground.On my first time at night at the motor pool ,I was approached by a figure I could only hear. I challenged him to halt.He informed me he was a 2 star general. I told him that tonight, I out rank him, and he needed to leave.45 minutes later,my relief showed up driven by the 2nd Lt.,with no other than my 2 star General.I was shaking all over.He told me to not be nervous.Had I had done anything different,I would never get off KP.Probably the single thing that made me a better soldier.

That I am actually a good leader, excellent planner, super "dog-robber", and marvelous organizer...or, simply an awesome leader! ☺️

What I learned about myself is education, team and hard work is very important in life and I threw my high school education away because for one I decided to work at an early age and another just didn't want to attend school. While in high school the only classes I took seriously was Math, English, and Drafting, because that was what interested me the most. I had dropped out with three months left to go and my high school grades weren't that great to begin with, to go into the "Navy". I scored high on the ASVAB test which was surprising to me and was assigned to a "GMM - Gunners Mate Missile" rating. The time I went in you didn't need a high school diploma but had to obtain a GED and my best friend went in with me. I went thru basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois, and some naval schools before going to the fleet and serving onboard the "USS California CGN 36". The one thing that amazed me was going thru "Basic, Electricity and Electronics" school and being a self paced course went thru it pretty fast, just kept completing my school courses, then thru an "A" school and that's what hooked me about education. I learned who the best person in the class was and chased his grade by studying to be better than he was and along the way I learned I was really smart but didn't use it because I was lazy and had no direction in my life. This situation changed my entire life and I dedicated myself to performing at high standard and to this day I remember were I started and how far came and if it wasn't for the "Navy" providing guidance and structure I would have drifted into a different life and wouldn't be where I'm at today.
The other thing I learned was hard work pays off, I could work hard already because my mom instilled in all seven of us in my family the sense if you work hard good things will come to you. Once I arrived onboard the "USS California" I was put with a small group of "GMM's" on the aft guided missile launcher, being the new guy wanted to impress them and fit in. I worked very hard at learning the missile system and performing "PM's". I put in some long hours on that missile system after the other "GMM's" left for the day just to catch up with what they already know which would put me on an even keel with them. I finally gained their respect and trust but I didn't let off. I kept the bar high for myself at what ever I did and over time gained a lot of knowledge of my work area and the ship but I still remained humble because I didn't want to offend anyone I just wanted to be part of the team. I can work quite well alone, and do it often but I work even better with in a team setting because the collaboration of everyone is what makes things go better.
I'm not saying it was easy, this type of life is structured for a reason because you need a certain amount of discipline to handle whatever comes at you especially the hard choices a person or team have to make and live with the consequences. What I learned along the way I passed it on to my four grown boys and that work ethic that have was instilled into them. My wife and kids have been through some hard times but in them we grew together and if you ask any of my boys what time of their life they remember was the best was when I was living in public housing, going to college, working as a part time college security officer and working once a month for the "Oregon Food Bank" unloading trucks of food to disperse thru the community food banks. There was no pay for doing this it was volunteer but at the end of it you got a few food boxes which I took home and gave some of it away to people in the low income housing area where we lived.
Filling out this response makes me reflect on the what ifs in my life, and not to long ago my son asked me if I had a good life. This question threw me for a loop haven't though much about my life and the path I took to get here today, but I told him that there wasn't anything I wouldn't change or regretted not doing because I did what was needed to keep the family together, fed and safe.

The most surprising thing I learned about myself was that although I have no concept of time, ( if I'm concentrating on something I can look up several hours later & it feels like 10 minutes went by & every time I'm still shocked) I can use tools (Thank God for cell phones now) to make sure I'm almost never late. (Never say never)

I learned a lot of things in my lengthy career—too many to mention. But the FIRST thing I learned sticks out in my mind:

I learned that the world is much more diverse than I realized when I joined in 1982. I was born and raised in Iowa, which—as of 39 years ago—had a population that was about 98% white. Starting in basic training, I was introduced to a diverse group of people of different races, ethnicities, and cultures. It was an eye-opening experience.

Today, I look back at my kids’ birthday party videos and pics and see a rainbow of people. I formed friendships with fantastic people from around the US and all over the world.

The military is a melting pot. I loved getting to learn new and wonderful things about the diversity inherent in our world. I am forever grateful.

I learned responsibility--not only responsibility for my own actions, but responsibility for people that who are affected by my actions. When I entered the military, I felt that there would always be someone there who would catch me if I slipped up or fell. As a result of my military service, I learned through trial and error, that I have the power to pick myself up, while ensuring that others don't make the same mistakes that I did. The military helped me grow up! I have a list of supervisors and leadership that I owe so much to, and will always feel a tremendous amount of gratitude for showing this immature kid from the Midwest how to be a successful adult! I am not sure that I could have done it without their guidance!

During military service I learned that a Command Presence was way more effective when leading others than a Demand Presence. Wish I had a do-over! Xx