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

My purpose when enlisting was to fulfill my obligation to serve while gaining skills and education to guide my future. My techincal training was what I anticipated and enabled my advancement in responsibility and pay grade. What was not expected was the opportunity to serve on a Submarine that had a proud history and continued to provide vital service to the development of our Navy. USS Archerfish AGSS 311, Operation Sea Scan. Fortunate to have been a part of the crew and brotherhood of the Phin.

Independence. I learned that I could do things on my own, despite what everyone on the outside had told me - parents, youth pastor, school counselors, etc. The Army instilled me with the confidence and determination to be able to accomplish things on my own that still keeps me going to this day.

What l learned about myself.....I was a very shy person. I learned to open myself to others. I grew up in a primarily all white town, Learned not all people were "bad". Learned I could be an outdoor person! Discovered my strengths and overcame my weaknesses.

That physically and mentally overcoming challenges was/ is determined by me and my determination to succeed and move forward.

When I first entered the service, I didn't like instructors, and never wanted to be one. Little did I know that an NCO is always an instructor. I learned that rather than a classroom environment I enjoyed working with the troops to help them become better at their skills. My troops achieved better than average SQT scores.

I found out I could do a little work on cars and trucks, and drive a sick-shift! Yep, the trusty, ol' deuce -and-a-half was my learner! (BIG smile!)

I learned I was Responsible for my Family. Anything my Son or Daughter did , if it was bad I had to report with my Superior to the Company First Sergeant. So I have an example. When I was stationed at Ft.Irwin, CA, the Military Police , we lived on base., came to the house. It was getting close to dinner and my Son was not home yet. They said could I come down there he was safe and did nothing wrong. I was like why am I going. So I got in the car, and there was my Son with his friend and their bikes. As you know everyone has id cards. Well my Son knows better NOT to to be in the BX without us. His friend went in and the friend stole something. My son did nothing wrong, but was with him. As a parent, when I reported to work MondayI had to report wit my Suoerior to the higher up. He was nice, and asked me did I know what would happen to Stephen? I said "no Sir:". Well his ID card will be stamped for 6 months. I know your Son did nothing wrong , but as you know anything your Son, Daughter, or husband does you are responsible for. I told him it would be taken care of and I will never have to be in his office again for something like m e that. My Son got punished, I'd card,stamped, and a thorough understanding if I had to go report again they would be going. There will not be a second time. His bike was taken away for 2 weeks. He was to come straight home from school. I wonder if anyone else experienced this or knew this. I did know I was responsible. I just had to explain to my son you wrte with the boy who stole. It does not matter. Thank you

Ranger School is a real place to learn about one’s self. For me, it changed my life. Vietnam was a challenge, but my training helped me deal with ARVN soldiers. I learned the Army is a great place to understand yourself forever. RLTW.

During basic training (way back when), I learned I could do it... the physical, the mental, the gas mask training, that I was really good at navigation and problem solving. Later on, that I had really good organizational skills and thinking on my feet.

Really didn’t take long for me to figure out how much I didn’t know about the world and about other people.

Learning that one has not yet achieved their full potential. Learning that one can be responsible to a team and also be counting on their team. Lessons that served me well in life.

giving others the chance to either succeed or fail, can improve their becoming a better soldier. not giving them a chance only causes a loss of that soldier.

I was 44 yrs old when I decided to join the Air Force and was commissioned. Within my first year of being active duty, I was deployed. That was something completely out of my comfort zone and quite surreal at the same time. Once I arrived to my deployed location, it took almost a week to get acclimated to my surroundings and work environment. Once acclimated, I quickly learned that I was a much stronger person than I gave myself credit for. Had I not been newly married when I deployed, I would have extended my tour. My husband wasn’t dealing well with my absence, so I decided not to extend. There’s not a day that has passed since my return that my experiences haven’t crossed my mind. I love to tell people my story and how much my time in the service and my deployment changed me. I’m still very proud of myself for having made that decision to join. The experiences will forever live on in my memories.

Communal latrines and showers were actually no problem to me. There were some who were taken aback by these situations...but eventually some were able to overcome their qualms. Those who couldn't soon found ways to leave the military, which was okay because the first war we went to had wooden 5-seaters (or at least 2-seaters when we were forward)!! Fun for all!!

I learned that People are not always what they claim to be and how to deal with difficult situations and be able to overcome adversities. Army training, Sir. Hooah!

I learned how to be more assertive and confident in myself and my abilities.

To be a leader of people.

there is an unlimited amount things that you learn about yourself. If I had to choose then it would be the "you can do it" it may take time and unlimited tries but you can do it

I was surprised by how good a leader I could be. My last years in service were as 68W instructor. I was surprised at how much I loved being a full time trainer. It was very satisfying to watching students perform as skilled medics during the final FXT.

I was completely shocked at how totally out of shape I was at the age of 18!

That I can keep control under fire and use my military training to defeat the enemy.

I learned to love to learn and that I could learn anything

I discovered an inner resolve, a dedication to something I never knew I had

We were ambushed on Thunder Road about 2 weeks after I arrived in country. Everything unfolded in slow motion. The jets were screaming overhead dropping about 100 yards in front of us. I looked over to my left ( I was in a VTR…M88 tank retriever) and saw 3 VC staring at us. Their AK’s were at port arms, neither threatening nor surrendering. I deferred to my driver (6 months in country) and said what do we do now. He replied,”You’re the Lieutenant!”. That motivated me to dismount and capture them with my .45. More importantly, I never forgot his words. To this day. Applicable in every way.

I learned that I could run, and that I liked it. Something that was not previously on my to do list.

My ability to persevere through adverse situation, my ability to lead as well as my capacity to care for all my Airmen.

During my time in the National Guard I was at a seminar and learned some new things that were about to be implemented to the Guard. I was asked by the Logistics Officer of the state to give a briefing to a few people, and when I went to the podium I was in front of well over 250 individuals, to include some high ranking National Guard Officers. My time in the military had given me the confidence to speak to anyone, anywhere at any time about what I knew and what my opinion was concerning current operations. From a young man who jumped when someone said boo, to a seasoned Warrant Officer who was confident in what he knew is the main thing that the military taught me during my tenure. Till this day I still have that ability to write and talk with confidence and that is still surprising to me.

What I most found surprising about myself is the sense of independence. I was 18 leaving home for the first time from under my parents support. I was becoming a Marine and what I learned at Parris Island changed my life and I became an independent thinker. Improvise adapt and overcome became my future and thats how I live my life. But at 18 I couldnt see myself like this before the military

I entered the Service at a later age than most. Never in my life did I think I would do this. I was a military wife, for years, but signing up is different. I learned (lol) if yiu are td to do something it's do it. The only thing I am afraid of is Heights. So when we did the Repelling off the tower, I was so nervous, Inknow the Drill Sergeant knew it. So it was my turn to climb up. Up I went. I was fine. Whew, they buckled me in, and told me how to go down the wall. Well half way down my rope slipped a little, and my knees buckled and scraped the wall big time. I got down and was done!! Not. Drill Sergeant says "BLANKENBECKLER" GOOD JOB, now let's do it again. I was strong inside me and upnI went and this time NO issues. I learned to take control of my Fears thank you

I learned that I am strong, determined and loyal. I always did what it takes to accomplish the mission.

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