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

Styles of leadership that proved helpful in my civilian careers. That being philosophically and ideologically independent when having to engage different people from different cultures and in different environments. It’s something you don’t learn in high school or college where you tend to spend all your time around people that think like you and enjoy the same things. Military life also taught me you can’t depend on others to look after your career progression. Don’t get me started on all those assignments officers I endured without a choice. Hahaha!

The ability to step into a situation and asses and make the necessary adjustments to comprehend and make the most appropriate decisions in order to accomplish the desired goal. And that my own worst enemy is my own fear, and that by over coming it I'm capable of accomplishing things I never would of thought possible

I learned that I am stronger, both mentally and physically than I always thought growing up.

That I was mentally stronger than I thought and how I refused to allow negativity and distractions to prevent me from achieving my military goals.

I'm far more resilient than I thought while growing up and being laughed at. To say the least, I'm not laughed at any more.

When I was the rank of E-4 and below, while being a married man and living off base. I still had to arrive early enough to help all those in my Platoon clean the barracks. Example, showers, restrooms, hallways and Platoon common meeting room. I hated this because the only places I would be in for almost 95% of the time I was on duty was the motor pool. Doing Pnc’s or actually repairs to my 1/4 Ton Jeep or APC. Then when I got promoted to E-5, I still had to come in an hour before the first formation to make sure my team members were up, dressed and the Platoon areas were cleaned by our E-4’s and below. Plus if I as a soldier lived on base. My Quarters were / could be inspected at any time a higher ranking Supervisor wanted to.

I learned I could drink to the wee hours of the morning then still get up and do pt..

You actually can do all things that you never thought that you could do and you can survive the Gas Chamber even when you go through twice cause you messed up the first time

Learning that you are capable of doing the impossible on a moments notice, like prepare for inspection, or an additional guard assignment. A little time after bootcamp you learn that you are a part of a big organization where there is support for you and any problems you may have come your way. Just ask and it was there.

What learned while serving in the navy was that I was more resilient than I thought I was, because military life is very different and sometimes hard to acclimate to. I learned a great deal more about myself in the areas of dedication, leadership, respect, responsibility, and teamwork which are important traits to have. These are now life long traits that I carry with me everyday and will not lower them for any reason.

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.