What things do you remember about adapting to military life?

I enlisted in the Army at age 25 in 1987. Adapting to the structured routine military life was a challenge. However, it was a positive challenge to myself in order to see how far I could go; and the goals I could accomplish in the process. I completed 2 AAS degrees, a BA, and a Masters thanks to self-determination and Uncle Sam financing the process. Thanks to ALL that have served before me, present service members and those to come! Go out and challenge yourself to BE the Best You Can BE!

I cant talk for anyone but infantry guys. Definitely a culture shock. I'm not an A type personality and all muscle and aggressive. So hanging out with those guys made me definitely grow up. My dad served for 27 years in the Air Force and all his senior NCOs were WW2 vets. He served from 52 to 78.and he retired as a chief master sgt. I aiwats had that attention to detail and keeping my mouth shut, but i had another skill. I can talk to anyone and completely relax those around me. Yes, i can be pretty funny, but i paid attention to everything, no matter how small. I got along even better with my NCOs and officers. Plus I love military history. And i could talk about any place i deployed and made it fun...well for what it was. You wouldn't think that if you knew me before basic. I was quite and reserved. It was the bayonet training that brought out the voice in me and completely changed how I went thru my mini career. Being on time meant being 30 minutes early. Understanding that you meant something to those around you That my brothers around me had my back. That i could withstand criticism and get a job done. That i could sleep anywhere really fast, and the biggest? That i knew that those guys to my left and right would give their lives for me and me the same back. That's probably the biggest thing. That i wasn't alone, that there were guys going thru the same thing as I. Even though my body and mind is pretty broken, I wouldn't change anything....except back in 93, telling mechanics to put in 3 cotter pins that held the tranny and engine together on a Sheridan. I stopped a huge battle with the 1st CAV division as i got medivaced . Lol. Good ole NTC... It gotta take it's payments. Lol.

It wasn't so much adapting as it was a simple transition. Adapting from military to civilian life still kind of makes me crazy. The waste, abuse of privilege or rights, the laziness, it all makes me wonder how most of the people who never experienced military structure managed to live to adulthood.

I came from a really brutal and horrible upraising, knowing this is not the live I want to continue in so I joined the Army. Best choice of my life. They fed, clothed me and game me shelter. I felt safe and secure and learned valuable skills which carried me forward in the future and beyond. Having served for over 24 years from Vietnam on to everything requiring being called up was a real challenge. It gave me hope and a real purpose in life. The pay back has been real and never would I have thought that the decision to enlist would turn out so good. I survived. Harold Brown

That just when you think you couldn't be more achey, more cold, more tired, more wet, and more hungry...it can get worse.

For me it was easy. I grew up in a house with strong personalities both men and women. A place where you respected your elders and those in charge. You did what you were told without question or there would be consequences. You had innate trust in your family that when you were told to do something they had your best interest and safety at hear. The physical part for me was easy as well.
I played sports and was very athletic. The rigors on the body and training were second nature. When I joined the military all of those things came second nature...the hard part was being away from my family. It was tough because we were tight knit...that part came easier later as I made friends and the military became my family.

During high school I was part of the CCC California Cadet Corp. This prepared me for the regimentation of military life and structure. It put me a step ahead of many.

Www.staffsergeantleblanc.com
This will say it all.

The biggest thing to adapt to was the idea that even when I was off base fishing I could still be called to base for emergency. This only happened twice but it was always their in my mind that at anytime they could put on the radio all coast guard personal return to base we didn’t have cell phones. Also I was in charge of hanger maintainer of San Juan air Station so they would call for problems with the base as well as other emergency.. But I would do it again if asked because it was a feeling of being part of life saving system.
Thank you for that chance

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