What things do you remember about adapting to military life?

i didnt really adapt until I met SMSGT I FORGOT HIS NAME IN ZARAGOZA SPAIN BUT HE WAS REALLY THE FIRST TO HAVE ME ME COMPLETELY SHAVE MY HEAD FOREVER

Joined at 17 in 1956 - Basic no harder than scout camp. Adapting was easy. Adapting to powder skiing in CA and the Alps after hard pack eastern skiing, was also easy. Re-enlisting in the Reserve at 47 and re-training Infantry 11B took some adapting but having to get in shape and staying in shape until retirement at age 60 kept me much healthier than most of my peers.

Volunteered for the draft in December 1967. The thing I remember that was so foreign to me in basic training was making my bed with hospital corners and making it tight enough to bounce a quarter off of it. Never did see that quarter bounce.

Joining the military was an easy decision for me and an intriguing adjustment. Learning all the new systems and ventures the military required was adding growth to my experiences. I remember arriving in the US for the first time and seeing this new world that I had just thrusted myself into and I was in awe at the development of the country compared to my country of origin. Once I stepped foot of the airplane I knew my life was about to change forever and I did not look back. It was about a life and career of strict structure and rearing and I welcomed it. I began a family here in the military and that lead to another aspect of military life that I embraced with the security of my career supporting me. It was an easy adjustment for me because I was secure in my decision to sign up into the Navy.

I joined the Navy in 1972 and the day we drove thru those gates at NTC San Diego? I never looked back. To this day I miss those duty stations, I miss those people and I miss the orderliness of it.

Lcpl Mckenney adapted to active duty service by not answering my door. This is advice that most will not want to read. In the early '90s women in the Marine Corps were encouraged to not answer their door. When young male Marines were knocking on their door. I had to adapt to unwanted attention while at work and while on downtime. You had no "free time" My Gunny told me, do not answer your door! That advice didn't work, I was bothered while doing my laundry, or watching TV in the common area and yes I was bothered in my own private space within the barracks. I am now a 100 percent disabled Veteran stemming from MST PTSD.

It was easy for me, I come from a military family. Father, three brothers all retired from the military.

I just remember them just pushing me out and no info on the government jobs that applied to my training. I found the hydro power plants that the gov runs purely by mistake. All the training that they gave me and no heads up that I can continue my career towards my retirement. So dumb. A waste of talent.

It takes a little time to get used to it. There is much learning at first, but hen becomes a routine.

Adapting to military time, being punctual looking Sharp being respectful working hard doing your best.