What things do you remember about adapting to military life?

They knew I would always join the Army. I spoke about it to them since I was a child. Even though my service time would be during the Vietnam era, I never hesitated for one minute. I believed strongly in serving my country!

Well first the quaranteed green check every two weeks, which was not a quarantee when I got out. lol Other than that it really was good because when you told whoever you were trying to work for it was defeinetly a large plus as they knoew we were trained, tean player and etc this helped a lot. Forgetting things that happened while in the military that would not normally happen in the civilian world was a bit difficult to get out of my mind. Most I know though including myself are doing well though with no real problems adapting.

My baby was less than a year old when I got deployed to Iraq for a year, it was a very hard adjustment.

The hardest thing for me was leaving my family. My son was 6 months old with medical conditions. I just kept reminding myself it was all for him. I am thankful to this day for the military for getting both of us out of an abusive situation. I can honestly say the US Army saved our lives.

Being asked to stay late almost every day because “we are soldier 24/7, not just 5am to 5pm.”

Waking up so early, getting things ready for the day and actually feeling satisfied I could follow and fit in to that life. It was a feeling of honor .

I remembered having to adapt ot leaving my family at a moment notice.

What I remember from Basic Training in January, San Antonio, TX was getting up when it was dark and cold and having to run two and a half miles. Then I had to eat three times a day when I used to eat once or twice a day and having potatoes with every meal—fattening! And I had to wait in the cold, at parade rest, until my entire flight was finished eating. I would do it all over again because I loved the Air Force.

Just serving and honoring the USA

One of my biggest adjustments, after joining the AF when I was just 18 was of course basic training. I remember that we weren't allowed to call home for the first few days and when I was finally able to call mom and dad, all I could do was cry. lol!