What things do you remember about adapting to military life?

According to XOs, no matter how good something was done (ops, training, cleaning, etc), it could always be better. Perfection goal for the sake of keeping people busy was always the unrealistic and unattainable mindset.

I recalled when I moved into base housing in the USAF, they were super picky about your lawn, and weeds in between concrete cracks. It was very annoying, to get a yellow slip that was also sent to your first sergeant. But at the end it makes sense, of always be able to pay attention to detail. It serve me very well years later on everything I do.

I think the structure was what I remember the most. At first I hated it, did not realize how bad I needed it. Once I did it was an awakening. I needed that in my life, I had no direction or idea of what I wanted, now that I understood structure I could go out and get what I wanted, and figure out what I wanted ahead of time. Also a close second is being in so much much, better shape, my dad bod and I miss that so very much.

Navy bootcamp in Orlando, getting around 100 women from different backgrounds to work as one and not 100 individuals, becoming and working as a team in 8 weeks

The hardest part for me was turning off my brain. I am a naturally inquisitive person and I really struggled to become the follower
I needed to become, to be a better leader I am now. It was hard to become the soldier that was needed vs the student I was accustomed to being. I succeeded, not without road blocks lol but I survived and am better for it today.

When my T.I. told me the best time to do something is right now. It sticks with me to this day. Procrastinating was not tolerated.

I found a place in the army. I had always felt like an outsider everywhere else but in the army I felt like home. The hardest part was physical as I've never been physically strong. I enjoyed my jobs and made some really good friends. I would go back in a heartbeat

Summer 1974, Ft Polk, LA. Cut off all my hair and expose my ears to the sun for the first time in years. My ears burned several times. The skin would peel off like a shrimp.

Having to move somewhere every few years!

The "hurry up and wait" attitude.