What things do you remember about adapting to military life?

I remember everything changing. I learned new things everyday. Learned how to fight for my country.

Adjusting to the extreme structure and routines.

Listening to a roomful of people snoring.

Adapting to military life was pretty easy, basically do what you’re supposed to do and enjoy your off time. Later in my career it was adjusting the kids every time we transferred. I moved every three years.

12:00am-04:00am watch was very tuff at least at first,then back up at 07:00 for a full days work.But would not change a thing!!!!!

I'll never forget that feeling of pride when I took the oath. I remember having to get up at 0 dark thirty and make my bunk, get dressed and be in formation in 15 minutes. It was difficult getting used to marching everywhere.

I don't think adapting to military life was too bad when I joined. But that was 16 years ago, and it's a lot different now, and in my opinion not for the best. The military has been more politicized in recent years, and many standards are becoming more lax, and generational changes are creating issues with respect, motivation, and initiative.

Basic training was just that, learning the basics of being a soldier. The first thing to learn was that being a Private meant learning that you were basically nothing and that as such you had few if any rights. We were told what to do, when to do it and not to do anything else. We learned how to dress, how to talk (mostly “Yes Sir “and “No Sir”), when to eat and when to sleep. We learned that 4:00, 4:30 and 5:00 AM was a great time to get up and that in case our mothers hadn’t taught us, the right way to make a bed. In the event that we didn’t know, the Drill Sergeant (DI) taught the difference between a rifle and a gun. Anyone who referred to his M-14 as a gun would be made to parade up and down the barracks explaining to everyone that, “this is my rifle”, holding up his M-14 and “this is my gun”, while holding his crotch and finishing with “this is for fighting and this is for fun”. Who said the DI couldn’t be funny?

During the first couple of days, we were issued new clothes, treated to a free haircut and given a series of shots designed to protect us from anything in this country and around the world. “Hurry up and wait “was the norm for the day as we would be in lines waiting for this, that and the other thing. Similar to “hazing” in college, word would filter down the line as we waited for shots describing the shot to the left testicle with a square needle. Looked like life in the Army would be a whole new experience and it would be!

Days started with an early rise, morning formation and PT consisting of various forms of the Army daily dozen. That is push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, etc..etc. and the joyful one to five mile run. It really wasn’t a true run because it was done in formation at the Army double time pace. Finishing up PT, we were off to breakfast before starting a day of training.

Training consisted of things like; marching, target practice, breaking down and cleaning our M-14, hand-to-hard combat training, bayonet training, use of a gas mask including exposure to tear gas and how to properly throw a grenade. All designed to turn a civilian into a soldier.

In order to graduate Basic Training, we had to become proficient with the M-14. Fortunately, I was not a stranger to rifles and qualified as a sharpshooter, not quite an expert but definitely good enough. The PT regiment we had endured also made sure that I could pass all the physical requirements. The five-mile run, running the obstacle course and crawling up an incline with live machine gun fire overhead and explosions left and right, did not impede my completion of basic training. Basic training instilled the pride and "Spirit De Corps" I still, after almost 60 years" carry with me today.

I joined the Army as an MP and made it a 40 year career after I got out. If it wasn't for the Army there is no telling where I would of ended up. It was a life saver.

The thing that I found most difficult was accepting my trainings, especially if they would mean personal discomfort to me, like being cold, hot or tired. However, I had great leadership that also listened to me when the training put everyone in potential danger. Like when we trained in a blizzard and I couldn't feel my hands or feet even in artic gear. I went to my LT. and told him that I had to go in and get warm no matter what. A few minutes later, everyone was asking what I had done. I said, "I just told him the truth". Everyone was celebrating the fact that we could warm up.