What things do you remember about adapting to military life?

I hated the haircuts, Spit shined boots and KP!

TO ALL FELLOW MARINES OOOOORAHHHHH AND SEMPER FI BROTHA'S ,
pride and tradition instilled in us thru bootcamp , very very proud of what we accomplished , 93' grad here from P.I./2nd btn/golf company/platoon 2032/4/16/93. grad here ! , reach out to me marines , would love to talk sometime , greatest thing to serve your country and marine corps = the best of the best , thanks > cpl. quirin (tom) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Having to be so far from home. Home was Florida stationed in Germany. 3 yrs. Drove and delivered equipment.

As a combat veteran I got help adjusting threw my veterans center.

Through OCS and TBS, teamwork was stressed and the self-identity was reduced for the overall benefit and success of the team/mission. Everyone found a way to pull their weight or they found their way off the team. Doing the "right thing" and listening more to your conscience with others in mind was another key point of the transition. So many decisions made in the civilian sector without losing a wink of sleep could or would have serious repercussions in military life.

The U.S.Army does not care or provide any safety equipment at all for left handed soldiers. I found out the hard way when I needlessly suffered permanent hearing damage while at the firing range during BCT at Fort Ord. I complained about this to an Army doctor while on sick call and that's when I found out the hearing damage was permanent! Upon further hearing tests in 1969 I was informed that none of the currently available hearing aids would compensate my hearing loss frequency. By the year 2000 , digital hearing aids were available, so after complaining again, finally I was able to get some help through the V.A. Since I was not informed in 1969 of the availability to open a claim back then, to collect retroactively when finally able to get help, I realized the U.S.Army did not care to help me with a problem that was their fault to begin with. I was very proud to join the U.S.Army from 1967 to 1970, serving with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam.Clearly this was has been a problem since before I joined in 1967 and it it continues to this day!

Having a steady income that was a bit more consistent was a blessing.

Eating fast. Being ready to deploy anytime. Travel

don't be afraid to ask questions and use resources provided, and friendships always help

Adapting to military life was hard in some ways but easy in others. Like many other military members, going off to boot camp was my first time being out on my own in the world, and so far away from all my family. It was hard to get used to not being able to see or talk to my loved ones. But military life can be extraordinarily easy because everything is structured for you. You never have to think about what to wear, where to go, when to be there, etc. because all those decisions were made by someone else. Doing what you're told is incredibly easy. After a time, though, you start to miss having the independence and freedom to make your own choices. That is ultimately why I separated when my enlistment was over.