What things do you remember about adapting to military life?

It wasn’t so much as trying to adapt to military life in general as it was trying to adapt to the people. Coming from a small town where everyone knows everyone to the military where there’s so many people all with different personalities was difficult to deal with. Dealing with people from all over the country and different cultures can make adaptation difficult.

In Basic,, routine was definitely sometime I had to get use to. I brought the discipline I learned with along the way till this day.

when I joined we all knew in under 12 months we would be in Iraq or Afghanistan. So boot camp was fast and a stepping stone.

Regarding completing our Confidence Course in 99 degree humid San Antonio in 1978, I will not forget that our Flight was denied Wet and Dry M16 Fire training as it ended at our group's entry disappointingly. Further, I also recall when I hung over a muddy swamp pool on the Confidence bars, as I refused to surrender and avoid dropping in because the bars were saturated and impossible to grip. Next, I mentally engaged myself and said, "Nope not me" as I shimmied swiftly across in disbelief to the end, thus gaining all the confidence needed as part of my adoption to military life.

Officer Training School clashed against my nature since I’m a comfortably happy introvert, and I had a weak start. Stress, lack of sleep, shock of indoctrination, was all a bit much for me and I often wondered what I was thinking by joining the military. Worst, I really missed my wife and son, who was a toddler at the time.

About half way through the 16-week ordeal, I learned there was an informal award presented at the end of training to the most motivated officer trainee. It was the “Motivational Maraca,” which really was just a small Mexican maraca similar to what you’d find at a dollar store.

I coveted that maraca. I determined to be the most motivated trainee to ever attend OTS. To every command from the MTIs, I’d sound off at the top of my voice. To any “request” for volunteers, I was first to step up. Everywhere I went I ran. Winning that maraca gave me a purpose.

Not only did I earn the Motivational Maraca Award at the end of training, I was also presented the Most Improved Award. Afterwards, I was instantly snapped back to my introverted ways when my roommate told me the Most Improved Award only meant that of all the losers, I was the best one.

Regardless, how grateful I am to have learned to turn it on when things got tough, and there were many times I used my new found skill of ramping up, during and after military service.

The hurry up and wait aspect took some getting use to. Never in my life had I been rushed like something was on fire just to sit and wait for hours sometimes days!

I entered the Army at age 16, it was very tough on me because I had never been away from my mother and the adjustment for me was really hard. Also being treated the way we were was also difficult, being screamed at and called names by our Drill Sergeants. It was a total shock to all of us which I think ended up affecting me throughout my life

I myself found it a bit overwhelming at times adjusting to a variety of different individual work patterns. Being accustomed to structure and everyone adapting, to bring patient and allowing others work their own way.

Definitely the initial shock of getting off the bus on the night basic training began. It was quite a realization how the next few weeks were going to be drastically different.

I remember getting used to the military structured life which was a big change for me. Not the simple stuff like waking up at the same time or eating at the same time, but how I was not only responsible for myself but for others too. And if one of us fell behind or failed to complete something on time, it was viewed upon that we all failed. Quickly we saw the teamwork building and soldiers helping soldiers not only with the physical stuff but weapon disassembly, and making your bunks. I'll never forget it.