What things do you remember about adapting to military life?

What I remember most was the unknown aspect. The newness if a completely different lifestyle. Its was so exciting.

Taking orders from somebody that you know was racist

1. Waking up on own...
2. First time away from home
3. Adjusting to having Money to do as I please (turned out I was a SAVER)...

I was drafted and many of the guys with me were men (boys) that I knew. Two things stand out for me when I first went in. First I was taught by my parents to listen and obey. That kept me out of a lot of trouble in those first weeks and months. Second, along with that, was the fact that I had been on my own for a couple of years so being with a bunch of guys away from home was really nothing new for me. I was 21 and many of the kids were 18 or 19. I remember a couple of time in basic that I would hear some of the boys crying because this was their first time away from home for any length of time.

It was a wake up call in soooo many ways for a naive New England teen.

It was a means to learn responsibility and practice teamwork, traits that are useful unto this day.

The hardest part about serving in the military, I believe is the rigid structure. You must get where you're going on time, have everything you need, and perform to the standards the military expects.

Shut up & Listen.

Well, I was a prodigy as my dad served in the Navy during the Korean War. So, I had all the stories and a pretty good understanding of what to expect. I recall my dad specifically saying to me "Chris, just remember: the Chiefs the run the Navy". I found that to be generally true. Boot camp was not bad, but it was being away from home for long stretches that took the most getting used to. Also, there was a feeling that the world was moving on outside of the steel bulkheads of my ship (friends were in college and experiencing all that had to offer). Nevertheless, I knew my experiences would shape the rest of my life - and they have. It's one of the best things I've ever done and I have zero regrets.

I found it hard to get employment, I worked with a temporary agency for a short time, job was great. Then went through usajobs applied for numerous positions and got one. I also miss the comrade that I had in the military, it doesn't exist in the civilian world, some people are just out for themselves. The military is a community and you know no matter where you are in the world you have that comrade and community. It's easier to get along with other veterans, I don't have to explain myself. I don't do cliques, or drama, which my current agency seems to have plenty of. The military life offers many experiences that I would never trade. As a veteran my life has comforts, I'm able to see both sides of the coin in perspective to certain aspects, I try to think out of the box. That is what I remember about adapting to military life.