What things do you remember about adapting to military life?

I came from a white bread town. I had never had interactions with so many ethnic and culturally diverse people.

When I joined the Coast Guard in 1987, I expected it to be tough to go through Boot Camp, as my father forewarned. Physically, it WAS tough for me; I was not in good physical shape. I think mentally though, I had an easier time of it. I guess having previous life experience and jobs where I dealt with many personalities enabled me to adapt to this new life. I LOVED being on a ship, and would go back in a minute! The teams worked together so well and after we rescued one sailor who was swept overboard, I knew I was completely safe there. So proud to have served our country.

Learning to wake up to take a shift for fire guard duty and then maybe after my shift be able to go back to sleep for an hour if I'm lucky. But just learning to be able to function for the entire day with only few hours of sleep was my moment.

Adapting to Army Life was easy for me. I had lived with my dad all of my teen years. He ran his house as a "If I say to do it, you better do it." So, when it came to adapting to the Army I lived by a thought that process of "If millions of others could accomplish this step, so can I."

Adjusting to being on a schedule all the time was something I had to get used to.

Growing up very quickly...about the time you hit the footprints at P.I

It was a time of great oppurtunity, merging with Veterans and cultures from all over. Made a lor of military friends that became like family. Another time another place, from being in Country Vietnam from 64-65. Totlay unprepared as what was to follow.

My assignment to tropic test center and the work I did there.

Differences in people, quick realization on who I could count on above and below my rank.

Adapting to military life was not as hard as adapting to civilian life after the military.