What things do you remember about adapting to military life?

It was a culture shock for sure. I volunteered for the draft in 1969 right after high school. most of my classmates were joining some branch of the military. I didn't want to be a Marine or Navy so 2 years in the Army was right for me. I wanted the shortest hitch possible and was willing to serve but had no intentions of spending more than 2 years, which I did. Basic training and AIT were tough, but i got through it OK I figured that if I made it through grade school with nuns for 8 years I could do 2 years in the Army standing on my head. The drill sargents were nothing compared to those nuns. I was an ingantry grunt in Vietnam and made it back OK so I guess it all worked out.

At 18 there really is no conscious adapting. To me it was just the next adventure, and since I left an abusive father behind, it was easy. I loved my first 2 1/2 years at Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego, who wouldn't? I switched to black shoe, got a fast ship to Viet Nam and my next adventure began. I must admit there was some adaptation involved with shipboard life, but overall my whole 4 years was a great experience.

Getting up so early was the hardest thing I had to get used to.

4 day weekend 2x a month, piss tests 2x a month, 630am PT morning 5 days a week, "hurry up and wait ", ruck marching, shit stirring, fire pit, (not the kind where you drink beer with your friends, ) NTC, JRTC, MEDIC! (I was the medic,) Grafenwoher, Seoul, Cairo, Europe (at no cost to me ha ha ha) Deuce ana a half, 5 ton, hummer, jeeps...pldc.

For me, it was an easy change. My father was Air Force (retired as a Lt. Col.) and, thus, for most of my young life, I grew up around Air Force bases and fell in love with all types of aircraft. I also learned the different grades of Airmen and officers. I knew every aspect of the uniforms and where to place every ribbon and/or medal. So, as you can see, it was definitely an easy switch. The one thing that I had trouble with was Basic Training. That was a slow start for me, as far as change is concerned. After Basic was completed, everything else just fell into place. However, my love for the Air Force didn't start until I went to Tech School.

Loved the early morning runs with my marines!

It was a life changing experience for me. I was tired of being discounted as a person so I joined the one organization where I could get dissed for life for just existing. The bullies just kept coming out of the woodwork. I loved my job don't get me wrong, I loved being in the military. I never really had a family and the Army was it and I have been so alone out here that it hurts......

It was definitely a culture shock being away from home and having all of those drill sergeants screaming at you and then realizing that you can go the extra mile and overcome any and all obstacles. I remember the gas chamber and live fire demonstrations. Going to the field was also an experience that I never got used to.

It was like running into a brick wall at 90 MPH----I was a fatherless boy who lived in the ghettos
and did whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. they just didn't care about my likes and dislikes.
I wouldn't trade it for a big pile of money!!!

I really didn't have a hard time adapting to military life. I just followed orders and was where I was suppose to be when I was suppose to be etc.