What was one of the most important life lessons you got out of your military time?

Cpl Vic Burk — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 19:41:59 -0500

For me it was perseverance and sheer determination. Nobody thought I would make it through Marine Corps Boot Camp. "The Marine are a tough outfit" they say. I don't know someone of your size will be able to handle it. I weighed in as a 137 pound string bean the day I joined. I made up my mind I was either going to earn the title of United States Marine or go home in a pine box; there was no other options on the table. This set the stage for numerous future successes in my life. I learned that if you put your mind to it you can accomplish almost anything. Keep going forward reaching for that goal you set for yourself and don't stop until you get there. Sure, there have been times in my life I felt like giving up but then I go back to those days of MCRD in my mind and remember what I accomplished and I remember that I didn't give up then, and I am not giving up now either.

Response by GySgt Gary Cordeiro made Mar 6 at 2021 8:00 PM

GySgt Gary Cordeiro — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 20:00:51 -0500

Same here. Enlisted for 4 years, no MOS guarantee. The title if Marine was all that I wanted.
I learned to prioritize, like triage. Being always squared away was number one. Time management was second. PT was third. Daily 5 mile run, gym time and swimming as time allowed. Martial arts was next. Stretching, basic exercises and Kata was next.
I should have minimized my party time, peer pressure got to me and it was back to square one.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Mar 6 at 2021 8:02 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 20:02:28 -0500

Important life lesson for me was to be disciplined with finances. When I was a junior enlisted soldier, I sadly observed comrades who could not handle money. Despite free housing from barracks and free food from DFAC, some still took out payday loans. Although I am a reserve officer now, I still remember to be careful with my pay and investments

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Mar 6 at 2021 8:12 PM

SFC Randy Hellenbrand — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 20:12:53 -0500

The right to expect truth and honesty from one's leaders. How many lies from Donnie again??

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2021 8:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 20:22:34 -0500

Learn something from every superior, peer, and subordinate you serve with. Even if the only thing you learn is what not to be.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 6 at 2021 8:38 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 20:38:02 -0500

Once upon a time, many years ago I had a very negative self image and didn't believe in myself. I joined the national guard because the active duty required a high school diploma. I reasoned that hopefully I can learn some confidence in the military. Basic helped, but still, I felt inferior and even though I tried I barely passed basic. A year later I went active duty army because I'd gotten my high school diploma, finally. Still my self image persisted and I ended up begin chaptered because I was a screw up and looking back was living a self defeating mindset. I spent 9 years as a civilian, earned associate and bachelor degrees. I'd started a family and had 3 kids. I grew up and my attitude improved a bit. 9/11 happened and I was so angry I forgot about my negative self image and resolved to see enlistment through to retirement. I learned along the way that as I served others my self worth grew. It led me to teaching and I love my life now. People at my school don't know why I give my time and talents as I do, but it is because of what I learned in the military. As I give, my value improves because I am a contributor. As I contribute it makes me feel good inside. I think I finally learned how to live out my type B personality in a way that provides personal meaning. Because of going into teaching I earned another associate degree, have only a few more classes to go on my second bachelor degree, have a master's degree, and I am in the last few stages of a doctor of education degree. All of these things are so I can do more as a contributor. I found my self worth. That is the lesson the Army taught me.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 6 at 2021 8:52 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 20:52:37 -0500

This is so simple. Love the soldiers. That will force me to take care of them. Walk amongst them and say thank you for their dedication, work with them, and sometimes I forced myself to suffer with them to see if we can make things better or just show my moral support to them.

I put a lot of emphasis on high morale. One time we had a field problem at Ft Riley and the temperature was zero. I was so proud of the soldiers and NCOs as the morale was high and nobody complained. I did allow them cut loose a bit at night in the dark. One young soldier danced with chem lights in the dark and we were entertained in the tent. They thought they were doing me a favor by putting me close to the heater. Man those new heaters spit out a lot of heat. I was sweating like a pig. I had a big flat rock in my office. When soldiers did something stupid-funny I put their name and date on the rock. We also had a reenactment. When the temperature is zero there exists a greater propensity for stupid things to occur like your ass getting stuck to the seat in the port-a-potty. Done on phone maybe typos.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Mar 6 at 2021 9:05 PM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 21:05:00 -0500

Second place is first loser and don’t wait for your mommie to do it for you. Plus, there is no such thing as bad weather Cpl. Morris! Aye Gunnery sergeant!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2021 9:22 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 21:22:47 -0500

Cpl Vic Burk I was disciplined and determined when I enlisted. As a Marine, I learned to become a planner and set goals. I also came away with a never quit attitude. As you mentioned, being a Marine helped me with my civilian career and throughout my life

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Mar 6 at 2021 9:30 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 21:30:48 -0500

Don't ever quit.

Response by MSgt Steve Sweeney made Mar 6 at 2021 9:48 PM

MSgt Steve Sweeney — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 21:48:17 -0500

Take what you do very seriously. Don't take yourself too seriously.

Response by SGT Mark Stanford made Mar 6 at 2021 9:52 PM

SGT Mark Stanford — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 21:52:32 -0500

Sacrifice. I watched people lay down their lives so others could live to fight another day.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2021 11:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 23:11:51 -0500

Not sure how tall you are, but I'm 5'10" and weighed in at 139lbs the day I enlisted in the Army 20 years ago and put on 8 lbs of muscle the day I graduated. Not sure how much more stringent the USMC standards are for enlistment but good job.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Mar 7 at 2021 5:06 AM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 05:06:41 -0500

I learned how to live and be happy at the same time.

Response by Wayne Soares made Mar 7 at 2021 1:36 PM

Wayne Soares — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 13:36:37 -0500

Great question Vic

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Mar 7 at 2021 3:01 PM

SGT Herbert Bollum — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 15:01:39 -0500

Getting through basic training at 29, I learned that although I had not done any exercise for itself, I was not in as bad of shape as many of the 18 - 19 year olds I was with.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 7 at 2021 7:07 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 19:07:00 -0500

I was in my 30s before I got to 130lbs. I learned that I was somebody. I had skills that made me important. I had the ability to assume control and complete missions that depended on the skills of others

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Mar 7 at 2021 7:23 PM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 19:23:54 -0500

After serving in Vietnam just how damn precious life is,I never gave it much thought until the first time we were attacked, 18 soles lost 15 wounded, I think god every day for another day of life.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2021 8:47 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 20:47:52 -0500

Before I entered the military it took me a LONG time to figure out the little things don't matter. I use to stress over inconsequential things. My first job as a bank teller I was short $2 my first day at the end of day count. I was sweating bullets. OMG I'M GOING TO GET FIRED. I was overly honest with most things, and made efforts to convey to my mangers the totality of the analysis I was reporting so that everyone was on the same page. I didn't know at the time folks had personal agendas and that hardly was ever tied to the success of the company they are working for.

See I was hardly 20 back then and didn't know how the world worked. They weren't going to fire me and start completely over from scratch for an honest $2 mistake.

It took me into my early 30's to finally realize many things in life just don't matter. Now, I was late to the game in the Army at age 38, and nearly made those same naive assumptions early on in the USAR, but finally having learned that lesson probably helped me sneak by my commission as late in the game I was.

What I'm saying is I wished I learned that lesson in life in the military. This lesson is EVERYWHERE. It's part of basic training. It's the end of the world for the slightest thing, and the kids are crying and freaking out when there is no reason. I got that life lesson slowly over an extra 15 years verses a first enlistment. By the end of a first enlistment soldiers have figured out what needs to happen for actions they want executed in benefit of their personal interests and 99% of the time means skirting the regulations or "right way".

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EXAMPLE:
When I was in Basic we were given 3 blank 556 rounds to keep in our magazine and locked and loaded at all times. If we lost said blank it was the end of the world for the offending soldier and corresponding platoon got to feel the fun as well.

One of my peers lost a bullet. OH SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!! What do we do, we have to tell the Drills.

Um............ no........... no we don't have to tell anyone shit.

There is an entire area in the barracks meant for an additional platoon not being used. In said area is a duplicate supply of consumable equipment and supplies. This includes extra magazines of which many are loaded with extra blank 556 rounds. See where I'm going with this................

Yea, so I took the scared little teen basic training classmate of mine, walked on over to the extra platoon area during fireguard and simply swiped an extra 556 blank.

Easy Peasy, and the teenager got that life lesson 20 years sooner than myself.

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For a few years early in my officer path I retrograded back to my Dudly Do Right mentality, and was quickly reminded once again the reality of the world.

I took command of a full company with basically only 3 years as an officer. So I threw my entire energy at doing the right thing. When the maintenance system was updated non of the equipment history was converted.

Fast forward to our annual training briefing with the Brigade commander I had prepared my reporting to the reality of our motor pool. So I'm reporting numbers in the realm of 50% or worse. Then I look at the white board of my sister companies and seeing 98%, 95%, 99%, 97% WTF!!!!! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE??????????

Well, as I said, the equipment history did not transfer with the system upgrade. So everything started at 100%, and started rolling off as required maintenance came due.

So I'm standing there pissing my pants expecting to have my ass handed to me by the Full COL and my BC when I go to report my numbers, and during my brief they just totally blow past that part of my brief. I'm saying words and I'm figuratively seeing them in my mind covering their ears saying bla, bla, bla, we can't hear you LT, move on to the next slide.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW I GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!! The other companies aren't at near 100% equipment readiness. They are all simply reporting system generated numbers that are completely bogus numbers, and pleading plausible deniability. The COL's know this, can't do anything about it, and don't want an LT pulling back more layers than his own company.

I AM AN IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As long as the rank above you doesn't care, then it doesn't matter. One might wonder about the seriousness of the issue, but the reality is there isn't any money in place to actually execute the equipment readiness that is being required. It just keeps rolling up until it stops at Congress.

This sort of thing is EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know what I was thinking once I became an LT.

I guess rank only changes magnitude of the cans that are kicked down the road.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 8 at 2021 11:38 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 11:38:18 -0500

You are tougher and can do more than you think. You will care more than you think. You will understand that there are only a few things you really need to pay attention to. Do that and life is much simpler and more of your people come home alive.

Response by SGT George Duncan made Mar 8 at 2021 4:18 PM

SGT George Duncan — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 16:18:14 -0500

never volunteer

Response by MSgt Danny Derden made May 15 at 2021 8:41 PM

MSgt Danny Derden — Sat, 15 May 2021 20:41:48 -0400

MISSION MISSION MISSION...and to accomplish the mission the number one resource is GOOD TROOPS so ensuring the best possible training, equipping, and care of the troops is JOB ONE!

Response by SPC Edward T Harris made May 21 at 2021 7:48 AM

SPC Edward T Harris — Fri, 21 May 2021 07:48:28 -0400

It is very rare that I am late. Actually, I strive to be 10 minutes early. If given a situation I do my best to prioritize it in the order of importance. Once I take it on, it's a mission to complete it.
One of the top things is to be prepared for as much as the opposition can throw at you. Sometimes I am so prepared that not a single thing I prepared for is used. Love it.
Too many who haven't been through military training seem to be lost. As always there are a few.

Response by Sgt Neil Foster made May 24 at 2021 2:36 AM

Sgt Neil Foster — Mon, 24 May 2021 02:36:16 -0400

CYA

Response by 1SG Alan Boggs made May 24 at 2021 9:12 PM

1SG Alan Boggs — Mon, 24 May 2021 21:12:51 -0400

Tactical Patience. Whenever possible, allow events to evolve and mature before reacting.

Response by CPT C. Tee made May 25 at 2021 8:58 PM

CPT C. Tee — Tue, 25 May 2021 20:58:31 -0400

The most important life lesson that I got out my military time was that racism exists in the Military. White male officers are intimidated not only by their black male officers/peers - but by black female officers who are usually smarter, and good looking, and for me in addition a great athlete. They hated me because I was ALWAYS 2 steps ahead of them and loved by the General Officers in the upper echelon chain of command; and it showed to the point where the soldiers could see it with blindfolds on!!! Because of this I cut my career short (14 years). This became a valuable life lesson which prepared me for civilian life!

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Mar 7 at 2022 2:07 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 14:07:56 -0500

Pull your own weight and don’t bitch. If you don’t pull your weight your buddy has to pull it for you, your all in the same boat doing the same thing, shut up and suffer. You’ll be will be seen as just a guy who’s complaining, so don’t be that guy, no one wants to hear it.