What's the most important life lesson you learned in the military?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 23:35:41 -0400

What is the most important life lesson you learned while serving in the military? How did you learn it? How did it change your life?

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 29 at 2015 11:39 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 23:39:30 -0400

To be shot at is exhilarating
To get hit, sucks

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jun 29 at 2015 11:43 PM

LTC John Shaw — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 23:43:17 -0400

CH (MAJ) William Beaver Empathy for the person you are working with, you must see the world as they view it and figure out how to help them. This applies to everyone, but especially when working with foreign troops and third country nationals.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 11:46 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 23:46:55 -0400

In Vietnam, don't aim for the kid, shoot the grenade out of his hand, you can live with yourself knowing you weren't aiming at a child, but you were aiming at the grenade.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 12:22 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 00:22:11 -0400

Well said

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jun 30 at 2015 12:27 AM

CPT Chris Loomis — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 00:27:59 -0400

I have to agree with LTC Shaw...Empathy.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jun 30 at 2015 12:40 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 00:40:28 -0400

Treat everyone like it was the last time you were ever going to see them. Tomorrow is never certain.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Jun 30 at 2015 2:40 AM

PVT Robert Gresham — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 02:40:33 -0400

1. Eat, and Sleep, while you can, you never know the next time that you'll have time for chow or rack time. 2. Someone else always has it worse than you do. 3. Take care of your soldiers, and when the going gets tough, they will take care of you. I learned all these things in the "school of hard knocks", also known as the Infantry. It made me appreciate the time I have and never to waste it. I learned to value people for their strengths that they each have, as well as being thankful that although I am 100% disabled, I AM still alive.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 6:40 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 06:40:35 -0400

Even if not in a military capacity, I always thought that every American should spend at least some time in a 3rd world country.

Because of those experiences, I think military tend to value 'things', in general, a little more.

It is easy for many Americans to complain and gripe about things, but I do think they would tend NOT to if they truly understood the real-life/world conditions that other people have to live through.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 30 at 2015 6:43 AM

PO3 David Fries — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 06:43:04 -0400

I can't name one thing.

Treat everyone as a Brother.
Discipline

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Jun 30 at 2015 7:00 AM

CPT Richard Riley — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 07:00:28 -0400

Learn from your mistakes, build on your forward movement, and always go to sleep with one positive thing from the day to erase all the negative you've experienced.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 30 at 2015 9:23 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 09:23:34 -0400

1. Treat everybody with respect. I learned that simply enough through the salute process the junior service member salutes the senior and the senior returns a salute is a demonstration of mutual respect. I do my best to look people in the eye and return a crisp salute.
2. Learn as much, as quickly, and efficiently as you can and help others learn what you have learned.
3. Make training interesting.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jun 30 at 2015 9:24 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 09:24:41 -0400

Depending on my mood, either "no plan survives contact" or "Plan A failed? Good thing there are 25 more letters...."

A close second, "nobody cares more about your career (or life) than you do. Be your own career (or life) manager."

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 30 at 2015 10:16 AM

SFC Stephen King — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 10:16:00 -0400

I learned and teach it's ok to fail. Failure brings personal growth.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Jun 30 at 2015 10:29 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 10:29:12 -0400

To take charge of my own life

Response by SMSgt LaWanna Viers made Jun 30 at 2015 11:20 AM

SMSgt LaWanna Viers — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 11:20:41 -0400

Never leave your family uncultivated. It's important to always remember that your family needs to know how much you appreciate them as well as our great nation, because when you hang up your combat boots they are who you come home to! Show your family how much you love them, simply telling them is not enough. Develop patience and understanding for with these, you can build an empire of love.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jun 30 at 2015 11:42 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 11:42:14 -0400

The lesson I learned was to live life in a way that makes a positive and lasting change on others.

Often enough we see images of war thrown across our TVs on the daily news. Burnt up building, mothers crying over their son's body, children looking for food in the streets. Yet, it is sometimes hard to find images of things like mother united with her family after not seeing them for years. New homes being built where once was a waste land. Children playing and laughing in a safe new school. War itself is nasty. It's dirty, smelly and awful. However, those of us that walked in front of Hell's gate can and should work to remind people that life is meant to be one of positive change for others. Those us here on this site have skills and abilities that others within our civilian peer groups either do not have or cannot figure out how to harness in such a way to make it something positive. Our leadership, sense of duty, honor & country and our understanding gives us a rather interesting point of view of the world.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 11:51 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 11:51:18 -0400

Thankfulness
Respect
As stated a couple of times: Build up the home front before and after your deployment. It sucks for us to be away, but it really sucks for them. They're scared and they don't understand while we're gone!

Response by LTC Ed Ross made Jun 30 at 2015 4:51 PM

LTC Ed Ross — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 16:51:49 -0400

I discovered myself. http://ewross.com/A_Soldiers_Journey.htm

Response by SPC David S. made Jun 30 at 2015 4:56 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 16:56:54 -0400

Never become complacent - things, conditions, people, and yourself can always be tweaked for the better.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jun 30 at 2015 6:58 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 18:58:45 -0400

Never give up, and ask for help when needed.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Jun 30 at 2015 6:59 PM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 18:59:52 -0400

Keep going no matter the obstacles. Adapt and overcome.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 7:10 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 19:10:05 -0400

How to maintain security and your situational awareness. I think he could use some help with that.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 7:33 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 19:33:55 -0400

I am truly blessed to be an American. Our country has its fair share of problems, but we are free people, free to live our lives in relative safety the way we see fit.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 8:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 20:45:41 -0400

"Carry On" - moving on and not staying in the past. Take responsibility for your own actions - that's how you grow as a person. And Drink Water - hydration is the key, even when you're not thirsty.