how did the military change your life?

Question

i have heard many people say they've came out of the military with a different mind set. how did boot camp change the way you view things in life?

Answer 1

I spent seven years in the Marines (I left the military in 1985). Boot camp itself wasn't that big a deal. I had already left home and been on my own for a while, so boot camp wasn't a big shock or anything. It was mainly just a couple months of drilling and training.

The entire seven years in the military, however, changed me a lot. I had been shy and lonely as a teenager, and seven years in the military taught me how to be around people and gave me self-confidence. It helped me pull my head out of my butt and start interacting more with the world around me. I learned about other people, their values, how they set their priorities. I also learned not to sweat the small stuff so much. Another big learning experience was when I was promoted up to the point where I had to be in charge of troops myself. Being a small unit leader didn't come natural to me, and there was a long learning curve for me. I learned a lot of valuable people skills and leadership skills.

There were other benefits too, like traveling around the world, etc. But the things I listed above were the biggest changes in me personally and my outlook on life.

Answer 2

Four years in the Navy, and 17 countries, made me one jaded idiot. It took years before I cared about anyone, or anything.

Answer 3

I was only in for 10 months before I got kicked out (I was stupid when I was 18, for getting kicked out), and even now, 7 years later, it still influences me. There you have your meals taken care of, room taken care of, and someone telling you to do all the time. Then you go home and you have to do everything yourself, it's horrible. ;)