What personal qualities does the service teach you?

Question

As in self-respect...and how does it make you a better person overall?

Answer 1

The miliatry teaches you discipline, humility, honor. It teaches you how to be strong emotionally and physically. It teaches you brotherhood. Responsibility. Accountability.

I don't think I need to explain how these traits make you a better person overall, they speak for themselves. No one looks up to a selfish, irresponsible, wear, un-disicplined person.

Answer 2

After I got out, I learned that the civilian world has so many other opportunites that the military gives you all at once, so you learn to be somewhat appreciative of the services they offer. You grow stronger over the military stint because you learn that being away from your family is actually much harder than one may have though, so as time passes you learn to become independent while at the same time knowing you have a family who loves you. You learn certain qualities about yourself when you are on your own and make new friends in a place you never have been before in other countries and that tends to turn into your own particular strength about who you are. You change throughout, and that's what the military does, besides war.

Answer 3

That depends upon your experience. If you serve during peace it is different than during war. It is also different if you see many killed or if you know you were nearly killed. There are some who come back a shell of a person. They only physically survived. There are others who come back strong and confident. There are many variables.
If you choose to serve, it should be because you want to serve your country, God, and family. If you serve for yourself you might be disappointed. Service calls for self-sacrifice. If you gain that is great, but expect self-sacrifice. You might give nothing more than time. You might give your life. BUT you will sacrifice something to serve. That is what you will learn. Hopefully you won't sacrifice your sanity.
Today most have a positive experience in the military. There are exceptions. But most have a positive experience. Some will not trade it for anything AND won't go back for anything.

Answer 4

The number one thing I learned in the military was discipline. But it also teaches you honor and respect for authority. I've been out for 4 years now and I still carry all of those things with me.

Answer 5

Interesting question...

It is quite possible to go into military service a jerk, and emerge a jerk. Having learned nothing.

It is also possible to earn self-respect, learn and value discipline, learning, teamwork, etc.

I don't think anything can take a piece of human waste and buff it into a sterling member of society. But a reasonable hunk of humanity can be hammered into a good person, self-reliant, happy, growing, and 'good'.

It happened to me. And to be perfectly frank, I had a lot of fun.

Answer 6

Discipline

Answer 7

confidence, self-worth, accountability......lol thats just what they say they teach you. with my husband i see that he has pride, respect for himself and others, confidence, stubborness, and confidence again. i've seen the military take people who would have probably wound up in jail and made them a productive citizen. the military has taken former drug addicts and given them a future. plus when you are in the military you make friends that you'll be friends with for the rest of your life.

Answer 8

Confidence
Selflessness
and doing things for the Greater Good

Answer 9

It tought me to never trust anyone to do your work, that most people are incompitent, and that american soldiers are generally uneducated.
The service has in fact made me a more cynical person overall. I don't trust anything people say (I have to see it in writing).

Answer 10

Self-discipline.
Maturity
Self-confidence
A sense of real and identifiable achievement
The ability to work with others.
Personal growth.