Veterans: Was boot camp tough and did the service make you a better person?

Answer 1

Boot Camp 1978....... Tough for some, I breezed through it...
Then again I went in Varsity 3-time lettered
Drill SGT was still allowed to 'touch you'....

US Army Infantry (now retired as of 2002)
Yes... made me a much better person.
I know my limitations and how far I can take them.
Physically, mentally, maybe even spiritually in some regards.
But what I left with the service is a profound sense of concern for the people around me. I also left the Army with a "Git-R-Dun" attitude that I think more people need to follow.

Answer 2

Boot camp wasnt physically tough, but mentally challenging. I've been serving now 5 years and I have grown more as a person because of my service then I believe I would have otherwise.
My real personal growth came during my combat time.

Answer 3

well

i went in to the Air Force in 1982. My boot Camp was stressful, but not physically demanding. It was very psychologically demanding, as it weeded out the people very quickly that couldn't adapt to a military environment.

Of the original group of 50 in the group, 4 went out the door in the first 4 weeks of the eight weeks they had us. 2 more were let go during the first 2 months after boot camp: 10 were let go after 1 year due to failure to adapt to a military life style. of my original group, only 2 made it to 20 years and a retirement.

2 out of 50. it would have been one if my commander had chose the court martial instead of the article 15.

I am so grateful that he did.

You ask if i think the military made me a better person. i think it did. But i got to tell you, it got more than it gave. being of service is always that way. But i think that if i had a choice, knowing what i know now, if i would do it again...

I would do it all over again. very willingly.

Answer 4

I went through in Fort Leonard Wood in 2000. It was very hard for me. We started with 250 people and graduated with 210. The other 40 we either kicked out for whatever reason, usually attempted suicide... or threatening to do it, and the rest we rolled back to other companies for doing something stupid like starting fights or using racial slurs, or failing a PT test of the rifle range.

The military made me a better person, I have no doubts about that. I learned what hard work is like, in Iraq my platoon spent a month filling 18,000 sandbags in the middle of the summer... the military builds character, thats something that's been said for a long time and I think it's definitely true.

Answer 5

It was both physically and mentally challenging. it is mostly mental because they want to break you down like a shotgun and make you crack so you will do what you are told without question or hesitation. I loved the training I received in the Army. I went to Fort Sill, OK. I was in before they started letting women in the military so the verbal and physical punishment was greater than it would be now. I had allot of fun in basic and the bonds you build with your platoon are stronger than any friendship. You learn to trust others and learn what you are capable of and you will be pushed to your uttermost limits. I do believe that my time in service has made me a better person it instills morals and values that everyone needs. and I have a much greater profound respect for our troops and a newer stronger love for our country. I was medically discharged.

Answer 6

Boot camp was camp, I was in the Air Force. It was like really stressful camp with exercise. lol. The service helped me grow up I think...I came from a small town and was suddenly around people from literally everywhere in the world and I had something in common with all of them. I really loved it and it's something that will always stay with me. Unfortunately, my 18 yro boot camp body didn't stick around long at all. lol

Answer 7

Boot camp was a joke because I was in the Air Force. But there is not doubt in my mind it made me a better person and made my grow up a lot! My maturity level quadrupled overnight, my self esteem went through the roof and my patriotism became unwavering. I owe everything I have to my military training as a crypto tech.

Answer 8

Boot Camp was tough and challenging both physically and mentally and it absolutely will make you a better person.

Answer 9

Boot camp was tough and yes the service did make me a better person.

Like Clint Eastwood said, "A man's got to know his limitations."

The military is a good place for one to find their limitations, and in most cases overcome them.

I would do it all over again, boot camp included.

Answer 10

I think it all depends on the person. You have people on here that have answered it all ways.

I loved it. I cried when it was hard. I laughed when it was fun and the CS chamber wasn't bad if you could control yourself and not panic. The hardest part was PT, I started out at like a 13 minute mile and ended at like a 8 min. mile. So I nearly maxed out in PT. My reciuter used to tell people that if you doubt you can make then to look at me. They all doubted me, they said I wouldn't last.

But if you look at hubby basic he would say IT'LL KICK YOUR A$$. But he made it with flying colors. He is a true breed infantry soldier. Nothing gets him down, and nothing beats him. He watched guys quit left and right.

Has it made us better people, YES. Without a doubt. We have learned lessons that most will never learn. We experienced stuff that most will never. It has made our patriotism for OUR COUNTRY so much stronger. We are proud of our time in service, and our fellow brothers and sisters in arms. Not a day pass that we don't think of others.

If you are considering joining the Army then go for it. Take a three year tour and you will have the time of your life. If you get to choose a duty location go for FT CAMPBELL, KY home to the greatest fighting force in the world 101st screaming eagles. To include RAKKASANS the famed fighters and most decorated combat unit in the military (gloating for hubby ****HERO***** if you couldn't tell) and of course AIR ASSUALT school and one of tthe last chinook units in the US ARMY.