Veterans

I enlisted in what they called the "Split-Op" program. You go to basic training the summer between your junior and senior year of high school, attend Army Reserve of National Guard drills for a year, then go to AIT after your graduate high school. In my case, I was awarded an Army ROTC scholarship my senior year so I ended up going that route, but at least I spend a little time enlisted.

I'm not just saying this because I'm a badass or trying to make myself sound tough, but I was disapointed by how easy basic training was. However, I fit right in. I was quiet, did exactly what I was told, I could PT with the best of them, and I had no problems with shooting. In hindsight, I wish I could go back to basic training with the knowledge I have now. I would have a hell of a fun time!

I can't make this up, but the Company Commander of my basic training company was named CPT Gilligan - and he actually failed his PT test when we were there! Years later I learned that for Officers at least, if you get a command in a training unit, you get one usually because you aren't that great of an officer. It is a career ender of sorts.

However, I will say that I was proud of myself after I completed basic training. The same holds true of when I completed nearly every other military training school I attended (the exception being maybe a stupid safety officer course or unit movement officer course I had to take).

I know I said this before, but I'll say it again. I loved nearly everything about the Army. The only part I didn't enjoy was the time I spent in Iraq. However, all of these experiences made me the man I am today. Military service or any sort of public service like AmeriCorps and the such is something I wish everyone would do. Discipline is part of it, but you also learn a lot of humility and how to treat everyone with respect and dignity. You interact with people from different walks of life and you learn to value everybody.