The Life Lessons I Learned While Serving in the US Army
Serving in the US Army was an experience that forever changed me. It taught me valuable life lessons, both good and bad. I was an undisciplined kid when I enlisted, and the army transformed me into someone better. However, the military also left me broken in some ways, resulting in PTSD, depression, and anxiety that have plagued me throughout my life as a veteran. Despite its challenges, I am proud of my service, and I want to share the valuable lessons I learned during my time in the US Army.
Discipline and Resilience: The US Army taught me discipline. This trait has helped me in my personal and professional life. It has taught me to be focused, determined, and to never give up, even in the face of adversity. In the army, we were always pushed to the limits physically and mentally. Still, it taught me to overcome challenges and push myself beyond my limits. I am who I am today because of the resilience I learned throughout my time in the army.
Leadership and Responsibility: Serving in the US Army taught me about leadership and taking responsibility for my actions. In basic training, I was taught that being a leader means taking care of your fellow soldiers, leading by example, and making tough decisions. As a soldier, we were accountable for our actions and our unit's performance. The military structure was designed to teach us how to function as an effective team and rely on each other. That teamwork is what makes the military so effective. Learning how to work as a team is crucial.
Service and Sacrifice: One of the most valuable lessons I learned in the military is the importance of service and sacrifice. We were trained to serve our country selflessly, putting the mission ahead of our personal needs. A sense of duty and service was ingrained in me, which I continue to hold to this day.
My first year outside of the service left me longing for a purpose. I remember seeing a firetruck drive by and was envious of their mission. I watched as the firefighters sped to someone in need and longed to help someone in need. Outside of the military, I felt lost without a mission.
The army also taught me about sacrifice and the importance of being willing to give up personal comfort for the sake of the greater good. This is why teamwork is so valuable in the service. We learn to be selfless. The person in the foxhole beside you doesn't want or need a selfish person.
The Consequence of War: Serving in the US Army opened my eyes to the harsh reality of war. It taught me that violence does not solve problems; it only leads to loss of life, destruction, and trauma. Having witnessed the effects of war firsthand, I firmly believe that peaceful resolution should be the preferred approach to resolving conflicts.
In this modern day, we need to stop sending people to kill other people. Violence is a privative solution to our world problems. We have settled on a broken solution. Guns and killing are not the answer. If we are going to have the most advanced fighting force, they should be able to neutralize an enemy without killing them. This would reduce the pain and trauma veterans face every day. Killing, after all, is a sin and should not be justified.
Conclusion: Serving in the US Army was an experience that taught me valuable life lessons. It transformed me into a better person but also broke me in other ways, which I constantly seek to repair. I learned about discipline, resilience, leadership, responsibility, service, and sacrifice. I also learned about the harsh realities of war and the importance of seeking peaceful resolutions to conflicts. As a society, we must stop sending people to kill other people. Guns and killing are not the answer. If we are going to have the most advanced fighting force, they should be able to neutralize an enemy without killing them. It's time to rethink war, seek peaceful resolutions, and create a better future for all.