MY LIFE AS A SOLDIER

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Submitted Date 10/18/2018
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My life in the military was a mountain range- ups and downs that drove me insane until I learned something vital. Nothing is ever going to go as planned. Nothing is ever organized. And always, always keep copies of every piece of paper the military gives you.

My army career started out a little rougher than I expected- I was prepared for everything but the constant need to stay awake for over 48 hours within my week at the reception battalion. Reception is the place that the army filters all of it's soldiers out- gives out uniforms, another full physical, alterations to physical appearance according to regulation and the dreaded shots. I can guarentee you that despite my best effort I looked awful in my ID picture. Something akin to what I imagine I would look like if I were going through a drug detox after a long period of being on meth. I over hydrated in Reception, resulting in the constant need to use the bathroom every 30 minutes which drove my superiors absolutly batty.  By the time immunizations against every type of infection rolled around, I'm pretty sure my blood was mostly made up of pure water. That came out when in the middle of the assembly line of shots- my arm just decided to roll out blood until it was dripping down my fingers. It was an odd experience. 

I started the army at 101 pounds soaking wet. I couldn't do a single push up and I could not run for the life of me. It was literally hell when it came to doing physical training. I left basic at a solid 128. Most was muscle, but some was some necessary fats I needed as a result of being forced to consume about 2000 calories per meal. Basic was a whirlwind. I almost quit the night that our first sergeant decided it was time to ruck 20 miles with 60 pound rucks in the absolute pitch black of night. I must have fell into the tiny crevices on our path at least 10 times that night. I probably would have broken my ankle if it wasn't for the ridiculously stiff boots I was issued. 

I had fallen a lot in basic training and that showed by the time I hit my next duty station. My hips were developing callouses on the bone, and my joints were swelling. The cartiledge in my knees was rapidly degenerating. It was... rough trying to adjust and continue forward. 

But I pushed through until I couldn't anymore one day. I collapsed near the end of a run and wouldn't be able to walk without crutches supporting me for another four months, and a double hip surgery. Even now the pain gets to be too much sometimes. I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. I met people who are better friends than anyone I ever met. No matter what happens in life I know that if I ask someone to do anything- come over and party, help me out of a rough situation or watch my kids - someone would answer my call for help. I have friends across the world from Germany to Korea and in every possible state. I am surrounded by love and friendship for the rest of my life and I could never be more grateful than I am right now.

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