“They used to have gap years, it was called ‘joining the military.’”
Yep, pre college or post college, a tour of active duty in the military for most of us was a good thing and a real eye opener.
Agreed. It was one of the most valuable experiences I have had in my life, and at the time, it was critical.
It wasn't that I wasn't responsible or dedicated, but being a young man in the military taught me a lot of things that have served me well the rest of my life since then.
How to be neat. How to be on time. How to observe a chain of command. How to accept and deal with responsibility. How to live on my own without any family or friends around, and so on.
I owe my country something I will never be able to fully repay.