Serving in the military was fantastic, and there were so many things that I’m proud of. The first thing, completing basic training and military police school. I’m a small person, so that was an accomplishment. I forged incredible bonds with other soldiers, even for non-combat soldiers. We had a shared experience during training. The drill sergeants provided simulated near-death experiences, or at least the perception that we would die. We were pushed to the very edge of our limits. For example, there was the gas mask training. They made us take our gas mask off in a room, break the seal, remove it. Those are pretty scary things, but you survive and success and survival are linked to the soldier next to you. This is service to others and key to lifelong friendships. The military instilled a sense of duty and discipline as we solve problems. This is military effectiveness under any condition.

The second thing that I am proud of is I earned an expert’s badge with the M 16 during weapons qualification. And I guess the last thing I want to say is making your bed and shining your shoes every day. There’s some admiral who wrote a book about making your bed. This is what success looks like. First thing in the morning, you start small and you build throughout the day. Before the army, I can’t remember if or how I made my bed. It was a chore. Nobody wants to do it. The Army trained soldiers to make a tight bunk bed with hospital corners so a quarter could bounce off the bed. Even when I go camping today, I have to make that bed now is part of my DNA. Thank you army.

Serving in the military was fantastic, and there were so many things that I’m proud of. The first thing, completing basic training and military police school. I’m a small person, so that was an accomplishment. I forged incredible bonds with other soldiers, even for non-combat soldiers. We had a shared experience during training. The drill sergeants provided simulated near-death experiences, or at least the perception that we would die. We were pushed to the very edge of our limits. For example, there was the gas mask training. They made us take our gas mask off in a room, break the seal, remove it. Those are pretty scary things, but you survive and success and survival are linked to the soldier next to you. This is service to others and key to lifelong friendships. The military instilled a sense of duty and discipline as we solve problems. This is military effectiveness under any condition.

The second thing that I am proud of is I earned an expert’s badge with the M 16 during weapons qualification. And I guess the last thing I want to say is making your bed and shining your shoes every day. There’s some admiral who wrote a book about making your bed. This is what success looks like. First thing in the morning, you start small and you build throughout the day. Before the army, I can’t remember if or how I made my bed. It was a chore. Nobody wants to do it. The Army trained soldiers to make a tight bunk bed with hospital corners so a quarter could bounce off the bed. Even when I go camping today, I have to make that bed now is part of my DNA. Thank you army.