Militarily Speaking in Military Terms
25 almost 26 years ago I set out to be something that was more than just me. I was still in High School, but I always knew that God had a calling for me. In which ways, at the time, I had no clue. Not that I have a clue now, but I’m slowly seeing my worth for the overall! I knew at 16 I was going to join the military, just not the branch I expected… By the time I was a Senior in high school (Class of 2000), my best friend and I, had already joined the Navy and we were already trying to speak in military terms as most recruits do!
God had other plans for me, but I was not far off. The Navy decided to go another way, seeing as how I had a SEAL Challenge Contract, there was more medical scrutiny that had to happen with this. Well, the doctors at MEPS said no. That my elbow screw, a football injury, would not allow me to make it through BUDS. I had to go another route. That route, honestly, scared the hell out of me because there was no beaten path to follow down.
The Road Less Traveled Was Overgrown
Needless to say, I was… … heartbroken, perhaps not the best word. Depressed for certain. I didn’t have money for college – loans did not attract me. I was working at Radio Shack, of all places. I was estranged from my family, living with one of my best friends, and my car seized because I CHANGED the oil… To say that civilian life was treating me like a red-headed step-child would be an understatement.
I had been borrowing my mother’s Escort for a couple weeks. Just to get back and forth from work and to the apartment.
“Look left!” Sometimes, the radio was spot on, and in this case I turned my head in time to see the recruiting station that just months prior had turned me away. I immediately, and unsafely, turned into the parking lot and almost running, still with my Radio Shack pin on, ran into the Army’s office and said, “I need in… I can’t do this life here…” I’d watched my two best friends and three of my other friends join the military and it was my turn. Two weeks later – I was poppin’ tall and looking at the racks.
Military Service and Indentured Servitude to the United States Army
“AIRBORNE!” – “ALL THE WAY!!” The battle cry of the Airborne Soldier… Airborne training was a step above basic. Basic was not easy, especially, when starting to question your theological and moral compasses. Being 18 in basic training was an eye opener. Once I was able to regain my moral superiority through newfound knowledge and understanding of military issues, it was way easier. “Kill kill kill, with cold blue steel, Drill Sergeant!” The mindset begins to change and humor is definitely defined and drag through the mud, poop, and pee. By the time of Airborne school everyone I knew would laugh at the pain of someone else.
The military mindset is way more unique than any mindset that you will see out there that is lawful. The idea behind the verbiage and the sophomoric humor is to be able to keep moving on. Keep trucking even if you just saw your best friend die next to you. There is no intermediary. It is just you and your thoughts. It is shaped in the crucibles of basic Infantry training, then that shaped mind while soft and broken in is reformed and replaced with other mindsets meant to help you as a soldier in order to do your job and save the person to the left and right of you. Their jobs are to save you if need be.
Working is Hard, Not in the Military
Being servant minded is almost an absolute for those that are in the military. The oath that we take as Enlisted personnel never expire, for most of us.
“I, [state your name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
This oath that we took is saying that we will fight till the death if we must and continue fighting till we cannot. The job was easy. The mission was hard, but the job was easy. Giving way to the military and being where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be there, at the time that you are supposed to be is easy. Obeying sometimes is hard, but it’s not that difficult if you have to.
Going to a civilian job, not knowing expectations and having to curb talk. That was hard, is hard, and often still I apologize for being direct and crass. However; I think most people get it. It’s like that old adage, “Take the man out of the Army, but can never take the Army out of the man.”
Old Dogs and All That – Military Mindset Doesn’t Change
I was in the United States Army for 12 years. My service is something that is often conflicted within myself, because I see what happens to a lot of soldiers after they get out. **Spoiler Alert ** oftentimes it is not good. Civilian employers don’t understand- they don’t understand that you have no filter (in the beginning) and that small talk is for the birds. That affects a Vereran’s brain in a way that most cannot comprehend and then the Veteran does unspeakable things. Selfish things. Or just end up in trouble.
Before I met my wife, and at the end of my Iraq Deployment there was nothing left upstairs. My gumption, my motivation, my everything. The only thing that I had was a desire to drink. And be with the rest of my military brothers. Thank God I had Timmie , or my world would have fallen apart in country.
Then there was my wife, who saw the breakdowns when it started to become bad.
The Military Mindset Stays
I fought the PTSD, I’m still winning, overall. However; when it all comes down to the civilian thought process – it’s this, and it’s that, but there’s always that tingle of hate for the mediocre mentality and sometimes a lack of being able to know what happens next.
Now I use my mindset to help myself, build camaraderie campaigns with almost everyone I meet. I want people to know that they are not alone; regardless of your service. My wife has been recruited into things that are waaaayyy outside of her comfort zone and it’s because she understands and is sympathetic and she loves me! I know I’m still confused on that part too!
What’s Next?
I have way more to say on the military mindset and part two is not going to be pretty. I have plenty of negative things to say on the topic too. But stay tuned and I will for certain keep you all apprised.
I uploaded all of our Common Veteran podcast up here – so give it a listen!
Until next time:
PEACE
Kenny graduated from Indiana University South Bend in 2012 with a Bachelors in General Studies with three major concentrations: English, Political Science, and Electronic Media. Kenny has an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice.
Kenny spent twelve years in the United States Army, Active and National Guard. He was an Infantryman, Airborne qualified and a combat life saver (a medical class). He spent some time overseas in Baghdad, Iraq. Came home and quickly got back to doing what he loves.
Kenny loves to help people. All he wants to do is help people with whatever they need help with; especially Veterans. He is the CEO of FreedomSystem.org a Veteran non-profit organization. Where he donates a lot of his time; the rest of his time he works as an independent graphic artist, designer, and writer.
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