Did you have a career before the military? Did it help or hinder your military career?

Before the army, my primary career was as a corrections officer, with the last three years being a drill instructor at a boot camp for first time offenders in the 90s when that was en vogue. Being a drill instructor prepared me for the mind games that the Drill Sergeants would play during basic training. It helped because I knew what to expect when various things would happen within my platoon.

Before I joined the Army, I was a Mortician & I worked part time at Starbucks as an assistant store manager (and like a million jobs before those). The way I think that it has helped my career is that I have a point of comparison. So many Soldiers of many ranks have never worked a day in their lives before they enlist or commission. I have seen a lot of good people get out because they want more freedom of choice. Well, freedom of choice is great, BUT, when it comes to civilian employers, civilian benefits...most jobs and many careers don't compare, not by a long shot. We have it good in the military, and I think being able to see and appreciate that, helps me see past some of the stupid things we do, to consitently visualize the picture at large.

I was raised in a family where I was the only male. After graduating high school my family gave me 2 options. Go to school or get a job and pay us rent. Well after 10 years of living under the roof with a bunch of woman that sounded like squawking Macaws. staying there did not appeal to me. I tried applying for jobs in the building trades but had no luck, 2 year wait list. So I took on what ever jobs I could through a temp service. Everything from assembly line to cemetery grounds keeper to custodian. As far as school was, I had no way to finance school. So I choose a 3rd option...the Army. There I thought..."FINALLY! I'm free from all those squawking woman!" I get to Basic Training and who do I get as a DS? I got the meanest most pissed off female DS that looked like a female Hulk. I felt like I was back at home. she asked more like yelled "WHY DON'T I SCARE YOU PRIVATE?! Ever person here is shaking in their boots...but not you. Why is that private?" Me "If you met my family Drill Sergeant you would know it's because you make feel right at home Drill Sergeant!" I was on almost every KP duty they had after that and had the upper body strength of a gorilla and legs hard as a rock by the end of basic.