How did your painful moment in childhood define your character today?

2014-04-02T14:33:36-04:00

I would stand up for those that were getting bullied at school. This quality has impacted my life.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2014 2:44 PM

2014-04-02T14:44:15-04:00

I'm not sure if this counts, but this is what immediately came to mind.

When I was a young teenager and first starting expressing an interest in the military, my parents flipped out a little bit. My mom quickly found the Marine Military Academy and sent me to one of its summer programs to "dissuade" me from enlisting.

At that point in my life it was the most grueling thing I'd ever gone through. Before it I'd never had to worry about scarfing down as much food as I could, regardless of taste, simply for the calories. To come clean a bit, I had a relatively sheltered upbringing, but that summer changed all of that. The academy gave me a much greater appreciation for the harder aspects of life, and my moms plan to steer me away from the military completely backfired.

I have great love for the Marines, and would have enlisted with them if they didn't get all their medics from the Navy. I get horribly sea sick and thought a naval enlistment would probably be a bad idea, but I've since learned I would likely have been alright. I have no regrets with my Army enlistment, and I can thank my mom and my summer at MMA for putting me on the path to become the man I am today.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Apr 2 at 2014 3:17 PM

2014-04-02T15:17:42-04:00

It turned me into an unsocial person

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2014 4:07 PM

2014-04-02T16:07:47-04:00

I suppress it with alcohol, beer, video games, and lose women.

Response by SSG Oliver Mathews made Apr 3 at 2014 11:26 PM

2014-04-03T23:26:46-04:00

Ma'am, <br>The events that i encountered/endured while growing up caused me to be socially stunted. Meaning when i joined the army i had to learn how to make friends and be part of a group. <br>

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Apr 3 at 2014 11:29 PM

2014-04-03T23:29:10-04:00

Wow Captain, <div>Tough question to ask a bunch of "Warriors" who are very reluctant to ever show any signs of weakness.  Childhood Trauma or painful moments and you want then to talk about that in an open forum?  Might Happen.</div><div><br></div><div>My childhood taught me to not stop trying. To never give up no matter how little your parents really seemed to support you. If you set your sights on something you CAN achieve it, no matter how hard it seems to be, by doing it one step or one day at a time.  Eventually you will achieve your goal.</div><div><br></div><div>I always knew I could get a degree if I applied myself.  It took 38 years from High School Graduation to my College Degree, but I made it.  More importantly, I used my degree after I Earned It!</div>

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 4 at 2014 8:45 PM

2014-04-04T20:45:11-04:00

Probably wasn't any worse or better than anyone else's but I've blanked out a lot because personally it sucked growing into my own skin. I was a very shy introvert and basically still am. Fortunately getting thrown into a situation with 60 other guys and learning that we are all basically the same changed something in me drastically. Flashback Time: Boot Camp, Sunday after Mass, CC makes us sit between the racks and write a letter home. Doesn't take long before you heart starts poring out and the tears start flowing, next thought through your head, I hope to God no one sees me. You dare to look up and you see 60 other guys crying. Yeah so much for any pretence of being Mr Cools. When we arrived we were confused scared before we left we marched into a mass conflaguration fire with complete faith in each other.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2014 2:25 AM

2014-04-05T02:25:43-04:00

I never had much growing up, but as the middle of five kids, I saw how my father always worked hard. Living in the projects, my dad held us to high standards. He was never without a job, even if it meant driving jitney (sgt keen will understand this). As a result, I have never been without a job ever since I started working as a teenager. I always work hard and give my all. Though he was a cop, I also entered into civil service, first as a firefighter, now as a Soldier. My work ethic was shaped by the struggle. Though I was sheltered and shy, I have found my voice and am now growing into my own skin. It makes me happy that he is proud of me. I was "bullied" as a child, because we were different (especially after moving down south), but I learned how to stand up for myself.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2014 2:56 AM

2014-04-05T02:56:52-04:00

Devastating! In fact tonight something very sad happened. This just piles on top of me from what happened as a kid. It warps your sense of self and undermines self-esteem. People's actions can be pernicious precipitating behavior that is hard to understand. I resolve myself to all of this because it is what at is.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Apr 5 at 2014 12:11 PM

2014-04-05T12:11:23-04:00

When my parents got divorced at a very young age - that set me on a course to do just the opposite.  I recently celebrated 20 years with my wife as a testimony to the impact that had on me!  Looking forward to the next 20, too!

Response by SGT Robert Riley made Apr 5 at 2014 4:15 PM

2014-04-05T16:15:54-04:00

When my parents got divorced and at age 6, I was placed on a PAN-AM flight and sent overseas to ride out the storm. Being the only American besides two Brits in the school and not seeing your parents till I was 8. That helped defined who I am today. Being able to handle extremely stressful situations, operate in foreign countries and have fun, not being bothered by long deployments because of that childhood episode and learning to trust God and my instincts.

Response by SSgt Kevin Langston made Apr 5 at 2014 7:16 PM

2014-04-05T19:16:28-04:00

I was the skinny kid that had no fear and never waited for the first punch to be thrown. Still know as the one that would do just about anything on a dare. Thank God I am not in prison. I will walk through any man, if I can do it to them first and question it later. No...I do not live a prison life...I live the life of a man with respect, honor and integrity. Faced with opposition, if I fear another placing me in harm or my family, you best do it when I am asleep. And I sleep light!

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Apr 7 at 2014 10:48 AM

2014-04-07T10:48:18-04:00

Ma'am,

I learned more of what not to do, than what TO do. But that is what I learned and I am thankful God taught me that lesson so early - sometimes, I think there are some who have not learned it yet! There is a lesson in every experience.

It's so important to understand that we are here for a purpose! If we are ever going to understand that, we must look at what what gifts He has given us and the lessons He teaches us and use that to serve and help others.

With that said, I learned through the many experiences I have had to either reflect positively on them, or learn to not repeat those which cause pain. And most importantly I think we all need to share that knowledge with others and hope others will see Him through our good works.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2014 3:11 PM

2014-08-02T15:11:42-04:00

I lived in a domestic violence home. Now I want to help folks!

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Nov 2 at 2014 9:42 AM

2014-11-02T09:42:46-05:00

I have a lot of painful moments from childhood, including some that are too personal to ever talk about to strangers. Or even family members that don't know.

I'm a fair-skinned ginger with a funny accent. Until I hit the age of 16, I was a skinny, slight kid who was usually last picked for dodgeball, kickball, etc. The kids with braces and drooling problems got picked before I did, that's how bad it was. IN FACT, sometimes I wouldn't get picked at all and I'd have to say "Hey what team am I on?" and someone would finally go "...oh. Uh... that guy's team." Yeah! Spectators got picked to spectate before I got stuck on a team. That's how awkward I was. heh

My saving grace was that I (thought I) was funny and I could play guitar, which got me into a metal band, which... well, girls and bands, nuff said. When I finally hit my stride, I got into American football and wrestling and my days as an awkward geeky kid getting picked on were over.

Those events caused me to stand up for other kids, people, and soldiers that were getting bullied. More often than not, standing up for someone is as simple as a well-timed joke that pokes fun at the bully. Sometimes it takes a little more, and having had to go the extra mile just to fit in, that's not an issue for me.