What's the most helpful thing you've learned since returning from service? What do you wish you learned sooner?

2017-05-15T21:12:14-04:00

Finding employment? Managing a condition? Getting treatment? Share what you've learned.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 15 at 2017 10:06 PM

2017-05-15T22:06:48-04:00

I wish I could have stayed in the Army. The civilian world ain't what it's cracked up to be. I well remember the troops dreaming wistfully of life once they returned to "the real world". In those days Phillips Petroleum was an icon of American corporate culture and one of the networks aired a special "White Paper" to extol their virtues. I made viewing it a mandatory event. The men were astounded at how much like the Army Phillips ran their corporation (maybe more so). The white collar workers all wore the same uniform (suits, shirts and ties of acceptable cut and color). Wives were expected to join the appropriate cultural clubs and associations to further their husbands careers. (Yes, this was prior to the feminist movement) Those with regional accents had to learn to speak standard American English and idiom (no parallel in the Army for that one). You can well imagine their reaction. Many other corporations had similar cultures (especially IBM). No, the "real world" really ain't what it's cracked up to be...

Response by 1LT Vance Titus made May 16 at 2017 2:00 PM

2017-05-16T14:00:59-04:00

Patience.

Response by PO2 Stephen McKean made May 16 at 2017 9:32 PM

2017-05-16T21:32:43-04:00

That the GI Bill dangle carrot was a fat lie.