In the Army…
Aug 9, 2017 · 3 min read
Being a student while simultaneously being in Army is no simple task…now I am not asking for sympathy, I agreed to it and I am proud of my decision. But one thing it is made me learn is that adversity promotes growth. Now this is not a new idea, but when you take a step back…you can see the glass half full.

- I get pulled of class a lot — it’s true I do. But what a blessing that can be because I then have to go to see professor’s in their offices all the time to inquire about the work I have to make up or to discuss the lectures I have missed. A lot of the time I can get extra insight because I am learning it one-on-one straight from the source. This has also allowed me to build some good professional relationships. I never understand why students never take advantage of professor’s office hours.
- I constantly miss social events because of training. Ah yes, the age old irony that whenever I don’t have drill nothing is going on, but the weekend I have drill I get invited to six parties, three raves, and a Bar Mitzvah. I literally had to give up sideline passes to a Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens game because of drill…let that sink in. However, this has taught me that you have to be a man of your word and you have to constantly have a good attitude…realize that NFL sideline passes are good, but you agreed to something much bigger.
- I wake up while you are still asleep. Yep and there’s always that person who works third shift who wants to talk crap…you get what I’m saying man. I have to get up at 03:30 in the morning during my weekends away and it can be rough. Need I say the benefits of waking early? What is the ole Benjamin Franklin proverb? “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” — Ben Franklin. The thing is…I am a morning person, I love waking up early because I feel like I have had such a jumpstart on the day.
- I can sometimes overanalyze emotional situations. Let me explain…I have never deployed but I have a few very close friends who have and they have spoken to me about the horrors of war. I have seen grown men reduced to tears as they face the reality of death and destruction. Because of this, a lot of the time when I am talking to friends I have a tendency to over assume the trauma someone is facing emotionally. Someone will be like “I just stubbed my toe” and I’ll be like “oh my gosh are you okay? Let’s talk about it…” and they’ll be like, “Lol I think I’m good.” (*Dramatic subject added*) The military really emphasizes being there for your buddy to talk through things. Maybe I get a little trigger happy in that regard…
Honestly I could go on for days. Just like everything we do in life, the military has it’s pluses and minuses, but it really is all about looking at the glass half full…
PS: And to those people who think I get free tuition…no…I don’t. Not even close.