It was the only reason I joined (reserves) too. Finished college and got a good paying job in one contract and never “re-upped.” It saved me from a life of factory work. I’m the only one of my workmates that doesn’t have college debt.

I sometimes wish I had joined.

I never had any discipline in my life. Literally none.

My grandmother killed herself when my mom was 4, so she wasn’t raised. She was tossed around from place to place until she was 16 and had me.

I dropped out of high school at 14 and did odd jobs to help my mom.

I had no social skills, no concept of workplace competition, and I pretty much had no options in Appalachia.

I spent 80% of my childhood alone in my room avoiding people and playing guitar when I wasn’t out trying to get resources to feed my family.

My brother joined, became an aviation technician, got the discipline he needed, and he’s doing well.

Ultimately I’m very happy with my life as it is, but I really really needed discipline.

I get why people do it, especially when they come from nothing.