“You have 30 seconds to get off this damn bus!” That was the moment when everything got real. Day one of basic training, and I knew I was in a whole new world. Only about 1% of people serve in the military, and I’m lucky enough to say I’m one of them. My military career? Man, it was like most things in my life — LIT. It was an experience like no other, filled with lessons, challenges, and unforgettable memories.
Veterans Day is here, and if you’re a vet, you know what that means: time to line up for some free food! It’s the one day a year when you can hit five different restaurants and cash in on all the “Thank you for your service” meals. You don’t even have to make a reservation — just show up, flash that military ID, and watch the gratitude (and free appetizers) roll in. I joke, but for real, this day means a lot. It’s a chance to reflect on my decade in the Air Force and everything that time has given me — skills, friendships, opportunities, and some life lessons I’ll carry with me forever.
The Core Values That Last a Lifetime
One thing the military engraves in you from day one is its core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. They’re not just words on a wall; they’re woven into everything. Integrity First is about doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching. Service Before Self? It means the mission comes before your comfort, your free time, and sometimes your plans. Excellence in All We Do? That’s a standard that follows you everywhere, long after you hang up the uniform.
These values become second nature, and they’re the kind of mindset you take with you everywhere — on the job, at home, in relationships. The Air Force core values have shaped me into someone who isn’t afraid to go the extra mile, who understands the weight of responsibility, and who believes in always showing up with your best.
Leadership
The military teaches you leadership in ways you’d never experience in the civilian world. By 22, I was in charge of millions of dollars’ worth of equipment and responsible for the lives and careers of the people under me. That level of trust is humbling, and it teaches you to step up, own your mistakes, and make decisions with conviction. Leadership isn’t just about giving orders; it’s about being the one who stands up when things go sideways, who lifts people up when morale is down, and who takes accountability when it counts.
The Power of Discipline
One of the funniest things the military teaches you is how to fold a sock. Yeah, you read that right — sock folding is an art. You learn how to pack a bag like it’s nobody’s business, and let me tell you, these packing skills have saved me thousands of dollars in baggage fees over the years. Rolling up t-shirts, squeezing everything into a carry-on, fitting a whole trip’s worth of gear into one small bag — it’s like Tetris, but real life. The small disciplines like these build up to big ones; you don’t just learn how to pack, you learn how to organize and plan.
And then there was the gas chamber training. Nothing quite like standing in a room filled with tear gas to teach you resilience. You know you’re gonna get hit with it, but you stand there, grit your teeth, and push through. The feeling of relief when you’re finally outside? That’s unforgettable. It’s weirdly motivating, too — it reminds you that you can handle discomfort, and that sometimes the best way out is through.
Deployment Life: Focus, Self-Improvement, and No Distractions
Deployment life is a whole different beast. You’re in a high-stakes environment where your entire focus is on the mission. You realize how much time there actually is in a day when you’re not wasting it on distractions. When you’re deployed, you’re either working, training, or finding ways to improve yourself. There’s no scrolling social media for hours or binge-watching TV. You find yourself reading, working out, and setting new goals.
Living like that showed me the importance of planning my day and cutting out the nonsense. When you’re focused, you can achieve more than you think. These habits stuck with me, and even now, when I want to get something done, I get into that “deployment mode” and cut out the noise.
The Ultimate American Experience
Serving in the military is like a crash course in the American experience. You’ve got people from every corner of the country — big cities, small towns, different races, religions, and political beliefs — all coming together for one mission. You learn pretty quickly that none of that stuff matters when you’re in the trenches with someone. The military strips away those labels and shows you that unity is possible when people focus on a common goal. It’s something powerful to witness and be a part of — a reminder that at the end of the day, we’re all on the same team.
Setting Myself Up for the Future
Being a veteran has its perks, and I’m not just talking about the free meals on Veterans Day. Thanks to the GI Bill, I was able to go back to school and earn my MBA without dropping a dime. The military covered it all, and that degree is something I’ll use for the rest of my life. Plus, as a vet, I’ve got access to the VA home loan program, which means when it’s time to buy a house, I can go in with zero down payment and a lower rate. These benefits are the kind of real support that sets veterans up for success after service, and I’m grateful to be able to make the most of them.
The Takeaway: Lessons for a Lifetime
After ten years, what I learned in the Air Force isn’t just about combat or technical skills. It’s about discipline, leadership, and finding strength you didn’t know you had. The Air Force shaped me into someone who values hard work, who plans for the long haul, and who knows how to keep it together when life gets intense.
On Veterans Day, I can’t help but look back with gratitude — not just for the free meals (although they’re pretty great) but for the experiences, the friendships, and the lessons that continue to serve me long after my time in uniform.
