Personal Narrative: My Life In The Military

Eight years ago I walked into a Navy recruiter's office and said, " If I join today, when is the soonest I can go to boot camp?" I did not know what to expect. However I was sure of one thing, and that was that I wanted to join the United States Navy. As those eight years ensued, the Navy began to mold me physically and mentally. Some of the changes I underwent were positive, and others were rather uncouth. Some effects of being in the military were abrupt, and others occurred gradually over time. It seemed like every time I looked around the Navy was reshaping some aspect of my life. Life in the military has had multiple effects on me. One effect the military has had on me was that it gave me a greater appreciation for family. I enlisted

I grew up in the South, Mississippi, and rarely traveled outside of the southeastern United States. I had no chance to experience any other cultures or countries other than my own. Due to being stagnated in the south, I was biased of the world around me, through no fault of my own. I believed that other cultures and countries were dull and lacked excitement. This prejudice manifested itself through an avoidance of things that were not like home. However, that changed very quickly after joining the Navy. The Navy's primary mission is to defend and deter aggression around the world. This is accomplished primarily by traveling abroad. Consequently, I would get the chance to go all over the world and experience new cultures. Because of the Navy, I had the pleasure of visiting Cebu, Philippines. Initially, I was apprehensive to go out or try anything in the country, but I took a leap of faith, and it was for the best. I fully submerged myself and tried native foods such as balut and blood stew, and also sang karaoke almost every night with the natives. San Miguel was the local beer, and I drank my fair share. My time spent in the Philippines and others countries showed me that other places outside of little Mississippi are full of excitement and life. The Navy would continue to send me all across the world, and the time spent in other countries helped reshape my perspective. Without enlisting, I would not have had the privilege of learning about the world around me and other