As high school comes to a close, all students are left at a life altering crossroad. Being at the naive age of eighteen,we are pitted with the choice of pursuing higher education, venturing into the professional world, or enlisting in the military, this is a daunting task. Each path seems so final; choose incorrectly and one can find themselves filled with regret. The choices we make are influenced heavily by our peers, our family, and by society. Primarily, college was the only option I would begin to consider. I was filled with preconceived notions that the military was for the weak-minded and making a six-figure salary without higher education would be as likely as discovering how to turn water into diamonds. I found myself sitting in front of a screen, sifting through potential colleges around the state of Wisconsin when it dawned on me, I hated where I was. I felt restless and thirsty for adventure. I decided that life experience and finding happiness in myself was crucial before I could seriously consider college. Left with only two options, one stable and one with more risk, I chose the latter. One year later I was dressed in fatigues, pushing myself to new limits and testing my character.
"You sold your soul the government" or "You have given up your free will" and "You're just a mindless pawn now" are all things I heard from peers once they caught wind of my decision. My rebuttal to them was simply: I was still the same person, but I knew it wasn't true. I wasn't the same Chris, I had become better. This idea of who I am/was is continuously changing, due to the military in part, but also by the account of my personal experiences. Not only did I learn how to make a bed to precise measurements, but I learned how to lead, how to follow, how to manage my own personal and work life in harmony. I like to believe that I would have done well In college had I enrolled right away, however, if I ask myself honestly, I would have been the most average, if not below-average, student, completely squandering my education. I had no real comprehension of personal responsibility or time management. The Army taught me those traits. More importantly, I learned to believe in myself and the virtue of hard work.
Moving to different states and living in various communities will introduce new perspectives and lifestyles to your life. Some are more preferable than others, but all of them unique to where they originate and offer their own positive philosophies on life. Allowing myself to be open minded to these "social cultures" changed my personality, infusing new with old, ultimately creating something new and versatile. I wouldn't have had this opportunity had I not deviated from the socially normal path. Experiences I've collected over the past four years of traveling, all while focusing on self-expansion are invaluable to me. They are what sets me aside from the person beside me. As I see my peers graduating from school this year, all ready to venture into the real world, I feel remorse. Not for not being amongst them, but remorse FOR them. They enter the professional world with blinders on, oblivious to other cultures and lacking in life experience.
