I enlisted at the ripe old age of twenty years old. It's a day I'll never forget and a day that didn't come without its share of trials to get there. Regardless of what it took me to get there, I knew that it was going to be one of the best choices I would make in my young life. I knew that serving would potentially break me down, only to build me back up in a way that I couldn't imagine possible. In the months leading up to my departure to basic training, I thought I was mentally preparing myself. I was preparing myself for endless physical training and screaming military training instructors. I was partially correct. However, what I wasn't prepared for is how military training would change and shape me as a person, the relationships I would build, and the personal growth that would occur.

It's true that basic training breaks you down mentally. But what is even more true, that nobody will ever tell you, is that it builds you back up in the most amazing way possible. Prior to completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, I was not the person I wanted to be. I was defensive and absolutely terrified that I was going to speak out of term in every situation I entered. I walked on eggshells in my own mind, and I had no idea how bad it truly was until after it was brought to my attention. When you're in basic training, you're isolated in the best way possible. Nothing is personal, and everything is done with the common goal of completing the task. Everyone is so incredibly focused on getting through those seven and a half weeks that nearly everyone shares a common goal and bond to get out. That isn't to say that there weren't struggles. There absolutely were. So many struggles that sometimes, I truly asked myself if this was something that I was capable of.

You are capable of everything and anything you set your mind to. You are so capable, that you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t attempt every scary and intimidating thing that comes your way. I learned this in every single way possible between basic training and tech school. I learned this first when I struggled through my initial physical training, and then again when I struggled through my tech school, only to emerge victorious on the other side. Military training taught me that no mental block or fear is an excuse not to give it your very best shot. If you do, I can promise that the outcome will be better than anything you could have imagined.

You can’t succeed without a strong support system. Prior to going to military training, I was one of 'those' types. You know, the type that thought that you can get through life and not need anyone. I never knew how incredibly wrongI was until I became a part of an amazing support system that all came to be because of the relationships that were built through basic training. I can honestly say that I don’t know how or if I would have made it through without the support of these women. Through failed tests, a broken engagement, physical injury and hurt pride, these women persevered with me until the day they brought me to the little local airport to return home. I'm forever grateful for their support, and their continuous support from hundreds and thousands of miles away to this day.

Appreciate your parents. I will never go another day without letting both my mother and father know how much I appreciate them. When you see one or both of your parents day in and day out, it's really easy to take them for granted, say 'I love you' less, and not truly appreciate all that they do. Some of my best and most emotional memories from basic training were getting the endless letters in the mail from my mom and dad. My dad, who would never say he's the most writing inclined person, tried his best to write me a letter every day. Even if it was a note of encouragement written on a notepad paper, or a silly sketch of a smiling sun, he did his best to let me know he was thinking of me. My mom was amazing with letters too. She wrote me every single day without fail, and always included a printed picture. She sent me pictures of everything about my home that I missed. The walls of my bedroom, my car that I loved so much. They both made it so much easier, especially knowing that I always had their love even when I was 1,300 miles away. One of the single best moments of my life was hugging my mom and dad after being coined as an airman for the first time.

There is no room for excuses in life. In military training, there is no viable excuse that your MTI in basic training, MTL in tech school, or instructor supervisor in tech school will see as valid. The same rules should apply in life. There is no excuse for you to not give your absolute best attempt at your job, even if you hate your boss and the work is mundane. There is no excuse not to give your best effort towards your physical fitness. Everyone has time, whether it be twenty minutes in the morning for a walk, ten minutes on your lunch break for some squats, or five minutes before bed for some yoga and meditation. There is never, ever an excuse to not give your best attempt at school. After leaving military training, I realized that it doesn't matter if your professors teaching methods are dry. It doesn't matter if you hate the class, and you think you'll never use it. It doesn't matter if it's a long walk to that classroom. Get up, show up, put on a smile and get it done. You will never take yourself more seriously and know how capable you are until you've done something that you didn't want to do and done it well with your best foot forward.