Posted by Michael Dorosh from Canada on April 19, 2021 at 21:05:30:
In Reply to: What is the most positive thing you've learned in the Army? posted by Magoo on April 19, 2021 at 11:46:53:
But it is thrown into sharp contrast by the number of first class, Grade A assholes I've met - also in all components. I guess if it has taught me anything, it is that people like that are unfortunately everywhere. You know what I'm talking about - the kind of person that amasses all this knowledge and experience, but couldn't for the life of them be bothered to actually share it with anyone else - and then gets upset when others don't display the same level of knowledge that they do. Hard to figure people like that out. We saw a bit of that personality type (or disorder) discussed down below with regards to medical care. Not to take sides in THAT discussion, since I didnt bother to read the whole thing, but I bring it up to further clarify my point.
It is funny that the Army, the largest and strongest kind of team imaginable, goes to such lengths to insulate all of its components from each other - different regiments, different ranks, different messes. Naturally, that is where our history lies, and we tried unification and it didn't work - so don't get me wrong I am all in favour of wearing my own cap badge. But the personality type I am talking about really thrives on that kind of exclusivity without knowing how harmful it really is. And they convince themselves that it is the right thing.
Anyway, that is my response to your statement. The most positive thing I have learned is probably that I have an ability to relate to others. It was tough in school because I didn't really relate to anyone - being in the Reserves, in a uniform where I looked like everyone else, I really felt for the first time that I had "peers" - that I was not lower or higher than anyone, but equal. It helped me develop a much more mature way of interacting with others than I was able to develop on my own in school and the civvie world.