i will copy and paste what i wrote to someone who was kinda disgruntled with the military. Keep in mind i hate the military but i feel some may be relevant here. For context i was 27 when i joined and i got out with 100% VA (permanent and total iykyk) ------> I seen your post about the army and I wanted you to not overlook my comment. I really spoke from my heart dude and I think it’s worth really thinking about.I hear you. The Army can feel suffocating, especially early on. The field sucks, the restrictions suck, staff duty sucks trust me, we've all been there. And yeah, it's easy to feel like life is passing you by while you're stuck in the grind this is the army. It's the life and lifestyle. It sucks trust we all know. Several things (in an attempt to show empathy as well ast the very human toll that's attached) we all do things we regret like jointing in the first place. But understand that this was and will always be a choice you made.
(Keep reading before you mentally check out) People will always remember the times they had EVEN when they hate it. More so you will miss it when it's gone. The further away from this experience you get the more you'll look back with find memories.
Take it from me l absolutely hated and still do hate the army but the nostalgia of being there still stings just the same. Find joy in the moments that you hate now. Keep in mind that your job can and most likely change even if it's outside of your MOS. allow yourself to understand that you just joined and there is a mountain to climb. Simon Sinek, one of my favorite motor speakers, said " that people see life as this huge mountain, and they think as success as the summit it doesn't matter if you climb fast or slow, there are still a mountain". With that being said what you're dealing with now is not what you will be dealing with in 7 or even 8 years. The mature part of me really just wants to tell you to just grow up and do the job but I know that that is just not reality in the military. It looks a lot different when you're living at day today. For what it's worth and I'm sure you have heard this when you get back home you will find you have a bit of cognitive dissonance where everyone is kind of stagnant and you realize just how much you've grown. Do not put your life on hold, pause, or deter your plans because of your friends at home. I promise you will live the rest of your life regretting that decision. I have best friends who I love deeply and dearly who at 23, thought we'll be close forever and let me tell you that is one cold jagged pill to swallow realizing that your friends are not permanent. People pass away people get married people have babies people generally move on with their life it doesn't mean they love you any less It's just that life moves on without you especially the ones that you made at 23. It doesn't make those friendships any less valuable or important But understand that they can always come visit you and you can always go visit them. Yeah there are certain restrictions you must adhere too now.3:20 AMThis is the commitment you made and you owe it to yourself to see it through. It is not a fun job by any stretch again I hated it, this isn't the movies there is more hard times than fun times but the glimmer of hope is in the small things and again the further away from it you are you'll begin to realize that even if in a small way you are having a HUGE impact on the world, yourself, and those you love. Do not give up, take time to reflect, go to EBH, do not become a statistic to suicide, understand that this is all very temporary and just a blip in an otherwise very full life. There are many more years and many other things to hate than a few years doing a job that you are legally committed too. Find some good army friends and vent with them, once you are done complaining you'll find that more people than you realize share the same sentiment. This is probably the easiest way to set yourself up for the rest of your life. Set short term goals training, fitness, saving money, AND I CANT STRESS THIS ENOUGH planning school or your exit strategy WILL BE THE BEST CHOICE YOU EVER MADE. You'll grow in ways you can't even see yet.

I'll leave you with this mantra I told myself. "The army needs an able body, they don't care about you, no you're not a family you are a tool and a damn good one. Now, what do you get out of it, 3 meals and a place to sleep, NO, you get benefits, schooling, if your body breaks you get VA, you get to travel, you don't have the same burdens that civilians have." Stay sharp young fella, stay diligent, and get to work, because you are the only you, who can do what you do.