To Be an American

[stanc]

Getting back to the point of the clip. For me, it brought back memories of one of the hardest things I have ever done. Getting out. For four long years I had served. Told what to say and when and who to say it to; what to do what to read, wear, eat drink stand and when to sleep. I had not driven a car, payed rent or changed a TV channel in 3 1/2 years. I had talked on the phone to my family for maybe 30 min total. I was only allowed to take my 30 days annual leave "while at sea". I was 'instutionalised". So getting out was being "free" again.

I can't really relate to such experience. But then, I was in the Air Farce, where military life was actually little different than civilian life. The only noticeable difference was in being required to wear a uniform, versus clothing of my choice, and residing in a barracks versus my own apartment. And during my last six months a couple of buddies and I shared an apartment off base. We drove our own vehicles, bought our own food, watched whatever TV channels we wished. So, upon discharge from active duty, I had no traumatic change in lifestyle.