Can joining the army make me emotionally stronger?

Question

i'm not looking to be this tough, all in your face personality. however, i am extremely sensitive (always have been, would cry at the slightest "negative sounding" remark), have very low self-esteem/confidence, i'm an introvert.. which i'm fine with, but it's getting in the way of my life because of my confidence issue.

i've been to 4 therapists who i feel misunderstand me and my issues in life, and i've tried helping myself through books, groups, etc. i really want to change for the better before i go to college and get into a career, and i'm kind of leaning towards the army to hopefully make me emotionally stronger.

i know, you're thinking "i can't take it.", but i give up on nothing no matter how much it hurts, and i LOVE to please everyone and don't like making anyone mad, so i would stick it out knowing leaving the army wouldn't be an option anyway.

Answer 1

Joining the army is a decision that's not to be taken lightly. Yes it will make you stronger ,but to join just because you want to be emotionally stronger.. think about it there are people offering positivity programs. the army is a calling try it... after you have done a positivity course.

Answer 2

I am a former Military person and another female...and can only give you my personal opinion from my experience...

You have to become strong from with-in. The military can be harsh sometimes...others can find your weakness and take advantage of it.

MOST people in the military will be supportive and will try to help build you. They may seem tough or hard, but they do care.

You have to understand that it is not like therapy and they won't let you "vent" out your frustration. You will have to progress and make the necessary changes yourself.

I have struggled with esteem issues too. I think many people do. The thing is even when you are scared or afraid, you have to put it aside and preform. It takes practice and that is what builds your confidence.

If you are over sensitive sometimes, you will have to deal with that issue. Ask yourself if you think you can deal with abrupt and sometimes crude criticism. You can not talk back and sometimes you can not explain yourself...you have to say "yes, sir" and move on. Can you just brush it off and move on?

Most of the time it is not that bad. I've had a few incidents of bad or overly harsh type of leadership, but I've also had kind and careing leaders. I'm not trying to scare you away, but want you to know that it can be like that sometimes...or at least feel like that.

It can make you or break you. If you are unsure and timid it can make you more unsure. On the other hand, if you take the advice and follow the directions and not take it personal it can make you stronger.

***Note to Crazyzeel, AIT is not  Advanced "Infantry" Training...it is Advanced Individual Training...I knew that and I'm former Navy.

Answer 3

Well lets put it this way. My Grandfather was in the Marines in Vietnam. If you ask him anything about what it was like, he has a major break down less than a few mins into the converstation and has post tramatic stress disorder. It depends on the person i would say.

Answer 4

My guess is that it will make or break you.  In the military I think they break you down to build you up....if you can get thru boot camp, you will be a stronger, more disciplined person.  I have never been in the military so this is only a deduction from what I have heard from young men and women who have enlisted.

There is no one quite like you.  I think you have to develop your own interests, strengths and gravitate to people to appreciate what you have done with yourself.  Earn respect, stand up for what you believe is right and the rest will take care of itself.

Answer 5

it could make you stronger or it could make you weaker, if you join the military right now you have a very high chance of being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan and there are hundreds of soldiers who come back psychologically changed for the rest of their lives.

Answer 6

Yes.... but in order to make it through basic training and A.I.T. (Advanced Infantry Training) you have to have some self-confidence because one of the things they will do to train you is strip you of any mentality that isn't conducive  with good soldiering.  It will toughen you up but don't go in if you have mental illness or it could backfire.  Check with your doctor first.

Answer 7

It could but that is a pretty drastic cure and a bad place to be if it does not work and you become even more unhappy with yourself and situation than what you are now.  Believe me; they will be anything but gentle or very understanding about it.  Why don't you check into martial arts?  Many people enroll in it just for these reasons and it sounds like it could be a big benefit to you.  This could help you immensely and put you on the right track and better prepare you to meet the challenges of college, career (military or not) and life in general.  I did the military for thirty-four years and martial arts for even longer and am still doing martial arts.  I have seen first-hand how it has helped countless people to better themselves, increase their self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-discipline.  I would highly encourage you to try this first before taking such a more permanent and drastic step like joining the Army.

Answer 8

The fact that you have gone to four therapists and you still fell you have a problem could be problem for you getting into the Military.  You may or may not have an illness but you sought treatment 4 times.  That will be an issue.  During your background check and you medical check they will ask you if you have ever seen a counselor, therapists, psych, etc.  You may have to go through a mental evaluation, I have had to deal with that in the past.  I doesn't mean you will be disqualified but they may won't to double check your state of mind.

ADD:  When I was Recruiting I had to do a waiver for somebody who went to marriage counseling, one who went to family counseling and one who had a history of drug use that was considered more than experimental.  All those waiver were approved.

Answer 9

20 years ago yes.  Today no.