Like most enlistees, I joined for personal reasons. I wanted training, and didn't have the money for college. I did feel good about serving my country as well as some benefits for myself. While serving, I gained a lot more appreciation for the opportunity to be part of protecting our country. I gained a lot from the experience. I learned a lot by being exposed to different cultures, beliefs, and some of the best people you could ever hope to know from all 50 of our states here in the U.S.A. I knew of my fem side going in, but it was not an attempt to get rid of it. I didn't understand it at all and just tried to suppress my inner self. I remember the week I got out I shaved my legs. I felt I no longer had to worry about the military finding out and having a bad day. It was such a feeling of freedom to not have to worry about being caught and knowing I was free to do what I wanted in that respect. A year later I decided to join the reserves and finish out my 20. I did not finish my 20, but am thankful for the times I had while enlisted. They will probably always be "the best times of my life"
