The first time I got on a plane was memorable — not because I was heading to a fancy vacation spot, but because I was going to boot camp for the Marine Corps.
From the moment I arrived at the recruiter’s office, the energy was intense. Family members were calling to wish me good luck, and my nerves mixed with excitement. I’ll never forget when the pilot announced, “Let’s give a round of applause for the future Marines on board.”
The entire plane clapped. That moment gave me a sense of pride and belonging I’d never felt before.
Sitting in my seat, I imagined traveling the world, jet-setting from city to city, seeing new places, and meeting people everywhere I went.
But traveling as a Marine was a different reality. It called for tolerance, self-control, and flexibility.
Luckily, I got to travel a lot as a Marine
I grew up without traveling anywhere; the farthest I had ever gone was to the next town over. Joining the military was more than a career for me; I saw it as an escape.
I traveled frequently during my time in the Marine Corps. Every new place became a classroom, teaching me important lessons about culture.
One of the destinations that changed me most was Japan. If a country could be a person, Japan would be my first love. That country taught me independence and humility.
I realized that while every nation has different customs, people everywhere share the same struggles: money, health, love, and a sense of purpose. The world is vast, but it’s also deeply connected.
Military travel comes with challenges
Traveling with the military is nothing like civilian life. Everything revolves around the mission. You don’t just book a flight; you get orders, paperwork, and deadlines.
The purpose of travel isn’t leisure; it’s duty. While you might have chances to explore, those come only after the work is done. Early mornings, long flights, customs checks, and delayed transport were common. Traveling as a Marine wasn’t easy. It was exhausting, unpredictable, and often uncomfortable.
It could take days or weeks to feel settled in a new country. Language barriers and cultural misunderstandings tested my patience but also sharpened my empathy. I learned how to communicate with gestures, but sometimes, saying nothing at all spoke the loudest.
The structure of military travel also tested my sense of independence. I couldn’t go anywhere without approval, and at times, that loss of freedom was frustrating.
The lessons learned made everything worth it
I often compare the world to a school system: your city is like elementary school, your state is like middle school, your nation is like high school, and international travel is like college. Each level brings new lessons you can’t learn by staying in one place.
Travel forced me to evolve and see beyond what I knew while growing up. It reminded me that growth only happens when you step outside your comfort zone — even if I had to do it under the strict rules of the military.
Although the travels were long and brutal at times, I’ve started missing the places I had visited, especially Japan, more than my own hometown.
I learned that home isn’t just where you’re from; it’s wherever you find peace and growth.
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