When young troops graduate from all their intense training and move onto their first duty station, they tend to believe they have the whole world in the palm of their hand.
Going from an “in training” status to working full-time in the military can cause culture shock for many boots.
The day you join your first unit, the real work begins.
For some it’s a rude awakening, so we’ve compiled these images to remind us all that when we check in on day one, we’re not all that.
1. How it felt walking out of S.O.I. after graduation making our way to our first infantry unit.
I’m unstoppable.
2. That badass feeling you had on the bus like the worst part of training was over. There’s also a rumor floating around that after everyone checks in they’re going on a three-day liberty.
It’s party from here on out.
3. When you get off the bus at the barracks, and you realized no more open squad bays.
This is great!
4. How you felt entering your three-man barracks room for the first time.
It’s alright.
5. You then looked inside the bathroom and found it’s a one-man shower stall.
The possibilities of what you’re going to be doing in there later on by yourself can bring you joy.
6. The barracks duty comes around and informs you that you need to report to the company office. But you have no freakin’ clue where that is.
You don’t ask because you don’t want to look like a complete boot.
7. You walk around the camp looking for a building with a red roof.
Where am I going?
8. You finally walk into the company offices and feel so small compared to everyone else.
You’re not as big as you once thought.
9. You start sweating bullets and attempt not to make any eye contact with the higher-ups who are all wearing their serious faces.
Keep it together private.
10. The troop in charge of personnel hands you a check-in sheet that must be completed before the close of business. But you can’t start doing that until after you head down to supply for gear issue.
I can’t go to supply. We’re supposed to go on liberty right away.
11. Then the worst possible scenario happens. The LT on duty walks into the office and asks you “What’s your unit?” You deeply exhale, swallow hard and tell him “This unit, Sir.” Then the lieutenant starts to grin like a James Bond villain.
He’s pulling you to stand duty.
“Welcome to the unit, private.”
12. You desperately reply, “But, I’m supposed to go to supply, sir.”
And you’ve never wanted to go to supply as bad as you do right now. Goodbye liberty.