The military is a harsh world. The way people treat you is inevitably based on your rank or combat experience. It is no secret that young recruits get it hard. Oftentimes superiors can abuse their power and go beyond allowed limitations with insults. Still, the military is designed for war, so the ways to maintain discipline would be different from civil life.
At the same time, it is possible to reduce skepticism towards you as a young person in the military. If you want to make a career in the military, it is better to start early. So, begin your journey right and show that you should be treated seriously. And with these five simple tips, you can be sure of your successful start as a recruit.   Â
Research Ahead
Half of your success depends on your preparation. Do not relax after passing your trials and being accepted to the military ranks. Use your time and resources wisely to get as much information about your first days in the army as possible. Learn what is expected of a recruit, your future daily routine, and your obligations.
Just as you would prepare for going to college, study what to expect from your military life. It is easier to deal with the assignments’ workload when you’re aware of it. And the same goes for the army. Do not rely on movies or hearsay. A research paper writer will never start an essay without credible sources. So, make sure to check where you’re getting the info.
Turn to official data, reliable testimonies, and blogs that are created by the military for the military. See how people describe their first days. Notice what made the difference for their superiors to treat them with respect. You might even turn to family or friends who have relevant experience. But do not forget to fact-check and take everything with a grain of salt.
Posture and Walk
You’ll be surprised how the right posture can change things. It is no secret that people in the military are trained to have a strong presence. But if you want to be taken seriously, do not wait until getting there. Practice having a straight posture under any circumstances. It immediately reads as firm and confident. And that makes people take you seriously.
You know the expression to hold your head high. And even though it is a metaphor for being confident and proud, you’d need to take it literally. Take all that comes to you with dignity. And to show that you keep your head high and your posture straight. Remember that your standing pose often speaks for you. So, use it to your advantage.
Pay attention to your walk as well. Do not wobble or walk with your eyes down. You can even take some practice from marching to your daily walk. Sure, you don’t have to walk around as if you’re at a parade. But you have to be firm with your steps and let no space or people make you small. And you’ll have a confident, serious presence in no time.        Â
Leveling up Your Self-Discipline
If you’re a young person in the military, discipline is no stranger to you. It is vital to the military structure and to conducting combat. Your whole day is rigidly planned and organized for you. But just following orders and regime might not be enough to be taken seriously. There has to be the right attitude and mindset behind it.
Do not treat your regime as a daunting complication. Look at it as your endurance and efficiency training. With this mindset, it would be easier to include practices to boost your self-discipline. Such as:
- Practicing mindfulness. It is critical to be able to think clearly under pressure. Thus, including meditation or journaling in your daily routine can help you to develop and exercise clarity.
- Taking care of your health. Your food and workout routine is set for you already. But be sure to always have medicine for most common diseases and know how to get back on your feet as fast as possible.
- Time-management. On top of having a designed schedule, know how much time any task takes you. And that includes your daily whereabouts. Remember that timing is everything in the military. Â
Standing Your Ground
In the military, you have to follow orders to a T. There is usually no time for questioning the validity or rationality of the higher-ups’ decisions. But it does not mean that you should abandon your values. On the contrary, having a strong moral compass is the absolute necessity to gain the respect of your comrades and superiors.
If you see injustice, do not stay silent. Whether it’s targeting you or others, stand for what you believe in. It might not be easy. Especially when you have to go against your superiors. But being true to yourself is worth it in the long run. Be a representative of the values you’re sworn to defend. And you’ll be treated accordingly. Â
Showing Commitment and Ambition
Lastly, nothing makes you appear more serious than having clear goals and motivation. Show that you joined the army for a reason and stick to it. There will be a lot of things you need to endure. But by showcasing your commitment to military life, you’ll earn respect and build a good reputation for yourself.
It would also be either to deal with hardships if you know what you’re striving for. People will take you more seriously if you show ambition. It proves that you want something more than just to get by. And having an ambition means that you’re willing to work diligently to achieve it. Thus, have a plan for your future, and do not be afraid to take the initiative to change it.    Â
Wrapping Up
That’s about it. Make sure to look into how your future life looks and be prepared for possible hardships. Practice the right posture and confident walk to cultivate a strong presence. Do not forget to nurture your self-discipline and stick to your moral compass. And do not be afraid to show your commitment and ambition, so nobody will doubt your seriousness.
