Dealing With Difficulty

[Devry_Kaneda]

I've mentioned this a few times in various threads, but I'm currently attending a military academy in the states. I'm a freshman, and in 3 more years I'll graduate to become a coast guard officer, which is something I've wanted to be for a while. The problem is, I wake up every morning wanting to kill myself. Sleep doesn't exist, the academics are fucking strenuous to say the least(I'm doing pretty well, but the place has a ridiculous attrition rate - of the starting class size of 290, we've dropped to about 230), and the retarded military obligations and hazing bullshit that I have to deal with has nothing to do with my future career as an officer and has me demoralized and jaded.

Of my 230 remaining classmates, I can count maybe 6 or 7 that I trust and a few more than that I can call friends. Because of the draconian regulations that this place maintains and the general attitude of the students, people are fucking eager to sell you out in a second to authorities, whether or not you actually broke a rule in the first place. And on top of the trust thing, my peers are probably the best examples of the "american stereotype" that can be found on the eastern seaboard. They're homophobic, hyper-religious, sexually frustrated, close minded(they have absolutely no idea what to think of the music I listen to), and most of them got in to this ridiculously selective school not on their academic and leadership abilities but on their throwing arm or skill on the basketball court.

About the only thing keeping me from going insane are my occasional trips to NYC, which is somewhat close via train, and contact with a few of my friends from the outside world, which is quite challenging considering the fact that we arent even allowed facebook or skype.

Coming here I recognized that I'd have to make a few sacrifices, chiefly , but I refuse to lose my identity and what makes me unique just to deal with this place and the people inside.

I still believe this is worth it, from the naval architecture degree, to the commission as an officer, but things look fucking bleak right now, and I'm having trouble motivating myself to keep studying chemistry tonight or to shine my fucking shoes tomorrow.

Have any of you ninjas dealt with long term obligations like this? How did you guys motivate yourselves? if nothing, at least I got to bawwww a little

[Dafuq]

First of al respect for your education. I'm to damn lazy for it.

Maybe its worth a shot in bloggin? Just anonymous, writing about al the shit you have to take?

And isn't there a psychiatrist in your school where you can talk to?

[Electric_Head]

yeh, find someone to talk to.
If it`s getting you down and you know it`s the future you want then it`ll take hard work sometimes.
Just take it day by day.

[pkay]

Fuck typed a long reply and deleted it in my phone.

As a former soldier my advice is to either get 'ate up' and do everything you can to get rank early to move past the bullshit early years (o1 and o2 are gonna suck bro). Do all the volunteer work you can, do squadron volunteer work, have your supervisors put you in for soldier of the quarter crap etc etc. Test esrly and often... got e-3 9 months early because I had a very nice packet

That or make sure to have a very healthy life outside the military. Be it the local music scene, car culture, gaming culture, some kind of hobby where your social circle isnt focused strictly on the military. Despite it being tough you dint have some of the basic worries in life. You've got housing, food, and a lot of other perks.... Use this time to be adventurous as you're an adult but are afforded a little more freedom in some ways to go try things a lot of other people can't.

So yeah either go balls to the wall and work to bypass the idiots.... Or be aThe best soldier you can during the day and find yourself another thing you are passionate about to focus on at night so you don't burn yourself out

[JBoy]

Stay true to yourself, keep your identity and your humanity. I dont have a clue what the coast guard is like, i didnt even know it was militarised either but you can still be excellent at your job and not be a mindless machine. Being the 'american stereotype' might make them more favourable to the rank but as long as you are happy with yourself and do your best no one can take that from you.

[pkay]

Agree with jboy


I went to basic training at age 18 with purple and red hair to my shoulders and my first year thought I was losing my identity. After a while I realized the military afforded me the opportunity to do a lot of things my peers couldnt.

As a di/producer because I didn't have the same bills as my peers and didn't have to worry about food or shelter I had the ability to use my cash on my musical exploits. I took my enlistment bonus and bought 2 technics, a djm500 (it was 2000 it was the best!) and each paycheck I could buy a new piece of hardware for my rack, $100 in records and still have cash for my car and scheming for bitches. What started off as me losing my identity I flipped into me using to strengthen who I am.

I left the military with a $25k recording/video/design studio, a great di rig, and a massive vinyl collection.

So my advice would be to use your military experience and the advantages you're given to make your life whatever you want. I know it sounds cheesy and like propaganda but the military really does give you the ability to do a lot with your life. Sounds to me like you just need to do a little soul searching and find out where you want to go with your life and start making those moves. If it's career military family man start working on that... If you like music start makin moves... Whatever you do don't waste your opportunities you're going to be given while in the military

[pkay]

And fuck shining your shoes.... Just use honor guard and mop and glow like a boss!

[Electric_Head]

nice advise pkay

[wobbles]

Ill buy u a few beers at reconstrvct

[jameshk]

Dont have much to contribute that others havn't said already. But just stay strong and fuck the haters. The fact that your aware of this bullshit is the first step to dealing with it.

[gwa]

devry you've always come across as a nice lad on this forum so i'm sorry to hear you're feeling this way.

if you want some serious advice: paypal £1 to georgeadams123@gmail.com.
if you want me to draw you a happy picture then paypal £10 to the above email.

love.xxx

[noam]

lol gwa

[Kochari]

just stay strong and fuck the military.

[Devry_Kaneda]

Thanks for the words guys! Last night was particularly rough, for a couple reasons, but I'm definitely feeling better now!

pkay - you are a treasure trove of advice! yeah, while i don't have a lot of the freedoms that being in the regular military entails(serviceacademylol), I'm still getting a taste of what you're talking about. between the disposable income and every single living expense being payed for, I really can't complain. I'm getting laaarge shipments of records basically every week, but have no space for turntables . I know things can only get better, and once I'm actually in the operational fleet, life is going to be excellent. What you said about taking advantage of my current situation sits really well with me. Always been a musician, but never got around to learning production. I think I'm finally gonna get ahold of a keyboard and a DAW! While I'm cooped up in these barracks for the next three years, I might as well do something other than netflix!

everyone else - I appreciate the support! escaping here is always a relief from the day

wobblz - just bought my train tickets bro! cant wait to take you up on that offer

[hayze99]

just stay strong and fuck the military.

Sorry to hear that it's shitty. Good on you for persevering to reach your goals.

[nousd]

hang in there D[K],
if not for yourself,
for those who can't get a green card
that you'll be picking out of the water one day

[LACE]

hang in there D[K],
if not for yourself,
for those who can't get a green card
that you'll be picking out of the water one day

deep.

pun intended.

[pkay]

Thanks for the words guys! Last night was particularly rough, for a couple reasons, but I'm definitely feeling better now!

pkay - you are a treasure trove of advice! yeah, while i don't have a lot of the freedoms that being in the regular military entails(serviceacademylol), I'm still getting a taste of what you're talking about. between the disposable income and every single living expense being payed for, I really can't complain. I'm getting laaarge shipments of records basically every week, but have no space for turntables . I know things can only get better, and once I'm actually in the operational fleet, life is going to be excellent. What you said about taking advantage of my current situation sits really well with me. Always been a musician, but never got around to learning production. I think I'm finally gonna get ahold of a keyboard and a DAW! While I'm cooped up in these barracks for the next three years, I might as well do something other than netflix!

everyone else - I appreciate the support! escaping here is always a relief from the day

wobblz - just bought my train tickets bro! cant wait to take you up on that offer

ahh you still have restriction being in academy yeah?

my tech school was only 18 months in the military (long for enlisted, not long for officers) but after 6 months we could stay off post overnight and drive up to 200 miles away so we went to new orleans a lot.

If you're seriously into music you have a ripe opportunity to take your 'restriction' and make it into a justified obsession. In 2001 I was at whiteman AFB, middle of nowhere knob knoster missouri. KNOB KNOSTER.... listen to that name. It sounds of shitty times. But I bought my decks, bought records, tought myself how to mix FLAWLESSLY... I'm arrogant but being real, I learned to mix as well or better than every one of my djing idols at the time. I learned to chop amens like a badman and went insane in cubase for about a year.... once I was ready to break out in my local scene I went out to Kansas City, MO and St Louis, MO and got fucking busy in the scene. Went to a rave with 100 CD's I burned a mix on to and let it be known I'd play anywhere at anytime for free. Within a week I was booked for my first gig... all drum and bass room, and wrecked the fucking joint. From there got involved in the scene locally playing anywhere and everywhere I could and eventually started getting paying gigs. Started rubbing elbows with other producers and started a label within the first year of being 'involved'..... all still while in the military. Started getting booked out of my local area.... having to put in travel vouchers while you're in the military because you're being booked to play out of state has a certain baller status to it when you have to run it by your supervisor.

Anywho... outside of flashing back to when I wasnt jaded as fuck and still was loving drum and bass, I did a lot of damage in my scene while in the military. I think if you honestly wanted to you could take this time to hone your skills and unlike your peers, patiently wait in the weeds until its time to burst on the scene.

Take this time.... learn to produce.... take your financial gift and gather your tools.... stuck on base? watch a tutorial.... or practice mixing more..... or go back into recycle and smash out some edits for 6 hours. Bummed out you can't party? Shut up and practice. Getting lonely? Cubase or logic are great friends. Kinda bummed you aren't involved in the scene? Save up $5k and start a VINYL label. Serious man. Saving up $5k is NOTHING while you're in the military.... especially in school. You get $5k and hit up any distro and they will work hand in hand with you to get you going..... use some of your contacts here on DSF and seriously help out an up and coming artist you have faith in and get them a record out. Worst case scenario you lose some cash, cut your teeth in the biz, and gain a ton of valuable experience.... best case scenario you start a succesfull label as a fucking hobby.

Serious man theres so many ways you can go at it.... all while doing something I view as noble and gaining skills none of your peers have. Discipline being the main skill. Take your military discipline and apply it to music and you will wreck shit

[gwa]

devry you've always come across as a nice lad on this forum so i'm sorry to hear you're feeling this way.

if you want some serious advice: paypal £1 to georgeadams123@gmail.com.
if you want me to draw you a happy picture then paypal £10 to the above email.

love.xxx

i'm still here for you mate

[FuDuzn]

Groton/New London definitely isn't the shittiest city/area in Connecticut, though I guess you can't enjoy everything that is around you given your situation(nice beaches in Rhode Island, two very nice casinos nearby). And I am jealous that you are going to reconstrvct.

But seriously, stick with the few people you are friends with and trust. I know people in the Navy that are stationed in that area, they claim it gets better. Though some dude I know spends six months at a time on a submarine, now that is some difficulty to deal with.