After graduating from high school, I decided to join the military. At that time, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in the future. I hadn’t found my dream yet. I thought I was too soft, so I joined the military to train myself. Have you ever been in the military? In Vietnam, unlike in Japan, men are required to join the military when they turn 18. I had no idea what kind of training I would have to undergo in the military. On September 8, 2015, I left home and joined the military for the first time. My parents came to see me off. Everyone was almost crying, but I was smiling. It was raining that day. When I first joined the military, I was surprised by everything. Military life was full of new things for me. The most important thing in the military is to always follow the rules and manners. There’s a saying, “Discipline is the strength of the military,” and indeed, discipline in the military is very strict. In the first three months, I learned special military skills like discipline, martial arts, and etiquette. I had to undergo rigorous training every day.
The most dangerous training involved using rifles and dynamite. As a soldier, I was armed with a rifle and trained with rifles and dynamite every day, regardless of the weather. The training was tough, but there were good things too. I made a lot of friends. In the military, we live together. About 30 people live in one room. My roommates came from all over Vietnam. We helped each other. The three months were neither short nor long, but they were tough and enjoyable. After three months, I was assigned to the medical team. To get there, I studied for about six months. It was very difficult. There was so much knowledge to remember, so I studied desperately. I also did practical training. After six months, I got excellent grades and became a military medic. I was stationed in Quang Tri, where I worked as a military doctor for two years. During that time, I saw various patients. All the patients were fighting their illnesses with strong wills. I was impressed by their attitudes. Finally, after two years, I completed my military service. The two years in the military taught me a lot. I understood myself better both physically and mentally. I believe I grew in many ways. My time in the military was not long, but it is an unforgettable memory.
Now, I am moving forward towards my goals with a strong mindset. No matter what happens, I intend to persevere and see things through to the end.