Category: Culture

  • Sleep — Only in Theory

    Sleep in the military isn’t rest — it’s whatever scraps of unconsciousness soldiers and sailors can grab before someone needs them for something. The common belief among civilians is that everyone needs seven to nine hours of sleep to function properly. However, the military treats this notion like a rumor, not a requirement. In the…

  • Laughing So We Don’t Break

    Dark humor in the military isn’t just a personality trait; it’s a survival tool that is deeply ingrained in the culture and daily life of service members. When you’re running on three hours of sleep, haven’t seen sunlight in days, and are constantly getting screamed at by someone whose personality seems to be defined by…

  • The Fuel Behind The Military – Caffeine And Nicotine

    When most people think of today’s military, they think of Seal Team 6, Badass guns, and lethal fighter jets. What people don’t realize is what keeps today’s service members ready for anything. Caffeine and nicotine. Now, I’m not just making this up when I say this, I’ve lived it for the past 5 years. Caffeine…