What Military Life Taught Me About Seeing the World
From Bermuda to Okinawa, the Marine Corps gave me more than miles — it gave me perspective. Here’s how service taught me to see the world with curiosity, respect, and awareness.
When I first joined the Marine Corps, I didn’t have any grand ideas about travel. I’d never been out of the country — unless you count the occasional trip down to Rocky Point, Mexico as a kid. Once I completed my training, I learned that my first duty station would be in Bermuda with the Marine Corps Security Forces.
A few other Marines were headed there with me, and we were all thrilled. I spent almost two years on that island — learning about the culture, making friends, even picking up scuba diving. It was technically “barracks duty,” but for me, it was an adventure. I experienced my first hurricane there, learned to slow down a bit, and discovered how much life outside the mainland had to offer.
After Bermuda, I was sent to the fleet — and that’s when my real travels began.
Seeing the World Through a Different Lens
There were a lot of “aha” moments during those years, but one of the biggest came when I deployed to Okinawa, Japan. Meeting the Okinawan people — their warmth, discipline, and community spirit — left a mark on me. Not long after, I was sent to the Philippines, where we helped the country dig out from a devastating earthquake.
That experience stuck with me. I learned that no matter where you go, people are the same in different ways — they want safety, connection, and a chance to build something better. The uniforms, languages, and landscapes might change, but the human core doesn’t.
Lessons That Still Travel With Me
These days, I travel with more curiosity than ever. I’ve learned to stay aware of my surroundings — a habit that came naturally from military life — but I also make a point to look closer, ask questions, and learn a bit about the places I visit before I arrive.
I’m not the most patient traveler in the world, but I like to understand a location — its history, its people, and its rhythm. Whether it’s an ancient landmark or a quiet local café, I want to know what makes it matter to the people who live there.
The military taught me something simple but powerful: it’s okay to be a tourist, but don’t be oblivious.
Appreciate the architecture, admire the sights, but keep your head on a swivel. Be aware, respectful, and engaged. Learn a few local customs — maybe even a phrase or two. A little effort goes a long way in bridging worlds.
A World of Perspective
The Marine Corps gave me more than discipline or structure — it gave me perspective. It gave me the chance to experience places that most people only dream about:
Bermuda, Okinawa, the Philippines, Thailand, France, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Malta.
And after my service, I kept going — the UK, Ireland, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Turks and Caicos.
Each place left a fingerprint on me. Each culture added something to the way I see the world.
When I look back, I realize that military life didn’t just show me the world — it taught me how to see it.
Why I Travel: Finding Freedom in the Journey
From childhood road trips in a green motorhome to a lifetime of global adventures, I’ve learned that travel isn’t about distance—it’s about discovery. Here’s how a restless Gen X Marine found freedom in the journey itself.
I caught the travel bug young. My parents had an old greenish Class C motorhome, and every summer we’d hit the road across the western United States to visit family and explore places we’d never seen before. Those trips taught me the joy of motion—the rhythm of tires on asphalt and the freedom of never knowing exactly what’s around the next bend.
That spark carried me into adulthood and across the world. The military gave me opportunities to see places most people only dream about. Over time, I learned that no matter where you go, people everywhere want the same simple things: connection, peace, laughter, a bit of purpose. We just speak different languages to say it.
Travel gives me freedom. It’s that sense of stepping away from the familiar, letting curiosity take the lead, and finding beauty in the unexpected. Whether it’s wandering through a historic site, standing in awe at a natural wonder, or simply watching the rhythm of life in a new culture, each experience deepens my understanding of what it means to live fully.
This blog is my way of sharing those moments—reflections, guides, and the lessons learned along the way. It’s not about bragging where I’ve been, but about inspiring others to see more, learn more, and travel smarter. Because travel doesn’t just change where you are—it changes who you are.