TL DR; At some level, most Soldiers seem to hate the Army but secretly like some aspects of it. To those who did 20 or more, how did you manage that paradox?

My buddy and I got fucked with weekend CQ so we were just shooting the shit about how much we hate the Army. However, deep down at some level hidden deep within the crags of our soul we do like some aspects of the Army and are "proud" (cringe threw up in my mouth a little) to be serving our country.

The good thing about the Army is that it's mostly easy as fuck if you're junior enlisted or a junior NCO. You just show up right place, right time, right uniform and pass instructions and tasks to more junior dudes and ensure that they execute to standard. The Army is like a commune and they give you subpar pay, housing, “healthcare”, and food. You just have to give all your time and energy back to the commune.

It's a structured lifestyle where most of the days are the same. It isn't as simple as just doing what you're told because the vast majority of the time leadership gives you last minute and/or incorrect instructions and then you get yelled at or smoked for it. It's shit, but it's not...

I'll take a Diet Coke and some chicken nuggies, don't want to keep the line waiting.