I regret joining the U.S. Army. The military was not for me. I have flat feet. They should’ve rejected me at MEPS. But they wanted numbers. This was on September 17, 1996. Worst day of my life. I signed a 4 year contract and suffered from shin splints and ankle and knee pain in boot camp and at my regular post. I was always on profile. I was never athletic. I joined because I wanted to get away from my abusive alcoholic father. Turns out he wanted me to join so he can abuse my mom and sis without me being there to stop him. He died in 1998 from a heart attack. He lived his life the way he wanted, never faced the consequences of his actions. Till this day, I pray I can go back in time and put my boot to his face.