How easy is it to make friends in the military?

I'm considering joining the military after high school, but I'm a bit worried about the social aspect. How easy is it to make friends once you're in? Do people generally form strong bonds there?

Joining the military definitely presents a unique social environment, and you're not alone in having concerns about the ability to form relationships in the military. From anecdotal evidence, many individuals who've served have reported forming extremely close bonds during their time in service. These relationships often stem from shared experiences and the resultant sense of camaraderie that's established when working through challenging situations together.

While every individual's experience will vary, the shared circumstances of military life are generally conducive to making strong friendships. For example, Basic Training, which is the start of most military careers, definitely offers an opportunity to bond with others who are also enduring the rigors of training. Moreover, once deployed or stationed at a particular base, living and working side by side on a daily basis with your fellow service members facilitates friendships as you support each other through shared tasks and responsibilities.

That being said, just like in any complex social environment, not every interaction will lead to a deep, lasting friendship. It's important to maintain respect for your fellow service members and keep in mind the professional nature of the military. But overall, the military can provide a strong framework for developing close and lasting friendships. Many veterans often talk about their former comrades as a "secondary family".

In conclusion, despite its unique conditions, the military can offer a strong platform for the formation of deep and lasting friendships. The shared experiences and challenges faced can cultivate strong bonds and help people forge friendships that often last a lifetime.