So last week I got this random idea to finally start learning military history. I’ve always felt kinda dumb when folks talked about World War II planes or Napoleon’s tactics – like, where do you even begin? No college degree in history, no fancy background, just a regular dude who watches too much Netflix. Figured I’d document my messy trial-and-error for you.
Getting Started: Google, Reddit & Panicking
First thing? Total brain freeze at my desk. Typed “military history beginner” into Google and got swamped with dense textbooks and scary documentaries. Nope. Stumbled onto Reddit’s history forums and asked: “How does a clueless noob start?” Got two gold nuggets: try kid’s books and focused timelines. Ordered a used copy of “Eyewitness World War II” – y’know, those DK picture books? Felt silly but holy crap, photos and short captions? Perfect.
My Obssession Calendar Trick
Made a huge mistake trying to memorize everything from Rome to Afghanistan. Drowned in names and dates. Cut it down to one 10-year chunk: 1939-1945. Printed a blank calendar and marked major battles each month: Dunkirk in May 1940, D-Day June 1944. Added sticky notes when I learned fun facts – like Patton wearing ivory pistols or Stalin’s mustache superstitions. Suddenly WWII felt less like homework, more like binge-watching a show.
Cheating With Toys And Games
Found a dusty old Risk board at Goodwill. Played with my nephew but swapped rules: we narrated battles using YouTube facts. When he attacked Asia, I’d yell, “That’s MacArthur energy!” and ramble about Philippines retreats. Later downloaded free war strategy apps – moved little tanks while learning terms like “flanking” and “salients.” Felt like gaming, not studying. Even built a terrible Lego Stalingrad diorama. Embarrassing? Absolutely. Stuck in my head? Hell yes.
The Coffee Shop Experiment
Biggest fear: sounding like an idiot in public. Tested knowledge at a veteran’s cafe near my place. Brought my dog-eared WW2 timeline, ordered coffee, and told the owner, “I know nothing but wanna learn.” He showed me shrapnel scars and talked Battle of the Bulge for an hour. Came back every Thursday – now the regulars quiz me. Got Pearl Harbor’s date wrong twice, but who cares? They correct me over free cookies.
Two months in? Can finally follow a documentary without subtitles. Still mix up Sherman tanks and Sherman’s march. But yesterday, my nephew asked about D-Day beaches – and I rattled off Omaha vs Utah like a boss. Feels like cracking a code without becoming a textbook zombie. Next stop: trying not to embarrass myself at a war museum tour. Wish me luck.
