I'm pleased you were able to achieve this. I myself recently had one, and since then have had a different view on the world. The trip to Europe for the SubSim Meet 2009 was a real eye opener, there is more to this world than what it seems at first.
Around last year this time, I was contemplating joining the Navy, and in fact posted on here asking for peoples advice on the subject. Through counseling (more like group counseling, but not leaving out UndrSeaLcpl) I decided against it and continue with college, and am within several credits short of my bacheallors degree with a whole future infront of me.
As you mentioned, I was able to think of how it was when I was younger, thinking about how things are to be when you're older. I began to appreciate things, such as my parents and home life more, and am the happiest I've been in years!
As Sledgehammer mentioned too, I had a girlfriend, fiance, leave me, and it crushed my world. That was the original intent to join the navy, to get away. But through help from friends (online and not) and my family, I got through it though not completely happy till I moved to my current university, met some new people and girls
and know there's definately more out there than I could ever imagine.
Best of luck in the future, and God bless Castout