--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I went through a period when I did…" description: "\"I went through a period when I did military roles and played basically someone who was unfit for military service.\" — Michael O'Keefe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/172/michael-o-keefe-37353_army_i-went-through-a-period-when-i-did-milit_2808491.jpg" --- # I went through a period when I did military roles and… ![“I went through a period when I did military roles and played basically someone who was unfit for military service.” quote by Michael O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/172/michael-o-keefe-37353_army_i-went-through-a-period-when-i-did-milit_2808491.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/172/michael-o-keefe-37353_army_i-went-through-a-period-when-i-did-milit_2808491.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/172/michael-o-keefe-37353_army_i-went-through-a-period-when-i-did-milit_2808491.jpg) > “I went through a period when I did military roles and played basically someone who was unfit for military service.” [Michael O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-keefe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker describes a time of playing roles that conflicted with military expectations, highlighting personal misfit and role tension. **In simple terms:** I felt out of place in military-like roles. Key Takeaway Accept mismatched roles and seek authentic paths. Themes identity conflict role self acceptance Mood reflective somber Type personal experiential When to use this quote - career choice - team dynamics - personal growth - self‑assessment Key Concepts role theory identity crisis Questions to Reflect On - How do you reconcile external expectations with inner identity? - What steps help you find roles that fit your strengths? A Different Perspective Roles may be imposed, limiting true self‑expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) [Basically Unfit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basically-unfit-3502687/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Military Roles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military-roles-3502688/) [Military service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military-service/) [Roles Played](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roles-played-702895/) [Service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service/) [Unfit Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unfit-military-1344541/) [Who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who/) ## Related quotes > [I had examined myself pretty thoroughly and discovered that I was unfit for military service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-heller/i-had-examined-myself-pretty-thoroughly-and-discovered-that-i-was/) [Joseph Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-heller/) > [First, there are some of my readers who only read Hap and Leonard, not the other stuff, and some who don't read Hap and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-r-lansdale/first-there-are-some-of-my-readers-who-only-read-hap-and-leonard-not/) [Joe R. Lansdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-r-lansdale/) > [The privilege of serving my country is not only rooted in my military service, but also in my personal history. 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But I loved the roles that we both played a lot more. I had assigned him the role…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/portia-de-rossi/in-a-way-i-loved-him-but-i-loved-the-roles-that-we-both-played-a-lot/) [Portia de Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/portia-de-rossi/) > [Yes, it is funny that most of the roles that I have played so far have been negative. 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If you played the same role all the time, God that'd be a boring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-loggia/an-actor-is-an-impersonator-he-plays-many-different-roles-if-you/) [Robert Loggia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-loggia/) > [I've enjoyed all of the roles I have played for different reasons, which is the great thing about acting. You love different projects for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-wolff/i-ve-enjoyed-all-of-the-roles-i-have-played-for-different-reasons/) [Alex Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-wolff/) > [I have tried making the roles that I have played in my career look different with my attitude, diction or my beahviour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alok-nath/i-have-tried-making-the-roles-that-i-have-played-in-my-career-look/) [Alok Nath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alok-nath/) ## More by Michael O'Keefe > [The cool thing about doing a play is that the final interpretation of a piece is turned over to the actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-keefe/the-cool-thing-about-doing-a-play-is-that-the-final-interpretation-of/) [Michael O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-keefe/) > [The Way teaches that people outside the cult are evil - of the Devil. In line with that belief, the members tried to alienate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-keefe/the-way-teaches-that-people-outside-the-cult-are-evil-of-the-devil-in/) [Michael O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-keefe/) > [Without 'Santini,' my life as an actor would never have had any of the depth or, at least, nothing like the depth it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-keefe/without-santini-my-life-as-an-actor-would-never-have-had-any-of-the/) [Michael O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-keefe/) > [Cape Town is beautiful. It's an extraordinary beach town with mountain ranges on either side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-keefe/cape-town-is-beautiful-it-s-an-extraordinary-beach-town-with-mountain/) [Michael O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-keefe/) > [Directors, writers, and actors are interested in making movies with me. 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I would love to be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-keefe/five-easy-pieces-got-to-me-pretty-good-i-remember-seeing-it-and/) [Michael O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-keefe/) > [I hope 'Split Image' educates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-keefe/i-hope-split-image-educates/) [Michael O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-keefe/) > [A lot of us go back into theater because you learn so much on the journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-keefe/a-lot-of-us-go-back-into-theater-because-you-learn-so-much-on-the/) [Michael O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-keefe/) > [There was a thing on Facebook that said, 'Describe George Clooney's wedding in three words,' and my answer was, 'Not invited again.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-keefe/there-was-a-thing-on-facebook-that-said-describe-george-clooney-s/) [Michael O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-keefe/) [Explore all 12 Michael O'Keefe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-keefe/) ## More Army quotes > [There are no more worlds to conquer!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/there-are-no-more-worlds-to-conquer/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Every army in the history of the world has always had some deserters, usually much greater than we have today, because once again every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-hilferty/every-army-in-the-history-of-the-world-has-always-had-some-deserters/) [Bryan Hilferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-hilferty/) > [It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-our-forces-are-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-to/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [The surprise of an army is now next to an impossibility. ... Prearranged surprises are rare and difficult because in order to plan one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-henri-jomini/the-surprise-of-an-army-is-now-next-to-an-impossibility-prearranged/) [Antoine-Henri Jomini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-henri-jomini/) > [I just read an article about how young American males feel uncomfortable appearing naked in front of each other in locker rooms. That was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ivory/i-just-read-an-article-about-how-young-american-males-feel/) [James Ivory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ivory/) > [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) > [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [“The most important lesson that came out of Vietnam for me was that Marines take care of Marines.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-clancy/the-most-important-lesson-that-came-out-of-vietnam-for-me-was-that/) [Tom Clancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-clancy/) > [One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/one-of-our-great-allies-at-present-is-the-church-itself-do-not/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [I have real strong feelings about our troops and support them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-fichtner/i-have-real-strong-feelings-about-our-troops-and-support-them/) [William Fichtner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-fichtner/) > [Personally, I don't really have a set style or look. It's pretty much what I feel like wearing that day, from a floral-print dress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shay-mitchell/personally-i-don-t-really-have-a-set-style-or-look-it-s-pretty-much/) [Shay Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shay-mitchell/) > [Growing up with a parent in the army, I saw firsthand the challenges our service members face when transitioning to new jobs after time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharice-davids/growing-up-with-a-parent-in-the-army-i-saw-firsthand-the-challenges/) [Sharice Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharice-davids/) > [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/) [William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/) > [Thanks to all members of the military around the world for giving me the ultimate motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalya-neidhart/thanks-to-all-members-of-the-military-around-the-world-for-giving-me/) [Natalya Neidhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalya-neidhart/) [Browse all 3,919 Army quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I went through a period when I did military roles and played basically someone who was unfit for military service.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael O'Keefe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-keefe/i-went-through-a-period-when-i-did-military-roles-and-played/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Army" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-keefe/i-went-through-a-period-when-i-did-military-roles-and-played/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/172/michael-o-keefe-37353_army_i-went-through-a-period-when-i-did-milit_2808491.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/172/michael-o-keefe-37353_army_i-went-through-a-period-when-i-did-milit_2808491.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/172/michael-o-keefe-37353_army_i-went-through-a-period-when-i-did-milit_2808491.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I went through a period when I did military roles and played basically someone who was unfit for military…” — Michael O'Keefe", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Michael O'Keefe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-keefe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I went through a period when...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-keefe/i-went-through-a-period-when-i-did-military-roles-and-played/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-keefe/i-went-through-a-period-when-i-did-military-roles-and-played/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```