---
title: "7 life lessons we learned from ‘Stripes’"
description: "One of the most authentic military comedies of all-time, dating back to the 80s, is \"Stripes.\" These are the lessons it teaches us."
date: "2022-03-12"
modified: "2023-03-08"
authors:
  - name: "Tim Kirkpatrick"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/tkirkpatrick/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-movies/7-life-lessons-we-learned-from-stripes/"
categories:
  - "Entertainment"
  - "Movies and TV"
---

# 7 life lessons we learned from ‘Stripes’

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17311748/origin.jpg>)

We've all seen the classic movie trope where the slacker guy who failed at life because of missed opportunities and maybe a little laziness wants to pull out of his personal nose dive and succeed. In the early 1980s, Hollywood gave us some hilarious films like "History of the World: Part 1," "Cannonball Run," and one of the most authentic military comedies of all-time, "Stripes."

Although the film does have a slapstick "don't take me too seriously" comedic tone, we can learn a lot about life if we take a deeper look into the classic hit.

## So check out these life lessons that we could all learn from our beloved "Stripes."

### 1. Answering the call

Most people have thought about joining the military at one point in their life, but it takes a personal epiphany to decide you're ready to take the first step.

![razzle dazzle](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/22916314/origin.gif>)
*remake stripes GIF [Giphy](<https://giphy.com/gifs/matt01ss-dazzle-razzle-iLSQPv3pxGl3i>)*

### 2. Only tell the government what they need to hear

And not a single word more.

![john candy in uniform stripes](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/22916315/origin.gif>)
*candy mean GIF [Giphy](<https://giphy.com/gifs/bill-stripes-murray-ClitzhQ7jtfZm>)*

### 3. Always set goals for yourself

In the military, what you put into it is what you get out of it. True story.

![I'm getting to old for this shit stripes](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/22916317/origin.gif>)
*stripes lighten GIF [Giphy](<https://giphy.com/gifs/up-francis-lighten-lXPhQkwmddQY0>)*

### 4. Don't let your battle buddy quit

Military training can be difficult, but it's up to your battle buddies to keep your motivation high and physically threaten the people that are trying to quit.

![stripes lighten up francis](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/22916319/origin.gif>)
*stripes lighten GIF [Giphy](<https://giphy.com/gifs/up-lighten-francislighten-krhW9yWEI0x0Y>)*

### 5. Leadership can be found in anyone

It's amazing just what you'll find in a person when you peel back some of their raw layers.

![that's the fact, jack stripes](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/22916320/origin.gif>)
*inspired war GIF [Giphy](<https://giphy.com/gifs/crazy-inspired-camouflage-p6kcpsir3dzeE>)*

### 6. Brain takes brawn

You can be up against a dangerous force, but some intelligence and quick thinking can get you out of nearly any jam.

![stripes gif](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/22916323/origin.gif>)
*stripes lighten GIF [Giphy](<https://giphy.com/gifs/up-anybody-lighten-HhYw0GYhLusMg>)*

### 7. Never count out the lovable loser

They always seem to surprise us in those awesome 80's comedies.

![john candy stripes](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/22916321/origin.gif>)
*candy john GIF [Giphy](<https://giphy.com/gifs/favorite-candy-uproxx-N5PRTvxtJe9Xi>)*

## Author
Tim Kirkpatrick entered the Navy in 2007 as a Hospital Corpsman and deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines in the fall of 2010. Tim now has degrees in both Film Production and Screenwriting. tim.kirkpatrick@wearethemighty.com