Without them...

As I near the 24 hour mark to my ship date, I can't help but to think of those I'll be leaving behind. Without them I wouldn't have had the courage to enlist in something life changing. Without their support I would have not pushed myself to limits I never thought I would be able to reach. Family, friends, Battle Buddies!! Without their constant encouragement I would not be doing what I am. I would not BE who I am. I signed up to defend this country and everything it stands for. To keep those friends and family safe. Just thinking about that makes me proud of what I am, and who I have become. It is not about wearing the nifty uniform, or firing a pretty awesome rifle; it's about remembering why you do it in the first place.

Not too long ago (and I believe I posted this already) I was with my unit at a restaurant. Everyone was in uniform. Two kids came up to us in awe of amazement and shook every soldier's hand. Not far behind were their parents, thanking us for serving our country. It is people like that, that make me feel more proud of what I do. Without those people, us that serve would have no reason to...

Army Of One? Not really!!!!

I'm pretty sure most of you remember the old Army recruiting commercials that had the slogan "Army of One." I'll ask you this: Can one soldier fight a war on his own? "A house divided among itself is destined to fail"- Abraham Lincoln. I hear stories from my recruiters, and the soldiers in my unit about how recruits would come to the Army and think that they don't need a team. They think that they are "macho" enough to handle a war on their own. The Army is not only a team, but a family. You fight a long side your brothers and sisters in arms. You would give your life for the soldier next to you. There's no such thing as an "Army of One," that's just a story parents tell kids to help them fall asleep.

A Drill Sgt in my unit told me about a soldier whom he fought along side with when he was just an infantry soldier. He told me that the soldier had just enlisted and was already on the field. He was so stubborn that he would tell the Drill Sgt that he doesn't need any help and he can handle everything on his own. The Drill Sgt, following the Warrior Ethos of "Never leave a fallen comrade", would always try to convince him that they were a team. A week later they went on a mission. The stubborn soldier decided he could rush into the building without inspecting it and opened fire. That soldier was KIA because he wanted to be an "Army of One."

This goes to show, we are a united family. We fight together, and would die for one another. There is no "I" in team. We have to "Be all we can be", and always stay "Army Strong." You never know when you'll need your Battle Buddy.

We are fighting for the same cause.

I am an Army soldier. I sometimes hear people from different branches putting down all the other branches (ie. Airforce making fun of Navy, Marines making fun of Army, etc.) We are all fighting for the same cause: The Fight for Freedom. We stand united in the battle field. I know some people are just joking around but I have met some people who are dead serious when they say they want nothing to do with someone from another branch of service. When you are out in the field, whether you are an Army infantry soldier fighting along side a Marine, I know I would die for that Marine and protect him with everything I can, and I KNOW he or she will do the same for me. It isn't about who's training is more intense, it's about the passion each soldier puts into it. Airmen keep the skies safe so that ground soldiers are safe from aerial bombings. Seamen keep the waters safe from any vessel trying to compromise the mission. Marines keep the shores and the ground safe for all to pass. Army works side by side with the Marines to make sure that we are able to keep our freedom. Coast Guardsmen keep the borders safe so we don't have any unwanted guests. So think about it next time you say that one branch is lower than the other. We are all fighting for the same cause in the end.