From Civilian to Soldier

“YES, DRILL SERGEANT!!!” Recognizing the imminent doom that I hastily volunteered for I started on my path to becoming an Infantry soldier that was parachutist qualified. The civilian in me was slowly growing away for those 16 weeks required to turn a boy into a man. I joined the military in 2000, under the Clinton Presidency but just before George W. Bush became the President of the United States. I had talked to my friends before me that has served I realized this was what I needed to do. Stuck at a Radio Shack, albeit a top-salesman, it was a nowhere job with a nowhere future.

I had no car. I had a roommate, who was one of my best friends, but I get like I was pulling him down. My other best friends were all in the Marines or Navy, and me, I was rotting in my brain! I did not realize that at the time, just felt like I was meant for more. I wanted to “Be all that I could be…”

Fast forward seven years. I’d been training to fight, kill, helping my brothers that had fallen, and drinking water while moving with a purpose. Two very large wars were raging on. It was my turn. Rolling out with F Co. 151 – the last Infantry company out of Elkhart. We rolled out to Ft. Dix for train-up then to Kuwait and Iraq. Time to fight.

After Iraq, there was this profound sadness. Our leadership, that we had overseas, was less than moral, and we were beaten down. We hadn’t taken any death casualties, but our company was depressed and hated the fact that we were abused. We all took stock that we were home alive when we knew that we easily could have been killed or worse.

I came home with a fuller chest, but a deflated ego, but I’d made some lifetime friends. I made friends that we call each other brothers.

Happy Veteran’s Day

Here it is, I’ve been medically retired from the United States Army since 2012 (they don’t let you serve if you cannot stand at Parade Rest, weird I know…). Now, I pray, I pray that we will be able to keep this land the way we’re meant to defend it. And today we celebrate life and the fact that we made it home alive while we toast to our fallen brothers and sisters.

Happy Veteran’s Day to all of my brothers and sisters out there!

Until next time:

PEACE