The American Soldier is an interesting animal. They can not simply be put into a category, or defined by mere words. Many have tried, and failed miserably. Now it is my turn to try my hand, and to try my words.
The American Soldier, first and foremost, is the best that America has to offer. I’m sorry, Mr. Average Citizen, but you do not compare. Only the best of the citizenry is able to take up arms and to move forward in the defense of this Nation.
The first thing a person that answers the Call to serve this Nation does is swears an Oath to Defend Her. It is not some absent-minded promise that is easily put aside. It is a deep commitment, wherein a man or woman decides that the Ideals of this Nation and Her People are worth fighting, and even dying for. I know many men who claim they will die for their friends and family, but how many people, when faced with adversity cower and hide? A Soldier is expected to Never Accept Defeat, even if you must lay down your life for those you Serve. The Oath of Enlistment reads as such:
“I, ________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
Soldiers are then sent to Basic Combat Training (BCT), where they are trained both mentally and physically. They are taught how to survive, how to shoot, how to fight, to obey all orders, to be selfless. They are also taught how to trust, how to manage fear, how to plan, how to follow, how to lead, and how to leave being a civilian behind. The last easy day any Soldier has ever had, was the day before Basic Training.
Drill Sergeants, specially trained Non-Commissioned Officers, are there every step of the way for these young Soldiers. These men and women typically have combat experience, a vast knowledge of the Military and its History, and the desire to keep Soldiers alive when they have to see combat. Drill Sergeants are also in charge of taking the bodies of young civilians, and molding them into the bodies of Soldiers.
Don’t know what a Soldiers’ body looks like? Ask a woman, any woman. She will know, and will be able to elaborate more than I ever could…
During a Soldiers’ initial training they are taught Military History, and are taught to have a deep respect for Our Country and its Flag. Training events at BCT are named for various military operations of the past, and before every event, the stories of these operations are told. The operations show how normal people, when acting as Soldiers, are capable of amazing things. Read any story of any American Soldier in any war or conflict, you will be floored.
After BCT, a Soldier then goes to Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Here they learn their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). The Army truly is amazing. Think of ANY civilian job, and I bet you that I can find a MOS that correlates. A Soldier can truly be anything that they want to be, from a Doctor to a Journalist, a Scuba Diver to a Satellite Operator. During this training the Soldier becomes an expert that their chosen profession, rivaling any person doing the job in the civilian world. Also, what takes years in the civilian sector, takes Soldiers mere weeks to complete, from learning languages to repairing vehicles.
After job proficiency is achieved, a Soldier is assigned to a Unit. These units operate all over the United States, and within several other countries. Soldiers are assigned based upon the needs of the Army for particular MOSs. A Soldier then moves to the Military Installation that their Unit operates from to begin their job.
A typical day for a Soldier involves Physical Training in the morning, a full day of work and training, and various times of accountability. (I will go into normal operations both while deployed and at home in more depth in a later blog).
The Unit becomes a surrogate family for Soldiers. Camaraderie is stressed to max within the Military. A Soldier must Trust, Respect, and Genuinely Care for other Soldiers. Without this close bond, a Unit can not function properly. When all of these attributes come to fruition, there is nothing that a Unit of Soldiers can not accomplish, be it during peace or at War.
This Bond between Soldiers is also gravely important for the morale of the Soldier. We are asked to leave our families to Serve and Defend this Nation. This is heartbreaking for everyone, and if anyone tells you differently, they are lying. Sons leave Mothers and Fathers. Fathers and Mothers leave their children and each other, all to be able to complete the mission asked of them. So, by becoming a family with the other Soldiers around, this pain is mitigated in a healthy way. It is not a stretch to call this Bond between Soldiers, Love. My testosterone will not hinder me from telling you that I love my fellow Soldier. (I will talk in another blog about what support there is for the families of Soldiers).
Soldiers are also asked to Deploy to war zones, to Defend the United States, and to bring relief to Foreign Nations. Soldiers are placed into Hostile environments, and face danger on a daily basis. Many disagree with this happening, but read Our Oath of Enlistment. We will Defend our Constitution, the very Backbone of our Nation, against ALL enemies, both Foreign and Domestic. That means that we will go to War. It means that we will fight, and it means that we will Win. The American Soldier Does Not Accept Defeat. What cause is greater than that of saving Human Life, and Defending Freedom? There is no greater calling, Period.
American Soldiers make sacrifices every day. From the day we Raise our hand and swear an Oath to our Nation, until the day we hang our Uniforms up for the last time. These sacrifices are no different now than they were when this Great Nation was formed by extraordinary men and women, or when we stormed the Beaches of Normandy, or fought in the Jungles of Vietnam, or braved the Winters in Korea, or now, when we deal with the Summers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We have answered the call of our Nation and Her People for as long as there has been These United States, and we will continue to Answer the Call as long as Freedom, Truth, and Justice still Reign in this Nation.
So, what is a Soldier? A hero? An extraordinary person? Ultimately, yes, but in all reality, a Soldier is a Citizen of the United States that believes in this Country and Her Values enough to lay down their lives to Defend and Promote the Freedom we are offered herein. The American Soldier is a Man, or a Woman, above all others. If you Love this Nation, find a way to Serve. Earn the rights given to you as your birthright. Without the American Soldier, who will protect us?
I am Proud to be An American, but I am more Proud to Serve Her, for I am An American Soldier.
Brave the Storm 