Reflecting on choosing this lifestyle

[dirtmover]

Tonight I picked up a couple of witnesses for the SGT Jackson trial.
Here is the link if you are not familiar with the trial: http://www.gazette.com/articles/began-148352-suicide-martial.html
I was talking, well really just listening to one of them as I was driving back to his room. He was talking about why he had joined the military specifically the Infantry. He said that he wanted to protect those that do the right thing from the assholes in the world. He was really good friends with Brandi the victim. You could feel the rage and the sadness at the fact that he wasn't able to save her, hell he didn't even know that she had died until a month later. My heart went out to him for the pain that he was feeling, but you could sense that the whole situation just strengthened his resolve to continue doing what he is already doing.

This whole conversation made me think about why I had joined in the first place. I tell civilians I joined because of the money , mainly because they just don't understand for the most part. Really, I joined because I have a mild Hero complex, I want to do my part to keep my family and my country safe and I believe that I can do it. I hate having to justify why I chose this lifestyle, like I chose a life of crime.

So I ask you this is this compulsion to serve is it something you are born with or something you developed over time? In my case my Great-Grandfather served in WWII and was awarded the Purple Heart, but nobody ever told me stories about him while I was growing up. My father whom I never met was in the Air Force. Secondly, why did you join/want to join?

I wasn't quite sure where I should put this thread.

 

[Etype]

I know you're a woman, but-

At this point in my life, I don't see how any '"man" can be such in a time of war without being in the military. It's what men have done since the beginning of time- they leave home, go to strange lands, and kill people. There's no trumping being proficient in the manly skill of killing.

"So what if you can play guitar better than me? I'll kill you- then I'll be better at playing guitar than you are. How far do you want to take this?"
- The classic argument.

 

[goon175]

Because I grew up listening to my uncle talk about being a SEAL in RVN.
Because there was a war going on, and if not me, who?
Because I didn't want to have any regrets later in life, knowing I could have done my part, but didn't.
Because I had never been the best at anything, and figured if I succeeded as a Ranger then I could say I was the best at something.

Little did I know how much more I would take away from this experience, how much it would ask of me, and how well you really get to know yourself in an occupation like this - which isn't always a good thing.

On my 3rd deployment the commander of SEAL team 2 gave me a coin, I guess because they thought it was cool that 40 years later I was working together in combat with guys that followed in my uncles footsteps. Pretty cool though.

Found out that going to war was nothing like what I expected it to be, in both a good and a bad way.

Found out that although no one can say I haven't done my part, that I believe it near impossible to live life without regrets. You reach one goal just to discover 3 more you didn't know about before. It's one big rat race, always trying to reach the next level.

I found out that just because you made it to the Regiment doesn't mean you were the best at anything, you just happened to prepare just enough and get lucky just enough to make it. And then you show up day one to find out you aint shit, and are a long ways from the best at anything.

I pity those who never have a chance to serve, and experience the stuff we all take for granted wearing a uniform.

 

[Red Ryder]

Great thread. Motivating. Sometimes, reading stuff like this, I get down on myself for not enlisting sooner.

 

[8654Maine]

Because of fear.

My biggest fear is that on my deathbed, I'll wonder "Could I?" Or "Should I?"

I don't want to doubt that my time on this land meant something. Or that I wished a life that was fulfilling and rewarding.

 

[Diamondback 2/2]

Family tradition, revenge against those who attacked us, and being an all around badass…

 

[Etype]

People see others doing incredible things like winning the Super Bowl, or hitting however many home runs qualifies as a lot in MLB. But there's a certain place that SOF takes you where you get to do and see things that Super Bowl winners or home run hitters couldn't contemplate, video games can't make you feel it, and TV programs can't show you it- you have to be there.

 

[Marauder06]

I joined the Army because my father was a Soldier. When I was a kid, I thought that's what everyone's father did.

I grew up watching Aliens, Red Dawn, and Platoon over and over again on VHS. I thought that's what everyone grew up to do.

All I wanted to do my whole life is be a Soldier. I thought that was what everyone wanted to be when they grew up.

The only reason I went to college was because my father told me that is the only way I could become and officer like him. It turns out that what he told me wasn't 100% accurate.

I stayed in the Army because there are some genuinely evil people out there in the world, and the US military is one of the only organizations that is willing to do what it takes to stop them. I'm proud to do my part.

 

[Rampart]

I have military service in my DNA I think as it is something of a family tradition.

My family tree is full of army service around the globe. One afternoon I sat down mapped all the conflicts mentioned in the family tree for nearly 450 years back into history. I discovered during this that I have ancestors who have fought in every conflict that the British and NZ Armies have been involed in in that time. Then there was the entire Scots - England thing with representation on both sides. There is a healthy dusting of Clan warfare and Mercenary activity going back to the 1400s.....

I have recently started verifing the recored details and have yet to find any questionable entries.

I grew up listening to my Poppa talk about the his days of the Long Range Patrol which became the Long Range Desert Group and time spent in the original SAS. He told me about his father, uncles and numerous cousins all fighting in the Boer wars (on both sides) and in WW1. My father served in Malaysia and Vietnam. I grew up, living and breathing "doing your duty" and always being aware that the only way was to give 110% at everything. Quitting was not an option. I promised my Poppa on his death bed that I would do a number of things, Always do the right thing, Live honourably, look out for those who can not look out for themselves and serve in the finest units, being the best soldier possible. I am proud to say I have not broken my promise. I served in the NZ and British Army as well as Royal Marines. I then went into private work when I was told I was too broken to remain in the unit I was in at the time. Most of the guys I served with did the same, so the club just rolls on.... I have been in a conflict zone of one sort or another most of the time for just over 30 years now and do not regret any of it.

One thing which showed just what a tiny world the professional soldier moves in. About 7 years ago when I was looking for some new guys for my company, a huge South African (ex Recce) came in the door. After the preliminary chatter, I discovered his grandfather had served in the LRDG. Turns out his grandfather and My Poppa were good mates and fought together on more than one occasion. Even our own service was eerily similar, joining at the earliest age, both SF, Both going private and both wanting to focus on supporting humanitarian and game protection activities. He is my 2IC these days and my best mate. Our sons are all serving in SF as well.

Not joining up and doing my bit was not even on my radar. Now I am older, shot up and broken, much much wiser in the ways of the world, I am glad to have shared "those" moments with such fine men ( and women) -
Gotten drunk with them,
Stood side by side \
Staring at death,
Being shit scared,
Feeling the rush as things start to happen
Developed a battle field addiction,
Lost the odd fight,
Long, long cold nights on watch,
Getting mistaken for the enemy by shit heads who don't maintain proper SA,
Being bored stupid just waiting for something to happen
Remembering lost mates
Missing home life.....

We all know those black moments, comforting your mate as he dies, the quiet inner reflection which follows and the determination to make things right and drink his share for him later. It sucks, but we all face this as a reality of the job and it gives the intensity and spiritual awareness that enables us to do what we do. We honour our mates every time we walk into battle. The guys next to me are the ones I am there with and there for.....

Why would any one not join! It is the most manly and noble career and I have loved it.

You can not explain how it is to those who have not lived it. It is for MEN and WOMEN not boys and girls. I have found that in my current dilapidated state that the good times are far more in focus than the bad. Time well spent. Time for a Laphroaig......

Edit: My life is immeasurably the better for the fine people I have met marching to face whatever lies ahead.....

 

[Rampart]

I wasn't quite sure where I should put this thread.

Fine place to put it. It does us no harm to reflect ...... Thanks Dirtmover, I got to thinking and now my eyes are sweating....... mates lost and memories of times gone by.

 

[RackMaster]

Always wanted to, since I was a kid. I have a cousin that's in the RCAF, an uncle that was in the Army, both Grand Fathers served (One in WW2 and one in Korea), Great Uncles that were in WW2 and Great Great Grand Fathers that were in WW1 and WW2. I'm sure if I looked back far enough, it must be genetic to wear a uniform of some sort.

 

[RetPara]

Going into the Marines, then the Army is what I was supposed to do. No doubt, no real hesitation - I wanted to be 'there' where ever 'there' was. This is who I am. Now my 'additional duty' of veterans employment gives me a reason to get up in the morning. I was the first from my HS class to join and last to get out. My family thought I was to be the 'Catholic Priest' for that generation. Wrong Answer there. A lot of funny coincidences over the years.... At my 10 year HS reunion someone asked me in front of a large group if I really thought we would go to war again... I replied that somewhere, someone, would do something stupid and we'd have to step on them. That was the 8th of October 1983.... I was on Grenada by the end of the month.

It's been not so much about what I did, but who I have been with. I was lucky over the years to have 'Walked With Giants'.