what is the military for you?

[masonsdaughter]

The military made me grow up quick, fast, and in a hurry. I felt that I was a part of something that had been handed down through time since the revolution. I was walking in the footsteps of heros and hoped that I measured up. I also learned the truth of mind over matter. If you don't mind, It don't matter or get the h*** of your duff and get the job done.

[Bub]

I had my folks sign the papers when I was still 17, and left immediately from the farm to the Army. When I turned 35 I realized I had 18 years in the Army and had been a soldier longer than I had been a civilian. I thought about how long it took me to become the soldier I was, and how different I would be from my peers when I retired. In 05 I listened closely to what my options were, looked around at the line of folks waiting for my job and retired with 21 Years.
I knew that the military had been a close knit organization, my job as a leader was to get everyone to work toward a single goal as a team...and we always did (almost without exception).

I learned even more about the Army after I left it:
1. The YOUNG men and women of the Armed Forces are the Salt of the Earth, there are none better.
2. Folks that havent served can't be told...only tidbits get through.
3. Todays Army is better than yesterdays, but they really work hard at making it that way.
4. I know now that I will NEVER have the pleasure of work that I did in the Military.
5. After almost 4 years, not a day goes by that I do not think about the great people I worked with in the Army, I know they are still doing great things today and I am the stuff of "folk-lore" now, as those once-young leaders email me stories about how they applied one of my sayings or leadership styles/tricks....Through them I will live on for a long time.

I am too young for the rocking chair, so I am in search of the "work" that gives me the same satisfaction as the military. If I find it, I will be certain to let you know, I will start a string of my own.

[The_Mo's]

The miltiary for me is a "passion" for my country unlike any passion I've found elsewhere in life. I've never served for the money, or the awards but for the tremendous pride and satisfaction of knowing that what I do contributes to the safety of the country I so dearly love. There was an anti-war/anti military protest a few weeks back in the DC area as I was passing through and my wife asked me if it bothered me to see American's opposing the military rather than showing us their support and praising us for the difficult job that we do. Instead all I could do was think about how great it was to see everyday citizens excersizing their rights which so many heroes before us sacrificed their lives for.

To be in the military is to be part of the greatest team on earth all working towards the same goal... What is the military for me? It is the un-selfish act of serving a greater cause than ourselves for the benefit of many, for those protesters who bring a smile to face by reaping the benefits people like us are willing to die for to protect. I wouldn't trade my my military experiences for anything in the world and as my retirement day draws near so does a hint of sadness.

[Crew Chief]

Was listening to WLW's America's Trucking Network" last night and heard one of the regular callers say somthing I think should repeated: "I wonder how many of the people who went to Washington D.C. to see President Obama sworn in took the time to go see Arlington Cemetary, the WW II or the Vietnam Memorial. For it was THOSE men and women that truly gave them their freedom". (I'm ashamed I don't remember the caller's name; I'm confused between the two of them...my sincere apologies)