salience
September 9, 2002
As I walked down my hall this morning, I was greeted by a throng of girls just heading to bed. Keep in mind that this was at 5:45 on a Monday morning, which means these poor representations of the female gender had been partying on a Sunday night...
A. Sunday. Night. Heathens. :-D
All through PT this morning, our nice run down Comm Ave, I kept thinking about what a fantastic experience ROTC really is. I have found the branch that suits me and I have delved into it with full force. It is a third family and I feel honored to be participating in this leadership program. There are so many reasons not to join, why it is too hard: there is the physical aspect, pushing your tangible constraints so hard that it feels like one's blood is the only thing keeping her together; the mental aspect, cadre and cadet officers refusing to accept anything but perfection; the fatigue, how all cadets learn that eating and sleeping are luxuries that should not be taken lightly; the commitment after school, serving in the military for five years active duty with the option of going reserve for the last three.
But honestly, this laundry list is a crock of shit.
And I mean that. There is no sufficient reason for not joining ROTC: I do feel that everyone should experience what it feels like to be disciplined enough to put one's homeland first.
Any excuse a person can give me for not taking advantage of this program is too selfish to be a citizen of this country.
Okay. Those were harsh words, I will admit. However, I feel no guilt or remorse for having said what I am thinking.
At 7:36 this morning I was walking back to my dorm with some other cadets, and I remembered what my dad had told me when I explained how I wanted to follow in his footsteps and join Army ROTC. First he grinned with pride, a look I will never forget, and with tears in his eyes he told me, "Just remember, the protected will never understand the sacrifices the soldier endures." At the time, all I could do was just nod and ponder.
But now I see the long road of sacrifice ahead of me.
A. Sunday. Night. Heathens. :-D
All through PT this morning, our nice run down Comm Ave, I kept thinking about what a fantastic experience ROTC really is. I have found the branch that suits me and I have delved into it with full force. It is a third family and I feel honored to be participating in this leadership program. There are so many reasons not to join, why it is too hard: there is the physical aspect, pushing your tangible constraints so hard that it feels like one's blood is the only thing keeping her together; the mental aspect, cadre and cadet officers refusing to accept anything but perfection; the fatigue, how all cadets learn that eating and sleeping are luxuries that should not be taken lightly; the commitment after school, serving in the military for five years active duty with the option of going reserve for the last three.
But honestly, this laundry list is a crock of shit.
And I mean that. There is no sufficient reason for not joining ROTC: I do feel that everyone should experience what it feels like to be disciplined enough to put one's homeland first.
Any excuse a person can give me for not taking advantage of this program is too selfish to be a citizen of this country.
Okay. Those were harsh words, I will admit. However, I feel no guilt or remorse for having said what I am thinking.
At 7:36 this morning I was walking back to my dorm with some other cadets, and I remembered what my dad had told me when I explained how I wanted to follow in his footsteps and join Army ROTC. First he grinned with pride, a look I will never forget, and with tears in his eyes he told me, "Just remember, the protected will never understand the sacrifices the soldier endures." At the time, all I could do was just nod and ponder.
But now I see the long road of sacrifice ahead of me.
lasaliente, 21:47
