As much as some people think that they're crazy, I really respect soldiers.
These people put they're lives on the line in order to attempt to save other people. I'm friends with one person in my grade who wants to become a soldier, because he feels that you can either sit around all day doing nothing or actually try to make a difference in the world. And I get that.
I personally don't have any plans to join the armed forces, because I think that my family would kill me a lot more surely then an enemy sniper would. As well, everyone knows that one day I'm destined to be rich and famous, and a military career may set me back a few years to achieving that. However, today I'm going to explore what might happen if I actually did decide to become a soldier...
1. When it came to training, I'm sure I'd have a tough time. Sure, I'm relatively fit, but the consensus seems to be that military training is brutal for anyone. As well, I've noticed something about myself, when it comes to things like school fitness tests; I'm fit, and I can usually get up to the 80'th percentile in my class or around there, but sometimes I feel like I'm still not really trying. there I am, at level 9-1 on the beep test, and I know that I could keep going, probably all the way to ten if I really went for it. The problem is, I don't have the will to keep going. I settle for 9-1, because I don't want to go through the pain of running any longer.
And I'm ashamed of this, because how am I ever going to achieve anything if I don't push myself to my limits? I think this would be a problem in the military, because I don't think anybody would let me quit. I'd just have to suck it up and keep running. As well, I've never fired a gun in my life, so I'd also be behind in that regard.
2. If I managed, somehow, to make it through training, I suppose I might have to actually fight someone. And that's where the pressure would come flowing in.
And I mean, I'm stressed enough before a soccer game! What would it be like if I knew I might lose my life?
To me, it seems like the pressure would just be multiplied when you factored in your fellow soldiers. Not only are you yourself at risk of being shot, any mistake you made could lead to the death of a comrade. It would ruin my life, trying to live that down.
3. And you know what? When it actually got to the fighting I do believe that I might turn tail and run. Because I'm not brave. I'm just an ordinary kid.
Let me put this all together for you, folks. I am just your average Joe, really. And then on the other hand of the spectrum, you've got people like soldiers, who willingly risk their lives to help others. You here these amazing stories about soldiers leaping on top of grenades to stop the shrapnel from killing everyone around it, or medics going alone under crippling enemy fire to drag back an injured comrade. And you have to ask yourself, could I do that?
Soldiers seem like superheroes to me. I suppose that we have to realize, however, that as incredible as they seem, they are just human as well, with human problems and feelings. Sometimes it's tough to wrap your head around that.
And so, soldiers, thank you for all that you do. You keep my country safe, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Thanks for reading,
-Mark
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