My Introduction to Service
I arrived at boot camp on Thursday night. I close to midnight, but I wasn't tired The first person I met was Sergeant Smith. He was a large man, probably six foot five, with a large frame and a deep growling voice. "Are you ready?" he grumbled. I responded with, "I guess so." He stopped in his tracks, looked deep into my eyes as if seeing right through me and said sternly, "You will use 'Sir' when addressing me. Now let's go". He walked me over to my new barracks. I had serious doubts about my survival in training.never mind combat.
It seemed like seconds from when my head hit the pillow that I heard a sergeant screaming (it seemed as if he was screaming in my ear). We had to jump up, stand at attention, lined up for roll call. I had no idea what time it was, other than that it was still dark outside. It was only minutes later that we were running through the mud and rain. I had no idea how far I ran that day. All I know is that I would usually get winded running to the end of the block. I was told later that day that I had run five miles. By the end of that first day I learned something very important. I learned that I needed to adjust my way of thinking about things. I learned that I could accomplish much more than I ever imagined possible. I set my sights to bigger challenges and learned that I was capable of much more than I ever Imagined possible. That first day was very challenging, but far from the most challenging of my military career.
Preparing for War
It was early Spring when we got word that we would be sent into hostile territory.possibly a combat situation. All the training in the world would not prepare me for that moment. I knew I was trained, as were my fellow soldiers. However, I couldn't stop thinking of my family. It wasn't long that I learned to use that to my advantage. Thinking of my family brought me a sense of duty and pride. It made my reasons for going into harm's way clearer. I took the call to battle as a call to protect liberty for my children, and their children.
My fear soon turned to resolve. This was another moment that I learned I was capable of much more than I ever imagined. I always feared the moment I received orders to go into harm's way. Yet, I learned that I had much more inner-strength and resolve than I ever had known before. Had I had it all along? Or was this a result of my training. All I knew is that at that moment, I learned that some things were more important than my own comforts. I matured quite a bit that day. I had no idea of what challenges I would face, but I knew that I had to face them head on.
