You know, I was at the gym running yesterday and a couple of things occurred to me. The news was on and there was plenty of left wing anti-military stuff on. It occurred to me (as I was sweating away at mile six and thinking of my dinner of tuna fish, water and celery) that people out there have no idea what it takes to be a soldier. They don't realize the lengths that some of us who have already served our country will go to, just to make it back in. They don't realize that for some of us its balancing a job or two, family, odd work hours, etc and then trying to find time to work out, drop weight and eat right. All of this just to go BACK into the military. Its not like any of us are getting paid to do this. (If you are please let me know - I need to get in on that racket) For the longest time I felt like I was the only one doing this. It is so encouraging to find that there are others who are willing and going through the same things and issues that I am. I also applaud The WTC Drill Sergeants who are taking their time out of what I'm sure is a busy day to help us out - us who aren't even in yet. Thank you to all who post here for giving us the extra motivation we all sometimes need.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Punisher82,
Punisher, I completely and totally agree with you. Here I am, sitting at my computer at 7:52 in the morning, dreading going to work because Id rather be on that traedmill or in the gym working out so I can get back to what I really want to do with my life. My schedule generally follows a 09:00 to 22:00 hours work day five days, and to make matters worse Im nowhere near a gym I can take time off during the day to take in some cardio or weightlifting, not to mention the fact that Im on an ambulance all day long. Frustration comes to mind when I see my supervisor come and go as he wishes to do whatever he wants which almost always includes going to the gym everyday during the middle of the shift. The owner knows what Im going to do and he knows Im leaving as soon as I make tape and get my APFT to standard and better. My only problem is finding the time to rest and recuperate between shifts and go to the gym at the same time. Its so frustrating. To me, it seems like no one really cares about anything or anyone but themselves. I dont get much time to do the things that really need to be done, and Ive almost been fired a few times for, I guess you could say, making my point too loud and too clear. My Hats off to all the cadre and drill seargents who take time out of their busy schedule to do what they do here, and If I ever get the chance to meet any of you, well the first rounds on me!
I agree with both of you. You watch your boss leave to go work out. Check this out. I work on a naval base and watch half of them go out to do PT in the morning and then PT at lunch. An admiral asked me if I wanted to go running with him and unfortunately I had to tell him no. I work from 0600 - 1400. Unfortunately, I have a 1 1/2 hour commute each way. So its more like 0300 - 1630ish. Try to work out, get home, kiss the wife, feed and shower the kids, eat my own food and squeeze in a workout. Luckily, my wife is supportive so it helps. Half the time I fall asleep on the couch by 1900. My inspiration comes from my first squad leader SSG Price and team leader SGT Gibson who died in a horrible plane crash incident at Ft. Bragg. SFC Guiterrez who recently was killed in Afghanistan and my brother-in-law SGT Josh Peters who is ready to come back from Baghdad any day now.
There are many things that have motivated me to make this decision. First off, I have a 13 y/o daughter who deserves the freedoms and opportunities I had when I was growing up. Second, and probably most influential, is the fact that since I left the Air Force in 1997 I have always felt that I left something undone or that I still had more to give to my country and fellow soldiers. I have never had a job before or since that I took more pride in and was proud to tell anyone what I did for a living. I work in customer service now and I hear many people complain about things that don't make a difference to anything in the world or about things they have no idea what they are talking about. In the military we did our job, wether good or bad at the time, and could sleep at night knowing we did our part to help people live the life they live. I want my wife, daughter and mother to be proud of the man in their life doing his part to keep americans safe from all enemies.
I got to hand it to you guys. I am proud of all of you. It really was not that tough for me to get back in. Yes, I was 45 then and went through all the over 40 crap, went through the get myself back into shape thing, went to WTC, and here I am now 6 months after swearing in, on a train-up for deployment next year.
It is all in your heads guys. You CAN do this, heck you already have done the hard part. Plus you have been there before and done this, you are just older and wiser now.
As the drill sergeants at WTC stated so nicely... "You all have done something none of us did, you joined the military in a time of war, and an un-popular war at that. Most of you are older than us, and all of you have served before, so you know what this is all about. Our hats are off to all of you. Now, drop and push Fort Sill out of orbit!!"
I think the first time I heard that statement was by this really ugly scary drill sergeant, who said mean things to us and made us cry. He told us our haircuts were bad, and we needed shaves. I think he was part alien or something, ate glass for breakfast and $hit bullets. I shudder to think about him.
Man,you all tell it like it really is. Each line I read my head kept nodding up and down,telling myself thats the way I feel.I have just 5 more days and the recruiter can resubmit my med waiver.We will see what happens but I should have no problem.Thanks everyone for the posts about your experiences,and to the DS and Cadre for all the help they give on here day in and day out.
yep, I've felt the same way as all of you guys as well. Sometimes I slip a bit and chow down on more than I should. That's part of the fight. Then there are days like today, where I've finished a long week and I push away all the excuses not to get my run in. It got done. That's it. And while I was out in the field today, I got to thinking...Don't worry Chris...you'll go back to be with people you trust. You'll get it done.
When the military becomes your life at an early age, it is hard to forget when you are out. I think for most of us going back in, we are looking for that connection again, oh!, and the retirement....hehe!
As I enter the base the Marine Private looks at my ID card and says, "Thank you Staff Sergeant." I love that respect the Marines give me at Miramar.
I pay $1 for each of us to get into the theater to watch "The Bourne Ultimatum" a price that is hard to even imagine these days.
Just before the movie starts the announcer comes on and asks all of us to "Please stand for the National Anthem." I stand at attention and think, "I remember doing this as a child." We dont do this anymore offbase.
Guys, there are sooooooo many more benefits to being guard, reserve, and AD. I got to pay a dollar to watch a movie with my wife and son. And I was surrounded by brothers and sisters I do not know who respect thier President, and still very much love their country. It was a good night.
OV- You know what you're completely right and I had forgaotten all about the Pledge of Allegiance before movies. Sad that its only done on military bases anymore. Sad that its become almost socially unacceptable to be proud of your country.
My son (well, step son) asked me tonight why I liked to go to military.com so much. I told him about the blogs, something all youngers understand. He asked me if I had friends on here. I told him I would go to war with lots of them. He said who? David, Tom, Ninja (you know a Ninja, for reals?), Mark, Dana, Mike, Willaim (I mean Mace), Ron, a real Spider too, lots of otheres, and one guy especially that I pray for every night. He wanted to know who it was and why him. I told him about Chris, and how he had been my friend on here longer than any other, yet he still was not able to join yet. I told my son how Chris encourages everyone, and tries harder than most. He said I wasnt much of a friend if I didnt even know why he used Katana as a screen name. Then he asked me if I thought Chris would get back in? Absolutely. I dont think he can be stopped I said. Sounds like you need him then, he said.
Yep, we sure do. Keep charging Chris, I love you man, YOU are an inspiration yourself!
He asked me if I had friends on here. I told him I would go to war with lots of them.
Amen, brother. OV, your words speak for many of us on here. Leave the glory-hunting to the kids... I'll take my glory in just being able to step up and make a contribution (Lord knows, I don't need anymore fruit-salad).
It's interesting to me how - from reading the blogs - a vast array of difference exists in the mind-sets of the NPS and PS. I know many PS-types have caused some heartache at WTC but for the most part there is a generational divide. The youngers (as OV put it) have their goals and dreams to be gained/reached from their time in uniform. For the most part, the Elders are just content to get back in and complete a committment started years before (although a few of us do have our own goals and dreams - our own mountains to conquer...)
My inspiration for being here...? As I wrote in an email last week (the email that got me a second chance after the G1 said the NG wasn't ready to take retirees) - doing this, serving, is a part of who and what I am. That our country finds itself in a time of conflict is all the more reason for those who are able to rise up and seek to serve, continue to serve - and for those who are able - to return to service.
OK so I'll open up a bit onhere. I had this conversation with a co-worker (who is almost 50 and retiring soon from the guard). We talked about the lost war. I grew up at the tail end of the Vietnam War - I remember banging pots and pans together as a kid to celebrate the end of the war. I joined the Navy out of high school and spent 11 years in. Went through a few national conflicts while in but always below decks. You never really feel part of the mission, just servitude for the cause. I met my wife and left the service because of situational reasons with my step daughter. All said- my co-worker and I were discussing our generation. I feel as though ODS 1&2 and now OIF, OEF is passing me by. I wouldn't want to be part of a generation that did not engage in our fight for freedom. I'm joining to continue the obligation we all have to do something for our country in times of War - I can't sit by and watch the casualties and sacrifices of our young men in the field. Crist - they're the same age as my oldest daughter. Maybe even my wisdom and leadership can help save a young man's life one day. So I've found my War and looking to do what I can to contribute. Hooah!
