abodunde1987 asks: Can you give me some reasons why I should be a soldier?
Hi abodunde1987 –
Being a member of the military is one of the most difficult, strenuous, and dangerous jobs anyone can choose. My first answer to your question would be that the biggest reason to become a soldier is because you passionately believe in the cause you’d be fighting for. For example, if your country has been attacked, you might feel very strongly that you want to be a part of the force that responds to that attack. But if you’re not feeling it strongly, you might want to put your efforts into other activities.
Having said that, here are a few reasons why becoming a soldier can be a good idea:
1) At this time of economic uncertainty, many countries’ militaries are just about the only guaranteed jobs available, especially for young adults. Not only are they paid jobs, but they usually include good health care and retirement plans.
2) Many militaries do great jobs of job training for the futures of their personnel. You can get trained in such fields as computer programming, or even in airplane piloting.
3) Historically, young men were often sent into the military to “grow up,” to learn to care for others, and to develop self-discipline. There’s no reason to think such growth wouldn’t occur there today as well.
4) Similarly, being a soldier can give one a great deal of deep self-respect. Having served, having offered up yourself to the greater good, can quell the voices in yourself or in others that tell you you’re less than you should be, or even worthless. (However, it is also true that many soldiers find themselves suffering great self-doubt because of the traumas of combat, so this one’s not a guarantee).
5) And last, but certainly not least, others will look up to you forever. And you get to wear the medals and ribbons that others aren’t allowed to. There’s that old cliché, “There’s something about a man in uniform!”
Again, javon, there’s so much danger in the life of a soldier that I’d never push anyone into it. But if you’re considering it, then absolutely there are many benefits it offers.
If you do choose that life, then my wish for you is that you never find yourself doing anything you don’t believe in. If you can avoid that, it should be a great life of service and the creation of peace. And how can I do anything but offer you my deepest respect for that!
Good Luck,
Shirelle
