A l t e r E g o 9 Posted March 29, 2003 The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either. He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm Howitzers. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life -- or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime. He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years. He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. A Prayer For our Military; "Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VaBeachGuy 12 Posted December 22, 2003 That was good, I really enjoyed reading this. I believe I missed this the first time around. It's fairly accurate too. The average age of the military man is 19 years. That was me, 19 when I joined. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. We always used to laugh that we couldn't get into the enlisted club for a beer because we were "too young" yet we were expected to die in battle if called to do so. We were told in training that the people in my job, in a war with the Soviet Union (it still existed back then) had a life expectancy of 8 seconds. He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. My car was 14 years old, a white 1974 Plymouth Duster lol. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because heis working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. I actually gained weight, I went to basic training weighing about 140lbs and after Basic was over I was up to 155 or 160. Before going in the Army I'd eat 1 or 2 meals a day but once I was in the Army I ate all 3 meals a day and they served vert starchey foods. (Good food too I might add). He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in thedark. Isn't that what a Spell Check is for?? <_< I don't know about doinf it in the dark but I was pretty fast taking an M-16 apart. I probably could still do it now and it's been 13 years. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. I had to dig many foxholes but never had to dig a latrine. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march. I always enjoyed marching and singing cadence, especially when there were a lot of civilians around and they would take pictures and think it was "cool" to see a bunch of soldiers being soldiers lol. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one andwears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. I had 5 sets, 3 summer and 2 Winter. I had 5 pairs of boots, the 2 pairs I was issued, a pair of Jump Boots and 2 pairs of Jungle boots. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. You NEVER forget to clean your Rifle, your rifle is your life. If it jams you or your buddy may die. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and stillfind ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime. When I went into the Army in May 1988 as a Private E-1 my pay was $614.00 per month, $250 of which was sent back home before I saw any of it. By the time I got out in October 1990 I had been promoted 3 times, I was a Specialist E-4 (same pay grade as a Corporal) and I was making about $950.00 per month. Keep in mind these numbers are all before taxes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
