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Archive for the ‘Military Essays’ Category

Being a Wife to an Honorable Soldier

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

The following essay was submitted by Sara Colqui via our Facebook Essay Challenge where we invited our Facebook Friends to submit a short essay sharing “What is your best experience in (or with) the Military?”

Being a Wife to an Honorable Soldier

My husband joined the Utah National Guard when he was seventeen years old, and is a soldier through and through. I met him when he was twenty-one, and was okay with his devotion to the military; actually it was quit attractive to me.  He was deployed to Iraq after we had been married only eight months, and that was the biggest trial of my life. I struggled with feelings of him not loving me anymore, and it took a year after he had been home and a verbal commitment not to re-enlist for me to overcome my issues and have my heart realize he really did love me more than the military.

Once I had overcome my issues from his first deployment, I was a seasoned Army wife (and he did re-enlist). Now leads to my best experience with the military. In 2006 David had the opportunity to volunteer to go to Iraq again. He yearned to go and serve his country, and I was okay with that. Our first son was only seven months old when we decided, together, that he would volunteer to leave to Iraq the following May in 2007.

Over the years I have grown to love my country. I love the values it was founded upon and I love the freedoms I so naively enjoy. I love that our country has the ability to help those who have lived oppressed lives under a tyrant government. Most of all I love that I can stand beside and behind a truly honorable soldier who wants to fight for our freedoms as well as the freedoms of others.

I don’t feel I could be a soldier, but I know I can be a soldier’s wife! I can be his support when life during war gets dark and grim. I can show my love and support for this country by standing beside and behind my soldier. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to support my husband as he serves as an American Soldier.

Being a wife to an honorable soldier who wants to volunteer for deployment is my best experience with the military.

by Sara Colqui


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Joining the U.S. Military

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

The following essay was submitted by A1C Keshia M. Smedley via our Facebook Essay Challenge where we invited our Facebook Friends to submit a short essay sharing “What is your best experience in (or with) the Military?”

Joining the U.S. Miliary

After brief contemplation, I’ve decided on what my own personal definition of the best experience in (or with) the U.S. Military would be.  I didn’t have to think too long however, as I honestly believe that joining the U.S. Military would be considered the biggest blessing of my entire life.  Prior to my joining, I was an 18 year old female without a home, car, or definite plan for life.   I had a decent job, but struggled daily to get there by catching rides with friends day after day.  After graduating from High School in 2006 at 17 years old, I decided that I would take a little “break” before going to college.

This break led to a 2 year period of continuous disaster, full of mistakes and personal hurts.  Never the less, I was able to come to my senses and decide that it was time to make a change and do SOMETHING with my life.  I wanted this to be considered “worth” every bit of effort; I had no idea of what was getting ready to become a part of my life story.

On 01 April of 2008, I left all friends and family in Florida for Air Force Basic Training in San Antonio, Texas; since then my life has never been the same.  After 2.5 years of Active Duty service, I constantly make time to sit and reminisce on the past, as well as to dwell on the present. The combination of Service, hard-work, dedication and motivation has led to a number of great things.   I now have a car that runs great, medical and dental benefits, excellent professionalism and job skills, and continuous job security.  Also, I am currently one course away from completing my Associates Degree in Communications, with the Community College of the Air Force.  All of these things would have never been gained in such a quick time period, had I stayed in the same position I was in before enlisting in the Air Force.

There are numerous details that I could write pages about; describing all of the beautiful transformations and understandings I have gained along the journey of my enlistment.  Although I would love to pour all of my appreciation out on paper, I will refrain from doing so.  Instead, I will hold my gratefulness dear to my heart for the rest of my living days.

In closing, I would say that my best experience with the Military would have to be the amazing opportunity to transform my life in a positive aspect.  My exposure to a Military life-style has proven to be the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will continue to share my story with others considering the Military, as I am proud to be able to understand what the Air Force motto actually means.

“Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.”

Sincerely,

A1C Keshia M. Smedley


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Meeting Different Soldiers from All Branches

Sunday, September 26th, 2010

The following essay was submitted by SSG Kendal Goerdt via our Facebook Essay Challenge where we invited our Facebook Friends to submit a short essay sharing “What is your best experience in (or with) the Military?”

Meeting Different Soldiers from All Branches

One of my best experiences is all the different soldiers I have met in the United States and Overseas of all branches. It was an honor to work with and getting to know them. You get to know how the other Branches work. I have worked with all the Branches and the best one was the Marines when I was in Iraq; if you needed something they didn’t hesitate at all to make sure you had what you needed to do your job efficiently.

The biggest experience was when I was the convoy commander and going form Anaconda to Ramadi down ASR Lincoln. At about 1200HRS ON 11 MAR. 2007 at GRID 38CLC78430404, about 3.5 CLICKS West of ASR GOLDEN & MSR MOBILE, my M1114 HUMVVE hit an IED.

My driver, gunner and I were able to walk away from the explosion with only a level II concussion. We had to wait there for 6 to 8 hours until EOD arrived and assessed the situation before we could leave. They found a second device that didn’t go off. We then headed to Habbaniyah.  The next morning, when I was in Habbaniyah, I was saluted by the Lieutenant Colonel of the Marines that was in command of one of our sections. As I walked into the building, he saluted me. I found out later that he saluted me because he respected me for what I went through and was able to walk away from it.

Remember:  “A veteran – whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve – is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The ‘United States of America’, for an amount of up to and including my life.”

And Freedom isn’t free it is bought and paid for by the BLOOD of our Soldiers

by SSG Goerdt, Kendall


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Blessed by my Military Background

Friday, September 24th, 2010

The following essay was submitted by Kara Kresser via our Facebook Essay Challenge where we invited our Facebook Friends to submit a short essay sharing “What is your best experience in (or with) the Military?”

Blessed by my Military Background

I am blessed to come from a huge military background. My grandparents met during WW2 and were married (in uniform none the less) all my uncles on my moms side have served and a few on my dads side. My dad tried to join but was denied due to his asthma. I also have several cousins who are serving one who just returned and a great uncle who was MIA in WW2. Growing up in a military family such as mine, you learn several things. You learn to respect the country, the flag, those who have served, those serving, those who have been injured and those who never came home. You learn that even if the President is not in the party you normally vote for you respect him and his choices because that is what is expected of you. I mention that my uncles have all served and one of them from my mom’s side lost his legs in Vietnam. He is in a wheel chair and has severe burns on his face. You learn early on that serving is not just for fun. You respect the fact that most if not all of the soldiers are fighting for our country because they choose too. They choose to leave their families and protect ours. You learn how hard it is for those families who understand why their loved one is over there but that they do not have constant communication. So in short, what the military has done for me? It has taught me to respect and have empathy for those who are serving and who has loved ones serving! God Bless the USA.

by Kara Kresser

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Singing the Songs of the Military

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

The following essay was submitted by Cassie Adams via our Facebook Essay Challenge where we invited our Facebook Friends to submit a short essay sharing “What is your best experience in (or with) the Military?”

Singing the Songs of the Miliary

I was recently in a show called We the People. It’s a patriotic musical, and made me feel proud of America. What’s more, is at the end we saluted all the men and women who have served this country, singing their ‘theme song’ as they stood for all to see. It was an amazing opportunity for me, and I still sing those songs whenever I recognize a flag of the US military.

by Cassie Adams

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Growing Up in the Military

Monday, September 20th, 2010

The following essay was submitted by Becky Brinkerhoff via our Facebook Essay Challenge where we invited our Facebook Friends to submit a short essay sharing “What is your best experience in (or with) the Military?”

Growing Up in the Military

My family has been involved with the military all my life. My dad served as a Marine since he was 18 years old. He has long since retired, but the things that he learned and his life in the military shaped his life. It has also shaped the life of myself and my brothers and sisters. We have learned to respect humanity, to help others and to be peacemakers among other values. More than half of my family members have served in various branches of the military to protect the freedoms we enjoy and to help maintain the freedom that we take for granted.

I am proud to support their decision to be soldiers even though I know

military life is not always easy.    Sometimes it is hard to watch them leave their families to serve their country, but I know that the sacrifice that they are making is for the good of myself and my neighbors and the millions of people  in our great country.

We are always overjoyed to see them return and see how they have grown and developed as they have served. There is a sense of pride in their eyes and respect in their manners. There is a new confidence in everything they do. The military changes lives and their influence is felt around the world no matter where they serve.

Many of my siblings have benefited from the educational opportunities that the military provides. They have grown in knowledge and experience and have shared what they know with their families and their peers. It has also given them opportunities that they may not have had  without the military.  My brother learned some things in the medical industry and was able to use his knowledge to save his daughter’s life when she was very young. My sister has always wanted to help in hospitals and will have a chance to learn what she wants to learn with the help of the military.

The influence and sacrifice of all soldiers and their families directly make my life better, no matter where I am and what I do.

Without their efforts, every day would be a lot different.  My opportunities and lifestyle would be very limited. I would not be free to wake up each day full of hope and promise.

They are a beacon of hope during floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters. They rescue the innocent, the weak and the needy. They protect good people from terrorizors and tyrants they provide the strength needed to shield us from the power hungry hate mongers around the world.

Without their sacrifices, we would not be enjoying the peace and safety we now have. We would not be able to vote for leadership that represents our values.  Growing up it was easier to know that my older brothers and sisters were helping other little boys and girls around the world enjoy the same safe haven we enjoy here at home.

by Becky Brinkerhoff

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