Home

After 5 months, 2 weeks, and 5 days of training for the Army, I have at long last, returned home. Going to Basic Training, and subsequent Advanced Training, has been probably the most physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding, the most frustrating, the toughest, and best things I have ever done in my life. Throughout training, there were many of what I call "I Can't Believe I Just Did That" moments. From rapelling down a 50 foot wall, to shooting targets 300 meters away, to marching 12 miles with a 60 lb. rucksack, to climbing a tower that left me so utterly frightened I couldn't breathe, there was rarely a day that I did not do something I was extremely proud of. And the fact I was twice the age of most of my fellow soldiers made it all that much more rewarding. There were several soldiers whose parents were younger than me....! There were several sergeants, including one of my drill sergeants, who pulled me aside to tell me they admired and respected me for joining so late in life.




Probably the single most important lesson I learned was "Never Quit". From before I even left, I ran into roadblocks. After taking a physical, the Army discovered I had a genetic heart defect, and disqualified me. But I refused to quit, or even let someone else tell me I should quit. I got a doctor to sign off that I was OK, and the Army waived me in. During Basic Training, I suffered a torn meniscus in my left knee, and I got pneumonia while in Advanced Training. But I took one day at a time (and with the help of medical notes!), I was still able to pass all the necessary requirements to continue on.





"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do."~ Eleanor Roosevelt

I am an American Soldier.

I am a warrior and a member of a team.

I serve the people of the United States and live the Army values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.

I always maintain my arms, my equipment, and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American soldier.