I want to join the Army

This has been a constant thought in my mind for the last 4 months, and somewhat in the back of my mind since I graduated high school in 2003. That's a long time, I know, but it is a big commitment. One must leave everything he knows behind for something he is not quite sure of, and then commit to it for at least 3 to 4 years. Friends will be left behind, but new friends will be made. Possessions will become meaningless and the only things one will possess protect him and allow him to complete his mission. Family will be there only in spirit. All will be left behind for a new and exciting future that I think is more important than anything one can do as a civilian. We live and work just to get by in life. We work for companies that only care about the "bottom line" and to some extent, customer satisfaction. Employees are never given enough credit for a job well done, but are always criticized for any mistakes made from day to day. The only thing that helps is a manager that cares more about the employee than the customers and the company they work for; and that manager is me. Only a handful of people can fill this role, and these people never feel like they are making a difference.

Back to the topic at hand. The military, no matter which branch one chooses, offers one the chance to prove themselves where it really matters. Nobody is thinking about profit margins when bullets are whizzing by their head. Nobody is wondering when the next generation video game console will be released when they are standing side by side with fellow soldiers holding a fortification from a never ending onslaught of enemy fire coming from all directions. I will always be thinking of my fellow soldier and that polite little girl or boy that says please and thank you when ordering popcorn from the senior assistant manager working for a movie theater chain. I will finally be shown respect from my superiors that I have waited for, and never received, from my bosses and supervisors. Why live in a world where everyone is looking out for #1, and leaves the rest of us behind to suffer?

My parents made me strong, the Army will make me Army Strong.