From boot camp to missions, soldiers are some of the bravest people on the planet.
To be in the Army, first people have to sign up and be selected to join. Next, they have to go through boot camp to ensure they are physically set to be in the Army. After that, they will go through weeks of training. Soldiers have a lot of advice for high schoolers thinking about joining.
“There is never a bad time to join as long as you actually care about the job you are doing. As long as you care, you’re teachable and can work on physical fitness when you get here. There are good and bad aspects of the job, speaking from a combat arms side. It’s not fun in the moment. Most of the time you’re carrying a ruck that’s way too heavy through bad terrain and then sleeping in a muddy hole if you get sleep at all. But the fun part is to reminisce on it with the guys you did it with. It’s all about being out there with your boys. Don’t do it for you; do it for them. It’s all about your attitude. Some people get here and get all in their heads, and they are miserable their whole contract. You just have to be grateful for the opportunities you get while you’re in and stay motivated,” SPC Jeremy Green, who is stationed in Romania, said.
Being in the Army can create many good memories to offset the challenging ones.
“Some of my favorite memories of being in the Army are the bonds I built with the people I went through training camp with and the people I met while I served. Another good memory was when I graduated boot camp and became an official in the Army,” former PVT. Pauley said. Pauley retired in 2020 during the pandemic.
After retiring or separating from the Army, many soldiers take their skills back into the workforce.
“Unless your goal is to do 20 years and retire from the Army, join a job in the Army that will transfer your experience to the civilian workforce, setting yourself up for success following the military,” SPC Brody Burgeson said.
Picking a short contract might be wise for new enlistees.
“Do a three-year contract. Anything more might make you regret it if you don’t like being where you are at,” Spc (P) Devin Cabrera said.
Joining the Army is jumping into a whirlpool of triumphs, challenges and everything in between. But the rewards often involve bonds soldiers build, good pay and plenty of benefits. Most people join the Army to protect their country and fight for their loved ones.
“Just getting into the Army is the hardest part, but after that, it is also very tough. Being away from family and friends for a long time is very challenging, but protecting them is what matters most. It is very taxing on your body, though, and you take the risk of dying. I am very happy I joined the Army and served my country proudly,” Pauley said.
Many presidents have worn the uniform proudly.
“One thing not a lot of people know about being in the Army is that a majority of presidents actually served and wore the uniform. We get to meet most presidents since we are the ones protecting this country. My favorite one I met was Obama,” Pauley said.
Some join because they do not know what they want to do with their lives and the military seemed to offer them a good place to start.
“I didn’t have any direction in life, and I wanted to figure it out,” Cabrera said.
