I'm an American Servicemember. What does those words mean to you?

2013-12-08T07:30:15-05:00

I'm an American Servicemember. What does those words mean to you? i.e. Why did you join etc.? Your thoughts

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2013 4:55 PM

2013-12-08T16:55:59-05:00

I can only speak in the past tense meant to me, but it was not a good time reputation-wise to be in. That and the fact that it was about the time when the all volunteer service came into being. I pretty much think that regardless of all the discussions regarding necessity of force, that we are gate keepers of freedom. And we have to believe in exceptionalism regardless of what our current president says.

Our society may be multicultural but that is no excuse to abandon what we have made together. I guess to honor the mounds of dead bodies who do not have our unique perspective of knowing the past as we do.

So, we are exceptional and to be a fighting man/woman is a testimonial to our commitment.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Dec 9 at 2013 8:06 PM

2013-12-09T20:06:15-05:00

Every generation in my family has sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America.

I joined for there is no greater honor than to serve God and Country.

Red represents the blood of the Soldiers who have died for our Country. Freedom is not
free; it takes commitment and sacrifice for the greater good.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2013 8:21 PM

2013-12-09T20:21:52-05:00

to me it means that I chose to sacrifice and fight for this nation whether its enemies foreign or domestic.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2013 8:38 PM

2013-12-09T20:38:03-05:00

I joined initially for college money but that took a back seat real quick during basic. I love serving my country and being apart of something bigger than myself. Just hope my potential isn't squandered in the reserves.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2013 7:53 AM

2013-12-10T07:53:54-05:00

"I'm an American Service member."

To me, they are powerful words, backed by a legacy of prestige and honor. Loyalty and commitment. Sacrifice and esperit de corps. It says that you are willing to lay down your life for another human being. It says that you are willing to help those who are in need. It says that you are a part of a greater thing than yourself. And lastly, it says that you are part of the largest family in the United States.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 25 at 2015 5:17 PM

2015-10-25T17:17:23-04:00

It means I will help wage war on behalf of the country regardless of my political differences.

Response by MSgt Harry Thomas Sr. made Oct 26 at 2015 6:29 PM

2015-10-26T18:29:07-04:00

I joined because I would be called a United States Marine, not an American Servicemember, and I earned my Title! American Servicemember just doesn't describe the the Relentless Dedication, Personal Pride, and Professionalism, woven into the very fabric of a Marine. Therefore, those words lack Character!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2015 12:19 AM

2015-10-29T00:19:05-04:00

Things need done. They get done.
What ever, where ever, when ever.
because it needs done.

We, sworn to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, we volunteered. We represent America. We represent the ideals embodied in that document. No perfect society, no absolute maxims. People trying to be free and let each other be free. People trying to be prosperous and let others be prosperous. When people see our uniform or think "Americans" they trust that something that needs done is going to get done. They trust that it's not going to be too late, or too dark, or too wet, or we're too tired, or it's too far. They trust that if a miracle can happen, the Americans will make it happen. When we roll over the hill or fall out of the skies or come splashing through the waves; something has gone bad, bad wrong. We're coming to fix it.

We're not coming to take your stuff. We're coming to help you secure yours. We're not coming to make you our slaves. We're coming to help you throw off your chains and learn to live without them. We're not coming to put you on your knees. We're coming to help you stand.

And our enemies? Even the worst, "Bad dog. No biscuit." We'll kill you if you make us. If you don't we won't. We tell you, "Don't do this thing, this right here. Yeah that. Look it's simple don't so this thing here and we'll leave you alone. Really, you're not getting this? Come on, let's go over it again. You see this. Yeah, this. Yeah, this thing right here. Yeah, that. No, not that. THIS. Don't. Just don't. Really? Ok. One more time..."

We don't roll in Death-blossoming with "ride of the valkyries" blasting intent on killing everyone. We have no interest in "Crush your enemies. See them driven before you. Hear the lamentations of their women." But you want it, Toyota. Their is no ethnic or religious group where we say, "they all must die to the last babe." We don't do that. We feel shame when there is one of us who thinks any thing LIKE that. Those of us who try, we punish. And we remember.

We put ourselves between you and 'them'. Whoever 'them' is. Don't be them. We have no intention of dying. We're better than that, mostly. Sometimes not. We do our best. Sometimes there just isn't a damn thing that can be done. Sometimes the enemy is good, or just lucky. And Murphy is a bitch. This isn't a safe occupation. We mourn our dead. We mourn yours too. At least those of yours, or ours, not "them".

The things that need done, often we're not allowed. Our leaders are political types. What you gonna do? They don't reflect on us. We do what we have to do to get them done. Macgyver is one of our patron saints, and Murphy is our devil. There is never not a solution. Not necessarily a good one. Maybe not one that is acceptable.

Personally, I've failed a lot.

An old man at the Adnan Palace told me, "There is no answer people can have to solve this. Only faith in God." He paused for a moment before he continued.
"I think you Soldiers are better."

So...
Things need done. They get done.
What ever, where ever, when ever.
because it needs done.
Because that's why we're here.

Konstantin Jireček
“We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.”

Nice, but we're not the unwilling. We're not led by the unknowing. The rest is arguable.