"My first combat experience truly had an impact on me. It taught me that war is something that is over glorified until you truly see how ****** it is."
My name is Anonymous and I am an active Colonel in the US Army. I have been serving for over 26 years. It all started when I was 13 years old. I felt a need to fulfill my civil duty and serve my country. While my dad and my uncle had served, this did not influence me to serve so much as my sense of duty. As soon as I left high school, I enrolled in the United States Military Academy in West point.
My time at West point really prepared me for the rigor of my life in the military. There was an initial shock that some may find hard to get over; the military is very organized. There is always a prescribed way to do something; there’s always a better place to be, a more efficient way to fix an engine, and a faster way to work. Furthermore, obeying orders from the higher-ups is also a huge change that needs time for adjustment.
My first combat experience truly had an impact on me. It taught me that war is something that is over glorified until you truly see how ****** it is. War is not something that should be used to solve every problem; rather, war should be a last resort.
My time in the military has really shaped who I am. By far, the greatest part about my service has been the friendships I have formed; not even in my time in West point have I formed as strong bonds as I have now. However, I still remain thankful for all that I have been given and what has been done; I am grateful for what I have and grateful that I can come home to my children, as a few of my comrades lost their lives in battle while their families grieved. War itself is a mistake, but our government has also been making mistakes by choosing when to go to war in an ill-conceived manner. Furthermore, I think one way society can help improve the lives of veterans is to listen to their stories more; conversations should be held to educate the public one what it means to be in the military.