The Average Military Man
The average age of the military man is 19 years.
He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal
circumstances is considered by society as half man, half
boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy
a beer, but old enough to die for his country.
He never really cared much for work and he would rather
wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never
collected unemployment either.
He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an
average student, pursued some form of sport activities,
drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend
that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to
be waiting when he returns from half a world away.
He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or
swing and 155mm Howitzers.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at
home because he is working or fighting from before dawn
to well after dusk.
He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him,
but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble
it in less time in the dark.
He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun
or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a
professional.
He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to
march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not
without spirit or individual dignity.
He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one
and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean hisrifle.
He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own
hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are
hungry, his food.
He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle
when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they
were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is hisjob.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay
and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and
death than he should have in his short lifetime.
He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen
in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his
body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire
to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand,
remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in
and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is
paying the price for our freedom.
Beardless or not, he is not a boy.
He is the American Fighting Man who has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.
Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Marine or
Airman, prayer is the very best one.
He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal
circumstances is considered by society as half man, half
boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy
a beer, but old enough to die for his country.
He never really cared much for work and he would rather
wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never
collected unemployment either.
He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an
average student, pursued some form of sport activities,
drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend
that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to
be waiting when he returns from half a world away.
He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or
swing and 155mm Howitzers.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at
home because he is working or fighting from before dawn
to well after dusk.
He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him,
but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble
it in less time in the dark.
He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun
or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a
professional.
He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to
march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not
without spirit or individual dignity.
He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one
and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean hisrifle.
He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own
hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are
hungry, his food.
He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle
when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they
were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is hisjob.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay
and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and
death than he should have in his short lifetime.
He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen
in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his
body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire
to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand,
remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in
and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is
paying the price for our freedom.
Beardless or not, he is not a boy.
He is the American Fighting Man who has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.
Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Marine or
Airman, prayer is the very best one.