Odd Combination of Pride and Frustration

Kind of a second lowpoint in the deployment for me the past day, although I can't put a finger on why. I'm only at around two months here at the FOB but when I look back at the spring and summer I realize that all of May and parts of April, June and July were eaten up by training and preparation for deployment. It seems like it has been a long time since I last lived my normal life-- Deployment has been dominating my thoughts and daily life for most of this year and will continue to for the rest of the year. Mostly I'm fine, but I really have to avoid looking at pictures of my family...

I find it interesting that a not insignificant number of people here really like the deployment, or at least don't mind it. These young men and women like their jobs, aren't married, don't have kids, don't pay rent or pay for food and they make extra pay while they are here. Not a bad deal for a 20 year old. This is why a professional, volunteer Army works-- there are people who want these jobs and are willing to do what it takes to get through 12 and 15 month deployments (although there seems to be universal agreement that 15 month deployments are not good for anyone).

This is an important point, because people continue to join the Army and re-enlist knowing that these one year deployments are now standard fare. Frankly I'm impressed that people do it, but also thankful that there are people who want to serve in this manner. It isn't for everyone and some people know this ahead of time and thus avoid joining any branch of the military, other people find out that it isn't for them half way through their first deployment...

Nevertheless I am constantly surprised when I hear the statistic that only 1% of the US population serves in the military. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but it causes a combination of pride and frustration; I'm proud that I am one of those few and frustrated that more people do not volunteer.

That sums up my experience of military service though: an odd combination of pride and frustration. Half the time I rue the day I raised my right hand and the other half I feel confident that I will be proud of my service for the rest of my life.