Joining The War-Personal Narrative

I immediately decided to enlist in the United States Navy. I didn’t have to — I was 23 and strong-bodied, you bet, but with my father terminally ill back in Van Meter, Iowa, I was exempt from military service.” Instead of taking the easy route of getting paid and staying with his father, he went to war for his

Today I went down to the Melbourne Town Hall to enlist for the Australian Imperial Forces as my father had recently been rejected for being too old and failing his medical examination, so I stood up and took his place to represent my family. I enlisted claiming that I was 18 years old, even though I am only 14 and 3 months. The good news came when I was accepted and they even mentioned that I was the “Fittest specimen” that the officer had seen all day. I was then taken to the Depot located at Broadmeadows. This was when I was assigned to the 1st Reinforcements of the 21st Battalion as a private and received my uniform.

Already while reading this book I felt closer and more understanding of the, because I too left college in the fear that if I didn’t join now, I would never have another chance to serve my country.

I’m cold, I can’t breath through the thick smoke, and a quarter of the men I went to war with are dead. At Valley Forge we have extremely poor living conditions. 3,989 out of 8,000 soldiers are ill. I decided to re-enlist for three reasons which are honoring my country, helping the unfortunate soldiers, and destroying Great Britain’s tyranny.

I thought to myself this is the day that I join. I have filled out all the papers and I just got dropped off at the bus station. My mom had said to me,¨Stay safe and I love you Brandon.” The bus took about 45 minutes to get at the bus depot. As more and more people came seeking either adventure or to serve their country, I was there for a different reason and that was to get somewhere in life and to someday be a somebody. As the bus came around the corner to a screeching halt, we all boarded the bus. I found a seat in the back of the bus next to a tall attractive girl or so to become soldier. She had silky blonde hair that glistened when light hit it, she also had pearly white teeth. I could barely keep calm she was the perfect girl and I got to sit next to her. I just could not believe it.

A considerable amount of our men have died, but I’m alive, and because of that, I should stay to help. Just by December, 1,800 soldiers out of the starting 12,000 died. (Busch 147) There have been this many losses, and there are many to come. Staying could promise my place among the fallen, but it doesn’t matter. From my new favorite reading material: “The Summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of country…” (Paine 153) I refuse to avoid hardships, when so many have stayed, suffered, and died. Some soldiers deserted when the living conditions dropped. Others, of course, leave when their time is up, and there is no shame in that, but our army is shrinking smaller and smaller. By February 1, 1778, 3,989 people were sick. (Busch 147) Myself, being one of those 3,989 am sick from my infected leg. “...But he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” (Paine 153) If I can stay throughout the suffering and death, I can help the turnout in this war. Since I am needed in the army, I will re-enlist. The army has suffered sickness and much losses. I can stay to fight in the place of those with more serious illness, those who have deserted or have finished their time, and those who have

Growing up as the son of a career Naval Officer, I have experienced a background that varies greatly from that of an applicant who has grown up in a strictly civilian family. The constant relocation, the exciting places I have lived, and the countless great, unique people I have met, have all contributed that that he unique childhood I have enjoyed. While at times my identity as a military child has made life challenging and difficult, I strongly believe that it has made me a stronger, more adaptable person because I have been molded by past experiences and I don't think that my application would be complete without this information.

I raced home to tell my family of this joyous news, and told my wife to prepare the finest dinner in celebration. In 1776 when we declared our independence, we declared our fight for freedom against Britain, and all I could think about was how determined I was to fight the war that I had been waiting for ever since the Boston Tea Party. Later I found myself laughing as I thought of how desperately I had wanted to leave when we arrived at Valley Forge, 18 miles west of Philadelphia, the winter of my enlistment. I told my best friend who happened to be in the same hut as me after one of my roommates died. He said he would accept my opinion, but said he strongly disagreed and told me of all the terrors that the queen probably had in store for us and our families if we were to lose the war. After weeks of consideration and talking to many other soldiers, I had completely changed my mind. I was going to re-enlist even if it would cost my

Some of us were scared, some angry, a lot of emotions were swirling around. As the weeks progressed I finally see events unfold, talks of war and recovery. Even though I didn’t know what to do I wanted to help, maybe join the army, I thought but my mom was hesitant of that, and I was only 15; Donate, but I didn’t have a penny in my name unfortunately, and then out of nowhere someone told me to just live. Live for the falling men and women who lost their lives and don’t let the ones who took them away from us have the satisfaction that they could deter us, and so I

turning my head again I saw Simon dive to my aid. He did not utter a

I went pre-med before getting deployed and as an intern I've seen a lot of horrible things. But when it's your friend... Someone you serve with... It stays with you forever.

If there was anything more terrifying to a shy, introverted, teenage girl than the idea of being a in crowded room full of strangers, it would to be actually in one. Yet, there I was, surrounded by a numerous amount of impatient, jet-black cars that illuminated the dark streets, rows of musicians rehearsing their piece by playing a dissonance of sounds, and the expectant, motley crowd of people lining up on the sidewalk for the veteran’s parade.

I got drafted that summer and like most other people I tried a couple things, I mean I wasn’t sure what was going on, coming from Seattle to Vietnam wasn’t a an issue, it’s kind of over there, you don’t know what it is. I ended up going there. I actually was very lucky, I actually had a good time. I mean they do shave your head. And they put you through some grueling stuff. If they think you’re in pretty good shape, you might want to rethink that. But for some reason on my third day there this guy puts me in charge of 55 kids, I say kids because there mostly my age and I was 19 at the time. And I never got to know why he did that, but it was good for me because I didn’t do any KP, I didn’t do forced marches. I had my own rown. I had four guys

Then it finally hit me, why not try to join the military? I did wanted to be active

As I lay down on the greenery, I can’t help but indulge myself in pure jubilance. The soft breeze gently caresses my cheeks and everything seem so calming. It’s the autumn of 2016 and all I can think about is how excited I am for college to start. A new world to explore—new friends, an English major to pursue, and an entirely different environment to get used to. However, that was the last time I ever had the privilege to think about it as a letter from the government came—it was a draft letter from the U.S. government, informing me that I, a woman, was needed in the upcoming war. At that moment, I was instantly engulfed with a mixture of emotions: fear, confusion, and sadness. Why was I needed? Is this mandatory? I’ve never been in this situation before; but I was sure about one thing: I am not going to war.