Personal Statement: Thank You Like Boot Camp

I hope you are not distressed, nor should you worry about my return. This will be my 11th and the final letter I am sending home, my dearest apologies for the lack of letters, the war isn’t the place I thought it would be, the climate and conditions are horrid. The rest was the worst part, having to switch patrol areas to protect the frontline for hours, and then rest for a minimal time. Poor Jimmy died later earlier today, they say it was from diseases and sickness. I’ll need to be careful down in these trenches, fleas, and bugs crawling all over me. The ground is like quicksand, all the missiles, explosions and gunfire have turned the dirt into a sinking pile of mud all over the battlefield. My team, my second family are mostly gone… I don't

I have been counting the months and years since I have last spoken to you. I miss you and our lovely child Emmy so much. Since I am not there, I hope she has been taking care of you from time to time. The mental strain of leaving my family behind hurts me every single day. If I could have bring you both, I would do so in a heartbeat. I wanted to find a suitable home in the north for our family if I ever found freedom. I will never forget the day in Fortress Monroe in Virginia. I stumbled across the Yankees that told me I was contraband. Apparently, it means I was not going to be brought back to our master, but I had to fight for the Yankees. I did not even know there was a war going on. I guess Master Johnson tried his best to keep this

I am writing you in a moment where i feel safe writing without the enemy coming down on me. I miss you both so very much and I wish I could be home with you again. I am very sorry I haven't wrote you in a long time but for months the enemy has attacked now. It has honestly been one of the scariest and most difficult times in my life. I know that this fight is when I feel the most detached from you but these are the moments that I am really serving you the most.

I can’t even describe how much I miss you, but I will see you sooner than later. Love, Gage” That letter gave me hope that they would return home safe and healthy with no harm done. Later that day I went outside and played hopscotch with my friends Sally, Susan, and Kim. They asked me how I’m doing with my brother and dad being gone, and I told them that I believed they will come home safely.

Everybody in their life has to look in the mirror, and ask this question. “What do I wanna do with my life,” well I decided I want to live a life of adrenaline in the United States Marine Corps. I don’t know why people always stare at funny when I say I’m going into the military after high school. If anything I’d think they’d be appreciative. Considering the fact I’ve already contracted.

SSG (RET) Clark, my husband (Wyman Brown), and myself served in Iraq 2003-2004. After the Army we would see one another in passing and it was as if we were the best of friends no matter the time that may have elaps before we see one another again. Ms. Clark, he will be greatly missed on Ft Riley; however, old friend we will see you again in our father's

My interest in counseling has always been deeply entwined with the military. As I grew up, my father served in the United States Air Force, and my mother worked for the Department of Defense, leaving me immersed in the military lifestyle. My sister also joined the Air Force, and through both her and my parents I have numerous friends and acquaintances in the armed forces. These relationships offer me insight into their unique problems and the seemingly inadequate care they are receiving due to a shortage of counselors and an excess of clients. I have a strong respect for our armed forces and the sacrifices that they make, and I believe that these men and women deserve nothing but the finest mental health care. This respect is my motivation;

The day I joined the military has and will forever change the way I live my life. Growing up I was a natural leader on any sports team. My natural talent in any sport helped me stand out amongst my peers. As a boy you don't see or realize what being a leader means you play hard and you play because it’s fun. As you get older the competition gets better and you have more put on your shoulders.

Home sounds nice but I came home the wrong way I know I’m going to miss so much. But I’ll be looking down on the loves of my life. I hope she finds someone better than me because I want the best for her and for my baby. I’ve had this letter for my family for this day, and the only ones that knew about the letter was some of the guys just incase anything happened to me. John goes to Lillian and tells her that there is something from me for her in my Jacket. While Lillian walks up with tears running down her face she sees the envelope that says to my family and Lillian notices the second envelope that has to my sweet baby girl. Shots fired at my funeral as Dad, Mom, and Lillian sit there and with each shot fired the all jump. Tears run down those faces and Lillian and my parents sit there as everyone walks off and she opens the letter. She begins to read the letter out loud to my parents, as she reads Its says “Don’t cry for me when I’m gone I know this is hard but I’ll be protecting from above. I want you all to know I love you all so very much. Mom and Dad please make sure my Lillian is safe and has everything she needs. Also please make sure to take care of yourselves everything will be okay. I am in a better place and I am home it may not be Home with you but we will be home together some day. Again I love you all so much and I will see you again I promise that. Love your dearest Ryan. P.S. I left a letter for my Sweet Baby girl have her open when she is old enough to do so.” Yes I may not be there but I know how hard it is to lose a soldier I’ve lost several of my brothers and It’s never funny when a Soldier

The military is an exciting profession; it has given me the opportunity to station in 4 states and also served oversea, in three different countries. Currently station in Maryland, then deploy to Kosovo in support of KFOR22 NATO mission, I do not know where my next duty assignment would be after the completion of this existing assignment. In addition, I have few years left in active service before retirement, which does not allow me to have the option on deciding what to do after the completion of this course. Moreover, this is my second year and still far away from a graduation.

It was a warm summer evening as I packed for Navy Boot Camp. I carefully went down the list of things I could take and ensured I didn’t have anything else. A little nervous I went to talk to my parents about my move to becoming my own man. I looked at their faces and could tell that although they were proud they were a little nervous about their only son leaving home for the first time. My mom tried to smile but she was proud yet nervous because I had always been her little guy so she was having a hard time letting go. After a short conversation with my parents I decided to try and rest for the long journey ahead.

When I was in basic training I remember what happened when I said: “Thank you, Drill Sergeant!” The reply was “don’t thank me, thank your recruiter.” Most Drill Sergeants, I suspect, desired respect; but, not thanks nor recognition for their tough job with little glory. Their only solace seemed to be the one treasured item: The Drill Sergeant’s Hat.

The military is a subject that many look for as a form of obligation, and many think it’s our duty to serve and protect. I for one have felt that obligation and have been compelled to join the marines, but before I bluntly stick my neck out for America I wanted a veterans point of view on my decision. The person that I selected to interview was a sixty-five year old marine veteran from Texas, and I will refer to him as Walus, he is my neighbor Joey’s grandfather. Walus is a sturdy, strict yet likeable fellow once you get past his unpleasant personality. He is passionate in teaching his grandsons all he knows about everything from cooking to dismantling and assembling assault rifles.

Thanks for writing to me and my brothers some time back. I hope Chester is O.K. I just wanted you to know what’s happened to us since we joined the army. This is an awfully bloody war, and we have been in the thick of it. I have never seen so many dead and wounded soldiers. I guess I’m one of the lucky ones. I had one of my legs hurt so bad they had to cut it off below my knee. I had a good doctor and my nurse is just wonderful. They are going to send me to a larger hospital in a couple of days that is further behind the lines. Freddie was with me during the battles and was stabbed in the back by a rebel soldier. I was able to save him by getting a medic on the battle field to get him to a field hospital. I think he will be O.K., but his right

With the ever rising prison population in this country, something has to be done rehabilitate criminals rather than just lock them up. Many feel that the “new” prisons, boot camps are the answer (Champion 1990). I will give a brief overview of boot camp institutions, specifically, about the operation and structure of these, the cost involved with both juvenile and adult facilities, and how effective they really are with regard to recidivism.