The Soldier's Creed

In the novel “The Things They Carried written by Tim O’Brien, the author destroys the stereotypical archetype of the warrior in shining armor bravely fighting for the good of his country. O’Brien presents the soldiers who openly express their fears, homesickness, and regrets. He discusses the physical and emotional burdens that come comes along with war. The “things” that soldiers carry are both literal and figurative. They carry sentimental items to remind them of home such as amulets, weapons, survival gear, and even emotional wounds, also they carry grief, longing, terror, and most prevalently, guilt. In The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, the burdens on these soldiers revealed the author’s opinion of how soldiers in Vietnam defines the soldier archetype.

Sleep is the most highly thought of means of recreation for a soldier (45). This ultimately represents a yearning for the simplicity of the pre-modern. The complacency that one was birthed into in previous centuries is, in the military, presented as conscious lifestyle choice. On the matter of preference of placement within the military structure, Rico’s recruitment officer speaks dismissively of a “that” “being what you think would make you happy.” (28). The allure of the military lifestyle is not having to be concerned with one’s own happiness. Happiness is portioned out according to the decisions of men like Rico’s placement officer whom “you could relax and take it easy with” (32). That this easiness and happiness is built upon faith in a Chinese Legalism and a utilitarian calculus is un-concerning to Rico. That same placement officer has quotas and his first duty is to those quotas, people will suffer because of that. Similarly, the method through which complexity and moral ambiguity is avoided has caused suffering. The suffering of the Temporary Third Lieutenant on the HMS Chesapeake (154) is the price paid for a rigid and easy to understand law of behavior that expects no field philosophizing. Rico as emblematic of the military man in general, does not what to think, does not want to know, and does not want to ask. This shown to not be as we would expect a discipline required of him but instead a favor granted

War is physically and mentally exhausting on all parties involved. This notion is made evident in Stephen Crane’s “Red Badge of Courage” and Yusef Komunyakaa’s “Camouflaging the Chimera” Although different genres, one being a novel excerpt and the latter being a poem. Both pieces of literature explore the day-to-day life and psyche of the soldier. “Red Badge of Courage” is told by “the youth” Henry Fleming. As he looks on to groups of soldiers and wonders why they are so eager to die as he thinks of his own death and the peace that comes with it. “Camouflaging the Chimera” is narrated by a soldier who is more connected to his fellow soldiers as he describes the endless waiting in ditches and how nature is involved in war. In both works, the

Often times, the role of infantry is whitewashed when being presented to a civilian. Whether it’s John Wayne storming the beaches of Normandy in The Longest Day or Soap MacTavish and John Price defeating an entire army in Call of Duty Modern Warfare, infantry are often painted more herculean than human. But there is an often overlooked technical side to war that is just as, if not more, important than the general ideas of inspired heroics and valorous combat. It is the hours of marching and the plethora of equipment. It’s the boredom before a battle and the grateful numbness after. Most importantly, it is the fear of death and the violent will to survive. In Tim O’Brien’s short Story, The Things They Carried, the author does an excellent side of illustrating this rarely discussed side of warfare. Instead of focusing on the exploits of individual soldiers, O’Brien draws our attention to what necessitates, creates and forms the solider, his environment. Because setting is used to illustrate this immense physical and emotional burden, The Things They Carried realistically portrays the challenges and duties of a solider.

I never planned on doing any sort of military service growing up. I was in grade school during the Viet Nam War and it was just one of those things that really didn't encourage most kids to grow up looking to serve their country just because of all the negativity that surrounded it. I played baseball in high school and always felt like there was a better chance that I would play at least in the minor leagues. During my senior year my friends convinced me to play football and a knee injury pretty much ended any sort of athletic career I had dreamed of. Even after this I still never even considered military service as an option. I was a pretty good student and was actually good at math so I figured I would go to college and get some sort

Chapter 3 entitled “Medics” is particularly significant due to its illustration of the unique physical and psychological effects of the war on army medics. This response will assess the significance of the author’s goal in this chapter and discuss the methods he employs to achieve it. Ultimately, by looking at this small aspect of the war in Vietnam, one can gain a much deeper understanding of the unique and complex individuals involved.

Physical, mental, and emotional challenges are faced on daily bases of a human life, which relate to what soldiers face in war. It is difficult to explain and understand the reality of war when not experienced. For example, in Ernest Hemingway's’ story “Soldier's Home,” civilians did not understand the internal damage the main character, Krebs, had to face when he came back home from war. After experiencing the worst event in his life, nothing was normal anymore. Whereas, in the speech “The Trump of Conscience” by Martin Luther King Jr., he demonstrates not only the terror, but the unequal treatment of the soldiers. King declares the inequality and corruption of the Vietnam War. By acknowledging the actuality of war that is presented in

During and after the war many soldiers are victims of post-traumatic stress disorder. They flashback all that they have undergone such as intrusive thoughts, memories, nightmares, and feelings that they experienced in their involvement in the war. The experience shall always remain fresh in their mind as they recall those disgusting moments. During and after the war soldiers experience significant transformation. Their identity and character completely change. Some during and after the war are faced with significant challenges such as illness and even loss of life that result in the formation of the soldier’s identity.

It hereafter discusses the similarities of these readings and defines the article’s contribution to our understanding of the story in order to get a better comprehension of a returned soldier’s mental state to encourage them.

Having served in the military for over twenty years had giving me many competencies that I am able to use in everyday business. The military gave me the work ethics, teach me how to be responsibility and the sustainability to deal with problems. I believe that I measure up at a high level by comparing the competencies in the book and my own skills. The competencies which are a collection of knowledge, skills and attitudes that allow employees to be successful at numerous of comparable tasks are also used to distinguish between high and low performer’s employees. If a manager is not responsible the subordinates will not listen at the established company rules. The manager needs to lead by example, if he or she wants to get his employees respect.

Serving in the armed forces is an important to me since my family has a legacy of serving in the military. I have had numerous family members serve in the armed forces such as my grandfather, uncles, aunt, and father. It is through the armed forces that I hope to continue the legacy of serving for my country. Another thing that makes serving important to me is that I have a strong will for trying to make the world better. It is through the military that I can be a part of the good changes in the world. The overall impact that the experience will have on me are lifelong skills, a determination to give back, and the feeling that I inspired others. This will influence my community by showing local children what they can aspire to be if they work

The New York Times Bestseller We Were Soldiers Once... And Young was authored by Lt. General Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway. In November 1965, Lt. Colonel Harold Moore commanded the 1st Battalion, 7th cavalry at the Ia Drang Valley-one of the bloodiest battles of Vietnam. He eventually retired from the Army in 1977 after thirty-two years of service. After his military career, Lieutenant General Moore resided as executive vice president for four years at a Colorado ski resort before founding a computer software company. Harold Moore currently lives in Auburn, Alabama and Crested Butte, Colorado.

Last but not least, if all doesn’t work out as planned I will enter the United States Navy which is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. Navy has become what is thought to be the most important and powerful branch of the military. I chose this branch because you get to serve the country without going into head-to-head combat, travel to different countries to see the world, physically less demanding, life experiences, but most importantly why is I have family who serve in the Navy so it’s a tradition. I would like to be located in Florida California but wherever I get stationed off too I will have to be okay with it. Being in the Navy my duties and requirements

The life of a military brat is a fascinating one, and life actually serving in the military has been just as interesting. Not everyone has the opportunity to travel abroad and most of us that grew-up under these conditions are ignorant of this fact. I have had the privilege of traveling to many different locations; sad thing about it I never even took any pictures. Of course, well maybe if I had the technology that we have now I probably would snapped a few photos; nevertheless all my memories are in my head and that’s where they’ll remain. Since I have been in the military other than my first few rotation I have been able to capture and keep some of my adventures on file, thank goodness for technology.

In the text “A soldier’s story: War affects whole family” the parents of Army Sergeant Ryan Kahlor express their recent opposition to the army, after their son’s traumatizing experience. Ryan Kahlor’s father explains he had felt a patriotic surge after the