;835131']There are things so dear to us, we value them above all things. We love them... and we trust them. They have done us well in so many ways, and we embrace them and take pride in them. We are willing to trust them with the things we love most.
But then they hurt the ones we love.
I'm talking about the Army. Yeah, I'm letting lose. I'm disappointed in the Army.
First of all, I see what I see and nothing more. Maybe there's more to it. But, this is my letter to the Army.
Army, you and I have a fairly new relationship with one another. It's been about two years. You've gotten used to me, and I've gotten used to you. You are different from the Marine Corps I still hold dear to my heart. You have given me so many things, and taken me in.
But, the Marine Corps taught me things I have yet to see in you.
As a Marine, we worked together. If one failed, we all failed. We pulled together and became brothers forever. As a soldier, I have seen you welcome the idea of exploiting the failures and shortcomings of others so one could advance.
As a Marine, we were all green. As a soldier, I have seen you take and show an open disregard for racial equality in favor of placating a minority for fear of a racism backlash.
As a Marine, I said a lot of goodbyes. As a soldier, I have said a lot of "they haven't told me yet".
As a Marine, I was taught to be a leader with my own individual style. As a soldier, you taught me how to do counseling papers and make people do exercises.
As a Marine, I was motivated as soon as I was called "Marine" or addressed by my rank. As a soldier, you have only forced me to show false motivation and don't even call me by the rank I have worked for 6 years to acheive, and you call me "soldier" to reprimand me.
As a Marine, I took pride in my uniform and wore it with pride. As a soldier, you have overcomplicated the simplest of military apparel to the point of frustration. You constantly add to and take away and expect me to know.
As a Marine, I was part of a family and we took care of one another- even if that meant not abiding by the books. As a soldier, I have seen my superiors go to great lengths to use those books against others to the exact letter.
As a Marine, I knew what I was and was not supposed to do. As a soldier, you insist I "Google" Army regulations and cite numbers instead of having the balls to tell me that it's a go or a no-go.
As a Marine, I was taught to be a warrior, a gentleman, and a professional. As a soldier, you have fools citing textbook warfare tactics, you teach nothing close to chivalry, and professionalism in an aspect that appeals to those above you- not below you where the ones you care about should be.
As a Marine, I was promoted because I earned it. Those that worked with me and knew me spoke on whether or not I should be promoted, despite what my score was. As a soldier, I have seen you promote leaders that can run real good and shoot.
As a Marine, I was taught to take care of my family first. As a soldier, I have been taught that my family has standard procedures on base free of charge for their use, and I could deal with them on my time.
As a Marine, I was taught I was a god among mortals and that all living things dreamt of being as powerful as I. I know it was egotistical, but it was all in good fun. As a soldier, I have seen you shit on me in favor of your civilian contractors- because you can pay them ridiculous amounts of money and it be far cheaper than enlisting a man and teaching him the same job.
Then, before all of this came to light...
I trusted you with that I loved the most. And you hurt her. You crushed her spirit, and you denied her the care she needed. You chose to blame me, her family, or her lack of cameraderie among whores and heathens. You did this.
She is done with you, and choses to respect you for what you are. But, she has no desire to be one of yours again. I cannot blame her.
I have made an oath to you. I will keep my oath. I may even be acting out against you prematurely, and I really hope I am.
I will bear my cross as I have sworn to, and strive to be as best I can be for you- because that is the way I am as a man.
And being a man comes before being a soldier.
But then they hurt the ones we love.
I'm talking about the Army. Yeah, I'm letting lose. I'm disappointed in the Army.
First of all, I see what I see and nothing more. Maybe there's more to it. But, this is my letter to the Army.
Army, you and I have a fairly new relationship with one another. It's been about two years. You've gotten used to me, and I've gotten used to you. You are different from the Marine Corps I still hold dear to my heart. You have given me so many things, and taken me in.
But, the Marine Corps taught me things I have yet to see in you.
As a Marine, we worked together. If one failed, we all failed. We pulled together and became brothers forever. As a soldier, I have seen you welcome the idea of exploiting the failures and shortcomings of others so one could advance.
As a Marine, we were all green. As a soldier, I have seen you take and show an open disregard for racial equality in favor of placating a minority for fear of a racism backlash.
As a Marine, I said a lot of goodbyes. As a soldier, I have said a lot of "they haven't told me yet".
As a Marine, I was taught to be a leader with my own individual style. As a soldier, you taught me how to do counseling papers and make people do exercises.
As a Marine, I was motivated as soon as I was called "Marine" or addressed by my rank. As a soldier, you have only forced me to show false motivation and don't even call me by the rank I have worked for 6 years to acheive, and you call me "soldier" to reprimand me.
As a Marine, I took pride in my uniform and wore it with pride. As a soldier, you have overcomplicated the simplest of military apparel to the point of frustration. You constantly add to and take away and expect me to know.
As a Marine, I was part of a family and we took care of one another- even if that meant not abiding by the books. As a soldier, I have seen my superiors go to great lengths to use those books against others to the exact letter.
As a Marine, I knew what I was and was not supposed to do. As a soldier, you insist I "Google" Army regulations and cite numbers instead of having the balls to tell me that it's a go or a no-go.
As a Marine, I was taught to be a warrior, a gentleman, and a professional. As a soldier, you have fools citing textbook warfare tactics, you teach nothing close to chivalry, and professionalism in an aspect that appeals to those above you- not below you where the ones you care about should be.
As a Marine, I was promoted because I earned it. Those that worked with me and knew me spoke on whether or not I should be promoted, despite what my score was. As a soldier, I have seen you promote leaders that can run real good and shoot.
As a Marine, I was taught to take care of my family first. As a soldier, I have been taught that my family has standard procedures on base free of charge for their use, and I could deal with them on my time.
As a Marine, I was taught I was a god among mortals and that all living things dreamt of being as powerful as I. I know it was egotistical, but it was all in good fun. As a soldier, I have seen you shit on me in favor of your civilian contractors- because you can pay them ridiculous amounts of money and it be far cheaper than enlisting a man and teaching him the same job.
Then, before all of this came to light...
I trusted you with that I loved the most. And you hurt her. You crushed her spirit, and you denied her the care she needed. You chose to blame me, her family, or her lack of cameraderie among whores and heathens. You did this.
She is done with you, and choses to respect you for what you are. But, she has no desire to be one of yours again. I cannot blame her.
I have made an oath to you. I will keep my oath. I may even be acting out against you prematurely, and I really hope I am.
I will bear my cross as I have sworn to, and strive to be as best I can be for you- because that is the way I am as a man.
And being a man comes before being a soldier.
..as does the army.. very powerful, hostile. what happened to this girl?