life in army essay

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WHY I WANT TO BE AN ARMY OFFICER (ESSAY REVISED, WORKING PROGRESS)

• Thread starter Thread starter Kashaka
• Start date Start date Aug 22, 2015
• Aug 22, 2015

WHY I WANT TO BE AN ARMY OFFICER​ The first time I considered joining the army I was a homeless teen who was also an undocumented immigrant in court proceedings trying to adjust my status. It was 2004 during my attendance at the Borough of Manhattan Community College; I would walk pass the recruiting station located on Chambers Street thinking to myself when I become a legal resident of the United States of America I am going to join the army. It was the most selfless act I could do for my family and the country that had allowed me to continue to be a member of its society. Recently I have decided that I’d like to be an officer in the army because I would love to be able to help promote an environment that fosters good sound judgment, positivity, team building and personnel interactions amongst our future soldiers. I also desire to commission as an army officer because I believe that I have demonstrated my ability as a person who can lead, accept responsibilities, and adapt to an ever-changing organization and world. These are all positive traits and values that everyone one should possess when serving ones country as an officer. Four years ago I joined the army because I wanted to show my appreciation to our great nation, today I would like the opportunity to do something even greater. I love serving my country; our country, but now the time has come where I feel as though leading from the front is something that I can be great at. I’ve always believed that I had a strong sense of leadership skills, but being a Soldier has truly helped me realize what it means to be a true leader. Although I am currently a Specialist without any Soldiers my peers always look to me for guidance. It is my belief that all soldiers in the army are leaders and that in order for anyone to be a great officer they must also be able follow directions. Being an enlisted Soldier there’s a great deal of knowledge that is learned through experience in order to gain leadership skills that an officer should poses. To me being an officer also means that one must also be a great follower; being an enlisted Soldier for the last four years have had a positive impact even more so on that belief. When others hear me make this statement there’s always a reaction that seems to be negative, but I always remind them that officers are not born they are made; officers are made and shaped by life and its many experiences. What makes a great officer is how he or she uses their experiences to become better leaders and how they apply that knowledge gained from their experiences to shape future leaders. I’ve always believed that one must truly love doing what they do in life in order to be successful at it, be it cleaning the sewer or be it leading a nation. I love serving my country, but now I would love the opportunity to lead from the front. Life for me as a soldier and a civilian has been a lesson of great resilience and profound opportunities from being homeless to becoming a member of the greatest family of one in the world the United States Army. So when asked, “why is it I would like to become an officer in the army?” ultimately my answer is rather simple. Why wouldn't I want to be a member of an elite few, a member of the most valuable one percentile? Why would I not want to be a leading member of the greatest army, the greatest nation the world have ever seen and will ever see? Most of all when asking this question to myself the answer ultimately lead to the irrefutable fact that I love to lead and one can only lead from the front. I would love to be afforded the opportunity to be apart the personnel that is responsible for making the decisions and implementing the plans and policies that guide all soldier personnel. There’s no greater purpose in life than to serve ones people, family and country. I by no means feel that I have all of the answers, but I feel that I do have the drive for knowledge and the ability to make good decisions with authority and leadership. I do believe that it takes a great leader to pool the strengths of others and to that I feel called. It is the by far the most selfless act anyone or I can do for the comfort of freedom.  

Was that the only thing you picked up? Also I am not a male, but a female. I will keep what you wrote in mind, but I don't believe in exaggerating. I will however add to it some examples of the things I've done as a current Active Duty Soldier.  

Im not extremely well versed in this subject area so if i picked anything else up I'll let the professionals talk about it. Dont want to give any wrong information. I'm not saying to exagerate. But think about what the army is doing for somebody by providing free schooling. It's an investment in you by the us army. How do you convince someone to invest in you? Loving your country is great and by all means mention it, but tell them why their investment is well placed in you. Again... This is just my opinion. Dont take it to heart if you dont believe the same.  

I'm listening.  

First, I am more than willing to help you rewrite parts that are very "wordy", here are two of the first things I noticed. Reffering to my experience in the military. You need to keep it short and precise, cut out the words that have no meaning and get to the point. You also need to not leave any doubt to the reader. "The first time I considered joining the army I was a homeless teen who was also an undocumented immigrant in court proceedings trying to adjust my status" You can reword this and why do you have "trying to adjust my status"? Were you thinking of joining the army to do this, what is the benefit of saying that? Otherwise you can just simply say "I first considered joining the army as a young undocumented homeless teen." Next part, "but now the time has come where I feel as though leading from the front is something that I can be great at." You feel or you know? It is now my time to lead the front or maybe the time has come and I am ready to lead from the front. You could even use your army training to your advantage and say "after years of training I am now ready to lead the front (keep in mind leaders are made not born). Lastly, you want to keep it as professional as possible. Like I said, cut out the words that are not needed. Get to the point. Make them believe your READY not that you think or assume you are. You want them to look at that letter and go "this one has worked hard and could be great, she never gives up".  

littlepatriot

I would definitely go through your essay again and make it more concise. Sometimes, you took three sentences to explain a matter that could've been stated in one. Longer isn't always better. Check for grammar as well, mainly commas and verb tense issues. I noticed several of those as well.  

Part of me feels like my chain is being yanked. The other thread discussed all of this already regarding your grammar, and yet, you still made the same errors. No offense to the OP, but here is why I feel like my chain is being yanked! 1. 2004 attended a CC. ~ That means right now you are 29! 11 years ago at the age of 18 = 29. 2. HSSP is pretty clear regarding how many credits you can have under your belt for the HSSP. ~ Unless you only did 1 year in 2004, and never attended again, you would be over the 30 credit limit. 3. Why not use the GI Bill? ~ It appears that you have served @8 years. 4. Why ask us? ~ Is there not someone AD in your unit that you can ask to edit this essay? ~~ Again, if my math is correct you are 29, they are also your peers. 5. How will you feel being in AROTC with kids that are 18-21 years old? ~ The PMS in the unit may be an O3 or 28 years old. Where will be your social circle? How will you feel when you are reviewed by the cadre that can be almost a decade younger than you? 6. I don't know about the Army, but I would believe if you were 18 in 2004 than you would need to receive an age waiver to commission via AROTC. ~ My math says you will be 33-34 at the earliest for commissioning. I do agree with others, the grammatical errors are audacious. I thought there was a character/word count mandated for the scholarships. My apologies if I offended you.  

Pima said: Part of me feels like my chain is being yanked. The other thread discussed all of this already regarding your grammar, and yet, you still made the same errors. 5. How will you feel being in AROTC with kids that are 18-21 years old? ~ The PMS in the unit may be an O3 or 28 years old. Where will be your social circle? How will you feel when you are reviewed by the cadre that can be almost a decade younger than you? Click to expand...

Pima said: Part of me feels like my chain is being yanked. The other thread discussed all of this already regarding your grammar, and yet, you still made the same errors. No offense to the OP, but here is why I feel like my chain is being yanked! 1. 2004 attended a CC. ~ That means right now you are 29! 11 years ago at the age of 18 = 29. 2. HSSP is pretty clear regarding how many credits you can have under your belt for the HSSP. ~ Unless you only did 1 year in 2004, and never attended again, you would be over the 30 credit limit. 3. Why not use the GI Bill? ~ It appears that you have served @8 years. 4. Why ask us? ~ Is there not someone AD in your unit that you can ask to edit this essay? ~~ Again, if my math is correct you are 29, they are also your peers. 5. How will you feel being in AROTC with kids that are 18-21 years old? ~ The PMS in the unit may be an O3 or 28 years old. Where will be your social circle? How will you feel when you are reviewed by the cadre that can be almost a decade younger than you? 6. I don't know about the Army, but I would believe if you were 18 in 2004 than you would need to receive an age waiver to commission via AROTC. ~ My math says you will be 33-34 at the earliest for commissioning. I do agree with others, the grammatical errors are audacious. I thought there was a character/word count mandated for the scholarships. My apologies if I offended you. Click to expand...

Kashaka go to tutor.com/military and have them look it over for free. You qualify as inactive reserve.  

kashaka, Since, this is a ROTC forum, I assumed you were enlisted applying for a scholarship, not the G2G. That is a different ball of wax. Zero, I should have clarified, that there should be an O1/2/3 in charge of the OP that they can run it by for editing. ~ If I am correct they need command support for this program. As an AFROTC cadet you do know age has an impact for commissioning. If they are 29, and starting college this fall they are hitting the upper limit for commissioning 4 years from now.  

Grammar - Have someone edit it.... a forum is too tedious a medium to correct each error. Grammar and spelling are important. For example "Eat your dinner." is different from "Eat. You're dinner."  

Too funny kinnem!  

Pima said: kashaka, Since, this is a ROTC forum, I assumed you were enlisted applying for a scholarship, not the G2G. That is a different ball of wax. Zero, I should have clarified, that there should be an O1/2/3 in charge of the OP that they can run it by for editing. ~ If I am correct they need command support for this program. As an AFROTC cadet you do know age has an impact for commissioning. If they are 29, and starting college this fall they are hitting the upper limit for commissioning 4 years from now. Click to expand...

Kashaka said: Yes, very different. I was looking for a G2G forum, but no luck on that. Click to expand...

Stealth_81 said: Kashaka said: Yes, very different. I was looking for a G2G forum, but no luck on that. Click to expand...

It's only the first paragraph, but I think it's way better......minus the typo on 2011.  

Not for nothing, English is not my forte......at all!  

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Life in the Army of the United States

Life in the army is much more than drilling on the parade grown and firing the musket. It is a unique transformational experience that teaches an individual how to fit into a robotic system of rules and regulations with higher values instilled in him during training. A new recruit has to spend nine week at Army Boot Camp where most of the time is spent in marching, drill, ceremonies and lots of standing in formation. There are seven core values with which every soldier in the army should be familiar with: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. These core values provide a framework for behavior within the army, behavior on the personal level and behavior on an interpersonal level as well. One of the most attractive features of life in the army is the special bond that develops as a result of working together on tough missions and the heroism involved in the work. Life in the army is tough and challenging but the respectability and honor associated with it makes it all worthwhile.

The army has a very strong organizational culture that includes the need for personal achievement, adherence to institutional leadership, sense of duty and accomplishment, social conscience and conservatism. Women in the army work under high pressure and need to be highly goal oriented to survive. Younger soldiers are marked by their strong desire for challenges, expression, sexual permissiveness, networking, etc. However, as they age, they desire greater autonomy, have a stronger sense of duty and ethics and become more pragmatic in approach. Generally, soldiers value combat roles that means defending their country. However, more recently soldiers are being increasingly deployed to fight terrorism in foreign countries. Life is all the more challenging when army personnel are deputed to serve in hot desert countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Life in the army is stressful. The training programs are physically very demanding and mentally challenging as well. Army basic training is very physically taxing and a person needs to be fit in order to survive a boot camp and well trained to do running, push-ups and sit-ups. With the goal of making them tough and ready to cope with any kind of crisis, they are deliberately put through strenuous training. This are more difficult for women military personnel who have a need to prove their worth in what is generally perceived as a ‘man’s area’. They also have to shoulder a balance between work and career and are sometimes forced to endure sexual harassment at work. All of this causes stress and tension among the soldiers who resort to alcohol and drugs for relaxation. Sometimes, the drinking habit becomes addictive and abusive, creating bitterness in the working arena and also at home (Stith, 1).

To reduce some of the stress associated with life in the army, some policy changes are being initiated. Traditionally, American soldiers lead a single life within the army. They were barred from sharing bed with sleeping partners in war zones. But these rules are being relaxed since May 2006. According to a news article in MSNBC, the Army is allowing scores of husband-and-wife soldiers to live and sleep together in the war zone and it is said that the policy change is aimed at “preserving marriages, boosting morale and perhaps bolstering re-enlistment rates at a time when the military is struggling to fill its ranks five years into the fighting” (MSNBC, 1).

During war, soldiers in the army are forced to see much violence, death and horror events. As a result, most of the soldiers tend to suffer from stress related disorders. Some of these disorders may be dangerous enough to include panic, rage, uncontrolled sharking and temporary paralysis and can cause lead to broken marriages, suicides and psychiatric breakdowns. According to a Pentagon survey, about 70% of the soldiers in the army bounce back to normal life once the war period is over. But about 20% of them will suffer from mental distress. Due to such problems, an increasing number of soldiers U.S. combat troops are taking daily doses of antidepressants to calm nerves (Thompson, 1). But according to FDA findings, antidepressants can increase the risk of suicide in children and adolescents especially young adults ages 18 to 24, the age group that forms the majority in the army. This probably explains the increasing number of suicides in the army.

Life in the army is varied and each one’s experience varies. But the instilment of the core values in a person, along with the basic training brings soldiers together in a special sense of camaraderie that is unmatched elsewhere. The stress of soldiers in the combat zone is becoming a serious issue with more and more youngsters being deployed in offshore regions to fight terrorism. Some measures are already being taken to counter the increasing stress levels of life in the army, but there is a need for more measures to be taken to make life in the army truly an appealing career choice for youngsters.

Bibliography

MSNBC (2008). Army lets soldiers take ‘I do’ to Iraq war zone. Web.

Stith, Kevin (2008). Alcohol Abuse in the Army. Ezine Article. Web.

Thompson, Mark (2008). America’s Medicated Army. Time CNN, Web.

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Home — Essay Samples — Government & Politics — Army — Lifelong Learning in the Army: Building Better Leaders

Lifelong Learning in The Army: Building Better Leaders

• Categories: Army Army Values

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Words: 830 |

Published: Aug 4, 2023

Words: 830 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, importance of hands-on training in lifelong learning, critical thinking and learning in the army, development of better leaders in the army, works cited.

• Schwartzman, R. (2003). Lifelong learning for the Army: The Future Army Training and Leader Development Panel (ATLDP) final report. United States Army War College.
• Wyche, W. L. (2013). Army lifelong learning: A look at self-directed, problem-centered training. Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin, 39(4), 70-75.

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