and it begins

My fundamental survival instincts and my more, lets say, evolved desires mingle in my gut like water and oil. How does one exist in a modern military of "smart" weapons, computerized combat and instant media when the black and white romance of WWII reels in the heart throbbing with visions of sacrifice and victory...growing like waves of revelation curling the limits of your consciousness and cresting at the pinnacle of resolve..? Nostalgia is a very powerful force.

You think, now that's what it's all about...the ultimate sacrifice. Answering the call of duty. Beckoned by the moral necessity to throw some lead down-range at any psychopath sneaking around with a world-domination agenda. Simply taking action.

But what called me to join the U.S. Infantry in this the year of 2008? Sounds like the year some sci-fi writer pulled out of a hat in 1952 to set his apocalyptic fantasy. It is a strange place to find one's self. I enlisted simply because I could not imagine looking back on a life without some kind of military experience. I don't need to kill hagi or some crazy thing like that; I just needed to get off my ass and be a part of something a little bigger than myself. Besides, I figure I can be a better cause for good patrolling the streets of Iraq than patrolling the bars at home. And selfishly, a part of me craves to feel the sting of battle...but more on that later.

Any American with half a heart who has enjoyed some degree of ease and comfort, or tasted the fruit of anther's labor should also feel a tinge of conscience to serve someone in return. As my father and my grandfather both wore the uniform and distinguished themselves in the Army, it was a natural, though belated decision to make.

To me, the infantry embodies the quintessential military experience. The front line. The brotherhood. Testing and stretching the soul. The infantry is the blood and guts of the U.S. Military. My life was looking more and more like stagnant pond water by the day and my heart began to beat in shame of its owner. I'd had enough.

This is just the beginning. I'm off to Germany in one week. This is where the symphony in my soul will either evolve into harmonies divine or sit in silence and wonder why the conductor snapped his baton and dove into the throng of head-bangers.