Can't Be Super Human? Be A Super American

By Daniel Taverne

Have you ever wanted to be superhuman? How about being a super American? Well, here in the United States of America, many of you have that opportunity.

What does it mean to be superhuman? The word “superhuman” obviously suggests the ability of a person to perform above and beyond the realm of normal humanity. If you superimpose this idea onto what it might mean to be a super American, then you’ll understand what it means to be a member of the United States military. Unfortunately, we Americans currently face a number of challenges which require commitment and sacrifice of many. So, I propose that all you young Americans consider military service for the benefits and reasons to follow.

First of all I don’t like to say, “Military service”, I rather prefer to say, “American service” since it is all Americans who are being served. I’m sure you heard all the cliché’s regarding military service; well I’m here to set the record straight. It’s true what they say, you will have the opportunity to see the world if you join the military.

In my seven years of active duty, I could have gone to Germany, Korea, or The Persian Gulf, but (by choice) all of my service remained here in the states. In fact, I’ve had duty in many states while in the service. I’ve had duty in Mississippi, Georgia, California, Texas, Alabama and Louisiana. At each of the military installations I’ve served in these states, I have had memorable experiences that I will always treasure.

I’ll never forget, for instance, a night in the desert of Southern California, when as a private; I volunteered to go on a field exercise as a meteorological crew member. My team was positioned atop a large hill overlooking an artillery battalion at least ½ mile away, and my platoon sergeant was feeling playful. He blew up a large balloon with helium, and tied a small lit light inside it. He then tied a long piece of string to the balloon, and adjusted the weight of it by cutting off lengths until the balloon only hovered above the ground. Since it was dark outside, the balloon glowed an eerie green as the sergeant launched it toward the artillery battalion. A few moments later, voices could be heard saying things like, “What is that?” and “Look, it’s a UFO!”

It is true, that people who join the military will meet lots of new people. This, as much as anything else, makes the service an adventure. The reason I say this is because of my own experiences. At Fort Polk Louisiana, for example, I had two friends who idolized The Blues Brothers. John Richards and Matt Murphy not only dressed the part, they bought an old hoopty, and painted the hood and doors black and white just like the car in the movie. They pretended to be on a mission from God every time they got in the car, making it an adventure every time I got into the car with them.

Another reason to consider becoming a super American is because the military will make you disciplined, I am evidence of this. As a matter of fact, I was disciplined in a number of areas. Since I feel it takes discipline to handle difficulties without complaining, I have been a better man for my family. In addition, getting out of bed in the morning, is one of those areas where the army served me well. I can now wake in the mornings, when the alarm goes off, and I have the discipline to rise out of bed, and begin my day right. I don’t waste time lying there thinking how warm and comfortable the bed is and put off my rising as many people do.

Another point of discipline I’ve learned is punctuality. I’ve learned to be on time for anything I needed to attend. This has carried over into civilian life by my having the engrained need to get to appointments on time.

The service can teach you good skills that you will surely use later on in life
For example, I was in communications and have operated, maintained, and repaired a multitude of different radios, radio systems, and antenna fields. These skills have carried over by giving me a more logical mind for installing, operating and trouble shooting , civilian electronic equipment.

Another reason for going into the military is that maybe your dad was in it, and his dad before him. This idea of tradition is a decisive point for many people who are considering American military service.

Simple patriotism is another reason one might become a super American. Simply put, many people gain much satisfaction by serving in a capacity that enhances the betterment of our nation. Additionally, our country, and all those serving overseas right now need to know that they are fighting for a nation who will have the courage to defend herself in the future.

Sadly, from what I’ve heard in the news regarding the declining enlistment numbers, It looks as if our present soldiers are fighting to protect allot of people who, though perfectly able bodied, are unwilling to fight themselves. Sometimes I can’t help but think it a shame to protect the freedoms of people who take their freedoms for granted.
Right now our country needs you

If you’re at least eight-teen years old, then this is not a time for you to be complacent this is a time to, instead, be responsible by working toward the betterment of our nation.
Also, being complacent and apathetic is actually doing us a disservice since your inaction can be misconstrued to mean you do not support our troops who are in harm’s way.

Finally, it should be noted that it is truly a tragedy to loose people in a war. However, when I think about the mother we’ve observed in the news protesting the president because her son died in Iraq, I want to tell her that her son knew the risks when he joined the military. In fact, everyone who joins knows the risks, yet they join. In which case, they deserve our admiration and support, so let’s do what we can to give it to them. Those who can join the military, can do so. Those who can write letters thanking our troops, do that. Eventually, our heroes will come home and hopefully some new Super Americans will step up and take their place.