Crossroads

I enlisted with the US Army.

This has been the biggest decision I made in my life so far and at the same time will be one of the most influential factors that will affect my immediate future. This came as a surprise to a lot of people, both family and friends but most of all to myself.

A year or maybe even a few months ago, enlisting in the army would be one of the last things I would think of doing. First and foremost with the War that the US is waging in Iraq and Afghanistan it would be the most inopportune time to enlist due to the extent of danger entailed in the job. As some people would say not only is it stupid but suicidal as well, and it was also the same feedback I received from some people. Second, I do not really see myself as someone tough, strong and other adjectives that are associated with the military. Simply put, I and other people just don’t see myself as “soldier material”.

What were the reasons that made me decide to enlist?

Frustration was one of the reasons. I have been here in the U.S. for six months but I haven’t found a job that I would enjoy doing. I passed my resume’ and job application to various companies. It’s either my application was rejected or I never heard from them. I did get a part-time job, but it wasn’t enjoyable and I ended up quitting after three months. I can’t get the jobs that I want and I also got impatient due to the setbacks I experienced. Being impatient is unbecoming of me, especially when I view myself as a patient person when it comes to a lot of things. One thing I learned about myself is that I am not as patient as I think I am when it comes to other things.

The benefits are great. The pay may not be big, but the benefits are what made my decision easier. Housing and meals are free and you get a health, dental and medical insurance. You can also study at the same time while in service and the army pays for your tuition. After finishing your contract, the army will also help you find employment and you get priority when you decide to apply for a government job. But what really sold me was that you can get your US citizenship in less than a year, compared to the usual five years after receiving your greencard.

I need to get away from my mother. I cannot stress the importance of this reason. I can’t stand her twisted value that revolves around being materialistic and treating money as her god. We just can’t get along. Our principles and priorities are just irreconcilable. We have a lot of differences and it’s just too late to fix it or make a compromise. Being away from one another is best for both of us.

All my life I have always chosen the easiest or most convenient paths. I simply don’t like to make things difficult for myself especially if there is a simpler way. This is the first time that I did the opposite. If I find out that I made a mistake in this decision, I cannot quit, but rather I should endure and face the consequences of my action especially when some people want to see me fail.

I have always been someone who doesn’t like taking risks. I always choose to play it safe, making sure that everything is certain and familiar rather than someone who is a risk taker that likes to venture into the unknown. Again, I did the opposite when I enlisted with the army. This is the first time that I am not sure of what will happen.

The most important thing for my family and friends is my safety. I perfectly understand their concern when I told them that I enlisted with the army. I reassured them that I am aware of the possibility of being deployed in the Middle East and the probable danger that comes with being stationed there. I also made sure that the job I got in the army was not combat related but one concerned more with support. One involved with procurement, inventory and managing of supplies. However, I did ask for them to pray for my safety and hope for the best.

I expect to experience difficulty in this undertaking. I have left my comfort zone and I do not know what awaits me. This is the choice that I made and I stand by it. I want to become stronger and explore my limits, that in the process I learn more about myself and in what I am capable of and with firm resolve that at the end of it all I become a better man.