The average British soldier is 19 years old ... he is a short haired, well built lad who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears and just old enough to buy a round of drinks but old enough to die for his country â and for you. HeâÂÂs not particularly keen on hard work but heâÂÂd rather be grafting in Afghanistan than unemployed in the UK. He recently left comprehensive school where he was probably an average student, played some form of sport, drove a ten year old rust bucket, and knew a girl that either broke up with him when he left, or swore to be waiting when he returns home. He moves easily to rock and roll or hip-hop or to the rattle of a 7.62mm machine gun.
He is about a stone lighter than when he left home because he is working or fighting from dawn to dusk and well beyond. He has trouble spelling, so letter writing is a pain for him, but he can strip a rifle in 25 seconds and reassemble it in the dark. He can recite every detail of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either effectively if he has to. He digs trenches and latrines without the aid of machines and can apply first aid like a professional paramedic. He can march until he is told to stop, or stay dead still until he is told to move.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation but he is not without a rebellious spirit or a sense of personal dignity. He is confidently self-sufficient. He has two sets of uniform with him: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his water bottle full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never forgets to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes and fix his own hurts. If you are thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food is your food. He'll even share his life-saving ammunition with you in the heat of a firefight if you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and regards his weapon as an extension of his own hands. He can save your life or he can take it, because that is his job - it's what a soldier does. He often works twice as long and hard as a civilian, draws half the pay and has nowhere to spend it, and can still find black ironic humour in it all. There's an old saying in the British Army: 'If you can't take a joke, you shouldn't have joined!'
He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and he is unashamed to show it or admit it. He feels every bugle note of the 'Last Post' or 'Sunset' vibrate through his body while standing rigidly to attention. He's not afraid to 'Bollock' anyone who shows disrespect when the Regimental Colours are on display or the National Anthem is played; yet in an odd twist, he would defend anyone's right to be an individual. Just as with generations of young people before him, he is paying the price for our freedom. Clean shaven and baby faced he may be, but be prepared to defend yourself if you treat him like a kid.
He is the latest in a long thin line of British Fighting Men who have kept this country free for hundreds of years. He asks for nothing from us except our respect, friendship and understanding. We may not like what he does, but sometimes he doesn't like it either - he just has it to do. Remember him always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.
Now we even have brave young women putting themselves in harm's way, doing their part in this tradition of going to war when our nation's politicians call on us to do so.
When you read this, please stop for a moment and if you are so inclined, feel free to say a prayer for our troops in the trouble spots of the world.
I think that we can all agree that the words British and American are interchangable....
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Never knock on deaths door... Ring the doorbell and run away, death really hates that!
Hell of a thing to do to an 18 year old. Often wondered when I was drafted how legal was that oath I was forced to take to die for my country. If I didn't say it, would have been tossed in jail. We were grouped by religion, was told, Thou shall not kill did not apply when killing for your country fire away, but then rules of engagement, you were far better off to have five bullet holes in you before firing back or else you could get into some deep sh!t.
Didn't really pay much attention to civics class in high school where only congress can declare a war, you just go wherever they send you, that is why they want 18 year old kids, could get into lots of trouble by drinking, but beer and whiskey was available anywhere with no ID's required. Then you realize you are just shooting at some other stupid 18 year old while the leaders are safe and well protected and going to cocktail parties claiming how dedicated they are toward your country. When you get older, realize, it's all BS.
We have no damned business in Afghanistan, certainly not in Iraq either, my 30 year old neighbor's wife is there, living a seven year old without a mom, has an 18 month tour. What a name, tour.
While I will completely agree with the questioning of the where they go, who sends them, and why; I do thank, appreciate, respect, and admire all those that serve or have ever served in our military. I will never question their dedication and bravery. I do sincerely wish that the powers that be would allow them to fight with all their might, to swiftly complete any mission; without their hands tied.
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Was a big break for this kid, a break away from the poverty I was born in. Taught me how to stand tall, walk straight, clean my area, be well organized, free GED courses made up for all the science and math courses I missed in high school, plus two years of college in the six years I served. Got all brand new clothes and was dressed just like my peers, was hell in school as was made fun of by wearing hand me downs. Was quite a change when I attended my ten year high school reunion, just once, could even shake a guys hand and look him straight in the eye.
Those were the good parts, the bad part was like being in prison for six long years. Punishment was rather severe for just being two seconds late, had to be a good boy.
Should have added that poverty break was after serving time in the service, was pure poverty in the service. And if you wanted to go on leave and visit your family stationed thousands of miles away, that came out of your pocket. Even today, many are on food stamps
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