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Life of a Soldier
"The Iraq deployment basically caught us all by surprise because we didn’t know what to expect."
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By Brandon Coles
Growing up in an inner city was kind of tough and, you know, I just had to get away from basically all the terrible things that were happening in my life. You know, going to high school, going through a lot of peer pressure, I wasn’t excelling the way I wanted to and the way I was supposed to. So, therefore, I made the decision to enlist in the military because I needed to gain discipline to make my life a whole lot better and a whole lot easier for myself.
They had a career day at our school and the United States Army, the United Stated Air Force, The Marine Corps, and the Navy had recruiter representatives at our school. When the recruiter came to the house, my mom was in awe. She couldn’t believe it, you know, she was really upset. She was like, “Son, is this truly what you want to do?” And I was like, “Yes.” She was like, “OK, well, I don’t like it, but at the same instance I have to live with your decision.” So that was that.
The Iraq deployment basically caught us all by surprise because we didn’t know what to expect. My wife at the time, she was pregnant with our daughter. And so therefore, as a matter of fact, she was born 48 hours after I had left, because I had left on April 1st and my daughter was born April 3rd. And ,uh, that was one of the main things that was going on through my head, you know, you just have to basically put the world on hold.
But when I was over there I decided that, you know, it’s time for me to go. I’ve done my term, I’m coming home for good, you know, it’s time for me to just move on with my life. And you know basically, I’ve left my footprint, you know, I have a legacy, and I’m proud of it.
Yes I am living at home with my mom, but that’s only temporary. I’ve given myself a 90 day window and within that 90 day window, not only will I be in school, but I’ll also be working full-time. So, once that happens, and I’ve saved up my money, I’ll find my own place to stay. At times I dread the fact that I didn’t apply myself and I know I probably won’t finish my degree probably until around the age of 29 or 30 but, hey, now it’s time to just get up, get out, and get something.
Yes, I am discharged, but you might not have to wake up early in the morning and do PT or basically wear that uniform and shave and whatever, what a soldier has to do. But at the same instance you’re always going to be in that soldier mode, you have to keep yourself forward; you have to walk straight, your head held high. One thing that a soldier must always take with him, whether they’re discharged or not, is, like I said, once you’re a soldier, you’re always a soldier. I’m still in soldier mode.
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