army

An essential guide to all things army; explore the intricate structure of units, troops, ranks and roles that work together to keep our borders safe.

Sniper
Days are long, nights are cold. At times I find myself numb from the chill, all but my fingers and toes which ache and burn, try as I may to warm my frozen blood. I can’t shake, no matter how hard the wind blows. I can’t shiver, no matter how far the temperature drops. I must stay still. If I move, people will die.
By Hannah Shull8 years ago in Serve
How To Prepare for Joining the Army
Being a military member is not an easy decision to make—or rather, it shouldn't be one. If you want to join the military police force, or just become an Army doctor, then it's assumed that you have put a lot of thought into that decision.
By Buddy Brown8 years ago in Serve
Soft Orders
Soon we will discover how drastically or minimally our lives will change, depending on where they decide to send you. To be honest, it's not like our every wish and need will be met at our convenience. But there is a small hope within me that somehow, even if I could pack a toothbrush and make a weekend trip to be with you, then it would be a literal dream. Yet in the midst of the chaos that we have surfed through since we had a talk about your decision, there is no denying that we have gained strength through the wait and hope through the silence. Months without contact besides the words scrawled quickly on a piece of flip notebook paper undeniably catalyzes the appreciation I have for your affection, even when you are forced to fit within some shell of existence they make for you while you are there. Ironically, I believe this kind of emotional turmoil I have experienced along the way has beautifully wrecked all of my expectations of what our lives would look like and has been replaced with an entire world map of possibilities.
By Fayth Stewart8 years ago in Serve
This Army Life Is Crazy Part 1
September 12th was the day my life changed forever. I got on a plane to St. Louis, Missouri to start my army career...and let me tell you it was interesting. As soon as I boarded my flight I was nervous but a good kind of nervous because this was something I had been looking forward to for the past few months. When I got off my plane in Missouri, I met a couple people that were on their way to Fort Leonard Wood as well, we became instant friends. We had a couple minutes to grab something to eat and get our bags outside to load the bus to go to reception. Reception. It was a two hour bus ride from St. Louis to Fort Leonard Wood so we all got advised to sleep because we definitely needed it for what we were about to go through. When we pulled up to reception we immediately saw a drill sergeant and thought what the heck, we’re not even at basic yet and there’s already drill sergeants swarming us. They yelled at us to get inside and dump our bags to get whatever contraband out that we had. That was the longest night of my life we didn’t go to bed until two and wake up was at 3:30. Reception was the worst, all we did was stand around and we couldn’t talk at all to anyone but the day we got fitted for our uniforms was the best day ever. Let me tell you when you first put on that uniform it’s the best feeling in the world and you feel so motivated and that you can take on whatever is going to happen. Everyone in that room had the biggest grin ever. We were in reception for about six days then shipping day came along. The most nerve-wracking day of my life. We woke up, ate breakfast, and around noon we got in formation with all our bags lined up. I don’t think there was a single person in that formation that wasn't sweating like crazy from being so nervous. Then from the corner of my eye I saw the drill sergeants that we were going to be spending the next ten weeks with. They came up to us not saying a single word, just looking at all of us, then all of a sudden they said load the bus. Then our journey began. We were on the bus for a good five minutes, I was sitting next to the girl I was bunkmates with in reception, when the bus stopped we just looked at each other because we knew this was the worst part of basic training. Shark Attack day zero. The door busted open and you hear, “Get the f*ck off the bus!” Everyone, I mean everyone, took off, we looked like a bunch of chickens running around with our heads cut off. There were people falling, crying, and screaming, it was a mess. We got inside and they made us line up our bags...again and said, “Lift your bags above your head” so we did and that was so hard. We had to squat with our bags too and run just about every exercise you can think of. I've never sweated so much in my life. After all that we finally got to go to our company and then we all thought to ourselves, man what have we gotten into. Day zero out of 70 complete. Here’s to new adventures.
By Katie8 years ago in Serve
Items for Every Army Basic Training Packing List
You're in the Army, now! Chances are you're unsure of what to pack before heading off to basic training, and that's not a bad thing. Not every recruit will be as prepared as the next one, and even fewer are mentally ready for the hardships awaiting them. Even after you have checked and rechecked your various necessity lists, undergoing a strict look at your packed belongings is key to maintaining the correct packing list when headed to boot camp. It's nothing to fear, basic training is a great way to learn about yourself both in a mental and physical connotation, so you have nothing to worry about.
By Donald Gray8 years ago in Serve
Career Opportunities in the Army
Joining the Army or the Marine Corps often tends to bring up a certain image in peoples' minds. Most of the time, people tend to think that Army enrollees always spend their work lives carrying around guns and fighting.
By Iggy Paulsen8 years ago in Serve
Ways the Army Should Change Up Its Grooming Regulations. Top Story - February 2018.
These are the top ten ways the Army should change up its grooming regulations, though mostly spoken from a dreamer's state of mind. The regulations are tough to fight, and will often never be altered, but a solider can dream, can't he?
By Adrian Scott8 years ago in Serve
Military Sexual Trauma
I was raped in the US Army. I was discharged after being coerced into a statement saying my claim of rape was incorrect. I was charged with adultery and sodomy. One of my rapists was married. The other forced me to perform oral sex on him. In the Army, you could only have sex in the missionary position and with someone that was not married to someone else. My rapists walked free, after failing lie detector tests and admitting to having “relations” with me.
By Melanie Banar8 years ago in Serve
So I Married a Soldier
My name is Ryan, and I married a soldier in the U.S. Army. Perhaps this isn't particularly uncommon, but there are a few things about being the civilian husband that may not be known.
By Ryan Balser8 years ago in Serve
Hell's Memory
Two nights have passed since Private Douglas was gunned down, nearly sawed in half by the relentless wave of lead raining down on us. He is gone, yet, I sit here watching his chest rise and fall as if air were feeling his lungs, not the rats burrowing deep eating his flesh. Closing my eyes magnifies the sound of tearing muscle and claw scraping bone. Another wave of bullets, another cry pierces the night as the dull thud of cartridges hitting their mark reminds us all of this hell we can’t escape. Captain barks an order to advance.
By Jayres Green8 years ago in Serve
Fly High Sir
I just want to dedicate this to a man who I’ve never met yet I feel like he’s right beside me. I know he’s looking down at me, hopefully with a smile and nod of approval. But I must say I'm sorry that I let you down sir, cause I boarded the plane back to Michigan and left her down in Missouri. I made the promise to take care of her and to protect her from evil as best as I can, yet I have no idea how I'm supposed to keep that, and I haven’t found a way since I came back home and she's 589 miles away. But I promise you this sir if she ever calls me and needs to talk for whatever I’ll drop life and try to wipe away her tears despite the distance. If she ever came back around my neck of the woods, I’ll be right there treating my sister like she deserves. I always called her my princess and she hates it when I call her that right now considering she found a new prince. I will always call her my princess because I made the promise to call her my princess, and lord knows I will always be able to find a way to keep my promises.
By josh napper8 years ago in Serve
Benefits of Being an Army Recruiter
Being an army recruiter might not seem glamorous, but this position offers more perks than you would think. When an army recruiter goes out to talk to people and future army prospects, they have values to uphold and a crucial role to play in the development of national security. But the benefits of being an army recruiter aren't just practical, they're emotional.
By Taylor Markarian8 years ago in Serve