Serving with Honor: Why I Want to Join The Military

Introduction

Joining the military is a complex, emotional decision influenced by personal and external factors. People have varying motivations for choosing a military career. It is important to recognize both personal reasons and societal influences.

A common thread among any number of reasons behind military service today is the presence of deep personal meanings. The variation that is currently available in one's military service options shows perhaps better than anything the true layers of meaning and motivation that soldiers and sailors of today hold: to engage in a foreign war, to directly aid a domestic community in need, to be the first in one's community to attend college, to gain access to the latest cutting-edge skills in information technology, or to uphold a family tradition stretching back generations. It is these personal motivations and individual stories that are the most compelling features of the discussion around enlisting in a combat career. There are important implications of analyzing these motivations: both for the military policymaker and those interested in understanding and critiquing our modern professional army, and for those trying to grasp what it means to be, really, of the military in the larger landscape of today's warfare and society.

Personal Motivations for Joining the Military

Analytic discussions often focus on duty and purpose as motivations for joining the military. However, individuals' reasons for enlisting can vary greatly. From seeking adventure to improving their lives, personal motivations differ for each person. Economic factors also play a role, as some join for financial stability. Recognizing both sentimental and practical reasons is crucial in understanding the value of every soldier.

The Role of Honor and Duty

It would seem paradoxical to claim that joining the military constitutes a positive investment, and yet this is the case for the majority of the interviewees I questioned. Although some economic perspectives determine the decision to join through an analysis of the benefits gathered over a defined period of time to balance the military career and life abroad, it is primarily duty and honor that motivate this choice. The two terms are often used interchangeably to express obedience to the established law, whereas the use of honor can be found in the majority of texts written by non-military people because it strikes a chord with a broader audience. Furthermore, duty often recalls the professional field. On the other hand, the notion of honor covers a much broader context, from actions directly related to work performance to those related to private and family life.

In this context, when the term honor is used in accordance with or in opposition to duty, it carries all the more weight emotionally and refers both to the image one gives to others and to oneself, as well as to the individual aspirations and sentiments and the collective definitions and values about how the soldier should serve. The notion of honor conjures up images of a soldier not shirking his responsibilities when faced with difficult circumstances and taking pride in the courage and determination displayed, but above all in the sacrifice he is able and prepared to make for his comrades and his country. Similarly, the notion of duty is first and foremost an adherence to tradition and obeying the rules and discipline in order to carry out one’s mission, in tandem with the ethos particular to military duties. In addition to these personal or social aspects, the two notions presuppose a profound sense of morality—beliefs instilled by the parents—and coincide with the superior interests of the armed forces and the nation.

Impact of Family and Community

Now, in the 20th and 21st centuries, many volunteers join the military due to family and community influences. Stories of recruits and veterans often center around their family legacies and traditions. Meeting a Vietnam veteran Marine who suggested my daughter would join the Marines had a profound impact on me. Despite minimal exposure to the military, these narratives resonate with many young Americans. Our heroes are glorified and perpetuated through their histories.

Conclusion and Reflections

The reasons enumerated above may or may not be representative of the men and women serving today and in the future in the Uniformed Services. However, it is worth noting that these are the reasons they provide. Military analysis frequently focuses on readings of external indicators such as the economy, national self-interest, or international politics. Such readings assist in understanding why policymakers make decisions, but they reveal little as to why those on the receiving end choose to volunteer for military service. It is perhaps this chicken-and-egg conundrum that keeps us from discussing the motivations for joining today's force. Motivation is a very complex concatenation of many personal and external factors. There should therefore be no surprise that enlisting motives do not reflect a singularity of reason but often intersect and overlap a number of areas: personal, honor, group dynamics, economic, etc. How could motivations for military service among Americans be considered in ways intended to further deepen awareness and understanding of the subject as well as respect for those choosing service?

Consider exploring various works on motivations for military service to understand the breadth of views. Delve into the depth of their stories and reasons, noticing their desires and motivations. It is important to identify and understand these motivations to unleash individuals' strengths and commitments. Our nation must support the purpose, commitment, love, and honor of servicemen and servicewomen. By understanding the motivations, we can have deeper national dialogues and appreciate the purposes of today's military services. Military service is not just a family obligation, but a personal commitment driven by love for individuals, communities, and our nation. It should be observed and discussed to fulfill purpose and promote growth. It is a national commitment that combines liberation from limited prospects and obligation towards personal, familial, economic, moral, and national purpose. We must define and understand these motivations to shape both individual and national identities in defense and security roles.