I can only speak for myself and those I have directly served with over the last 22 years of active duty.
I am a submariner who has spent 10 of my 19 years of marriage away from my family. I am a volunteer who willingly separated myself from my family because it was my duty. Back in 1983 when I enlisted, I did it to get out on my own. The first time I reenlisted it was to be eligible for shore duty. The reasons for reenlisting the other four times are varied. I did receive a cash bonus (SRB) for three of five reenlistments. The total sum of my SRBs pale in comparison to what our highly trained, highly efficient, and highly motivated sailors are now getting for one reenlistment.
In my specialty (nuclear power), sailors are receiving up to $100,000 for reenlisting for four years. Can you put a price on voluntarily separating yourself form your family and placing yourself in harm's way? I don't think you can.
There are some that reenlist soley for the money. The average enlisted sailor with about two years in the Navy makes just over $20,000 a year.
Over the years, I have developed a deeper committment to the United States and her people. It is an honor to serve a country this great and I would do it all over again. It is my duty and responsibility to defend this country against all those who threaten that freedom. America's veterans spilled their blood and lost their lives ensuring this freedom is enjoyed by her citizens. We will not waiver in the fight against the tyranny that oppresses that freedom.
If this sounds a bit over the top, I have earned the right to be passionate about America. If you are unwilling to put yourself in harm's way, do not criticize what I have given my life work to do.
Our men and women in the Armed Forces are not asked if they would like to go to war. They're not given a choice. They follow orders. The sailor on the deckplates or the soldier in the foxhole don't generally know the details of the big picture. They have to trust the leaders that God has appointed over them. All authority comes from God. Sometimes we have good leaders, sometimes we don't. Either way, the men and women in uniform are obligated to obey the orders of those over them.
The Lord has truly blessed me in my career. I am certain it is because I placed Him first in all that I did. In my career, some superiors have told me I was wrong to take the stands I have taken. I really believe the Lord blessed me because I would not compromise my position in Christ. Was I perfect? Absolutely not. In fact, I've made some serious blunders in my time, but God was always faithful to take care of me, my career, and my family. Including September 12th, 2001. Not the 11th? On the 11th I was recalled to my submarine, but we couldn't get underway until the 12th because the Navy was concerned about the safety of the submarine on the surface while transiting to our dive point. They were afraid another attack was possible. When I left, I was not sure if my family would be there when I came home. On the type of submarine I serve, we do not have the ability to communicate with our families like some do today. We were completely cut off from the real world and we still had to take care of our daily business. Yeah, it was tough, but God saw me through.
I am proud to be an American. I'm not proud of everything we do, but I am so blessed to live in the United States of America.
Sorry this was so long. Passion runs deep.
