A Soldier's Oath: The Weight of Signing Up

This isn't a call out, but rather a cautionary tale. We almost hate having to write this. Almost. We, by in large, are lucky in our friendships and associations with law enforcement, first responders, fire, active military members, and veterans. Those that we personally know have upheld a standard that we all are proud to lay claim of. Whether the mean streets of Iraq, a blazing inferno in NYC, the valleys and mountains of Afghanistan or the streets of Chicago, those that put themselves in harm's way have earned a level of respect among the populace as well as their peers that few can explain or describe. You just know.They signed on that line. The draft doesn't exist, nobody forced anyone to become a police officer, Marine, firefighter, soldier, EMT, airman or sailor. It was a choice that was made by the individual. When individual signs on that line, they accepted that there were situations that they'd be in that were less than ideal. There are situations that may end up costing them their lives.

If you're going to be one of the folks that put your name on any one of those lines, you need to at some point recognize that these aren't jobs. They are callings, at times, dangerous callings.If your name is on that line you are a defender of the weak and the helpless, you are the pursuer of injustice and evil. Those are not easy shoes to fill. If you're not capable of filling those shoes, you should do some research and find another profession, because it isn't fair for you to give people a false sense of security when they hold you in such high regard. It isn't right that people's lives rest in the hands of one who won't protect them.

We know that sounds high and lofty, idealistic and ignorant of the way the world really works. Maybe so, or maybe we're tired of the standard being tossed aside by a few individuals who don't treat the calling with the respect and courage it warrants. You signed on that line, you should know what you're getting into.Like we said, this isn't a call out, it's a cautionary explanation of what you're getting into. It's not for the faint of heart. It's not for the fearful. It's for those who value others more than they value themselves. This idea, of selflessness, bravery, and courage among those listed here, this we'll defend.