From their exhaustive combat experiences, to the glory, trial, and tribulation of the home front, the military life has become all that some Americans may know and are accustomed to.  The accompanying sacrifices that are required to be made, in order to fill such an important role, are most often unparalleled and unfathomable by most civilians.  Even still, because the service branches diverge in so many various aspects, the traditional "military life" may not be exactly how most envision it to be.

Because of the increasing reliance, and invaluable role, of the United States' Army National Guard and Reserve soldiers, the concept of duty has clearly served to blur the lines of what we would typically label the military life.  In fact, even though the heart and spirit of a soldier should be embedded deep to their core, it hasn't been until recently that the National Guard and Reserve forces have been called to Active Duty service in such massive droves.  What was once just a part time job, with weekend drills and a single two weeks of annual training, has placed even greater responsibilities and demands on our citizen soldiers and their families to fulfill both states and federal missions.

Typically, for many National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers, the military role just isn't one that they partake in every single day.  Unless they are filling an active guard status, dependent on the unit, most may not even dawn an Army uniform until that one weekend drill requirement approaches.  In fact, it is in these branches, by their very organized nature, where the line between civilian life and military life clearly becomes incredibly blurred.  While typically not constrained to an Active Duty military base, army national guard and reserve soldiers, however, are still expected to act with utmost professionalism, whether they are in the uniform or not.

For these soldiers, the fundamentals that were taught by their trusted drill sergeants, within the basic training arena, may be easy to forget.  When they don't live the military life on a day-to-day basis, it is really quite easy for these basic soldiering skills and principles to take a backseat to their real, civilian, professions.  No matter what, though, even though the typical military life may vary from branch to branch, most military personnel will tell you that it is an absolute honor to dawn a uniform of their country's armed forces.  So, for whatever reason an individual may have joined the military, despite recent talk of possibly reinstating the national draft, the choice to become a member of our prestigious military is still a personal, and optional, one. 

It is for this reason that the traditional 'military life' is typically accepted, no matter how much an individual soldier or family is required to defy selflessness, and adjust to frequent moving or whatever their unique military situation may throw their way.  Individual comfort may be sacrificed, to some degree, but most soldiers would usually have it no other way in service to their great country.  Their willingness to do this, on our behalf, speaks incredibly highly to the civilians, of whose lives are kept safe a protected, thanks to the willingness of these men and women to sacrifice on their behalf.

This article was written by a member of the Staff of Duffle-Bag Depot.  Copying this article is prohibited, without our expressed written consent.

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Since the emergence of our organized, national militia, two simple words have never failed to become the very source of great curiosity, while always consistently managing to strike great amounts of fear and apprehension into the impressionable minds of new recruits. Plainly spoken, the words "basic training" carry a certain degree of mystique and intrigue behind them that, to a new military recruit, regardless of their service branch of association or affiliation, requires a degree of further explanation in order to understand more clearly.

In an attempt to gain this better understanding of what one can expect to experience during the weeks spent at basic training, one may spend countless hours in diligent, yet informal, research. As the spark of curiosity is ignited, it oftentimes seems that many varying viewpoints surface regarding many subtle aspects of Basic Training. Needless worry over things like drill sergeants, and their creative methods of discipline, may predominate your concern, although, one will find that it is those who have successfully completed basic training that can testify to the valuable importance of this training.

Whether a new recruit, just weeks before 'shipping-out', spends his time asking questions, or scrolling vigorously through military related message boards, this curiosity is certainly commonplace in any individual who is about to faithfully venture into the unknown. This departure from the common to the uncommon may be accompanied by a degree of culture shock, but, essentially, that is what basic training is: a completely new experience, where uncertainty and unpredictability thrive.

While some aspects of basic training may vary, based on the hosting and conducting service branch, as well as, the location, the fundamental principles guiding the pursuit of the development of quality individuals, these principles manage to remain thoroughly common, unchanged and consistent throughout. Ultimately, the goal of any kind of military-related basic training program is to turn you into the best soldier, marine, airman, or sailor possible. No matter how "mean" you anticipate them becoming, many Drill Sergeants have dedicated their careers to seeing that the time-honored tradition, and professionalism, associated with the military is passed on to subsequent generations. That right of passage starts with YOU: the new recruit. Because of the great value of this incredible responsibility, you can rest easy knowing that you will have the "best-of-the-best" training you, while attempting to accomplish a great feet (in some) in just the matter of a few short weeks.

As your muscle fibers fatigue, and rebuild, with each grueling push-up, over the course of your basic training indoctrination, you will begin to notice a complete metamorphosis. Not only will you grow stronger physically, but, your Drill Sergeant will provide the necessary instruction to ensure that you succeed, while continually fostering the basic service-orientated principles that you will come to embody with everything you are. The lasting effects of this training are ones that you will carry with you for your entire career. When under the stresses of combat, or while simply training with your unit while on the home front, it is during these critical times where immediate recollection of training, and discipline, will become necessary, and a fully applicable requirement for survival.

This article was written by a member of the Staff of Duffle-Bag Depot.  Copying this article is prohibited, without our expressed written consent.

http://www.militarysmartbooks.org