I realize I haven't written a new hub in quite some time. However, I am in the process of writing a long-term series of hubs entitled "A Day in the Life of a Soldier." It will be a six month comittment and I hope it will give average people an idea of what it's like being a soldier. 

I sincerely hope I do not turn people off to joining the military, but one thing I didn't have was insight into my choice. I was told that serving my country was important and all the benefits were wonderful, but I was never told what I'd be doing every single day, an average workday. 

My days as a soldier, thus far, have been interesting. I vary between doing my actual job and doing menial, useless tasks. Some of my tasks include picking weeds and picking up cigarette butts. I keep telling myself over and over that at least I'm being paid to do this. But the larger question must be asked: What am I really doing? I'm "serving my country", as so many people have stated. I'm "being all I can be". But is there a point to it all?

In the long run I suppose I'm being taught how discipline is necessary, even in the small tasks. But there are people who are senior Non-comissioned officers out there picking weeds with me. We are a nation at war and the most important detail I've been on is sorting the mail, and I'm in military intelligence. Sound strange? It's the norm here. People with degrees and years of experience are cleaning our motor pool of all the weeds or making sure the cigarette butts are all picked up. 

I hope to be able to make sense of military life for all the people who are considering it. People here say to never judge your Army experience off of your first unit assignment, and this unit is renowed for its terrible treatment of soldiers and lousy handling of talent. I hope not to give the Army a bad name but to perhaps stimulate the conversation that builds into momentum. I hope to bring people to demand real change, not promised change. 

I hope to hear from you all. I will begin my long-term writing very shortly. It may begin reading like a timeline but I will certainly show my insight and welcome any critique. Thanks!