[11BRAVO]

The Combat Arms Soldier

The average age of the Combat Arms Soldier is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activity, drives a ten year old piece of junk, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.

He listens to Rock 'n Roll music, or Country....and 155mm Howitzers.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop...or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.

He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle.

He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and his weapons like they were his hands.

He can save your life -- or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat or training accidents and is unashamed. Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom.

Even if he can't grow a beard, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

Remember him always...he has earned our respect and admiration.

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Vietnam ====== Never forget, not for one damn day, not for one hour, not for one minute.....