Text Box: Our countries global war on terrorism and the toll its taken on the home front. Text Box: America as a nation has been divided over the years due to many different causes and events. None have brought us as close yet divided us so diversely as the events of 9/11 and the war to follow. After the attacks of 9/11 our nation was blanketed with the spirit of carpe diem and espree de core. Meaning that we felt each others pain and united we stand would truly show through. The United States of America would launch a war against terrorism, starting with Iraq. Since the start of the war the U.S. has been advertising an army of one and army strong trying to boost the militaries persona. Now nine years into the war on terror, the unity is not so strong, our country is suffering and on some level it’s a Vietnam era situation, less the draft , still a many lives lost, and citizens feeling the effects of war, maybe not in our pockets, but in our hearts. Unlike the Vietnam era when all young men feared they’d be forced to fight . Young men and women are hooked into joining Uncle Sam’s band of merry men through modern day propaganda. Yes many still join the service due to family legacy, career opportunities and many positive reasons. But still advertising and incentives have become a quick fix to put “boots in the sand”. During an interview with Vicky O’ Hara Mag. General Mike Rochelle, Head of the U.S. Army recruiting command stated that after the attacks on the world trade center twenty-two  percent of influential figures said they would recommend enlistment in the army to a young individual. He went on later to state that the army raised its incentive bonus, almost doubled the college fund, and lowered its minimum enlistment time to 15 months in hopes of gaining more recruits. O’Hara states that pentagon officials oppose bringing back the draft, because a volunteer army is a good army. That is the reason for the Army’s effort in recruiting, the avoidance of a draft. Personally a draft, or ridiculous recruiting efforts boils down to the same concept, numbers. I am not trying to bash the Army; I am merely stating the effect the war on terror has had on the process turning civilian to serviceman. (Simon pg1) The war in Iraq’s effect on our economy has not affected our way of life in comparison to other major wars. For example during WW1 and WW2 the government sold bonds, and issued ration cards to help save money and fund the war. People didn’t live lavishly as we do today. During this war people still spend and make money all the same. When the towers were attacked our economy was shaky mainly due to the fear of an all out war on American soil, but through the nine years our way of life has not been greatly affected. Yes our economy is in distress right now and its putting a squeeze on some people but that is due to lack of exports and over importing, and the large amount of unemployment in the U.S. not so much the war. Day to day life does not seem like wartime at all, the government is not restricting gas use, or controlling, the way we use our resources, to most the war is simply a yellow ribbon bumper sticker, or maybe sending a care package. But though we still live like there is no war going on, soldiers on the home front do too. Some business even offer them discounts for being in uniform, I’ve even seen strangers pay for a service members meal out of respect. It is a different era, and things vary but just like other wars at heart our country cares, even if it’s just buying a burger or a beer for a guy wearing a uniform. (p1  Hampson) The people who really feel the rigors of this war are those fighting it obviously. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is the leading mental scar left on soldiers from this war, rivaling that of Vietnam. The physical wounds are seen day to day on any army post. As a soldier you personally experience how the war has affects soldiers physically and mentally. Many are left disabled physically. All deployed army units have a group of soldiers called rear- detachment, soldiers who deal with issues that deployed soldiers cannot. My experience was entailed while on rear detachment. Many of the soldiers were injured physically or mentally due to the war. While on rear detachment you were there to be cleared fit to fight, or were working towards getting that way. (Hampson, Tanielian) Soldiers are not the only ones affected; there loved ones pay the price too. In an article by Rick Hampson, Rose Gill discusses how her son’s death in Iraq left her  to distraught to return to work. This caused her to lose her job; she told the interviewer in more frank terms that her life was in shambles. This is just one story out of many how the war in Iraq affects those fighting it and there families. But on a positive not there are many organizations offering aid to those returning from war, and a great deal of support opportunities for those who have lost a loved one. (p1 Hampson) CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE CLICK HERE TO SEE MY PERSONAL CONLUSION

FROM REBEL TO RECRUIT

The U.S. an Army of One

CONCLUSION