Stand fast and Make ready for 23

Today is my last day as a naive 22 year old. It's been a good year, but this is my last 22 year old thought to post before the 23 year old upgraded thoughts.

Preface: me and a co-worker have been having this dialog about the future roll of America and the roll of the military. Recently I've been considering a commission in the United States Navy, so the question or opinion was raised between us, what should happen if the morality of the actions of the government forced the hand of the military to strike (as in not-follow orders and resist the actions of) the government. If the military resisted the invasion of Iraq, based on moral grounds, then there would be a massive million man mutiny, should that of happened rather then the military 'mindlessly' obeying orders ? or Should Officers weigh orders against their moral code before following them?

This was my response and subsequently my last 22 year old thought... The reference to "you" was towards my co-worker, but feel free to imagine that I'm talking to you and your industry.. enjoy!


Ok..

(steps up to the soap box)

Pardon my opine, but here's my opinion. The future of this country is being decided by what standards we're going to pick as intrinsically American.

Some Americans are choosing whether faith and holiness and a divine connection to God is how America Rolls.

Some Americans think the GWOT (Global War on Terror) has been waged and that while it was easy to wage, it's going to be a b**ch to end, thus our country needs to be straight on command and control and to possess the world's biggest stick so that other countries and players will take our carrots out of fear.


Some Americans think the future is America, a strong and prosperous American economy and social welfare program will lift Americans up to global standards and prosperity here, will trickle down to others abroad.

Some Americans fear that what it means to be an American is under attack. They feel threatened that immigrants are going to change the social dynamics of their livelihood.

Some Americans are lazy, they let their lives be dominated by work, school, friends, kids, etc. and feel that because they're small fish in a big pond.. they cannot make a difference.

There are many Americans with different thoughts. There are many Americans with plans for America. It's easy to get caught up in the drama, but our country has passed from Childhood to being a teenager to now in the beginnings of it's mid-life crisis. Privateering, Corporate Enterprises, Oil drilling, Diplomatic Super Egos, and Outsourcing is all really Mr. America in it's Mid life crisis--going out and buying a Porsche or a Harley in order to find it's self identity.

We live in what Academics call the "Post-Modern Period." Think about that, "The Post Modern Period." It's meaning literally stands for a time after modernity in which we're no longer striving for production output, instead America has turned into a land of mindblowing unnecessary industries. Something has happened to where you and I can make money in the Internet Categorization Business. I have nothing against that, IT'S GREAT!, but think about it, post-modernism has created "fluff industries." Industries in which programmers are kings and mid-level foremen on factory lines are serfs. Amazing turnaround isn't it!

Where that plays out in the military, I do not know. I'll be turning 23 tomorrow and I'll be graduating with a B.A. soon. The Navy has been an option only because I see a more involved roll for military personnel, and related industries for the next 5-10 years. Perhaps, due to the GWOT, the war machine industries is the next dot-com boom followed by a rapid succession and loss. I don't know, and that's not the only reason I've wanted to join the Navy as an Officer.

We'll see how it goes, it could be that I don't qualify and I end up somewhere else. All I have is my faith, everything else is just good times that I'm appreciative for.... I'm an observer, I can talk up each side of the coin like I was a spokesman, that's my skill. I could defend the GWOT, Bush, etc, as well as I could curse it, that's why I'm an independent. However, this morning the president gave a press conference in which he was asked what made a good president. He said, "Good Solid Principals" and while the man is an eye sore to watch, he's spot on.

Good principals to stand by are the only things worth keeping on too. Wars end and so peace rallies end, Hippies can go conservative, but good solid principals are always new and valid, no matter what. My principals are simple: those found in the Scout Oath and Law, because becoming an Eagle Scout does that to you.

(steps off the soap box and looks back for a sec)

Good times are ahead! Stand fast and make ready for the future lad!

And that's it. That's all I got for 22.. See ya on the flip side I hope you've enjoyed it.

~J out