These young Americans have weighed the cost of service to the intrinsic reward of patriotism and patriotism won the day! Any time someone embarks on a journey in life, it is fraught with uncertainty and fear of the unknown. Sufficient to say, that when an individual becomes a member of the United States Armed Forces, they have taken the path less traveled. Only about ONE PERCENT of our population chooses to serve in an all volunteer force, which is vital to our National Security and collective prosperity.

First off, to join the United States Military, each person must meet with a recruiting representative to learn about their options. Then after accumulating the "Pros" and "Cons" of service, they must make a daunting choice...whether to push forward, or stay in the comfort of the known to pursue other goals. Once they make the decision to press forward with the process of joining, they go through an intense physical and mental screening process at the Military Entrance and Processing Station (MEPS). Throughout the process they must take and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) which lets them know which career fields they qualify for and would suit their aptitude, abilities, and interests. Once they pass the test and medical examination, they meet with a job counselor to select which area they would like to pursue. In some cases, the individual finds out on the spot which career they will pursue and also receive their Basic Military Training Date (BMT). Others decide on several job choices and leave a list with the counselor so that when one opens up, they are placed and then receive their BMT date. Regardless of whether they know their job or departure date, they all go directly to the Ceremony Room. Finally, in this room, they stand in front of a Commissioned Officer to recite the Oath of Enlistment which is as follows:

"I, (name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the president of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

This may seem like a straight forward process, but that could not be farther from the truth. Each enlistee has family and friends. Some family and friends are immediately in full support of the Airman, Soldier, Sailor, Marine, or Seaman Recruit (Coast Guard). While others question their decision and try desperately to keep them from honoring their commitment. To be sure, this stems from a place of love and affection. Often times, people think that service changes a person, creates the constant risk of injury or death, and will take them away forever. To those objections, I offer this:

Military members remain essentially who they are when they enter service, they are simply exposed to opportunities, education, travel, and security that collectively allows them to further develop into who they will be for the rest of their lives. After BMT, the individual will probably never look at our Nation's Flag the same. Personally, I still well up with pride, and sometimes tears, when I pay respect to the Flag when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, hear The Star Spangled Banner, Retreat, or Taps. I also get excited when I hear Reveille, because Reveille is the alarm clock heard each morning at Air Force Basic Military Training which is sometimes accented by the sound of a stick banging away on a metal trashcan or the serenade of a BMT Instructor barking out orders for the day! Service builds character, confidence, instills pride, and honor. Service infuses a person with integrity, perseverance, promise keeping, and resilience. Sure, family and friends may not be able to see them as often as they'd like, but they can all be sure that each Servicemember carries all of their family and their friends in their heart wherever their adventure takes them.

To those who that served yesterday, choose to serve today, and who will choose to serve during all tomorrows...I say thank you for committing to be a part of something bigger than yourselves, you will keep me and my family safe and free to the end of time. You will never know all of the lives you touch, but you WILL keep them ALL under your protective wings. I appreciate your service on this day and every day to come!

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Aidan McCracken - USA