Why I want to be an Army Officer
Below is the essay I was required to write as part of the application process for the Army Officer Candidate school. The title isn’t mine – it’s part of the guidelines for the essay. Of course I left out certain motivations, such as “to lift up and encourage the saints who are there,” and “we need the money.”
The first time I considered joining the Army was shortly after September 11, 2001. That was the first time it became spotlessly clear to me that every individual and every organization is responsible to God, not on the basis of their capacity, but their potential. Only America could be the “world’s policeman,” so America, by Providence, is – whether we want it or not. And therefore the role of defending civilization planted itself on our doorstep. Applied to myself as a Christian man, I have a responsibility to provide leadership and protection for my family, for my church, and for my country.
I believe I’ve always had a strong sense of duty and purpose, but before 9/11, my mindset was individualistic and compartmentalized. Since that time, as I’ve added the concrete responsibilities of being a husband and father, attended seminary, taught in a school, and been manager over a work group, my conviction has grown that an individualized, compartmental understanding of loyalty is an inappropriate luxury. We’re called to give our whole lives in service, not just the pieces that are directly compensated. I can’t think of a better place to give my whole life than in the U.S. Army, and I believe that, within the army, the best way I can put all my resources to service is as an officer. I have a relatively broad background of experience and training, and my focus has usually been to find the best goals, the best methods, and the most effective ways to communicate those goals and methods. I believe that this focus would mesh well with the role of an officer.
Over against the impression you might get from some Army recruitment ads, joining the Army isn’t really about the personal benefits to be gained from Army training and service – career skills, self-discipline, integrity, respect. It’s about the service rendered to a homeland because it is due – “our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.” At the same time, it’s hard to deny the benefits that accrue, especially to an officer. There is no other organization that can bring about the dramatic character improvement that I’ve seen in folks who’ve served with the U.S. Military, with the possible exception of the church, which has the benefit of a supernatural act of God. As an Army Officer, that benefit would be compounded. Not only would I have the advantage of the advance training that comes with Officer Candidate School, but my chain of command would be composed of those who’ve been similarly trained.
Ultimately, I want to be an Army officer because I believe that I have a duty before God to serve my country in a more fundamental way than merely voting. At the same time, I want to serve in such a way that accounts for a whole-hearted investment. I told my wife that it would have to be either Army officer candidacy or political candidacy. She commended me to the Army without reservation. And honestly, I believe that as an Army officer, I will be able to serve family, God and country in such a way that takes advantage of every facility I have to offer.
Obscure for those outside the nerd world:
I say hyphenation is cheating
Kyle, this is incredible! I am blown away. Very profound and thought provoking. I wish you the best and I know you will serve our country well. God bless you and your family.
All I can say is what the Lord once said to me — I know that’s very subjective.
But I once spent a great deal of time repenting of my feelings. I considered my feelings the TRUE expression of me. Once in the midst of such a repentence, The Lord broke in and said. That’s not who you are — it’s just how you feel
Similiar thing happened when we first moved to Tulsa. I was simply contemplating my last few months working with children in Lawton; ruminating on the adage that you can’t fool a child. Thinking, yes, you can. I fooled them every week. I didn’t love them but they thought I did. Again, I was interrupted when the Lord said, that was love. Love isn’t a warm fuzzy feeling — it’s what you do and you LOVED those children for me.
One of the most powerful teachings I have hung onto through the years came from a converted Jewish woman whose name I have forgotten. She was the speaker at a retreat I went to when we first moved to Lawton. The series of messages was Obedience: Squeals, Squawks and the deluxe combo. Squealing obedience was when what we’re given to do is exactly what we want to do and we squeal with joy. Squawking obedience is the opposite. And the dexlue combo are those situations that begin either squeaking or squawking and then the experiences reverses itself. The point she made over and over again was that if we obeyed regardless of our feelings [squawking] The Lord would write in His book _________obeyed me, one more time.
I think feelings matter but I don’t find evidence God is judging us by them. He is moved by the feelings of our infirmities.
Side bar — but we all have ways we used to “fix” ourselves when our feelings begin to overwhelm us – my pesonal favorite is worship. Which anyone can do driving down the road. Lenghty devotions are not the only solution. Kerry uses worship and also has a wonderful testimony of using just giving thanks.
How in the world are you having time to listen to so many messages and post reviews in the afternoon? Are you leading a double life? I am jealous, I never have that kind of time with my work…
I think the poem is spot-on, having lived on an anvil of late. Thanks for transcribing it! Hope I get a semi-noble part.
I don’t have time to read any more. But I have plenty of time to listen. In due deference though, I didn’t transcribe it. The lovely folks at Dave Harvey’s church sent me a copy when they wrote back to me.
I did put in the proper line breaks, tho’.
It seems there were only the two entrants. So who won?
Hope everything’s ok. Our prayers are with you guys.
When is his appointment with a neuro?
Dang! What would a person do with nearly 9 gallons of mince meat?!
I do happen to like mince meat pie, though my tastes are probably off since I’m used to the store bought stuff. Still, 9 gallons…
Blegh. I remember what happened the last time mincemeat was consumed in our family.
MMM, that does sound good. Next time you cook up a batch send me a couple of cans
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