There are certainly other options, much easier and personally fulfilling choices. Making the decision to join the United States military is not one of personal glory or because it is an easy job with many benefits. For those who are seeking recognition for achievements, thousands of other jobs will fill that desire. However, for those who are willing to give their all for their country, to protect her people, her borders, and what she stands for, there is the U.S. military.

For a deployed soldier, there is no “normal” day. The hours may vary from day to day, the temperature is not always consistent, and the tasks at hand never coincide with the duties of the day before.

One does not sign up for the military for stability in this sense, nor personal comforts. There is no guarantee they will return home to see a loved one, watch the Super Bowl or World Series in the comfort of a living room, or enjoy a barbecue on a late summer evening. A deployed soldier loves their job only because of the worthy cause they are serving.

Old Glory flies on the pole of commitment. On my way to the bus stop some mornings, I pass a runner wearing an Army t-shirt. The sun is barely over the horizon, yet he is miles away from the local armory. I am bundled up in my heated car, but he has only a t-short and shorts to protect him from the cold.

The dedication and sacrifice shown by the active members of the military, proven by waking up early and staying awake and laboring for hours without a day off, makes me proud of our military and thankful to have soldiers to protect these great states.

Not only is the military for those who wish to improve or maintain the state of this union, the military is a career that brings self-improvement.

After weeks of rigorous boot camp, soldiers are ready to fight on the battlefield. After service in the armed forces, soldiers are ready to fight on the battlefield of life and are able to dodge any obstacle that may come their way by using the skills learned during their military experience.

Last week, my cousin left the comfort of his home to take a train to Alabama. I am sure he will be positively affected and grow to be the best man he can be.

The love of the country displayed by these heroes has planted the seed of an idea in my mind.

Goosebumps rise on my arms and legs when I watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July. Hearing the National Anthem makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. A tear comes to my eye when a group assembled together stands, hats off and with hand over heart, and pledges allegiance to our flag.

The idea came to me on Sept. 11, 2011, a week after the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers. I decided that I want to enlist in the Army to serve as a doctor.

There is nothing better than to be able to give back to the country that has provided me with so much. Even if I am not deployed to work behind the front line and am instead stationed in the states on a military base, I will be able to take pride in knowing I am giving an overseas soldier peace of mind knowing their family is being cared for.

Much can be said about the pride of being in the United States military.

America is a nation of hope, and the members of our military should be filled with a sense of pride for defending the liberties our Founding Fathers established and making her the great nation she is, she has been, and that she will be for centuries to come.

I take pride in the fact America’s military rises above and beyond the call of duty. Those truly committed drop everything and come out fighting, prepared to die for the freedoms generations of men in uniform before them kept safe, fueled by the fact that freedom is not free.

I am so proud to be an American, and even prouder of our military for making our nation a nation of hope.