 
War!
Many popular Hollywood movies are about it
and it's one of the scariest and most complicated
facets of life on Earth.
No sane person wants war or to go to war.
But in the heat of the moment, when you are
face to face with someone who wants to do
you harm, what is it like?
Currently the US is involved in multiple wars
and conflicts of various size in Libya, Yemen,
Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan,
not to mention many other conflict zones where
the US has a military presence.
There are over one million active personnel
and around two hundred thousand who are deployed.
There are many reasons a person might sign
up to serve in the military: A desire to protect
and serve their country, a need to find a
secure job, or a way to pay for higher education.
Regardless of the reason, everyone has to
go through the same rigorous training.
Once you sign a contract with the military,
it is a legally binding document that says
you will serve your time or else go to jail.
This is no part time summer job!
The first part of being in the military is
basic training, an eight to ten week intensive
training meant to whip you into the physical
and mental shape you need to be a soldier.
Basic training has been depicted many times
in films.
There are obstacle courses, instructions on
how to use weapons and other equipment, mock
missions, marching drills, and yeah, a lot
of push ups.
You can’t work on personal things, they
take away your cell phone, and it’s not
famous for it’s good food.
And you can count on drill sergeants screaming
at you.
And more push ups.
After you graduate from basic training you
will get your orders for your position and
may even be deployed to one of those active
combat zones.
In an active war zone some of the time there
will be nothing happening…
There will be chores to do, posts to be at
and, maybe even nothing to eat except MREs
or Meals-Ready-To-Eat.
But other times crazy things are happening.
Many soldiers have reported that during the
heat of the moment they did not feel fear.
All of their training kicked in and fueled
by their adrenaline and desire to survive
things become very black and white and almost
move in slow motion.
Part of war is using lethal force against
other human beings.
It can be psychologically complicated.
Ultimately as a soldier in war you have to
perform the duties that your job demands of
you under some of the most extraordinary circumstances,
and whether you agree with the causes or motivations
behind the various conflicts, it can’t be
argued that the soldiers on the front lines
have to be very brave.
Many soldiers report that their bond with
their fellow soldiers was stronger than many
other relationships in their lives.
We can’t say if being in a war is right
or wrong - Or even if war is a necessary evil.
That’s a topic far too complicated to explore
here.
What do you think it would be like to be in
a war?
Would you be willing to go?
Let us know in the comments and don’t forget
to subscribe for more Fuzzy and Nutz!
