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Why I Serve- Reflections at the 10 year mark
August 8, 2011
Making the decision to join the military can be a difficult one, looking back on 10 years of service in the United States Army; I hope to inspire young men and women considering a career in the Armed Forces with reflections on my career to this point.
“War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.”
John Stuart Mill
English economist & philosopher (1806 - 1873)
Truer words have never been spoken, and they mean even more today in our current societal environment. I guess you could say I was always destined to be a Soldier. Both of my grandfathers served in the military, my father as well as three out of my five uncles also served in all branches of the armed forces. Growing up I was surrounded and looked up to strong military figures and role models that led me to appreciate those who sacrifice for our nation.
As a US Army Engineer Officer, I have had the opportunity to view the Army from several different viewpoints. I have served in a direct combat role as a Sapper Platoon Leader on the streets of Baghdad, I have served as a Battalion Rear Detachment commander ensuring the well-being of over 200 spouses during a long combat deployment and I have served as a Construction Company Commander seeing the support side of the Army in Afghanistan. Through all of these roles, I have only re-affirmed my commitment to serving in the military. Some jobs I have liked more than others, and at times I have contemplated getting out of the military but at every decision point I have decided (with the full support of my wife) to continue down the road that is the Army.
I married my wife shortly after commissioning and she has supported my devotion to duty and love of country all along the way, she is just as much a patriot as I. Families of service-members, especially spouses, do not get nearly enough recognition for their devotion to duty, they too serve this nation more than most will ever know. I would say that more than any one factor the support of my wife and family has kept me in my uniform more than it has kept any other in my uniform more than any other has. Most citizens of the United States are far- removed and some would say even detached from military service. Being a member of a military family and serving personally, I feel that being a member of the US Armed Forces strengthens a family, contrary to popular belief. I know my family takes pride in what I do and that helps me endure many of the hardships that serving our nation entails. I like to think that all of those hardships and everything I do in uniform is in some small way going towards the joint effort we (Armed Forces) all provide for keeping my family and my country safe. This will be and can be debated by many, but the motivations and selfless service of our nation’s warriors can never be questioned.
Duty to our nation is something that very few people heed and I am honored that I get to be a part of that. Although I have many reasons for serving, the primary reason that I serve my country is to give something back to my nation for all of the freedoms and opportunities that it has given me and others just like me. The Army has given me a great life thus far with many opportunities over the last decade that most are not fortunate to have in a lifetime. The important thing is to remember what the Army is and what it is not. I have never looked at the Army as a “what can it give me” institution. There are too many people that point the finger the other way and say that the military is not for me, sign up that other person, but the question you need to ask yourself is if, “I don’t serve, who will”? Too many people in our country are absorbed with their own success and comfort. The freedoms that those individuals enjoy on a daily basis are provided by the hardships and sacrifices of me and my brothers and sisters in arms. When I go visit my grandfather at Arlington National Cemetery and he lays alongside individuals that I have served with I see firsthand that I am part of an institution that is far greater than any one person is. This vision allows me, and those I care about, to know I am making a difference in my children’s future on a far greater scale than any other profession can provide.
My pride in my uniform, my Army and my service in it has only grown exponentially over the last decade. I take great pride in the Army’s history and consider myself lucky to be able to wear the uniform of the greatest military force the world has ever known. It is a club that I am honored to be a member of and is unmatched anywhere on this Earth.
CPT David W. Dake, ILE Student, CGSS, SG33B
submitted by Captain David Dake on Aug 8 2011
Comments
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Thank you Captain Dake for your inspirational words. I have never read a quote like the one from Mr. Mill. His and your words are helping me decide that I want to serve my country.
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Michelle S.
Aug 14, 2011 12:34 AMYour words were so beautiful. I am trying to serve in my profession of counseling and hope to help the men and women suffering from the effects of war.
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Travis Field
Aug 11, 2011 2:59 PM