Its been a while so I don’t know where to start. So this might be a long one. So I re-enlisted. Its cool only because at first I had always said that I wouldn’t. then after a while it became one of my goals. July 21 marked 4 years in the army (3 1/2 years service). I can’t believe its been that long it all went so quick. June 23 marked 2 years since the passing of one of greatest people. MSG Dwayne l. Nesbitt. I wish I had the chance to tell him how thankful I am for all his hard work. He really went above the expectation and putt up with a lot. I wish that he could see me now, how much I’ve changed. I miss the little notes of I’m rooting for ya. Yet I miss the dumb fights and our friendship. The speeches and encouragement. Very special man. I’m well aware that everyone says your recruiter suppose to bend over backwards to charm you in but there was more then pitched lines. There was someone who really cared fore me and wanted to see me become more successful.
I think in sprit he was there. I happen to of had a moment of the famous speech, “Now smith, Melissa. I’m not gonna call you private because I know your better then that. now all you got to do is keep ya head up and let life fall into place….Now go on, Melissa just keep staying quiet, following the rules of the this great Airborne division and one day you’ll get on my level don’t look at me like that you can. Well get you right. This army job we have, if you want to call it a job. Now go on. Smith, Melissa. Then this well lit smile as if I had a hard time being serious and says.. Now smith, Melissa Be all you can be!” I still laugh to myself about him.
I gave him such a hard time about stuff. “that doesn’t sound like me.” I honestly think like most people he only put up with it because he cared, an saw that I really wanted to change. He yelled at me once and I knew he wasn’t joking but only because he said PV2 smith. Come on now don’t make me call you Private. Or then Im get mad. and stop trying make me mad, this is real. Why you always got to be difficult “I came to the door hit that lovely rest position. Said in a serious authoritive voice, Yes SFC Nesbitt. I understand it will not happen again. And then he said, with that smile. SFC Nesbitt “Now smith, Melissa.” I miss him so much, but there are great memories. Yet I still stand true to my word. When he asked what, are you joining the army for and I said to get a tan ,work hard and travel. I’ve managed to do all 3.
In honor of the man that made, it possible for me to join the army. I decided what better way to show respect for a fallen brother. Then to re-up June,24.2009. I re-enlisted for 2 more years. I think right now I’m in a good spot, I’m challenged and the tough love of the 407th works wonders.
Its funny when people say why re-enlist don’t you know there’s a war. Are you that patriotic? Do you want to die? I smile and say “Well there was a war when I joined and with the way things are going with this war when I’m long gone there will still be a war. So why not. Now I’m not going to lie and say I do it for the flag! I guess the best way to explain.
If you asked me three years ago I would have to say I don’t really know. I joined the army because there was nothing in life that I was passionate about, as far college. I enjoyed the learning experience, just wasn’t ready to hold the responsibly. Didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. Wanted better for myself and my son. Wanted to learn respect make something of myself. Wanted my parent to be proud of me. For along time the army has always interested me.
When I was younger I had seen a convoy of army trucks, and I remember just watching them. wondering how they worked, operated. I was basically fascinated. So I decided then that if I joined I wanted to be a truck driver. I remember everyone telling me when I had said that I wanted to drive trucks. Everyone’s main concern was do you know how dangerous that is, people die, cant you do something safer. My argument I want to drive. I never really worried about the whole could die, can die. I’m not sure why, I’ve always been the rebel, never really one to consider how dangerous something is, just do.
I think that when you wake up every morning for 13 months, tired and reckless and you can say I’m going on mission today. Lets get it started. and your more hyped about the job and the crazy stuff you get to do and it doesn’t bother you that you didn’t get all your sleep. Or when you find a job that makes you want to be better, because its made you a better person helped you grow and makes you give your all. And last there something unexplainable about being able to look at the flag and think. I cant believe that I’m apart of the craziest organization that helps make this world stay safe. I’m proud of that and its worth everything.I guess right now i just cant see myself doing anything different as of now.
