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"I will always place the mission first." -excerpt from the Soldier's Creed

Fighting in Iraq, to today's Soldier, is not about religious beliefs or personal choice; it is about doing our job. We serve the people of the United States and, more notably, "stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States in close combat." We are guardians of freedom. We don't go to Iraq because we have a personal vendetta against terrorists or because we'd like to see the face of Islam change, but because our country told us to go.

We have a mission to complete, and we will complete that mission. Our duty demands it; our loyalty fuels it. The mission comes before personal preference and beliefs - we chose to put the mission first when we enlisted. We joined the Army by raising our right hand and swearing to do our duty and to follow the orders given to us; my Commander-in-Chief told me to go, so I went. I did not whine about going to Iraq, and I will not whine when I go again. I knew that joining the Army (during a time of war, no less) would very likely result in deployment, as do all American Soldiers.

Most "soldiers" (and I use the term very loosely, without the usual capitalization, because those people are not real Soldiers) who would "opt out" of fighting a war wouldn't do so because they didn't agree with the principle behind it - they would do it simply because it's a WAR and they haven't the courage to serve our country by following their orders. Of course no one wants to go to Iraq - it's dry, miserable, and hotter than Hell - but Iraq is where our brothers and sisters in arms are, and they need our help. I swore to do my duty by this country; no way will I stand by and let someone degrade my honor and that of my fellow Soldiers by picking and choosing whether or not they'd like to pitch in.

Soldiers are a member of a team. That team is more than 500,000 strong, and is held together by camaraderie and willingness to defend each other; how can you defend the members of your team from the other side of the ocean? How can you call yourself a Soldier, claim to live up to the Army Values and follow the Soldier's Creed if you choose not to participate in a war that your team is fighting?

What kind of Army would we have if we allowed people to "opt out" because they have different views on the War on Terror? A soft one. A weak one. One that does not stand unified, as our Army always has, but one divided. Do you want to live in a country defended by wishy-washy, "I don't want to shoot anyone to protect my countrymen" people? I certainly don't, and I don't think you would either, if you really sat down and gave it some thought.

If you are one of the millions of Americans not willing to fight because your country tells you to, that's fine - no one is upset with you for your choice; we're still here to protect you and make sure you are safe. However, if you call yourself a Soldier, stand up and mean it - no honorable Soldier would choose not to be a part of the fight. The average contract lasts around three years - no one's going to force you to re-up when your time comes; until then, be an American Soldier and live up to the oath you made when you joined.

Learn more about this author, Angie Papple.
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