[July 2, 2023] Here is the bottom line answer. I joined for the adventure. Yep, that’s it. Now, there is a lot to unpack with that answer because I did join at the lowest rank, Private (the lowest of the low). I expected no privileges and got none. Whatever I gained as a Soldier was from what I personally accomplished. Nobody owes you anything or gives you anything in the Army. You have to earn it.
That in itself is an adventure.
Yes, there were other reasons I joined the Army. Still, they were all secondary, like earning enough to go to college, not working six days a week on the railroad, getting some discipline, learning some fighting skills and getting into shape physically, and helping make myself more respectable. After 40 years, yes, these were also part of why I stayed in the Army. Read an older article where I explain why I stayed (link here).
What I did not join for, and a reason I realized was crucial, was the brotherhood. You can find few voluntary circumstances that generate brotherhood more than the military. It took a few years for me to come to that realization, but this would ultimately be the reason I stayed. Originally I wanted out. As an Infantry Staff Sergeant, I had a good job, status, respect, and friends worldwide and traveled extensively. Then I returned to school as planned before entering the Army and missed that brotherhood.
Early after arriving at college, I was approached by a field grade Army officer who told me about a new program that allowed Soldiers who had gotten out with an Honorable Discharge to enroll in the ROTC program and simultaneously join an Army Reserve unit. Upon graduation, that Soldier would be commissioned a Second Lieutenant, go onto a Basic Officer Course, and then to active duty.
This seemed like a good idea, so I signed up. A few years later, I was a Lieutenant in the Infantry. Then off I went to the Infantry Course at Fort Benning, Georgia and on from there.
While I always had difficulty with people telling me what to do, I nevertheless excelled under the tutelage of great Americans, NCOs and Officers alike. Later in life, after achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, I was given a personality test that noted I had a “disagreeable” personality type (go figure). It turns out that the most successful officers in the Army have this personality trait. Funny how that worked out.
Oh, there was plenty of adventure.
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good man who kicks butt that gen satterfield
we agree
Made me laugh. 🤣🤣🤣
Good article.
Some people might be interested and I think that most young men would say the same thing as Gen. Satterfield expressed here. Most anyway. And, perhaps the women too. But men and women are different (heaven forbid I did write that) and their motivations differ for that alone. Keep up what you are doing with your great website Gen. Satterfield and stay on course with articles like this.
Great blog post today. Just wanted to let everyone know that I’m wishing for a great 4th of July for everyone who is part of this website.
Good one, UB. Thanks.
Yes, great website.
Men are always looking for adventure. That is why the world is fully explored. That is why people are on every continent, and every nook and cranny across the globe. ADVENTURE is what we are after.
Great website Gen. Satterfield. Keep these coming out our way and helping us understand leadership and how to be a better person. BTW, I thoroughly enjoyed your book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” and gave a copy to my cousin who want to be in the Army. I know that you no longer recommend joining the US military due to the wokeness allowed and enforce by Pres Biden (the worst president in American history) but that will pass when Donald Trump is elected. That is when we get rid of all the crazies who are now in charge and return this country to the great place it used to be.
Nailed it sister.
“Here is the bottom line answer. I joined for the adventure. Yep, that’s it. ” Couldn’t say it any better!
Really love this website. 👍
Thank you Gen. Satterfield for giving us this info. Inquiring minds would like to know. What I find most important, for me anyway, is how do folks who are successful THINK. To be successful doesn’t mean one has to think that way but it certainly doesn’t hurt to know and perhaps even to duplicate that way of looking at the world. One thing I’m always looking at is the motivation of someone who is successful. Well done here.
This is one of the ways to do better, be better. Keep up the great comments, Yusaf and all the best to you and your family in Texas.
Loving Texas, all the way.
Das Gibt es Nur in Texas (Deep in the Heart of Texas).
Love TEXAS. ❤❤❤❤❤❤
ah, the lovely life of army vet gen. satterfield
Gen. Satterfield does it again. Thank you, Sir.
We all join for different reasons but I think the basics are the same. The military appeals to the adventure spirit in young men and it is a winning theme. Howver, lately, the military is appealing to SJWs and that will ultimately fail badly.
Thank you Army Vet for your service.
Thanks Army Capt for speaking the truth. General Satterfield is one of the best. So, everyone!!!!! Get a copy of his books, esp. the last one “55 rules for a good life.” ✔✔✔✔✔
Yes, he does it again.