Reading jpf's journal

I am a United State's Sailor

I am not the naive beach-boy idiot you see on the weekends at various military cities across on the country.

I am a United State's Sailor

What the hell am I doing standing in ranks with these people for hours while waiting for some asshole several pay grades above me to arrive late, finish his morning coffee and have his worthless meetings?

I am a United State's Sailor

This is not a creed, it is especially not one which has had its last 2 sentences rendered meaningless over the course of 3 years. My values come from within and I reject all forms of indoctrination.

I am a United State's Sailor

I am not my “rate” or my “eval”. I am not an Engineer or whatever the Navy constitutes as “Engineering”.

I am a United State's Sailor

I want to believe at one point in the past this actually meant something.

I am a United State's Sailor

Do not thank me for serving your country, or protecting your freedom. I have done neither of these things. I am a Mercenary. I accept this judgment by society and the world and I accept the risk associated with this. I can only promise that I will payback several times over the damage I've done during my years in “service”, or die trying.

I am a United State's Sailor

but I will not be defined by it

This post was edited by jpf on May 04, 2008.