I didn't join the military because I had no other options. I joined because I felt called to something bigger than myself. That might sound idealistic — maybe it is — but it's the truth. And it's a feeling I know I share with a lot of the men and women I've served alongside.
The Decision to Serve
Growing up in Volusia County, I was surrounded by people who understood service. Neighbors who volunteered at the fire department. Teachers who stayed late to help struggling students. Veterans who showed up to every Memorial Day ceremony without fail. Service was in the fabric of my community long before I ever put on a uniform.
When I made the decision to enlist, it wasn't a dramatic moment. It was a quiet one. I was reading about the history of the American military — about the citizen-soldiers who left their farms and families to fight for something they believed in — and I realized that I wanted to be part of that tradition. Not because I wanted glory or adventure, but because I believed in what this country stands for, and I wanted to do my part to protect it.
What the Military Teaches You
People often ask what military service is really like. The honest answer is: it depends on the day. Some days are filled with purpose and camaraderie. Other days are monotonous, exhausting, or frustrating. But through all of it, you learn things about yourself that you can't learn anywhere else.
Discipline. Not just following orders — real discipline. The kind that gets you out of bed at 0430 when every part of your body is telling you to stay down. The kind that keeps you focused when the task ahead feels impossible.
Teamwork. In the military, your success is never just about you. It's about the person to your left and the person to your right. You learn to trust people with your life — and they learn to trust you with theirs. That kind of bond doesn't break easily.
Perspective. When you serve, you meet people from every corner of this country — different backgrounds, different beliefs, different stories. And you realize that despite all those differences, you share something fundamental: a willingness to sacrifice for something greater than yourself.
Service Doesn't End with the Uniform
One of the most important lessons I've learned is that service isn't limited to the military. It's a mindset. It's a way of approaching the world that says: "What can I contribute?" instead of "What can I get?"
I see it in the teachers who pour their hearts into their classrooms. In the coaches who mentor kids who need guidance. In the community organizers who show up to every meeting, every fundraiser, every cleanup day. Service looks different for everyone, but the spirit is the same.
The Challenge Ahead
We live in a time when it's easy to be cynical. Politics is divisive. Social media amplifies the worst of us. And sometimes it feels like the idea of "service above self" is outdated — a relic of a simpler time.
I don't believe that. I think the desire to serve is deeply wired into who we are as Americans. It just needs to be rekindled. And that starts with each of us making a choice: to show up, to contribute, to put something bigger than ourselves first.
That's what service above self means to me. It's not a slogan. It's a way of life.