Am I wrong to decide to fight for and defend something, freedom, anything, this country, a person I love, life in general? I am a male engineering major. I have an outstanding job offer. I’ve been accepted to multiple graduate schools. But I want none of it! The 9-5 job, cubicles, research — my very soul recoils at the thought of them; they infuriate me. I’ve decided to join the military, to endure some of the most difficult training it has to offer, and to become a combat medic. I’ve read Catch 22, Once an Eagle, All Quiet, Birdsong, etc etc, but I’m not dissuaded. Absurdly, insanely, unbelievably, these works compel me, drive me on! So many keep telling me it’s wrong, that I shouldn’t fight, that no one should fight — even if I’ll be training to save lives first. Are they right? Isn’t this all worth defending?! Or will I be defending anything in today’s military? What do you think?
Sounds like you’ve already made up your mind. I’m a bit confused, though. You talk about fighting, but say you’re going to train to be a medic. If you want to save lives, seems like you could put some of that terrific engineering education to good use. I know a young engineer who designed MRI devices; his work probably saved a lot more lives than you would on the battlefield. Working in a cubicle doesn’t need to crush your spirit.