Show Inflated defense budget i benefits benefits' r r 3 students I Ashley Stewart Contributing Writers The US U.S. Army is one popular branch of the military but joining the army is not always an easy process Once basic training begins the soldiers are put through many trials to test whether or not their bodies and minds are capable of the hardships that must be endured as a soldier What basic training is really all about is realizing just how much your body can endure said Private First Class AJ Mcclure The instructors will push you so hard you will want to quit and give up everything you have worked on but you just keep pushing through it all I almost gave up but the army really makes you want to succeed After the struggles of basic training life doesn't get any easier for soldiers The soldiers soldiers soldiers sol sol- sol sol- diers are immediately thrust into AlT ATT or Advanced Individual Training for their mission mission mission mis mis- sion occupational specialty The range of available jobs spans from infantry to com com- Budget Cont on Page 8 Budget Cont from front bat medicine or even accounting After basic training I chose to become a combat medic AIT ATT for forme forto to me was exactly like basic only with twelve hours of school a day Once making it through AIT I was certified as a paramedic said Private First Class Justin Murrell a Farmington Utah native currently stationed in Germany With war death and the countless countless countless count count- less existing problems in Iraq the emotional and mental struggles for many soldiers is the first battle There are some soldiers that are excited and have a positive outlook about helping in Iraq while others may dread the arrival day Not all soldiers will receive orders to go to Iraq The need in Iraq for certain professions will dictate whether a soldier will be sent or not As a medic Private First Class Murrell is on the high priority list to be in Iraq haq worried Mostly Im I'm not too about going to Iraq I know that I Iam Iam Iam am in good hands and that I have been trained well but being away from my family and loved ones will definitely be the hardest part said Murrell Being with the infantry gives me a chance to see their views on going and most of them are extremely excited to serve their country in Iraq haq Even though life in the army can be frightening during wartime it itcan itcan itcan can also open many opportunities for every soldier Not only does it offer free tuition for college but it also teaches great leadership skills and what a person can truly achieve in life the The army has taught me importance of family and friends and just how meaningful life really is said Specialist Chris Salgado who is currently serving in Iraq If I could go go back and change my mind about joining there is no way I l would in a million years |