Well its about time to write down some thoughts and feelings. At the moment I am on my “regila” basically a vacation you get from the army every 4 to 6 months. I finished “tironut” or basic training. Its a period I’m glad is over for lots of reasons but will always remember because of the people and the moments. So what does Jordan Ray Shaw have to say about the army? First of all I want to say its not easy to be a combat soldier and definitely not for everyone. The right to defend this country is not just given to you when you join the army you have to earn it. Weeks of barely enough sleep and over 20 mile marches are things that now are not foreign to me. Never in my life I thought I would shoot assault rifles, throw grenades or blow up plastic explosives but in the last few months I did all those things! It all sounds cool...mostly because it is cool but also scary at the same time. I have 3/4 months of advanced training and after that I will receive my warrior pin and basically be trained to do more things I never thought I would. I still dont know what I’m gonna do after my first year is over. I can maybe to this commanders course or medic or stay with the battalion wherever they are positioned. I figure after a year I will have a full taste of what there is to offer and will make a well informed decision.
One thing I do want to say is how great the feeling is to be in public in my uniform. When you are on the base for weeks at a time you are in a bubble and can forget what you are doing but it comes back clearly every bus ride home. Next time I come home it will be with my gun for the first time so now besides looking cool (if only haha) I have lots more responsibility which is exciting and once again scary at the same time. Sometimes at night on guard duty when I’m alone I’ll think how did this kid from South Minneapolis end up here doing guard duty on an Israeli military base not so far from the Egyptian border. I don’t search for an answer I just laugh because its crazy/amazing to think about.
I don’t want to write so much because thats not my style and it would just be random ramblings. So to end this post I want to reflect and say that its now been more than half a year since I moved to Israel. I have been blessed with a great kibbutz, great garin (love you guys!), great host family, great friends in my unit, and other great new friends from all over. I just want to let everyone know I appreciate everything they do for me, have done and will do. I have learned to appreciate every little moment and thing as much as you can because our lives are fragile and short. The army has already put in perspective how amazing a life I have. My amazing family and friends back home...I love, miss, and think about you every day! No matter where I am in this world Minneapolis will always be home.
PS. I think I decided what I want to do for my after army trip, at least part of it anyways
