Driving Force

There's a big thing we have here in the Corps. Not everyone who joins has it, but everyone who makes it through does. Some people pick it up along the way. Some people have had it since high school. Some people were born with it. It can change. It can be pure or impure. There are different sources of it, and any person can have any number of sources. You can give it to others, but without losing any yourself. In fact, giving it is how some people get it. But the bottom line is, you can't make it through 4 years of Corps life without it. You just can't. I can't think of anyone who ever has. Someone would have to force you to go through with it. It won't run out if you have a good source, but once it's all gone, you better get some more fast, or else you're gone. Out. Punched.

At this moment, there are 20 sophomores in A-Battery. By Wednesday, there will be 19. Another buddy gone. One more down. We've had 32 fish come through A-Batt, calling themselves the class of '13. Almost half are gone. At times we feel like a small group of weary soldiers in a long war, our numbers dwindling as time wears on. Some of were forced out, but not very many. Yet even then, I don't think the Corps is too hard for anyone with enough of what I talked about to get through. That thing I was describing, you may have figured it out, or at least have an idea, is motivation. It's what drives you. In the corps, it's usually something like wanting to become a better person, or wearing the big senior boots, or having buddies, or marching on Kyle Field if you're in band. But it can be anything. One guy I know joined because he got in trouble, and it was either join the Corps or go to jail. Some people just want to get girls. Lots of cadets are contracted, promising to join the military after graduation. Some want the cheaper education, the leadership and discipline, or just the experience. Still others just join because of tradition, because of a parent, or a sibling. There are so many reasons to join, and reasons to stick with it. This obviously leads me to one question, which was asked of me recently: what's my motivation?

Well, you probably know that it started with my parents. I was an Aggie almost from birth, simply because my parents are Aggies. But as I grew up, I started liking the school based on my own opinions. I started wanting to be an engineer, and A&M's engineering school looked good to me. My brother went from being a longhorn fan to going to A&M, and joining the same Corps outfit as my dad. More reason to go, and now to join the Corps. The bass section is featured in the Aggie Band, so when I started playing tuba, guess what? Even more reason. By my junior year of high school, everything was pointing towards me going to A&M, and joining A-Battery. So, that's exactly what I did. I knew it would be hard, but I wanted the challenge.

But now? Now, everything's changed. Engineering? A&M, yes, but Corps? No way! Most engineers in the Corps change majors within their first year, and most of the rest change soon after that. My grades are pretty good, but they would probably be better outside of the Corps, and I'm behind on my degree plan because I can't fit enough classes into my schedule. My brother has "died," or basically graduated from the corps, so he's not here anymore. I'm just living in his memory. My dad actually punched before he even marched in a football game. Playing bass? The bass section is stupid now. I have to do all this extra stuff for stuff I don't even want, but I don't have a choice. Who cares if we're the hardest section in the band; it's pointless. So basically nothing that I joined for is any reason for me to stay in. So why am I still here?

It's for my buddies. Not like some people want buddies to hang out with for four years, or even a lifetime. I'm here for them, not because of them. I don't know how many of my buddies know Christ, or even know very much about Him, but I don't think it's very many. I may be the only example of a Christian they ever see. I may be the only one to tell them about Him, to show them His love, to try to live a life like He did. If their image of a Christian is someone who goes to church on Sunday, after drinking and cussing with his buddies the night before, I may be the only one to shatter that image. If they think Jesus was just some guy who was born on Christmas and got presents for it, I may be the only one to tell them who He really is. Maybe they'll meet other Christians. Hopefully they will. But they say your fish buddies will "marry you and bury you." For most who join the Corps, you don't ever find a friend closer than a buddy. But if going through four years of this can give even one person a Friend who is, then that's more than enough motivation for me.