Good day to you all my tutors and learners here on Hive.
I love people who have real-time experience. And the reason is that they get to know what it takes to be in those positions, they get to see the reality and know much more about any related stuff. The saying that experience is the best teacher is pure fact.
There was a time when my dad told me he would want me to join the Nigerian army because he would love to have an army officer among his children and I would even get to be the first military personnel in our family. I was triggered by all those words of his. I began to read more about what it takes to become an army. I got exposed. But you know online exposure won't give you everything you need to know.
After reading and reading, daydreaming about what it takes and how I would be in those army wears. I promised myself to become one.
When I finished with my studies all that was left for me was to go for service and then find my way into the military. God has His way of doing things. When I was posted to my place of primary assignments. I was posted to serve at the state barracks where soldiers and officers reside. I thought this must have been a dream come true for me. I was so happy and eager to learn more about the military. I had plans to find my way through some top officers and link up with the Nigerian army school.
Intermission
My first month in the barrack was fun-filled though I find it a little difficult to accustom to the way of life they lived in the barrack. As corp members, we were invited to a promotional ceremony of one of the officers in the barracks.
Attending the program even made me want to become an army officer. The respect he earned was just top-notch. The salute and parades. The increments in his salary and listening to his biography were so inspiring.
Time passed by and I got closer to some of these military officers. I quickly made use of the opportunity to learn more about them and the nature of their job. I asked some officers and some of the reasons I decided not to even step into the military again were.
No time for family
When I visited one of the officers he told me on Eid festival day that that would be his tenth year of not celebrating Eid festival with his families. He even had to rush the conversation with me and said duty calls. If he fails to appear then he might be punished severely for misconduct. I nodded my head and said this is a NO for me.
I must be able to run and face rigorous training
Another officer made it clear to me that as an army the major objective is being able to run and withstand hard treatment. Because once you give up you are out of the game. So it's better to be strong before applying. I looked and asked myself. Can I run? That’s a question I answered with a capital NO. And I don't even have the physical ability to undergo stress.
I am giving up my life without a warranty
It is said that while you are registering for the army, your parents or guardians would sign up giving your life and death to the service of the nation. Haha. Why? I just want to die peacefully 😂.
I should be passionate about the job and not the money.
At the end of it all, I realized I wasn’t passionate about the job itself but the money and luxury life I felt they had, the respect and conduct they gave on the outside was what made me feel like it was my calling. But I finally realized it wasn't my calling.
Anytime transfer
There was an officer who was the cantonment commander. He was the highest ranked among all the army in the barracks. Not too long after he was posted to the barracks, I heard he had to be posted out again to another state. Imagine being posted here and there without having time for my family and I can't even live the genuine life I wanted. So it became a NO for me.
I am grateful I had first-hand experience of the military world before going into it. If not, by now I might be regretting my decision to join the Nigerian army. I see it's best to do whatever you love and derive joy and happiness from it even if it's not giving out so much as expected. One day the sacrifices are going to pay off.
This is my response to the prompt for week 81 edition 1 on the hive learners community and the topic to be discussed is THAT ONE JOB.
IMAGES: Are mine
