`Life in the Army sucks!’ most of the citizens in a country would suggest that. They would prefer living a domestic life rather than spending their lives as soldiers. Working in the army has no much difference from working as a civil servant. Most civilians fear to join the military because they spend most of their time in the barracks and war ground. Other than engaging in wars and saving lives during tragedies, soldiers get to spend their life like any other person. However, soldiers in the army get to participate in hardcore exercises which is essential for their participation in wars and community services as stated by Rable, (2018, p 201). soldiers in the army were once civilians and due to their various reasons, they decided to serve the country in the military. The primary approach of this discussion will major on the difference and some similarities between civilian life and life at the army.
The army plays an essential role in the survival of civilians, and it's mutual since it's through the civilian jobs and taxation that the military can have access to essential resources from the government. Equipment supplied to the soldiers enhances their services such as protecting the citizens. Nevertheless, the resources make their conditions in the army base different from civilian. Below are some of the contrasts and similarities between the life of a soldier and the civilians.
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First, being in the army, a soldier gets to experience working on activities such as community building and helping communities that were devastated by natural calamities like floods, and attacks. According to Stillwell, (1920, p 23) the soldiers are involved in saving the lives of the affected people and providing them with safe places and food to enabling them to recover. Civilians cannot easily take part in such activities since most of them have not undergone physical exercises which indeed are hardcore practices. A soldier can be sent to far places like different countries or states that keep them away from their families as such activities take time. Soldiers also take part in international summits involving security like in the UN, something no ordinary civilian can take part.
Secondly, life in the army can be more comfortable than civilian life. The government provides most of the amenities starting from the shelter, food, and health to sustain them at the barracks and also during wars. They are also given more salaries than most of the civilians every month. It’s very rare to here soldiers involved in strikes or demonstrations due to inadequate services and wages like civilian workers. `Subsequently, soldiers get rewarded due to commitment in their work that is after a short time of experience’ this was according to Rukavishnikov &Pugh, (2018, p, 126). Being at the army may at point turn out to be a worse condition than a civilian kind of living. The Army is considered as one of the most challenging working environments and as such a lot of respect is given to veterans.
Soldiers get paid for hard work in staying fit. According to Rukavishnikov& Pugh, (2018, p,133) soldiers are given tasks in army base which involve fitness and sporting and other athletic related things like water skiing, sailing, golf, and others. It's tough to find such activities and services in civilian living free of charge, and therefore the army provides an excellent opportunity to fitness addicts.
Soldiers get to travel more than the civilians as they go to different places due to their job course. The President who is the commander in chief of the armed forces may decide to send the soldiers to different parts of the world experiencing warfare. A good example is when the American President sent the soldiers to Pakistan to fight the Taliban who were a threat to the country. During the hurricanes along the coastal area, the soldiers get posted in places affected to help the people and also save peoples life. The transport for soldiers is often catered for by the government unlike private transport and can; therefore, provide the perfect opportunity to explore the world. Even though the government may decide to sponsor some civilian traveling expenses, it cannot be comparable to what the government offers to the army since most of the army activities are services to the government and the country at large.
Those in the army were once civilians, and they just decided to join the military to serve the communities and the country at large. They decided to choose a different life other than being an ordinary citizen of protecting the country starting from the land, seas to the air. Campbell, (2018, p67) stated that the army plays a vital role in the community, the same way the civilians play a significant role in the military. The civilians are usually close to their family, and their social life is enhanced, unlike the soldiers who can even take years away from home. Their social life is limited, and the people they meet in the army base and during wars are the only ones they can socialize with. The government tries its best to give the best to the soldiers for them to serve the nation well. They are provided with the best working facilities and cutting edge technology, unlike most civilians. They are given leisure time and exercise facilities that maintain their strength and fitness while serving the nation. A soldier is ready to die for the country in case a war rises since they are always involved. Stillwell, (1920, p 264) stated that `if a soldier dies, unlike a civilian they don’t rest in peace, they rest in power,' and the shooting of bullets on the air during their funerals symbolizes honor.
Conclusion
Military life and civilian life vary in so many ways, but they are clearly dependent on each other. For the army to function optimally, civilian contribution is one of the most important factors. On the other hand, the civilian population gets protection to do their business and feel safe within a country’s border from the army. Although they lifestyles are different they are totally dependent on each other.
References
Rukavishnikov, V. O., & Pugh, M. (2018). Civil-military relations. In Handbook of
the Sociology of the Military (pp. 123-143). Springer, Cham.
Campbell, A. D. (2017). The Life and Works of Robert Baillie (1602-1662): Politics,
Religion and Record-Keeping in the British Civil Wars (Vol. 6). Boydell& Brewer.
Rable, G. C. (2018). Index to Army Life. From a Soldier's Journal.
Stillwell, L. (1920). The Story of a Common Soldier of Army Life in the Civil
War, 1861-1865. Franklin Hudson Publishing Company
