I had a military tradition in my family, with my late Grandfather having served as an officer in the Army for 42 years. When September 11 happened, I felt the need to answer the call and follow in his footsteps. If I was goiong to talk all this smack about supporting the troops, fight the terrorists, etc. then I should put my money were my mouth is. I enlisted. I went in expecting the military to be the elite, West Point like and honor bound only for the best. I can't begin to say how disappointed I was. I saw the descisions our chain of command made in Iraq; it was as if they became the enemy we were suppose to fight. Then I saw that we were making the enemies we were told to fight and that our presence over in Iraq only made the problem worse. I saw us become the very thing that I had signed up to fight against. You can't fight for freedom by killing freedom. I also came to realize something else. If I was going to continue to follow Jesus, a man who said "Love your enemy" and "Those who live by the sword die by the sword", then I couldn't make any more excuses. I had to be a man of peace, especially since I saw peace, friendship between me and the Iraqis, work and war not work. These are things I have been determined to let the world know ever since I got out.