Top Ten 2009 New Year’s Resolutions for US Soldiers

5.  Get in shape and stay in shape.  This is important to any soldier, because they need to be able to lug all of their gear around and march or run any distance at any given time.  Without being in shape, they would be unable to perform to the best of their ability, and this is a motto among soldiers.  Also, being in/out of shape can make/break their lives, literally.

6.  Learn Arabic or other foreign languages.  Among soldiers, learning a language is a must.  Whether the reasons for this range are being able to be diplomatic with Iraqis they encounter or translating what they overhear and intercept from behind enemy lines, this common tool saves many lives.

7.  Eat a hearty family meal when returning home.  Believe it or not, a home-cooked meal is one of the possessions that bring tears to their eyes.  While we may think nothing of eating a homemade meal, or even complain because it might have something we dislike in it, the troops enjoy it even if it is not a particular favorite.

8.  Spend more time on the phone with family.  Whether talking with a spouse, a brother or sister, an aunt or uncle, or a grandma or grandpa, this is one of few ways to bond with relatives.  Bonding with family also helps to give the soldiers hope and peace of mind.

9.  Keep a journal or diary.  Keeping a daily written record is almost as important for U.S. Citizens as it is for those serving in the Military.  For them, it is important to help memorize memories.  For us, it is important because this is how future generations will know of us.  They need to know of the brave-souled, respected, hard-working Americans that save our lives daily.

10.  To do better than the last year.  While the phrase “do better today than yesterday” is a common phrase amongst Military, it doesn’t always happen.  For this reason, many soldiers have decided to truly make a push to be a better soldier than they were last year.  Improvement is highly pushed throughout a Military career, but only the individual can make that happen, and no one else.

I hope this has opened eyes as to how truly lucky we are to be here, safe and comfortable in our homes, and how thankful and respectful we ought to be that we have a Military, and the greatest one, at that.