The U.S. Army is composed of over 675,000 Active Duty and Army Reserve Soldiers. When you are a Soldier, and you have the ability and endurance to make it through basic training – you can have the honor of being able to say and mean something that very few Americans can:

“I am an American Soldier. I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my Warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself. I am an expert and I am a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life – I am an American Soldier.”

Since I took a job as a contractor for the U.S. Army on January 2nd of this year, I have been around our men and women in uniform each and every workday. I have had the honor of meeting Lieutenant Colonels, Colonels, Brigadier Generals – and even Major Generals. I have had private and personal meetings with some of the highest ranking officials on my base – and I have, in my own very, very small way – helped our Warfighters continue their mission in the Global War On Terror (GWOT)…

…and while I may not wear a uniform – I feel like a Soldier.

Each and every workday, I go to work with a badge around my neck that says, “U.S. Army” and walk through hallways that say, “Restricted Area,” and meet with men and women that have been on the frontlines – and have dedicated their lives to defending our freedom overseas – without regard of their own personal situations. At least once every workday, I pass by or meet with a man or woman in uniform and call them “Sir” or “Madam” – not because I felt obligated or was told to do so – but because I respect what they have done, what they are doing – and what they will do to protect and sustain our country’s freedom, safety – and endurance. By acknowledging them as I do – I am, in not so many words – thanking them for their service, sacrifice – and protection…

…something that they more than deserve.

When I was a press secretary for Mayor Giuliani for the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) through the dark days of 9/11, I worked with many members of our Armed Forces – and although I never worked for or with the Army before those tragic days – or never even encountered them – I respected them just the same. Again, I did it not do this because I was ordered to or told to do so – but because I wanted to…

…because I am free today because of them.

Sure, I work on a Military base. Yes, I have access to some information they do. Sure, I am welcome around them. But most importantly – I am humbled and honored to be accepted into their fold – because although I am a civilian – I am assisting them in this fight…

…and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Hooah!