Ok, I have a full tuition music scholarship to go to LSU as a music major this fall. I absolutely love music and it’s my life and everything. But I feel like I want to DO something. Really do something that will make a difference in my life and in other peoples. I’m considering being either an Army medic or a Navy corpsman. I feel like joining the military could help me become part of something bigger than myself, and I could help people and have a real sense of pride and satisfaction. Every time I read the news, there’s some new catastrophe taking place and I want to make a difference in the world. Yes, music is great and powerful in some ways, but it’s not going to give food to a starving child, or evacuate a burn victim from a firefight. Now understand that from me these would be some real unexpected feelings to convey to anyone I know. I’m a scrawny, skinny, short, long haired drummer and I have a full ride scholarship to go to college accompanied by my awesome girlfriend, where I’ll barely be taking any classes outside of music (so barely any maths, sciences, etc.). Sounds like the life, huh? I’m spoiled. I want to give. I want to do something. Why should I get to have so many opportunities when other people don’t? I want to make a difference. If I told my parents this they probably wouldn’t really encourage it. My dad is a colonel in the Air Force, and would want me to join as an officer, so maybe that’s a better idea. But I want to be the guy right in the heat of everything and contributing something. I know officers do their part and everything, but not as hands on as enlisted. My family would think I’m completely stupid to drop my scholarship and go enlist. Maybe it is stupid. Maybe I don’t know what I’m thinking. I just want to make a difference. I want people to be proud of me. I want adventure.
But I know my scholarship is an amazing opportunity to further my music, which makes up a big part of my life. I’ve considered the National Guard or Reserve, but as a music major, I would be practicing for several hours a day, attending recitals, rehearsals, etc., and the terms of my scholarship said I can’t do any activities outside of the university that could affect my school performance or delay graduation or something like that, so no Guard/Reserve. I know this is one of those questions I need to answer for myself, but could someone please offer some guidance?
If you persevered through reading all of that, you get a gold star.
Thanks!
Oh, also, I know there are military bands and stuff, but I don’t really see that as “contributing” in the sense I’m talking about, you know?
