A Soldier's Reflection: Transitioning from Teen to Soldier

As I reflect on my journey from a teenager transitioning into a soldier, the lyrics of a song echo in my mind. "So long, so long, so long, he's been away, so long, so long, so long, he's back again." These words encapsulate the ebb and flow of my life as I navigated the path from adolescence to the responsibilities of a soldier.

At seventeen, passion and dreams fueled my aspirations, and I believed that the love I fought for was something holy, something more. Turning twenty-one marked a chapter of being on the run, exploring the world with my girl by my side. The chorus resonates, "I dreamed I saw her standing there, running for the boy inside the man."

Twenty-five brought hunger and drive, while the passage of time saw me turning older, the boy lost in pride. Now, at thirty-one, I've faced losses and victories, yet I've managed to keep my dreams alive because the boy within me refuses to die.

The refrain, "So long, so long, so long, you've been away, so long, so long, so long, you're back again," symbolizes the cyclical nature of my experiences, the departure and return, the constant evolution.

As a soldier, the journey has not been without challenges, but the refrain continues to echo. The sister cool, this face, as if it's carved in stone, speaks to the resilience needed in the face of adversity. The plea, "Don't leave me in this place like a boy without a home," resonates with the longing for stability and belonging.

In transitioning from a teen with dreams to a soldier with responsibilities, I carry the understanding that the boy inside the man will always be a part of me. The song's melody mirrors the cadence of my own life, a rhythmic blend of experiences, victories, and challenges that shape the person I am today.