28 Responses to:
ADVICE FOR A NEW SOLDIER

# 1. 7/2/12 12:11 AM
This was so touching but the last sentence made me cry. And we will pray for them. That both remain strong and true to themselves, their country and their God. That this time of service may be tough but will be kind. God bless them both

# 2. 7/2/12 12:15 AM by zz - highland, ut
Good advice for us all. Congratulations on a growing family, Bob. I hope they can be part of the Army of truth and righteousness that is needed to subdue the enemies of freedom and liberty.

# 3. 7/2/12 5:24 AM by Rick - Lehi, Ut
In regards to you poll.. I enlisted in the U.S.A.F. and was eager and ready to serve.. then when I went to the M.E.P.S. for a physical I ended up having some old geezer who at least 80 and had NO business still giving physicals... He asked about red spots on my chest and asked, "Have you ever been treated for that acne?" I answered back, "that's not acne." he said, "What is it then, it sure looks like acne to me." I said, "It's Neurofibromatosis" he said, "Neurofibroma what?" He said I need to see a Dermatologist.. I went to see the Dermotologist and he sent back a letter to the the Old Man Doc telling him what it was.. It was exactly what I said it was.. Well, that old man geezer sent me a letter telling me I was DQ'd....I was given F4.. So it was their loss... I would have bee one helluva good airman

# 4. 7/2/12 7:39 AM by little john - Mt.Morris,N.Y.
I liked this exceptional column. It shows that brighter side of you, and your faith. It reminded me a little of the prayer of Saint Francis. A guide for all young people to steer a true moral course...

# 5. 7/2/12 7:58 AM by A Patriot - Lockport, NY
Good advice. Wish I'd heard it 40 years ago.

# 6. 7/2/12 8:03 AM by Ann - Rochester, NY
Bob, absolutely one of your best columns!

# 7. 7/2/12 8:25 AM by Cal - Rochester, NY
Bob,

Right from the heart! Very good!I bet that our Creator will guide you to Heaven.... You want to do God`s Will.... What a wonderful caring guy, seeking the Truth! What a great way to express yourself!

# 8. 7/2/12 8:30 AM by hc
Scripture.

It's not enough to just say them.

It's not enough to just memorize them.

YOU MUST BELIEVE THEM.

Satan can quote scripture, too. He did so in Matthew 4.

Just sayin'

~xp

Editor's Note: and the point of your needlessly negative comment is what, christian guide?

# 9. 7/2/12 8:55 AM by Dr. Laura
h My God! They are just kids....he graduated from high school less than two weeks ago.

People, males especially, don't fully mature, mentally, until around around age 25. This means that in two or three years, both of them will change a great deal in terms of needs, emotions and life goals,

An 18 year old has an unrealistic expectation of marriage and lacks the interpersonal skills necessary to deal with the changing needs and expectations from their partner.

Wait a few years before making this life changing decision.

# 10. 7/2/12 8:59 AM by Moron
""Believe that nothing is too hard for you, that impossible is impossible" Typo?

Editor's Note: only if you're stupid

# 11. 7/2/12 9:09 AM by drummerpa - Rochester, NY
What a wonderfully inspiring message. Great job.

# 12. 7/2/12 9:10 AM by PAMELA LEE - SAN DIEGO
Although I have never served in the military, I have spent almost 24 years working for the Dept of the Navy. Part of my duties is to ship supplies to where ever they might be needed in the world.

I always consider my job as making sure every war fighter has whatever they need to do their job and protect themselves at their fingertips, no matter where in the world they are serving.

I see so many young sailors and Marines go away to fight our battles, and they are for the most part upright young men and women each trying to live up to the exhortations you have given in this column.

I call for God's blessings for them every single day.

I am so thankful every time they come home, and so very sorrowful when one comes home as a fallen warrior.

# 13. 7/2/12 9:17 AM by Jodi - Wayne County East
Know God, the Bible, what so ever is good and true, right and wrong, and His will for your life.

Be prepared to follow Him and do his will always to the best of your ability and at any cost.

Know our Constitution and be prepared to defend it and our nation, our Republic at any cost.

Like Daniel the Prophet know that any order or governmental decree can at times be either with or against our Constitution and or with or against God.

You alone must have the strength to execute all lawful orders.

Likewise you alone must have the knowledge to understand and the strength if necessary to stand against any order that is against God regardless of it's Constitutionality or not.

True leaders, Godly men and women of conviction, do what's Godly, what is right, even if it sometimes gets you thrown to the lions or into the raging furnace.

# 14. 7/2/12 9:27 AM by trucker bill - sweatbox ok
Great column. Forgot last 2 words..."or else"

# 15. 7/2/12 9:38 AM
Charlotte Beach water is pathetic....

# 16. 7/2/12 10:24 AM
Gee, I hear "Onward Christian Soldiers" playing in the background.

# 17. 7/2/12 12:32 PM by Happy
Don’t smoke, drink, swear, lie or run around. Be kind to people, be helpful, don’t get angry.Guessing the Marines that peed on the dead guy also do all of the above. Anderson Cooper is out..waiting for Matt Maloy of channel 8 news. Have a Happy 4th!!

# 18. 7/2/12 12:38 PM by Carl Retired Vet - Ready to Serve Again
Rick # 3 An F-4 is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all- weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber. Next time you pretend to be in the service try 4-F or 4F..........not F-4

# 19. 7/2/12 12:53 PM by DiDi Eisenhower
You continually recruit your family members and your extended family into the Military-Industrial-Complex-Welfare-State. Don't you get it? No jobs? - Fight-To-Die and be a "HERO". If not that, retire at continually reduced "promised" benefits.

You will never escape.

Brainwashed moron...

Prove me otherwise, numnuts!!!

# 20. 7/2/12 2:05 PM by Millie - Penfield, NY
You said to live your religion and be an example. I say, live your faith and be an example. To me, there is a difference between 'religion' and 'faith.' One has a more powerful, pure and direct connection to God [which for me is, faith]. __________________________

SONG: "Onward Christian Soldiers" Lyrics -

Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war With the cross of Jesus going on before Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng Blend with ours your voices in a triumph song Christ, the Royal Master, leads against the foe Forward into battle, see His banners go, oh Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war With the cross of Jesus going on before Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane But the cross of Jesus constant will remain Marching as to war (Marching as to war) Oh, we're marching as to war (Marching as to war) Oh, we're marching as to war Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng Blend with ours your voices in a triumph song Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war With the cross of Jesus going on before Marching as to war (Marching as to war) Oh, we're marching as to war (Marching as to war).............

Editor's Note: i guess your faith is a hypercritical one

# 21. 7/2/12 3:15 PM
Congratulations to your daughter and her fiance(and you). Excellent article. My favorite short scripture is: "Be still, and know that I am God." Very comforting to me.

# 22. 7/2/12 6:10 PM by roch esc
You're a good dad. I think it's important for all young people to understand that the single most important decision they will make in life is who they will marry.

# 23. 7/2/12 6:45 PM by h
Editor's Note: and the point of your needlessly negative comment is what, christian guide?

Nah, I'll pass. I think my point was pretty clear.

Editor's Note: yes, that you are a pharisee.

# 24. 7/2/12 7:10 PM by Rick - Henrietta, NY
NICE!

My son in law went though Benning last year then airborne and now SF training at Bragg.

I can confirm what one of your callers reported a while back your daughters recruit may have to do 50 pushups at Benning for each letter from home.

Sucks but that's the way some DI's do it at Benning.

Your daughter can expect a call sometime after the 6th week Saturday evening if he's doing as expected at boot camp.

Eight weeks from now is family weekend he can leave base for the weekend with restrictions. Family/friends are invited.

Turning Blue (Infantry graduation) is four weeks later.

If family plan on visiting for turning blue my advice...plan on staying the entire weekend...cause the Army may not have corrected their form letter saying he's leaving immediately Friday after turning blue.

Do fire the .50 cal at the infantry Museum!

Don't stay in the cheapest hotel you can find on line near the fort. Spend $30 buck more.

Budget has the best rates (pick a car with Georgia plates)You can use your debit card at Budget but you need your flight itinerary printed out.

Enjoy!

# 25. 7/2/12 10:49 PM
Nice column

Keep up the good work

# 26. 7/2/12 11:28 PM by kevin - Alpine
Just copied and sent the same to our son who is starting his 5th week of basic in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. Thanks for this weeks letter. You're the man.

# 27. 7/2/12 11:50 PM by Akiva - Toronto
Bob: An awesome piece again. I wish I had the same advice when I was first married. Five years in the military and not too many many weeks go by now that I don't kick myself for not staying in another fifteen for my pension.

My your daughter and her fiance be blessed with a long married life together with no problems they can't handle. To the future groom my Rabbaim say "A happy wife is a happy life"

# 28. 7/3/12 6:07 AM by Fly
Now Perez and his honchos at Kodak are claiming they are owed "back pay". For what, running the company into the ground?

And they got the court's permission to sell patents owned by other people at their "patent and technology" auction.

They should be shot in front of a firing squad at high noon at Kodak Park.

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