What it takes to become a soldier

The U.S. Army has been the country’s main fighting force on the ground for the past century. As an avid World War II enthusiast, I, John Eilermann, have often read up on how the bravest of the brave make it to becoming a bona fide soldier.

Apparently, many of the requirements you needed to become a soldier back in WW2 are still needed today.

                Image source: armytimes.com

Of course, before you sign up, you have to be sure that you can handle the job physically. Yes, physical condition is a huge requirement. Any serious heart condition or bouts with chronic ailments or asthma, or even having bad hearing or vision can rule you out. It’s important that you get the all-clear from your physician before you head into the intense, physically demanding tests and activities in the army.

Next up, be prepared to be stationed far away from the people you love for months, sometimes even years at a time. Basic training restricts family members from staying with you. You can only contact them through emails, chats, or limited phone calls.

Image source: offthebase.wordpress.com

Then, there’s the usual four-year contract after enlistment, which basically means you’re tied legally to the army for that period.

My suggestion is, make the most out of this time. Learn as much as you can. Train to be a mechanic or a pilot so you can have other jobs once your service in the army is over. It’ll make life a whole lot easier. That’s a John Eilermann guarantee.

Hello, I’m John Eilermann, a huge fan of the beautiful game, football. I’m also a World War II enthusiast. Learn more about me and the stuff I love by following me on Twitter.

The four seasons explained by Greek mythology

There are a lot of mythological tales told in history that depicts or tells the tale behind natural occurrences. At the time, what science couldn’t explain, the supernatural supplemented explanations. A good example of this was the Greek mythology behind the four seasons winter, spring, summer, and fall. According to literature student John Eilermann, Greek literature provides an astoundingly detailed story as to why these seasons occur.

Image source: abstract.desktopnexus.com

The story begins with Demeter, the goddess farming and watcher of the harvest. It is believed that spring marks the time when the goddess visits the earth to look upon the progress of the crops. In all the tales, she always brings her daughter Persephone with her during her visits. This caught the eye of Hades, god of the underworld, who fell in love with Persephone.

One day, while Persephone was picking flowers, Hades opened the earth and dragged her toward his realm. Later on, Zeus would order Hades to release her but Hades had already fed her a pomegranate, a fruit that would bound her to Hades.

Struck with grief, Demeter locked herself in her room for 12 months. This caused mass spread famine across the lands. To resolve the conflict among the gods, Zeus allowed Hades to have Persephone for 3 months of the year and that she would return to Demeter for the remaining 9 months.

Image source: youtube.com

According to John Eilermann, the 3 months of winter signifies Demeter waiting for her daughter to return, meaning crops were left to shrivel and farmlands going to waste. The remaining 9 months are then characterized by spring, summer, and fall where crops are bountiful.

John Eilermann is currently in college pursuing a degree in Comparative Literature. The vastness of the field he is studying has kept him busy, and he really doesn’t mind it. He believes that his major will offers him an abundance of opportunities once he graduates. For more insightful reads on literature, visit this website.