Oh Yes I nearly forgot to introduce my self my name is John Steele, I am foot soldier but back at home I was a butcher but none of that matters now my only task is to kill any enemies in sight. It’s like hell in here just in the dark surrounded by walls inside the trench, a few soldiers have lost it and went a bit crazy from the sun and have wondered off not knowing what they are doing and have been shot, and the General said they are trying to run away and they are a shame to our country that’s why they have been shot, I am terrified so I try to keep out the sun so I don’t get hallucinated so I don’t wonder and get shot like the rest.
I have settled in alright being here just a few days, just kept thinking it couldn't be as bad as everybody described it as being. I thought they were stories made up to put a lot of families and friends off joining the army. I set foot in enemy’s territory at around 6.30 am, shattered after a long night feeling apprehensive and nervous. I couldn't sleep. I was excited about the experiences I may see but worried if any of them experiences happened to me. This is why I wanted to come out and serve for my country. I wanted to make new friends and have a good time not expecting that I a going to be in any danger. However I discovered as soon as I got to my base that the stories were true. It was Friday morning that I was sent to the frontline for the first time. I was thrilled at the prospect of what may happen.
Already been in some gunfire action it was terrible my only friend at this time died, it all started as we was walking through enemy territories, we just walking through and just a split second let our guard down and BANG! Torn was dead I couldn’t believe what had happened he struck off a mine I went crazy, I lost it I just started to shoot madly in the air, all this was because of me I thought what could go wrong just have a quick chat with him what’s the worst that could happen but I guess I found out.
Later that day my eyes slowly opened suddenly I just had a major headache I sat up look around we was back at camp I was confused I didn’t even know how I got here then a soldier walk over to me and apologize I was confused I was thinking why is he apologizing for, then he explained it to me he told me that he hit me over the back of the head because if I carried on firing I would gave our position away, I guess that explained the headache.
After my recovery we all went out we got told by our leader officer to set foot in Aden to reach base 1. As we arrive there the streets seemed quiet no one around any sound or any think something seemed suspicious but we all carried on moving we had to reach base 1 in Aden so we carried on just not long from getting there we heard a sound like in the building above so me and John Jay went to check while everyone stayed there we entered the building and out from no where gun shots were fired at us and out from no where a man just jump in front I went to shoot but I had my gun on safety and no bullets were released I thought this was going to be it for me. Then John Jay dive and push me out the way the man that fired didn’t get me then the rest of the soldiers come running up and they demolished the enemy. After we arrive at base 1 and settled in.
Since that day me and that soldier John Jay become friends we was very close like brothers we would muck about at times but always get the job done we would put 110 percent into our work.. I looked up to him like an older brother he’s an excellent soldier soon to be promoted I’m proud to call him my friend.
Now being here a while I have learnt this was a huge mistake but I think to myself if I don’t stay strong and lose faith and wonder off I’m as good as dead, that’s why I have to stay strong for my families sake and for my country and do them proud. We all in together me and my buds it was a Sunday the guys were having a few drinks at camp and I decided to call Monica, My wife I slowly type her number in, it started to ring my heart tremble I couldn’t even breathe as I heard her voice tears slowly dripped down my face she repeatedly kept saying “hello” but I couldn’t move or say a word then she put the phone down not knowing who it was I hate the army life.
While I have been here a few soldiers, friends have died it makes me feel so sick sometimes I feel like killing my self, like the day when we had to berry Torn I couldn’t handle it, he was the 1st soldier for me to witness die and as we chuck him in the lake the water went to a red bloody colour it was disgusting it made me puke, I dropped to my knees and tears slowly poured out my eyes then I look up crying out to the sky cause I was lonely and scared What was I thinking joining up to the army, I just want to go home to my loved ones I miss them so much and I didn’t even get a chance to tell me father that I loved him, we had a massif argument before I left, now he thinks I hate him, what have I done I love my family so much.
This is probably the last time I am going to be writing to my diary and I use to think only wimps would write a diary but here I am. Tomorrow we are heading to enemy territories and it is unlikely for me to come back alive…
