A soldier's motivation

What makes people do what they do?

Take a soldier for example. When you think about soldiers, what do you envisage? Personally I "see" people - mainly men and boys in far off lands, and a long way from their families and friends. They are doing what they have been trained to do "protect and serve". You hear of acts of bravery and courage and times when they give up their lives so that other's may live.

I am not going to talk about the rights or wrongs of war, but the acts of selflessness of not only the front line soldiers, but the support crews, the specialists and the medics. Each person a part of a specific team with a specific job to do. Each person a vital key to the whole. Unless you have been in that kind of situation yourself I doubt you would understand what it takes to be a soldier...or for that matter any of the defence forces. Can you imagine being away from home for months on end? Can you imagine not going home ever again? Can you imagine thinking that and still being motivated to do your job, the job you were trained to do?

Turn that into the job you are doing, the job you have been trained to do. Can you honestly say you are as motivated as a soldier - every single day, because if not - you or your team members may get hurt or even die? Are you still willing to say - I do everything I can every single day because I know that if I didn't - the job wouldn't get done, and we may lose if I don't perform my part to the best of my abiltiy? Would you be willing to give up your peace and comfort for someone else? How long for? A few hours, a few days?