Joshua Collier

I joined the Army in 2007 believing it was the right thing to do and it was one of those "do before i get to old" moments. I immediately realized how poor soldiers are treated, how much time and money is wasted by the mismanagement of resources, and that this war and others like it had nothing to do with protecting this country(a thought I already had but was nailed down solid by my experiences). I was the rare exception, I did not join for the bonus, for a job, or for what the army could do for me. I genuinely wanted to join for the experience and to do the best job i could and maybe better myself in the process, however i soon realized what the U.S. army has become, a poorly run businessthat cares nothing for it's underpaid and highly exploited employees. I have permanent knee and leg damage as well as damage to my ribs and a yet unexplained circulation and muscle issue that developed while deployed and all of these were caused, made worse, and are now mostly ignored by the u.s. army.