There are many things that I don't understand about this country and one is the lack of respect for the military -- the reason we're here, powerful and safe.

Yet today, those who join seem to be looked down upon. Many say you enter the military if you can't get into or pay for college. They say you enter the military if you're not good enough. There is absolutely no reason for that to be the general American mentality.

Different attitudes toward service

I was born in a country, Israel, where the men and women of the military are respected above anyone else. And the feeling isn't uncommon; that mentality can be found in most countries around the world.

Maybe in America people take their security and their safety for granted. Many don't stop to think of those who are stationed around the globe protecting their personal freedom. They might know of them, but have no desire to join them, honor them, or send their own children alongside them.

In Israel the outlook towards the military is the absolute opposite of what it is in America. An Israeli teen's senior year of high school isn't focused around college essays, extracurricular activities and a future university. It's all about what field of the army you plan to join.

Everyone joins

Everyone goes into the army. Directly after high school every student enters the army for 3-4 years. And it's so normal. Kids look forward to the army from the first time they hear about it. From the moment they see the cool, confident and brave soldiers walking through the malls or on the streets they can't wait to join them and be one of them. The soldiers are the next generation, the ones protecting the nation and ensuring the fact that it does and will always exist.

For kids growing up in countries like Israel, the military is a way of life. Their parents were in the army as were their grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, teachers, and friends. No one even considers not joining. You enter the army after the 12th grade. You go to the army by law, but the desire to protect your country is by choice.

Serving Proudly

For Israelis and many around the world, it seems only natural that if you live in a country, at one point in your life you should proudly serve it. Maybe you don't completely agree with what the army is doing, but you are defending your country and that's all that matters. I wish Americans felt this way too.

Sure, the military is not something that everyone wants to do. Fortunately, in a huge country like America, the army can survive solely on volunteers. But think for a moment from the point of view of someone living in a small country. If citizens don't fight for the nation, its future existence isn't guaranteed.

I'm not saying to go run up and join the army. I just hope that when talk comes up of the military or of others joining it, we start really thinking of it as the honorable, brave, and courageous duty that it is.