Join the new world

About a year and a half ago, I came to eRepublik not knowing much about the game. After a week or so, I met a few people, clicked a few buttons and eventually started working my way into politics. Before I'd finished my first month here, I'd been elected as a congressman and thought I knew everything (or almost everything) I needed to know about the game. Boy, was I wrong!

After serving in Congress, I was approached by Josh Frost, a guy I hadn't particularly gotten along with on the political front, but who later became a good friend. He was in the Airborne at the time and randomly sent me a message asking if I'd considered joining the military. I hadn't. I thought, "why join the military when I can fight on my own?", but I heard him out and after he pulled a few strings (I didn't quite meet the requirements at the time), I decided to give the eUS Airborne a try.


FER, minutes after Jankems & Co. rolled through


When I first arrived in the Airborne, I really didn't know any of the guys, but one of the first things I noticed was a spirit of camaraderie, which was a complete 180 from the bickering I'd experienced while in Congress. Each evening, I'd log onto our IRC room and each evening I'd end up sitting around chatting, "breaking each others balls", or playing other small games while waiting for our orders. The game immediately became much more fun than it had been.

Every day/evening, we'd have our battles. People would put on their avatars and shout "o7's", and "Booyah" (when we'd win) or "we'll get them next time" (when we'd lose) on IRC. This was where I learned teamwork. We only put up massive damage when we'd work together and none of us wanted to let our friends down by being the guy that didn't show up or would fight on his own.


U.S. soldiers making a routine house call in Liaoning.

After a time, I was given an opportunity to become a platoon XO. The job entailed little more than making sure the platoon responded to a weekly roll call, but it taught me leadership skills by having to deal with others on an individual basis. I also found a sense of pride in getting my reports in to my CO which, in turn, led to him taking recognition of my efforts.

When my efforts were recognized, I was rewarded with a platoon of my own. I, now, had people under me and I learned responsibility, having to make sure they were kept informed of our daily activities. It was here that I also learned organizational skills by having to fill out my google docs sheets to make sure everyone was situated and ready to fight for the even bigger team, Team eUSA.

Finally, I was promoted to the rank of Colonel and given the 101st Division to command. This was where I learned coordination by having to make sure I was on the same page with not just my superiors, but the Lieutenants now under me. I also learned communication skills by having to stay on top of the needs of my officers and troops and making sure they had all the provisions necessary to win the days battle.


Flying high somewhere over Southeast United Kingdom

In the end, I learned more in the military than I ever thought I would...even things I didn't expect to learn. I learned economics by listening to my first PCO, Jewitt, international relations from soldiers like past and former POTUS's like Harrison Richardson and Gaius Julius, game mechanics from Eugene Harlot and Leroy Combs, leadership techniques from commanders like TheSpartan, Maxmillian VonWillebrand and Channing and even politics from guys like wahooBob and others who have served in many presidential cabinets.

So, to each of you out there reading this who aren't sure what you're doing here in eRepublik, consider JOINING THE MILITARY. There's a ton to learn and it's a great place to meet good people (or is it, good place to meet great people).


Just one of the few you'd be serving with.

ALSO REMEMBER TO.....

FIGHT IN LION KING!!!

Be sure to vote up DoD orders!

**All votes and subscriptions to this newspaper are appreciated. Also, be sure to check out my congressional platform for the state of Mississippi.**