Veterans day

 I didn't plan to write today. But as I was thinking about veterans day it brought some things to mind.

 As I stated in my first post I am a veteran. Just barely, but it counts in the government's eyes. My personal opinions are different. I don't feel I deserve any credit for my service. I didn't do enough to deserve that.

 In any case the experience did give me a lot of insight into what military life is like. Most importantly what brotherhood means.

 In the short time I was enlisted I grew to connect to men I never would have otherwise. There were plenty of people in my platoon I didn't care for. In fact some of them I despised. But when it came down to it I would have done anything for every one of them.

 This feeling starts immediately. In basic training you are spending every second of every day for 3 months with the same 60 or so guys. At some point very early you begin to realize they are all you have to rely on. In turn they rely on you.

 We quickly set our differences aside. When we were getting smoked by a drill sergeant or on a training exercise, we all had each other's backs. We had to. But most importantly we wanted to.

 You see we were all there for our own reasons, but there for the same reason. We came from different backgrounds, had different political views, had surprisingly diverse religious beliefs. But we were working towards one goal. To become the best soldier we could possibly be. We had that in common, and it was what mattered most, so we had each other's backs. We wanted each other to succeed.

 Thinking about this reminded me in a small way of being at a metal show. While clearly not as important or meaningful, there are some important similarities.

 Metal shows are full of a diverse group of people. The same things can be said of the crowd at a metal show, as can be of a platoon or company in the military. Different races, religions and political beliefs are represented. People you may not get along with outside of a show become your brothers and sisters for a night. Sometimes longer. I often see the same people at multiple shows.

 I'm extremely anti social but have no problem socializing at a show. I think it's because everyone is there for the same reason. To experience some kick ass music and to let loose.

 This sense of camaraderie manifests itself in the conversation between sets. It does so in the looks, smiles and fist bumps throughout a set. But the biggest and best place it appears is in the pit.

 Sure we all know the "rules". But they have never been written down and reprinted and passed out for show attendees to sign and consent to. With few exceptions everyone in and around the pit is looking out for one another. We don't have to be told to do it, or that we should do it. When someone falls there are four metalheads picking them up. Even beyond that there are more nuanced things I have observed. I have seen a group of people make an unspoken pact to take it easy on someone who was new to the pit. Or take it easy on someone who was clearly exhausted but was in denial about needing a break.

 It's these things that remind me in a small way of the brotherhood I found in the Army. Again it is in no way near as important or meaningful in the pit as it is in a platoon. But it is important either way.

 It's true that tribalism can cause a lot of harm within society. But this doesn't apply to everything. Humans naturally formed tribes for centeries for a reason. It's important, psychologically, for us to feel a sense of belonging. It's important to know there is a place you feel like you belong, and feel safe being there.

 Metalheads are my tribe and metal shows are our ceremony grounds. There is nothing quite like standing between two people you don't know, arms around each other's shoulders, belting out the words to a song together. It's a family, it's a community, and in some small way for me, a replacement for the brotherhood I was missing after my discharge.