Strengths and Weakness for Hofstedes Cultural Dimension, Swartzs Cultural Values and Thompenaars Culture Theories Free Essay Example, 4500 words

According to Seo, Philips Jang and Kin (2012, p. 916-927), Hofstede has invented a theory through which a comparison can be made between employees on the basis of culture. Through this method, researchers can now evaluate the viability of conducting business between two culturally different firms belonging to different countries. He has given five basic categories under which this comparison can be made. Through an individual s character is very complicated and can vary with changing circumstances, but Hofstede has been able devise a theory through which such cultural comparison can be made and thus it greatly facilitates conducting businesses in different societies. Moreover, Lu CS, Lai KH, Lun YH, Cheng TC. 916-927) add that how well employees will be able to work in conjunction with each other is of importance, which can be assessed through the help of this framework. It enables one to get cultural insight of the partner firm and also an employee if he has come from another cultu re. Knowing the cultural traits is very essential to strike a workable and congenial relationship for future business growth. Thesis of immense importance in today s times where global businesses are rapidly developing and expansion is taking place in every part of the world. We will write a custom essay sample on Strengths and Weakness for Hofstedes Cultural Dimension, Swartzs Cultural Values and Thompenaars Culture Theories or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page

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Essay on Thrasymachus’ Views on Justice - 939 Words

The position Thrasymachus takes on the definition of justice, as well as its importance in society, is one far differing from the opinions of the other interlocutors in the first book of Plato’s Republic. Embracing his role as a Sophist in Athenian society, Thrasymachus sets out to aggressively dispute Socrates’ opinion that justice is a beneficial and valuable aspect of life and the ideal society. Throughout the course of the dialogue, Thrasymachus formulates three major assertions regarding justice. These claims include his opinion that â€Å"justice is nothing other than the advantage of the stronger,† â€Å"it is just to obey the rulers,† and â€Å"justice is really the good of another [†¦] and harmful to the one who obeys and serves.† Socrates†¦show more content†¦Furthermore, justice in its true form cannot be used solely for the advantage of the stronger without the masses acknowledging the injustices being imposed upon them, as Thrasymachus suggests is the case. For justice is one of the many characteristics of morality, which is considered to be intrinsic based on an inner conviction.7 Therefore, if the many were acting against said inner conviction wholly for the benefit of the stronger, would they not experience a natural feeling of injustice? This argument alike can be used to refute another of Thrasymachus’ primary claims that â€Å"justice is really the good of another [†¦] and harmful to the one who obeys and serves.†3 In addition to his definition, Thrasymachus argues the value of justice as a human or societal characteristic, claiming that injustice is far more beneficial to the individual. Thrasymachus asserts that tyranny: makes the doer of injustice happiest and the sufferers of it, who are unwilling to do injustice, most wretched.[†¦] injustice, if it is on a large enough scale, is stronger, freer, and more masterly than justice.5 To decide whether an unjust man finds more happiness than a just man does, one must understand the true meaning of the word. The dictionary defines happiness as â€Å"characterized by pleasure, contentment, or joy.†8 Thrasymachus typifies the unjust man as someone who is constantly seeking self-fulfillment, pleasingShow MoreRelatedEssay on Platos Response to Thrasymachus Immoralist View of Justice1491 Words   |  6 PagesPlatos Response to Thrasymachus Immoralist View of Justice In Book 1 of the ‘Republic’, Socrates, in answer to the question ‘What is Justice?’ is presented with a real and dangerous alternative to what he thinks to be the truth about Justice. Julia Annas believes Thrasymachus thinks Justice and Injustice do have a real existence that is independent of human institutions; and that Thrasymachus makes a decided commitment to Injustice. She calls this view ‘Immoralism’: â€Å"the immoralist holdsRead MoreEssay on Socrates vs Thrasymachus1653 Words   |  7 Pagesbetween Socrates and Thrasymachus about the nature of justice. The disaccord between their views of the subject is extremely pronounced, but there are certain underlying agreements which guide the course of the debate. One way to evaluate the validity of the arguments involved is to examine whether the assumptions at the root of the argument are in accord with this common ground. By my reading of the dialogue, Socrates’ reply to the firs t part of Thrasymachus’ definition of justice rests safely uponRead More Justice In Book I Of The Republic Essay example889 Words   |  4 Pagesthis does not portray an accurate description of what justice is. The rest of the first book is a discussion of the definition of justice, mainly that of Thrasymachus definition. Socrates takes his normal role as an interrogator of peoples views. The conversation focuses on justice but actually must be viewed in the context of how each individual can lead the best life possible. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Thrasymachus states that quot;justice is simply the interest of the strongerquot; (338 c)Read MoreThe Ethical Egoist: Whats the Problem in Plato’s The Republic, Socrates824 Words   |  3 PagesIn Plato’s The Republic, Socrates tries to explain the value of justice to man. Other educated Athenians challenge him, however Socrates pokes holes in all of their statements. Socrates argues that there are many problems with their views on social philosophy, especially when it comes to Thrasymachus’ idea of ethical egoism. Plato delivers his view of justice through Socrates when he responds to Thrasymachus, Glaucon, and Cephalus on the issue. Throughout the discussion, Plato never argues againstRead MoreSocrates Definition Of Justice Essay1390 Words   |  6 PagesJustice â€Å"What is justice?† This is a question that men have struggled with answering for centuries. Justice should be defined for the sake of all people, especially by rulers who attempt to make fair laws so that their society functions in an orderly fashion. In Book 1 of The Republic, Plato attempts to define exactly what justice is. To help determine this definition, he speaks through the philosopher protagonist of Socrates. Justice is first brought up in The Republic during Socrates’ tripRead MoreJustice Is A Philosophical Concept Of Relevance Or Truth901 Words   |  4 PagesJustice is a philosophical concept of relevance or truth in ethics. Although justice is arguably fundamental to any ethical system, the definition of â€Å"justice† and what is â€Å"just† is widely disputed among philosophers and thinkers. Various conceptions of justice place it in dependence of a legal system, equality or fairness, religious teachings or human rationality. What is just, what is to be done, and the response to actions that go against what is just is the only concern with justice (BlackRead More The Importance of Thrasymachus in Plato’s Republic Essay923 Words   |  4 PagesThe Importance of Thrasymachus in Plato’s Republic   Ã‚      Dr. Malters’s comments: This student does two things quite remarkable for an undergraduate student. In his compact essay, not only does he display an in-depth understanding of complex perspectives on justice put forth by the protagonist Socrates, he deftly explains how Plato has artfully made rude objections by a seemingly minor character early in the dialogue function as a structuring device for nearly all the important ideas examinedRead MoreThe Ethical Egoist in Platos Republic Essay989 Words   |  4 Pagesdefine justice. Furthermore, he aimed to define justice in such a way as to show that it is good for its own sake, in and of itself. In The Republic, Plato speaks through Socrates in an attempt to prove this claim. In Book I, he focuses specifically on a couple of questions: What is justice? Why is justice important? Book I of The Republic puts Socrates discussing justice within a group of companions. Their conversation begins by discussing and arguing the various definitions of justice andRead MoreEssay on Thrasymachus and Socrates780 Words   |  4 Pageshave opposing views on a simple, yet elusive question: what is justice? In this paper, I will explain Thrasymachus’ definition of justice, as well as Socrates’s rebuttals and differences in opinion. In addition, I will comment on the different arguments made by both Socrates and Thrasymachus, and offer critical commentary and examples to illustrate my agreement or disagreement with the particular argument at hand. The debate between Thrasymachus and Socrates begins when Thrasymachus gives his definitionRead MorePlato s Theory Of Human Nature1254 Words   |  6 Pagesmainly focuses on defining justice to the simplest form by asking Thrasymachus. Plato uses many forms to discover the ideal society, or republic, which is inspired through an early philosopher such as Socrates. Plato was inspired by Socrates and how his interactions with people were in a sense of questioning principals, guidelines, and rules of society. Now Socrates primarily has made the interaction of discussing what many topics with Thrasymachus such as the most common justice. Also its pin points

The Big 5 Personality Theory And Academic Motivation

The Big 5 trait personality theory has been developed during the 196o’s with various modifications up until today. The purpose of this paper is to look at the correlation between the Big 5 theory and academic motivation and performance, a very important area in our culture. This paper first looks at the history of the theory and lays out descriptions of the 5 factors within the theory; it then continues with three sections that show research and findings from elementary school to secondary school, post-secondary, and a mix of the two. The findings are as follows: there is indeed a relatively strong correlation between the Big 5 personality factors and academic performance, especially in regards to the conscientiousness and openness†¦show more content†¦Many times, students are shut off from certain opportunities unless they make the grade, such as being in the top 2 percent in law school. Dreams are made and crushed due to academic performance and one can become finan cially compromised or free due to their academic records in high school or college, for example. Thus, acknowledging and analyzing the role of personality towards predicting and contributing to academic success is more than appropriate and valuable. The Big Five personality traits and theory has strong correlations towards showing which traits positively or negatively influence academic motivation and performance, based on decades of research with consistently similar results and studies encompassing elementary school to college settings and students. The Big 5 Personality Theory This theory was not developed all of a sudden, but it took years of testing and analyzing large amounts of personality traits to get to a Big 5 theory. The theory was derived from Cattell’s work from the 1970’s. Norman was the one in charge of advancing this, resulting in the fact that â€Å"The Big –5 are commonly used because they combine the best of Cattell’s (1970) comprehensive list of personality traits with the best of Eysenck’s (1991) concise list.† Here is how the Big 5 works and their antonyms: extroversion vs. introversion, neuroticism vs.

Essay about Sexual Ethics Gay Marriage Should Not Be...

In today’s news and media, it seems that the topic of homosexuality and whether it is morally acceptable or unacceptable is brought up on a daily occurrence. Many individuals believe that homosexuality is a problem and ceremonies such as gay marriage should not be allowed. However, what is it that makes homosexuality considered wrong? Critics argue that homosexuality goes against the Bible—the word of God—and is immoral. The issue of homosexuality, however, is argued further when considering the topic of sexual ethics; homosexuality is not the only aspect of sexual ethics but also what is good and what is the purpose of sex and taboo situations such as incest, rape, pre-marriageable sex, monogamy and polygamy. Two philosophers, John†¦show more content†¦Arguably, all three forms of love are needed since if appreciation is missing then benevolence cannot occur; furthermore, if one would simply want what was good but not appreciate it and then love would n ot be apparent. Additionally, without love, how can one want to have a union with someone else? It is important to remember that no one way is the right way since there are various ways and methods to practice the three aspects to love. It is by understanding the three forms does one understand what is truly good about sex as according to Pruss’s nature of love argument. As mentioned, the desire for union is the most important in relation to what is good about sex and, once the love is established, there are specific characteristics to what is it that makes sex good. When asked what makes sex good, there are various responses such as the pleasure, the psychological or emotional connection made between two beings, the biological or physical unity and the need for reproduction. However, following Pruss’s argument only one response—the biological or physical unity—is what makes sex good; the â€Å"illusion of sex† is further explained. In today’s society there are various outlets focused on satisfying one’s needs for pleasure, which many individuals find from participating in intercourse. According to Pruss, â€Å"it is good to take pleasure in something good, but when one is takingShow MoreRelatedEssay on Gay Marriage Is a Human Rights Issue1091 Words   |  5 Pagesrate of heterosexual couples, in states where homosexual marriage is already legal. This statistic makes it evident that homosexual marriage is as successful as heterosexual marriage. However, out of 49 states with laws regarding gay marriage, only 13 legally recognize the union of two same sex people. Some of the reasoning for this is because some people believe that homosexuality is against their religion and thus, homosexual couples should not have equal rights. In a constitutional society suchRead MoreBuilding Tolerance through Spirituality845 Words   |  3 Pagesallow for a higher power, though, not, necessarily, a god. Therefore, within in that allowance, as a person transcends, tolerance is a characteristic that, undoubtedly, will be developing along with other positive attributes. Philosophically, moral ethics is a term that partly defines the person who is developing a tolerant personality toward other fellow homo-sapiens and all other connections that are a part of the search for transcendence.. Conversely, building tolerance through the guidance andRead MoreThe Issue Of Same Sex Marriage1068 Words   |  5 Pagesallow same sex-marriage, many christians oppose and support it. It is the assumption that christians oppose same-sex marriage. Not all christians oppose same-sex marriage, many support it. The Bible has different forms of marriage. The inaugural version was Adam and Eve. There was polygamy, with or without concubines. The Moses version allowed divorce. Jesus then criticised the divorce process while encouraging a quality of relationship version. And then the kingdom of God makes marriage redundant. Read MoreSexual Ethics Essay1020 Words   |  5 Pages1. There are a number of dilemmas in sexual ethics such as homosexuality, marriage and divorce and pornography. For instance homosexuality is a major problem within sexual ethics because homosexual sex cannot lead to reproduction. However sexual ethic it differs between denominations compared to government law. There fore these issues are a concern to religious belief; different faiths have different view on homosexuality or marriage and divorce. Many religious beliefs do not encourage homosexualityRead MoreLegalizing Same-Sex Marriage1119 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Marriage plays a fundamental role in civil society because it is characterized by sexual complementarity, monogamy, exclusive, and permanence† (Anderson). Legalizing same-sex marriage would affect every aspect ethically and morally, resulting in an unacceptable outcome. Therefore same-sex marriage should not be considered respectable and adequate in any lifestyle. Same-sex marriage is the union between partners of the same sex, whether it is a male and a male or a female and another female. TraditionalRead MoreThe Fight For Equal Marriage1292 Words   |  6 Pages The fight for equal marriage rights has been one of great length. Although this topic only brought to attention of the Supreme Court in 2015, gay marriage has long been a topic of interest in American society. Prior to 2015, gay marriage was only acknowledged and legal in select states, not nationwide. This caused great distress and heartache. One case in particular, the case that was brought to the supreme court, is very representative of such dejection. The subjects of such case are James ObergefellRead MoreThe Debate On Homosexuality And Homosexuality1229 Words   |  5 PagesPresentation Paper Christian Ethics October 20, 2014 Homosexuality Homosexuality is defined as, the sexual or romantic attraction to members of the same gender. A male who practices homosexuality is known as being gay. The word ‘gay’ did not originally have any connection to a sexual connotation. In fact, the word was originally express feelings of happiness or carefree attitude. It was not until the twentieth century that people used the term gay to indicate a sexual orientation. Opposite of malesRead MoreIssues and Intolerance of Sexual Minorities in Arizona1625 Words   |  7 PagesISSUES AND INTOLERANCE OF SEXUAL MINORITIES IN ARIZONA Gays and lesbians are discriminated against and oppressed by archaic sex laws used by the conservative Arizona government. Some statutes include the restriction of same-sex marriage, and no monetary or federal benefits for domestic partners of homosexuals who work for a government agency. Section 38-656 of the Arizona Revised Statutes reads A country, city, town, or other political subdivision of this state shall not offer health andRead MoreWhy Same Sex Marriage Is Morally Right And Should Be Legally Recognized1648 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is marriage about? Who is marriage for? What are some of the complications with marriages in today’s society? How does religion plays a major part in marriage? According to Toby L. Ditz, â€Å"Marriage laws have historically withheld and continue to withhold the right to marry and the legal privileges associated with marriage from whole classes of people: slaves, interracial couples, and gay partners (Ditz, 2001,500)†. The way marriage is viewed in this newer generation differs significantly fromRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legalized . The Same Sex Marriage1723 Words   |  7 Pages Same sex marriage should be legalized The same sex marriage has been widely debated in many countries for a long time. It is an important issue because it concerns basic moral and human rights. People all over the world come to the United States in search of freedom and equality. Being able to marry anyone, no matter the gender, is a freedom of right, but if that freedom of right is taken away from people than there is no equality. Homosexual people

My Teaching Philosophy Essay Example For Students

My Teaching Philosophy Essay I believe that teaching is one of the most important professions in the world today. From the very beginning, until present time, teaching has been around. The book of Genesis speaks of God walking and talking with Adam in The Garden of Eden, God was teaching Adam. I will be proud to, one day, be a part of this great calling. There are many reasons why I want to be a teacher. Starting with the most important, I want to influence children positively with Christian perspectives that will help them achieve satisfaction in their life. I also would like the opportunity to coach. I believe coaches have more influence on children than teachers. I think this is true because sports are something that the child participates in because he/she chooses. For that reason, coaches are usually well respected by their athletes. Another reason I want to teach is for the opportunity to meet people. Teachers and coaches both have a great influence on children’s lives. I want to be a positive influence while helping prepare children for their future role in society. My father was a teacher and coach for many years and I am amazed at the lives he has touched. His students love him, even after not seeing him for years they remember the little sayings and quirks he said in the classroom. My father cared about the students, and he had a respect and trust for them all. Sometimes they didn’t deserve such trust, but I think the trust he put in them caused them to want to live up to his expectations. If I can be half the teacher that he was, I will consider myself a success. In addition, I want to be a teacher that instills Christian principles in all my students. I plan on being a lifetime learner by attending seminars and conferences, staying abreast of new topics by reading professional journals, and watching and learning from other teachers. I have already started this process, because my friend, who recently graduated and is now teaching, told me that there is much that teachers must know that isn’t taught to us in college. I probe his mind, and read articles on the internet, look at teaching web sites, and I am always thinking of affective ways that I can teach people. I know that children learn in many different ways. Observing, experimenting, reading, and listening are a few of those many ways. I have learned that people learn best when the information is something that they are interested in. I am going to strive to make every lesson fun, and applicable to my students. I favor using many methods to teach, including lecturing, cooperative learning, project based instruction, and â€Å"hands-on† activities. I want the classroom to be a place that the students enjoy, not a boring place. I believe that every child has an innate hunger for learning and becoming successful. If I can harness their craving and aim it in the right direction, I believe I will be successful in helping these students achieve what they are looking for in life. Many people think that teachers are supposed to pass knowledge on to the next generation. This is great, but I intend to go further. I want to instill wisdom rather than just knowledge. Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge. A student that understands formulas and tables can make it in this world, but I am hoping to give them the ability to apply what they know to every aspect of their life. They will make meaningful, thought out, and rational decisions in every area of their life. Education is a tool in which the things that have been discovered, proven, studied, and even theorized are passed on to the next group of people that will live on this earth. If we do not pass this on effectively, information can be lost forever and peoples’ lives will have been wasted. Education is also a way in which we prepare ourselves to compete with the economies and industries of other countries. It’s what keeps the United States a world power, if our schooling becomes lacking then our nation will become lacking as well. .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192 , .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192 .postImageUrl , .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192 , .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192:hover , .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192:visited , .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192:active { border:0!important; } .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192:active , .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192 .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u8125ed0b5f5e5583f570bfe1e2cdd192:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: A Letter To Cuba EssayI understand that it is my responsibility to teach all my students no matter whether they are fast, slow, gifted, or disabled. I must teach in a way that I can stimulate learning for everyone at the same time. I believe I can achieve this goal using a variety of teaching techniques and procedures simultaneously. The world is ever changing, therefore, I think that classroom material should be constantly changing also. The basics are an important foundation on which to start, including reading, writing, and arithmetic. Later on in school though, our students need to be taught the ability to keep up with the times. I do not advocate teaching specific skills, because they can certainly become obsolete very quickly. I think it is more important to teach the students how to teach themselves by using organization skills, researching abilities, and just giving them the love for wisdom that keeps them learning throughout their life. My philosophy is an eclectic type using an essentialist basis with a progressive structure. I will also incorporate perennialism and existentialism. For instance, I think that a knowledge of who one is, and why one is here has an important place in education. I also believe behaviorism is a big part of how we all learn, but it shouldn’t be the only philosophy used in the classroom. If it were, we would be on the same level with animals. I have had experiences with great and terrible teachers and coaches. I believe that the times I have spent with them will help guide me in my quest of becoming a great teacher. I know that I never want to be like some of these less effective teachers. I have observed what it takes to make an effective teacher effective and an ineffective teacher ineffective. I want to use what I have learned to influence the lives that may be influencing my children and grandchildren. I know that if I’m not excited about teaching, there is no way I can get my students excited about learning. My specialization of teaching is Health and Physical Education. I know that this is important now more than ever because the health of the United States people is declining fast. This is due, in part, to all the new technologies we have, which makes everything easier, e.g. children playing video games instead of sports, people sitting at computers for countless hours, and even the advances in transportation. An unhealthy person is actually impaired. They cannot perform the activities that a healthy person can perform easily. This hinders their way of living and causes much pain, discomfort, and even death. I want to help be a part of a more health conscience future for our young people. I am an advocate of school vouchers due mostly to the fact that I would like to teach in a private school. I attended a private Christian school for my entire schooling, and so did my 4 brothers. My parents paid for our tuition, then, by paying taxes, paid for other people’s children to go to school also. I do not think that is fair, therefore, I plan on supporting the voucher system for all the United States. My decision to become a teacher was a major crossroads in my life. It took me a long time to decide which way to go, and now I feel great about the decision I have made. I have thought and prayed, and now I KNOW that this is what I want to do. I don’t want to be another teacher that does the same old thing. I want to be the best teacher that my students ever have. I want to be remembered by them and hopefully have a great influence in helping develop successful, happy adults. I understand the amazing responsibility and pressure that is placed on teachers and I am prepared to work hard and take on this great challenge of shaping our future generations.

My Experience in the Military free essay sample

My darkest hour was also the moment I became a man. When all my years of training, all the blood, sweat, and tears of running, aiming, skills training, and hand to hand combat had finally been put to the test. My first kill. It wasn’t a proud moment but it was one on necessity and choice that I’ve played over and over again and I still get the same result. It would have gone exactly the same. September 21st 1999, 1327 Zulu time. We were flying over Almaty, Kazakhstan. The rattling of the POS tin can they call an airplane was really making me queasy. ‘Man less than an hour before we land. It’s not coming soon enough. ’ I thought. Then came the dreaded command that started the chain of events that changed my life forever. â€Å"AAG! 9 o’clock. I repeat AAG! 9 o’clock! † Yelled our Staff Sgt, â€Å"You know the drill, men. Time to grow wings! † Now to you non-military personnel, an AAG is an anti-aircraft gun. Now it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize, hey we’re in an aircraft. You see where this is going. Time to grow wings means, we’re jumping off this plane. This might be fine and dandy for a para-trooping unit. We were not a para-trooping unit. Now most of our unit has had parachuting training, well all except one, me. Now in my defense I had been busy with officer training so really hadn’t had much time. I now wish I had made time. So as we’re being shoveled out of the plane, there’s AAG blasts going off all around us. Then came my turn where I never thought you could get a jumping lesson in 30 seconds. Well it was enough for me. Out I went. Exciting, exhilarating, and scary as hell, were the first three things that came to mind. Now I’m no meteorologist but there are these invisible paths the air flows called vectors and if you don’t know what you’re doing you can be rerouted from you initial path. This is how I ended up drifting away from my unit. I pulled my chute once I realized this and landed about half a click north of my click. I landed in a courtyard and did the most natural instinct that could come to mind. I ran. Now the guys manning these AAG’s also had troops on foot and they figured out real quick where I was, and that I probably would make a real nice hostage. A US officer is a gold bar waiting to be snatched. I went for high ground as I checked my GPS tracker looking for my unit. Once on the roof of a nearby building, I began running south from rooftop to rooftop looking for a good place to either regroup or stand my ground in case of a firefight. I didn’t know how far behind me the enemy was but I felt them breathing down my neck, so to speak. I looked ahead on my route and noticed a 25’foot gap between me and the next building and it was a floor shorter than the building I was on. I had 10 steps to make a choice. Ten, I detach my pack. Nine, off goes my helmet. Eight, I increase my speed. Six, five, four, ‘This isn’t going to end well’, Three, I rear up, two, one†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦I leapt. For a second I thought this is it. But then realized I’m going to clear it, I’m actually going to clear it. I did, right into a window. I rolled twice and started to catch my bearing and get up when I felt a searing pain in my back. I was being tackled. I looked up while on my back to a sweaty, angry look I recognized all too well, the look of a man wanting to kill me. I don’t know where he came from or who he was but I knew these were things I would have to worry about later. For now I have to stay alive. I felt his arm pressing into my throat and damn it hurt. I brought my right fist up and into his temple. It jeered him enough to release the choke. He reached back with the same arm and pulled something out from what looked like his back pocket, a knife. As soon as I realized what it was it was already headed at my face. I took both arms and grabbed for the wrist of the armed hand. He twisted his hand and sliced at my left forearm, I lost grip only with that hand for a slight second, jabbed him in the ribs giving me enough time to re-grip. He was trying to put all his weight into the armed hand and still hold me down while I kept my eyes and both hands focused on the knife filled hand and wrist. I was holding up until the pain from the slice began to overwhelm me and I felt woozy. I felt like this was it, I am going to lose my grip and this knife was about to go into my face. I quickly thought of everything that would follow and everything that has happened to me up to that point in an instance. Then as if a blessing from God, the door burst open and I redirected my focus to the door. So did he, which was his mistake. I quick glanced back at him and noticed two things. His eyes were off of me and his push weakened just for a second. The only second I needed. I pivoted my upper half to my right and pulled his arm towards where my head once was, jamming the knife into the hardwood floor. I brought my right elbow into his head and he toppled over. I reached for my side arm, rolled away, up on to one side, aimed and fired twice. My pistol and eyes both rose up and to the left to the doorway and fired three more times. Both enemies, cancelled. I took what seemed like an eternity to curse, catch my breath and regroup myself. I stood up and realized the fight wasn’t over. I still had to make it to my unit. I made my way through the apartment I earlier crashed into, out into the hallway and back up to the roof. I noticed insurgents on the rooftop directly behind me making half-ass shots at me. I leapt to the next rooftop, made cover behind a chimney, pulled my pistol took two deep breaths and†¦.. Well you’ll just have to wait for next time for that one. You ask yourself what I would do if I were in a life and death situation. Did it turn out like I thought? Nothing like it. Because when it really happens you go into autopilot. It all happened so quickly, but when I relive it in the nightmares that haunt me to this day, it seems like forever. It wasn’t a cool thing to do it, but was it necessary for my survival? Yes. If I could do it all over again, I would have taken the para-trooping courses.