Being a Warrior in a traditional American Indian society gives one a sense of pride and a sense of accomplishment at a time in life when self-esteem is just developing. Becoming a Warrior brings status to young men and women in their culture. The ceremonies that honor the Warrior create a special place in the tribe's spiritual world.
The United States military service provides an outlet for Native Americans to fulfill a cultural purpose rooted in heritage - to fight and defend their homeland. This purpose is particularly important since it comes when young people of the tribe are normally not old enough to assume a leadership role in their traditional culture. The cultural expectation to be a Warrior provides a purpose in life and is an important step in gaining status in their American Indian heritage.
American Indian Warriors are devoted to the survival of their people and homeland. When necessary, Warriors will lay down their lives for the preservation of their culture, for death to the American Indian Warrior, is but another step in the advancement of life. It is understood that the "Warrior Spirit" lives on eternally. So Warriors do not fear death in the same way as other cultures, but rather regard it as the "ultimate sacrifice for their own culture's survival."
Wisdom
Wisdom, as referred to in this context, means the combination of "formal learning and life experiences." During wartime, American Indians who have participated in fierce-combat learned the ultimate survival skills. These skills were thought to be "natural inherent American Indian Traits" by unit commanders. A Sac and Fox/Creek Korean Veteran remarked: "My platoon commander always sent me out on patrols. He...probably thought that I could track down the enemy. I don't know for sure, but I guess he figured that Indians were Warriors and hunters by nature."
Even in the current War on Terror, American Indians have been looked to for leadership and strength. Another Indian Veteran stated: "I led a convoy team of 25 men on 177 missions throughout the Al Anabar, Province of Iraq in 2006/2007. My team and Command constantly looked to me for leadership and courage with the realization that I was an American Indian Warrior. We were very successful in every aspect of our missions and I learned the enemy's tactics so we could out maneuver the insurgent's attacks. We encountered no KIA's and no Purple Hearts upon the completion of our our Tour of Duty and were recognized as a Decorated Combat Team." - Senior Chief, USN Seabees, Iraq.
Many American Indians (as well as non-Indian volunteers) joined the military during The Great War, to satisfy their sense of curiosity and adventure. Many had never left the confines of their own communities, much less marched on the battlefields of Europe. These encounters provided wisdom and experience through exposure to these other cultures. This enlightenment was sometimes threatening to the elders of a tribe, who feared that this new found worldliness might cause unwanted change to their cultures and way of life. Over time however, this new found wisdom of worldly events and cultures was accepted by tribal leaders. Today, Native Americans are increasingly exposed to a non-Indian world through movies, media and non-traditional examples of American Indian history. Although the military is still an avenue for experiencing the world, it has provided other types of wisdom in the 21st century. Military service today, offers excellent educational job skills both technical and conventional, which creates a broad spectrum of competitive opportunities for today's American Indian youth who frequently come from educationally disadvantaged communities.
Throughout military history, American Indians have never served together as an entire military unit, such as the American Japanese who served during WWII in the "Go for Broke" 442nd Army units. Although some divisions had more American Indian troops than others, there have never been all-Indian units. This meant that Indians and non-Indians were place in close-knit groups, perhaps each experiencing each other's cultures up close for the first time. "There was a camaraderie (in the Air Force) that transcends ethnicity when you serve your country overseas in wartime." - Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Cheyenne Korean War Veteran.
Likewise, inter tribal relationships were developed, sometimes with a person who was a traditional "enemy." Many times these inter cultural and inter tribal encounters broke through "traditional stereotypes" and resulted in lifelong friendships, friendships that otherwise might never have been cultivated.
Carrying on the Warrior Traditions
The attributes for successful military service can be summarized as - strength, bravery, pride and wisdom, which are also the foundation for the traditional Indian Warrior. Military service affords an outlet for combat that fulfills a culturally determined role for the Warrior. Therefore the military is an opportunity for cultural self-fulfillment. By sending young tribal members off to be Warriors, they return with experiences that make them valued members of their society.
In conclusion, the United States military provides many positive and educational opportunities for the Native American Indian communities. This opportunity allows American Indian Veterans to return home to their communities with a 21st century education. With these new productive life experiences and job skills, the modern day American Indian Warrior is returning home with benefits and an improved quality of life, past generations have never experienced.
With these new opportunities available for the American Indian youth, American Indians who choose to serve in the United States military can be expected to by a vital part in carrying on their centuries-old "Warrior Traditions" serving with Pride, Courage and Distinction.
(Revisited by Rob Burroughs, Director for the Northern California Veterans Museum and Heritage Center, 2010, based on D.O.D. report by CEJIP Incorporated, Washington DC, in partnership with Native American advisers, Roger Bucholz, William Fields, and Ursula P. Roach. Washington: Department of Defense, 1996)
