In a sincere and impactful speech, Jordanian media figure Sonya Al-Zghoul stated that she wished to belong to the Jordanian Armed Forces, but the difference in nationality between her father and mother prevented this according to the prevailing military regulations. This statement was not merely a personal story; rather, it reflects the thousands of Jordanian dreams nurtured on the love of military uniform and the desire to belong to the institution that embodies the essence of the nation and dignity; despite the precise laws and regulations and the conditions for joining, including nationality requirements in some recruitment programs, alongside strict health, physical, and educational standards.
For many, including the writer of these lines, the dream was not far from that path. The heart oscillated between two great passions—both hindered by circumstances: the dream of human medicine with its noble humanitarian message, and the dream of joining the Arab Army with its meaning of sacrifice and honor. In the hearts of Jordanians, the military institution is not seen merely as a job or career path, but as the honor of belonging to a prestigious national school, where values of sacrifice, discipline, and loyalty to the land and leadership are embodied. But the truth that every Jordanian knows is that belonging is not measured only by wearing the military uniform, as loyalty to the homeland is not limited by a job or confined to an institution, but resides in awareness and conscience, and manifests in every position where a person serves his country with dedication. This explains why the interest in enlisting in the Jordanian Armed Forces often exceeds the number of vacancies available, in a scene that reflects the level of public confidence in this institution, and reaffirms that the dream of joining the army is not a mere individual dream but a shared national ambition.
The Arab Army has, throughout its history, stood as a symbol of military honor and professional discipline, and a cornerstone in protecting the homeland and safeguarding its stability. Within its system, diverse military and security institutions collectively form the shield and the resilient barrier of Jordan, starting from the Royal Jordanian Land Forces, through the Royal Jordanian Naval Force, reaching the Royal Jordanian Air Force that stands as a formidable barrier against dangers. These institutions collectively represent not only the state's strength but also its unbreakable spirit.
The dream of joining the army is not merely a professional aspiration, but a deep emotional state, and a national sentiment rooted in Jordanian consciousness. Therefore, many who have not had the chance to wear the military uniform still feel, in some way, like soldiers in their different positions; serving the nation with education, work, dedication, and deep faith that Jordan deserves much from us.
In the end, the homeland remains the greatest dream, and its flag remains higher than all personal dreams.
And then we pray to God to keep Jordan safe and peaceful, to bless its leadership, to prolong the life of His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, to protect the Jordanian Armed Forces and our security agencies, and to maintain our Arab Army as a sword of truth and a shield for the homeland and a source of pride in the hearts of Jordanians and Arabs alike.
May God protect Jordan... land, leadership, army, and people.
