CAMPUS LIFE: When I was at the library yesterday I picked up a copy of U. Magazine, a freebie mag that’s been distributed on campus for years. In between the articles on the Blue Man Group, spam management, and computer games was one by Air Force ROTC cadet Gloria Lin of Washington University answering some questions she often gets about serving in the military. Excerpt:

Why would you want to do that?

Five years ago I didn’t have a strong, solid answer. I only knew it was something I wanted to do, but now I can say with conviction that it’s important to me to have this opportunity to give back, to serve my country and its people.

What if you die?

Well, everyone dies, and dying for my country is a pretty good way to go if you ask me.

But you’re a girl.

Thank you for noticing.

You’re Chinese. What if we go to war with China? Whose side would you be on?

This is a simple answer: Obviously the United States. The thing is, I may be of Chinese descent, but up until a few years ago I had never set foot on mainland China before. I was born in America and that’s where I grew up.

There’s much more, and I found it all pretty interesting.

UPDATE: Bill Hobbs sends a link to the article — I hadn’t realized it was on the web.