I had served in the U.S. military for five years, working as a journalist. Most of my time was spent writing stories, taking photos, shooting video, recording audio, and, every so often, standing guard, on-loading supplies, and other such work. (I had it lucky compared to most.)

Half way around the world, it turns out children half my age were doing more physical labor than I was.

Two demobilized child soldiers reporter Zack Baddorf interviewed in Sudan. Zack Baddorf/World Vision Report

I interviewed several child soldiers and asked them both, "What was your best day in the military?" They both told a story about how one day they didn't have to work. Day after day, year after year, these children slaved away carrying other soldiers' bags, collecting firewood, cooking meals, bringing water, and similar tasks. This isn't something in the far-distant past. These children were forced into the military in 2004 and they're only this year being released. This is the 21st century, and yet children aged 9 are being forced into the military and into combat. It's disturbing. Some 900 children are still in southern Sudan's armed forces today.

Some children do go to the barracks on their own. I met another child whose father killed someone. To escape a revenge killing, he joined the military. Other children join because they are orphans or their parents can't provide for them. Social services in southern Sudan are limited, with the vast amount of the government's budget going toward security in the run-up to the region's independence referendum this January.

So it's not surprising that children turn to the military where they know they can get meals on a regular basis. But UNICEF asserts that the government of southern Sudan can do more, and I agree. UNICEF's Bismarck Swangin says that in some way, all children in the military are hostages, even those who joined voluntarily, because they can't make an informed decision at their age.

Spending time with the ex-combatants over a weekend, I have to agree. These children have a right to education and a right to a life with food and shelter outside of the military. There are many people in Sudan (in the government and out of it) working to ensure they have those rights.

I hope to hear soon that the last child soldier has been demobilized from the south's army.

Please use the comment mechanism on this page to share your own thoughts about the problem of child soldiers that is still so prevalent throughout the world.

Listen to Zack's story about the demobilized child soldiers of southern Sudan.