5 More Years

I, J, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

At a normal reenlistment ceremony, the reenlisting officer will say a few kind words about the soldier, then the soldier takes the Oath and then is given a chance to say a few words. I didn't have much to say because I don't say much to begin with. Nothing would be complete without a few words to thank my wife and kids for all of their love and support, and I wouldn't be here without them. This and everything else that I do is for them.

No More Mail

I will be changing my address soon, so please do not send me anything. Anything received by the Post Office after the 1st will be sent back to my new address.

Army Physical Fitness Badge

Spring Cleaning

I decided this morning that it would be a good time to start packing and going through my stuff in preparation for the end of my vacation. It was not a good idea, because I had to get up 8 hours from when I started, but I got something done. The time frame wasn't the only dumb decision involved, but the only that was mine. So, everything must go, which would have been a lot easier if I hadn't been forced to take twice as much stuff as I needed to begin with. Who ever needed fleece bib pants and a balaclava in the desert? Perhaps in Nepal, but not here.

Maybe more later. Not much happens here, so there's really nothing to write about.

Five Years

I can’t believe that it’s been five years already. It seems like only a few months ago we were vacationing in Montana to celebrate our third anniversary. Now it’s been five years, and unfortunately, we’ve been apart for half of that. Unlike many couples I know, I think that the time apart has brought us closer together and formed a relationship that is stronger that it would be if we’d lived together the whole time.

God has blessed us in so many ways in the last five years. We now have twin 3 year olds that couldn’t have been more perfect for us. We have a hound that is still healthy despite his old age. We are completely debt free and starting to save for retirement. We’ve had a happy and blessed five years and looking forward to many more.

Another anniversary that takes place today is one year since I arrived in the Middle East. That also doesn't seem like a year, but I'm looking forward to leaving soon.

Irony

For most of my government sponsored vacation, my favorite job was to be a gun truck commander. The gun trucks are usually small vehicles with a crew served weapon whose purpose is to protect the unarmed cargo trucks. Because of my position in the Co, I rarely got to do this job, and almost always ended up as the cargo or fuel truck commander. I transfered to another section a few months ago and will no longer be on the road. Last week I signed for my own gun truck. I have the truck, but no crew, weapon or mission.

When we got here last year, it seems that we missed the flies. Not so this year. April must be the month for them. There are only a few of them so far, but I'm sure that they are just scouts for the coming plague. They are much more fearless and persistent than American flies.