Why I Have Been Quiet Lately

I haven't updated the blog in awhile for two reasons. The first reason is really not much has been going on. I have been living in a proverbial "Groundhog Day." I get up at 4:15 in the morning, leave the house at 4:45 to drive an hour to work and then hand out keys all day. At 4:45 in the afternoon I get out of work and drive the hour home. I try to be in bed between 8:30 and 9 and just do the same thing over and over.

The second reason I have been quiet is because I have been in the process of joining the military....again. This time I have opted to join the U.S. Army. I have been worried that something might go wrong and as such did not want to jinx anything by telling everyone I was joining.

After two years everything came together today. These last two years have been difficult. While being on Active Duty I was trying to complete my degree while going TDY for 30 days to Vegas, two weeks in Texas. I also had a 6 week long leadership school and exercises all thrown in while trying to graduate and finish my packet.

In June I made the tough decision to get out of the Air Force even though the economy was/is on a downward slope. I took a job to put food on the table and once we were settled resumed my application process. This has take a few months but this week everything came together. Monday was a Holiday so I was able to chill. On Tuesday I got up early and was at the Military Entry Processing Station (MEPS) by 6am to get a physical. Finally at 5:00pm I was home after completing the physical and finishing my packet. Only thing left was small details, you know, crossing the "T's" and dotting all the lower case "J's". Once the packet was complete a special board was scheduled for Wednesday just for me.

Today, (Wednesday), I got up and headed back to MEPS and was there at 9:30 am in suit all ready for the board. I just couldn't believe the day had actually come. Two years ago I never thought I was going to make it this far. My time in the Air Force was really helpful with board because I already was aware of proper reporting procedures and how to sit at the position of attention. The board was really friendly and asked a wide range of questions such as "Why would you get an accounting degree just to see combat?" and "What would does your wife think?" After the board I found out I scored 75/75 and came highly recommended by all three members. Talk about a relief. Afterwards, two of the board members (Captains) pulled me into an Office where we chatted and they gave some really good career advice. It was amazing to feel like I belong in their fraternity.

Tomorrow, I will go down and sign my contract. At that point I will be told when I will ship out for OCS. I will update any information as soon as I can.

I am excited for this new chapter in our lives. Everything I have done prior to now has led me to this point. From being a missionary and learning about service before self to being enlisted and understanding the vital role enlisted personnel have in the military. I feel all this has given me the experience to be a good leader. I am humbled to think that the lives of my fellow soldiers will one day rest on the decisions I make.