Another month down

Well, one month of 2010 has come and gone. It was a month ago I was cracking open a Beck's non-alcoholic beverage when the clock struck midnight. Kinda sad, really.

Much has changed from then til now. Quite a few leadership changes, personnel shuffling. Drastic change in weight as I started a new workout program (currently 158 lbs) I haven't been in the 150s since my twenties. Major life-changing decisions have been made as well.

Before 2010, if you would have asked me, I was dead set against re-enlisting. I wanted nothing more to do with the Army. However, My current goals and plans are not supported by getting out of the Army at this point. So, I've decided to re-enlist for another 3 years. If I would have done this back in October or so, the bonuses for my MOS were pretty good. But now, there's pretty much nothing. But I'm not really worried about money. I'd like to stay in Germany but I've been gone from the states for too long. So back to the States we go. I'm also gonna keep an optimistic outlook and hope the changes that have been made inside our company can bring it back to where it once was: the best MP company in USAREUR.

Also going back to school to get my Bachelor's degree. Totally excited about this.

This winter has been almost completely snow-less which is kind of a bummer. Everyone was hoping for a really harsh winter but that hasn't happened. In a way, I'm glad. Keeping busy has made the time go by quicker. Meanwhile, back home in Germany, they continue to get hammered with snow.

As far as this current conflict, nothing has changed from my point of view. We continue to carry out our mission on a daily basis and hope for the best. The better the police force becomes at their job, the sooner we can pull out of this place.

It's nice to finally do my job. I've been able to treat several local nationals and police personnel for various wounds. Thankfully, none of the people in my squad have been seriously injured. I have always said I want my CMB (Combat Medic Badge) but not at the expense of a US soldier.

So, the countdown til we come home begins. I cannot wait. I miss my wife and kids so much. The hope of seeing them soon keeps me strong. I hope this whole conflict comes to a close soon. I don't want my children involved in this at all.

When spring comes, things should heat up a bit. And when it does, we'll be ready.

Sitting on the front lines,
-D