Twenty-One
Good Morning. Yet again, I’m here, ranting in your ear about something well before the Sun comes up. That’s kind of the point to this one, people. Part of my job seems to be ensuring that the sun properly rises on a daily basis.
I might have put something up last year on this date, I don’t know and I don’t care (am I stupid or apathetic?) but after a painful bout in the gym to remind me of my impending mortality and some woodworking to make me reflect on deeper topics, this post came to mind.
Twenty-one years ago today, I sat sweating in New York while wearing a lot of excessive wool as I graduated and then received my Commission in the United States Army. That’s kind of a long time. I passed the retirement marker a year ago, but I’m staying put. I keep getting interesting things to do, and the people – for the most part – are great to work with. That day so long ago was the most significant event of my life at the time, but it has long since been eclipsed by other events, successes, and abject failures.
Twenty-one years.
We’ve been at war for just over half of that time, and I’ve been promoted twice since 2001. That fact is not significant unless you understand the byzantine methods by which our Army promotes dolts like me forward to bigger, better and more cataclysmic mistakes. Point is, I’ve seen a lot and done a lot. This isn’t boasing or pride speaking. Rather, I felt compelled to mark the day. I’ll get back to my job now.
I just wanted to share that. Thanks for listening.
May 30, 2013 at 01:24
That’s a big deal! I have a friend who has been promoted a few times too and it certainly takes an act of congress to make it happen. You should be proud…and even prouder that the decision you made 21 years ago isn’t one you regret, and are actually happy you made. How many of us can say that?
With that said, you’ve seen some shit in those 21 years…I feel like an ode to the weirdest is in order to commemorate the event!
May 30, 2013 at 05:04
Thanks, Jamie. ‘An Ode to WTF’ is a great idea.
May 30, 2013 at 01:28
Thank you so much for sharing. J.
May 30, 2013 at 05:04
No problem 1j1.
May 30, 2013 at 03:08
hello and thank you for your 21 years of service…and counting.
May 30, 2013 at 05:05
Hello back, and you’re more than welcome.
May 30, 2013 at 04:15
I’ve always respected you for your service and we’re lucky to have you defending us, so thank you.
May 30, 2013 at 05:06
Thanks, Elite. I sort of envy you because you’re fast approaching the same point I did 21 years ago. My career’s old enough to buy beer now.
May 30, 2013 at 18:25
Ha! I’m nearly 20 and feel I’ve lived ten other lives in ten other dimensions. And I can’t buy beer yet….
May 30, 2013 at 18:52
Not legally… and don’t tell me you don’t.
May 30, 2013 at 20:28
I think you can tell if I do or don’t…and let me tell you I enjoy all manner of drinks. But never underage. Not me. No….
(if you believe that, you’re a dolt, and you’re not a dolt therefore…)
May 30, 2013 at 20:29
Precisely. Be careful. Same advice I’m about to give my son.
June 2, 2013 at 15:34
I’m absurdly careful about it and I don’t even do it in excess ever if at all. One or two with friends is nice. I’m not a big believer in going overboard.
June 2, 2013 at 17:51
Sounds like you’re well-equipped for life. Good job.
June 2, 2013 at 21:03
At least somebody thinks so. A few with friends > house parties.
June 2, 2013 at 22:36
You’re good, dude.
June 3, 2013 at 14:09
So how’s life haha?
June 3, 2013 at 14:15
Could be better, but it is what it is.
June 3, 2013 at 14:17
I’m feeling the same. I mostly hate being home. College is so much better for me than being here.
June 3, 2013 at 14:19
Understand. Enjoy your time off while you can.
June 3, 2013 at 14:22
I will do my very best.
June 3, 2013 at 14:24
Sweet.
May 30, 2013 at 05:35
21, that´s more than half my life, joined at 22, how you manage to stay put for so long, never figure it out. Hope you train well the new little bastards like me when they get there. I saw in some news that recruitment has dropped, any fact to support that?
May 30, 2013 at 06:23
Recruiting is always a challenge, but yes it’s getting more difficult now.
May 30, 2013 at 06:16
As a non-serving citizen, thanks for staying at it for 21 years.
May 30, 2013 at 06:25
No problem, Guapo. It’s still fun.
May 30, 2013 at 09:18
Rants,
Congrats on 21 years and I’m glad that you made it back safely from two tours. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must have been like over there, and, frankly, don’t even want to try.
Thank you for your service, and thank you for sharing.
May 30, 2013 at 10:04
Imagine the dudes I know with six or seven 1-year tours. Sheesh. But thanks, TD!
May 30, 2013 at 10:17
I can’t.
May 30, 2013 at 10:18
Me either, and I do this shit for a living.
May 30, 2013 at 10:24
Thanks for saving my butt, taking care of some big bad guys & paying for my freedom to be able to wish you Happy Career Anniversary. You may not serve my country, but your service serves humanity. Mwuah (big kiss)!
May 30, 2013 at 10:30
Woo Hoo! You’re welcome, Benze, even in Canadiana.
May 30, 2013 at 11:26
Congrats on the 21 years, Rants and best wishes for healthy and happy future years/months/days…
May 30, 2013 at 11:28
Sure thing, Kayjai. It will probably be measured in years.
May 30, 2013 at 12:39
Twenety. One. Fucking awesome. Thanks for your service, Bro. The sacrifices you have made in service to the USA do not go unnoticed.
May 30, 2013 at 13:33
You’re welcome, dude. Thanks.
May 30, 2013 at 17:26
Wow–I can’t wait to share that milestone with my son who graduated from high school yesterday; he has little concept of the fact that the world actually existed before he did, and that it also does not revolve around him. The idea that someone has done something for longer than he has been alive will trip him out 🙂 Besides that, congrat’s and thank you so much for all you do as a serviceman.
May 30, 2013 at 17:30
I’m honored to be an example for such an important idea, thank you. Tell him about typewriters and correction fluid. That will overload him.
May 30, 2013 at 17:32
For sure! He’s just about passed out when we talk about “life before cable, internet, and video games”…amazing how the world has turned since the 1960’s…
May 30, 2013 at 17:33
Here’s one: “Son, used to be that all phones never moved from their place on the wall.” Brain bomb.
May 30, 2013 at 17:43
Got it! We keep a terribly hideous princess phone (football shaped, corded, but push-button, darn it) in case things go weird and EMP-ish so we can still make calls to phones no one can answer (I might have to write a story about such an occasion).
May 30, 2013 at 17:58
Awesome!
May 30, 2013 at 18:05
You know, the saddest part of your whole spiel isn’t the unrecognised excellence or the unpromoted expertise you possess, it’s the fact we’ve been at war for almost half your career. Yeah, I know dang well Army guys are supposed to fight, otherwise you make as much sense as a V-12 engine in a Prius. 😉 It’s a pity that the world can’t behave nicely. Then again, that would’ve meant you having a different career – and you as a game show host would be too much! 😀
Congratulations!
May 30, 2013 at 18:11
Good point, but it’s a war we have to see through.
May 30, 2013 at 20:04
Well, you’re the closest thing to a military expert I have available, so let me ask you – just why the heck DIDN’T we start rebuilding infrastructure sooner? (More so in Iraq, where there WAS something of an infrastructure – in A-stan, it was starting over from scratch, or whatever the Soviets left, whichever is lower…..)
I hope we close Afghanistan properly – I have nightmares about Chinooks hauling people off the roof of a building in Kabul while the Taliban drives through the city on a victory lap. (Yes, I know – I didn’t serve in ‘Nam, but I have bad dreams about it. Go fig.)
May 30, 2013 at 20:27
We won’t leave AFG properly because at the National/Strategic levels, our hearts simply weren’t in the effort. My opinion, for the record.
May 31, 2013 at 16:29
Happy Armyversary (see what I did there?) Here’s to many more good years—as long as you stay safe. And thank you for your service, sir.
May 31, 2013 at 16:54
I did see! Thank you, Weebs. You rock. And don’t ‘sir’ me.
May 31, 2013 at 17:02
“Don’t call me sir, I work for a living!”
May 31, 2013 at 17:29
Something like that, yes!
June 1, 2013 at 00:38
Congratulations on your anniversary! Now go back to bed.
June 1, 2013 at 00:47
Thank you, Peg. I’m headed there as I type.
June 1, 2013 at 08:26
Congratulations and thank you for your service. Without people like you wimps like me wouldn’t be in the places we are – and I for one want you to know that i know that and respect that.
June 1, 2013 at 11:14
Thank you, I know it, and I appreciate that.
June 1, 2013 at 08:57
Some days you just never forget….21 years – awesome!!
June 1, 2013 at 11:15
I have a lot of those days right now, but yeah, this is a mile marker.
June 2, 2013 at 20:54
It occurs to me that your army career can now walk into a store and buy booze all by itself now. It doesn’t need to take you along anymore.
June 2, 2013 at 22:35
Oh well fuck that. Career’s drinking, I’m drinking.
June 6, 2013 at 08:27
I have seen some armies and some wars … twenty-one years is a long time … a long time on duty. Respect is the word that comes to mind.
Take Care,
Daniela (of the Lantern Post)
June 6, 2013 at 08:58
I hope to visit the Balkans someday when things are more peaceful. They were lovely when I was there in spite of the situation.
June 6, 2013 at 17:17
Im glad you shared it, experinces that are important and never forgotten, should always be shared
June 6, 2013 at 18:21
You’re right, and thanks for the visit.
June 16, 2013 at 17:26
Rants surely you’re not that age 😉
Thank you for the moving and interesting piece. xxx
-ps: all monitors shorted out, only have Ipod. Forgive my late readings and comments
June 16, 2013 at 19:29
Sadly I am. Hope that issue is fixed soon… thank kinda sucks.
June 17, 2013 at 15:35
Take your amazing career, all of your friends, and especially your son. Shake us all up and stay around . I know the feeling of wanting the fucking pain to stop. And I’d lose my uber secret eastern boyfriend.
D’oh
June 17, 2013 at 15:54
I’m sticking around Rachael!
June 17, 2013 at 19:01
Bacon! Was afraid for the pork industry ;(
June 17, 2013 at 20:48
Bacon!