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.