Day 79
I’m sitting here waiting for another session of GMT (General Military Training). This is an interesting Navy concept. You are forced to sit through ill prepared presentations presented by people who are not entirely prepared to give the ill prepared presentation. None of this is really the fault of the presenter. In most cases, this poor guys get told the evening before that they have been chosen for this month’s GMT. Now, these presentations are usually such that they would put an insomniac who hasn’t slept in years into a sound sleep to rival that of a just fed baby riding in a car seat. This being the Navy however, falling asleep during GMT is a criminal offense. It is little mystery why career sailors love their coffee. We’d never make it without some kind of chemical assistance.
I had occasion to go aboard the HMAS Stuart recently. An awesome ship and crew. The ship is clean and impressive from forecastle to fantail. But what really makes her is the ship’s crew. I don’t know that I’ve ever met a friendlier group of people. The primary point of excellent on board this vessel was the food. I was truly amazed. I’ve gone back to restaruants that served food that wasn’t this good. It was really good stuff. Lots of choices at every meal and all of it very good. If this is an typical example of how the Australian Navy treats its service members, it should be the example for the world’s navies to follow.
I know I have a lot of readers who have family members serving here at Camp Spearhead. Many of them read my blog because it helps them to feel connected to their loved ones reading about my experiences here. I’ve heard from several of them. I’ve written posts about a few folks who have asked me to help connect them with their loved one through a hello or whatever. This has been an unforeseen and welcome aspect of keeping a weblog of my experiences in Kuwait. I really enjoy meeting the people who are making Operation Iraqi Freedom happen. Also, I strongly believe that the real heros of this or any war are the families of those who serve. I am pretty excited by the opportunity to provide something back to those families.
I’ve posed the question before in previous entries. Why do we choose to serve? My wife tells me that my son understands that someone needs to come over here and help the Iraqis become free. What he doesn’t understand is why it has to be his daddy. I wish I had an answer that he could understand. Truth is, I don’t even have an answer that I really understand. I’ve said all this before but it’s a reoccurring thought for me. So, it ends up in here on a reoccurring basis. I guess I struggle sometimes with why I left my family to come out here. I think all of us wonder about it at one point or another.
aloha
I see your prospective. But… mine is different. I was suppose to be there and I am home doing my normal routine as if I hadn’t been activated. But, my depression is knowing that I had an opportunity to serve my time as a reserve in a foreign country and be able to tell the tales. I envy you and all our shipmates.
Even though times are tough and you miss your family, sometimes being away and doing something to be proud of and knowing that you will be home soon would be more gratifying. I feel that I have broken my path that I was suppose to take. So even though it feels like your confused, Please be proud of yourself that you made part of history. My hats off to you and all our shipmates out there!