The Engine Spins Up

In a matter of weeks moved on to step #8 of my journey to Afghanistan. I received my official invite to attend Selection Training in Virginia next month. It's 10 days straight of training and evaluation by the company. Along the way there will be pass/fail things that could get me sent home before the ten days is up. We'll do a PT test, some shooting, some tactical driving, and lots of classroom time. I'm excited to go since it will serve as a getaway for me too that someone else is going to pay for. I've still got lots to do though, both professionally and personally, before I can be cleared and ready to go. It's a bit overwhelming.

I am staying with Rita for the week since bringing the baby over for a visit with his grandmas. She reminded me when we were having a chit-chat the other night that I came home from Iraq with a goal in mind. It wasn't to party as hard as I could, or date as many women as humanly possible either. She reminded me that I came home a new man...a different person than the one who had left home in 2007. It took me off guard a bit because after all...she's my X-wife, and any criticism from her will always garner a step-back response first. But I realized that she was right on the money. (I will thank for being honest with me before I leave.) I made a committment to myself to write also.

-JF