Since I've been "in the field" all week and am suffering Facebook withdrawals, I hope all who read this post consider it my heartfelt thanks for the many birthday wishes I received today (I can read the posts on gmail).
"In the field" is a phrase only Soldiers truly understand. When Soldiers go on field exercises, we often work 20-hour days, go long periods without showers, eat food we wouldn't feed our dogs, and are lulled to sleep by the drone of a diesel generator. It is not camping -- we train for war. And we love it.
I have often commented in recent years that no matter how miserable, cold, wet, dirty, and tired I am on a field exercise, it still beats the best day in the office. Why? Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, but doing what I do -- leading the Soldiers who run tactical networks -- is what I love.
It's been said that soldiers aren't happy unless they're bitching. After watching the brutal conditions in the battle of the bulge scenes in the "Band of Brothers" series last weekend, I vowed to never complain about going to the field again.
Last year on my 41st birthday, I was in Germany on Army business -- hobnobbing with officers from France and Poland, drinking German beer and sipping real champagne. This week was a far cry from that, but memorable nonetheless.
Because I'm moving on this summer, this will be my last "field exercise" for a very long time -- and if my Army career continues how I hope, probably forever. I can honestly say this rocket artillery unit is one of the best units I have ever been in, and I hope my next job is as rewarding.
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