Changes and Opportunities

Wanted to wait for things to cool down the last couple days before writing this entry. The situation has caused emotions to run high among some of us, and I didn't want to be biased by strong feelings...OK, I also wanted to have a higher standard than Fox News. I figure as fast as rumors back home seem to start and spread that some information from here might help clear them up.

So here's the deal: In forming a security platoon the 1133 was tasked with providing an officer and Platoon Sergeant. For what-ever reasons Third Platoon of the 1133 (of which I was a member) had our Lieutenant and Platoon Sergeant pulled for that task. This left us without leadership, and almost half of our platoon had volunteered for the security platoon (NOTE TO MY PARENTS: I wasn't one of them). This left about half a platoon without leaders, and a number of slots in the other platoon of the 1133 as well as all three platoons of the 1168 short people. As would be expected, the remainder of Third Platoon was assigned to the different platoons of the two companies. Myself, I am now a member of Third Platoon, 1168 Trans Co. (for the deployment).

I'll be honest, at first I felt a little betrayed. Its no secret that I re-enlisted specifically to deploy with the 1133 who I view as family. To be assigned to the 1168 felt like a quick, solid kick to the groin. Being a "lifer", and with the years I have, I can still recall the days of the rivalry between the units.

I have sat back and watched the last few days and I have realized some things. To begin with, the 1168 is just as good of a company as the 1133. True, the two companies do things a bit different but that doesn't mean one is necessarily better than the other. The last few days have also given me the opportunity to see the 1133 from a perspective that I normally wouldn't have had, the "outside" so to speak. I also realized that for this deployment it really doesn't matter whether a soldier is 1133 or 1168 as we are all part of the bigger company, going to same place, doing the same job, and setting the same standard. As far as writing about what happens to the unit, that really hasn't changed either. Ever since our home station training at Camp Dodge we have all been doing the same training, just different days. Down here in Texas that still remains the same, and being overseas will continue to be as well...and let's face it, it is my blog about my experiences (just read the subtitle on top of the page).

Another delayed realization is that I now have the chance to get to know and make friends with other Iowa soldiers that I would not have had the chance to meet and get to know as well as I will be able to now. Just like the 1133, the members of the 1168 all have their unique stories and bring a mix of experiences and knowledge. This will give me the chance to introduce readers to even more people and help better share what the life of a soldier is about.

On a non-related closing note, the word going around the barracks right now is that Senator Obama has won the Presidential election. I'm not going to go into who I voted for, or how many of us supported which candidate. Instead I will just say that politics are above the concerns of a soldier. Our job is to follow the lawful orders of our leaders, and trust that they have the best interest of the nation and ourselves at heart. I would also like to point out however, that what-ever the results of the election it does NOT mean our unit will be home any sooner.

So in a nutshell, my platoon has changed, my military family has changed, and my "boss" has changed. Change...the only constant in the military ;)

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