Normalicy. What exactly defines "normal"? If I work for an entire year in Iraq under constant strain and duress, burning hot temperatures and never seeing my family, is that normal? Do circumstances and situational conditions change the definition of normalicy? Who says what normal is? Do people change who they are under special conditions? If they travel, are they a different person because traveling brings out excitement and adventure? When they go back home from their travels, to the 'norm', do they somehow transform back to someone they were before they left?
Normalicy. The topic of this blog. For me, I'm back into what I have decided is normal for me at this point in my life, living in the desert and working for Uncle Sam by conducting security operations throughout Iraq. I took over as the Executive Officer of the 1168th Gun Truck Company a short time ago and recently came off
mission running up to Joint Base Balad (JBB, about 100miles north of Baghdad) , Iraq where I was able to visit a few friends stationed up there before turning back South to make our way back through the muck (this mission alone - 1052miles in 7days...dont ever complain about it taking a long time to drive somewhere!! I used to drive from MN to WA in 17hours, that was 1300miles). From here on out, security operations is my job, going out on missions with my Soldiers is my job. How can I be a good leader if I tell my Soldiers to do something I wouldn't do? Tell them to go out on the most dangerous roads in the World to keep other Soldiers driving less mobile, almost defenseless vehicles safe and sit at my desk in an air conditioned building? An effective leader is one who is shoulder to shoulder with his troops, in the 'shit' if you will, and when you all get out of it, days, maybe weeks later, you hear through the grapevine; "Did you see the LT? He was as fucked up as I was" or "SGT So-and-So, can we take the LT out again?" Or "Shit LT, that was fucking awesome!" Or just today from my acting First Sergeant; "LT, I know you and I are both new to this job and even though you outrank me and could do whatever you want, I commend you on sitting back to see how we operate. You could easily have jumped in and made it difficult but I really think you've done what I think is the best way when taking charge of a new unit." This is my "norm" until my return Stateside.A short time ago I heard that I somehow intimidated a few guys at UPenn because of what I do out here...I won't name names as to who told me, Elizabeth, so I had her tell them what I keep telling other people who realize exactly what I, alongside hundreds of thousands of other Soldiers, do everyday...with the time taken away from my life, my family, my friends, living outside of my home country, constantly on the move from Forward Operating Base to Forward Operating Base each day under the constant threat of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), SAF (Small Arms Fire) and any other attack we may come under...I told her to tell them what I tell everyone who has thanked me...I'm just doing my job. I'm doing what is normal for me. When I do make it home, there will be no parade, no marching band and I wouldn't want one regardless. Why? Because from where I sit, I have done nothing more than what is expected of me, nothing less than what I would expect my Soldiers to do.
So to those UPenn guys, thanks for the ego boost but this is my job, nothing more...we'll meet soon I'm sure but until then, I'll be here.
PS The mercury hit 107 by 10am yesterday....high was 119. Getting warmer....
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