Onward...

For some reason this was never published in August: 


After two years in the Rakkasans, and 18 months as commander of Alpha Company, 626th Brigade Support Battalion (nine of which were in combat), it is time to move on.  Yesterday, I relinquished command of Alpha, and am about to move to my next assignment.  It is hard to put into words how it feels to pass on the mantle and burden of command to another after so long.  I was able to at least try to in my Change of Command speech.  Below is the text:

COL Vowell, CSM Barteky, LTC Downie, CSM Greene, distinguished guests, friends, and families of the Rakkasans, thank you for coming to today’s ceremony.  I want to start off by giving thanks and praise to God for blessing me not only through my command tour, but every day.  I also want to thank COL Lillibridge and LTC Crist for the honor of commanding a company in this storied regiment, and for the privilege of being part of the rich 95 year history of 626^th.  I am truly humbled to have had this experience.  Too often, changes of command are conducted and the focus is on the commander.  Today, I want the focus first and foremost to be where I believe it belongs:  the Soldiers represented on the field before us.  For the 18 months I have served as American 6, we asked a lot of these Soldiers, and they have not let us down.  Whether it was purifying water in the February cold, executing countless mission requests to move containers and deploy the brigade, spearheading the brigade’s retrograde effort in Afghanistan and moving out 80% of the equipment from AO Rakkasan, or crossing the icy mountains of the KG Pass in the winter (though pushing a trailer off the mountain in the process), I’ve seen the best these young men and women have to offer.  And for that, I say “thank you Alpha Company.”

During my tenure, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a talented group of officers and NCOs.  As a commander, many times you only have time to give a leader a task and purpose, and hope they can turn out the results you’re looking for.  Consistently, the officers and NCOs of Alpha Company did just that, and more.  I want to thank you all for your dedication, your loyalty, and your candor.  Your and desire to excel and openness to share new ideas and ways of operating helped make this company work.  To my LTs, thank you for your willingness to learn and stay engaged.  Despite my oftentimes hare-brained ideas for how to do things, and the unrealistic expectations and deadlines I’d generally give you, you always produced great results.  I’m proud to have had the opportunity to serve as your commander, and I look forward to seeing the great futures you all have ahead of you.   No unit can be successful without a solid NCO Corps.  Alpha Company truly has a solid backbone, and the NCOs I’ve had the chance to work with over the last 18 months exemplify that.  You’ve pushed your Soldiers as 1SG and I have pushed you, and you’ve always upheld the standards we’ve expected.  Thank you for your loyalty, your dedication to excellence, and for taking care of the Soldiers and Families of Alpha Company.

Growing up as a young officer, I’ve always been amazed at the relationship between a commander and 1SG.  Until I came to 626^th however, I never truly knew just how special it could be.  Since June 2011 when I assumed the duties as Assurgam 3, I’ve the the distinct privilege of working with one of the finest Non-Commissioned Officers I’ve come across in my combined 12 years  of service in the Army.  When I was told in the Fall of 2011 that I’d be taking command and 1SG Clark was moving out to be the Rear Detachment SGM, I told LTC Crist there was only one NCO I wanted to be my First Sergeant.  Thank God I got my wish.  1SG Yolanda Joseph is a leader who truly cares about her Soldiers.  She never coddles them, enforces one standard (the Army standard), and is always trying to make everyone around her better. Our leadership styles complement each other well, and 99.9 time out of 100 if I came to her with something I want to do or a direction I wanted to go with the Company, she already had the wheels in motion.  1SG, I thank you for being a battle buddy, a sounding board, a wise counsel, and a friend (and for keeping me sane and out of trouble!).  We can be proud of what we accomplished together.  We set out to deploy and bring all our Soldiers home safe, and we did. 

Lastly, I want to thank my family.   I’d be remiss to close this speech without thanking my parents, who made me who I am today.  My Dad was here at Fort Campbell in January 2012 to see me take the guidon, but was taken home too soon.  He truly loved this Nation and our military, and I know he’s watching down today with pride.  And of course, to my wife Melissa and daughter Caitlyn, thank you.  Thank you for going willingly wherever my crazy aspirations take us.  Thank you for standing steadfast through the last 18 months.  Without question, without condition, Melissa has been by my side, my biggest cheerleader, and the strongest supporter of Alpha Company and of 626^th.  I’ll never forget when I mistakenly referred to Alpha as “my Soldiers,” and you corrected me, reminding me they’re “our Soldiers.”  That’s just the type of selfless, caring Army wife you are.  You truly love our service to the Nation and to our Soldiers.  I couldn’t ask for a better partner through this adventure.  Through all the late nights, missed dinners, missed holidays, birthdays, recitals, bedtimes, and countless other events, you and Caitlyn always welcome me home with open arms, hugs, and smiles.  Thank you both for your unending and unconditional love and support.

To Brice, you’re taking command today of a great company.  I hope I’ve left it a little better than it was when I took command, and I wish nothing but the utmost success for you during your time as American 6.  

As it says in the Gospel of Luke, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”  I can only hope that I lived up to what was asked of me. 

ASSURGAM!  RAKKASAN!  AIR ASSAULT!  This is American 6 signing off the net.

For Veteran's Day

They were at Bunker Hill, Antietam, The Marne, Bastogne, Normandy, Inchon, the Ia Drang Valley, Baghdad, Fallujah, the Shahikot Valley. They heeded the call, whenever needed, and
unflinchingly performed their duty time and again. For hours, days, weeks, and months on end, they marched through unfamiliar and
unfriendly territories with little food or sleep and the ever-present danger that the next step may be their last. Away from family, friends, and the comforts of home they stood their watch, faced their enemies, and protected the people, the way of life, and the Constitution of this United States. For nearly 250 years, our Veterans have stood in the gap to ensure our Nation
remains strong.

To me, there is no greater calling than to volunteer to serve in the greatest fighting force on
the face of the Earth. Regardless of reason, be it patriotism, benefits, adrenaline, or no other options, the men and women of our Armed Forces raise their hand and take a solemn oath to
support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Whether someone serves 20+ years and retires, or serves four and returns to civilian life, he or she makes a sacrifice to this
Nation of ours. Many young men and women sacrifice their youth, forgoing parties, hang-outs, and friendships to leave for Basic Training and learn the science of warfare. Or they decide the normal college experience is not for them, and instead go off to one of our service academies and
experience the regimented life of a cadet or midshipman while learning the art of leadership. Our Military personnel experience things as young men and women that many cannot comprehend, becoming mentally and emotionally well beyond their years. These days, many will leave home to go off to a remote mountain outpost, spending upwards of a year dodging roadside bombs,
rocket attacks, and sniper fire. Sadly, many may not return, or may come home broken physically, mentally, and emotionally.

In a challenging political and economic climate, we must not forget the promise made by our military, “This We’ll Defend.” With this promise is a certain level of reciprocation. This Veteran’s Day regardless of your political affiliation, I encourage you to ensure your representatives
in Washington understand the gravity of their partisan wrangling. Too many programs that support our current, former, and retired military personnel are hanging in the fiscal balance. It’s one thing to say to a Soldier, “Thank you for your service.” Our Nation must also back up the statement.

Once More Into the Breach

I'll start with my usual rambling about my running addiction. Today, I ran the Go Commando Half Marathon in Clarksville, TN. While many of the intricacies of the better races located in big cities were absent (ie: big, extravagent race expo, mile markers where they are supposed to be, extensive crowd support, etc), the course was absolutely great. This was heralded by the race website and organizers as a fast, flat course. My reconnaissance of the route the day prior led me to believe however, that this was going to be a race to simply complete, and I held no hopes of anything more. Boy was I wrong.

I ran the Commando with my longtime friend and former college classmate Marcus. This was his first official race, as he recently got into distance running after hearing my stories and addiction to racing. We trained together for the most part, and did several 13.1 mile training runs in preparation. All that training paid off, and despite the four mile stretch of hills and valleys in the middle of the course, I landed a personal best for the half marathon of 1:40:06, and Marcus came in 36 seconds ahead of me. It was a great run.

Beyond the great course and PR I set, it was another chance to get out and work for our wounded veterans. While at the race expo, we signed up to serve on Team Red White and Blue. Team RWB is a non-profit that works with our wounded to assist in their integration into normal life after suffering injuries in combat. One of the members of our team ran the race in a gas mask, setting a Guinness record for that feat. Running in the Team RWB t-shirt and working with the team was a huge motivator. It's also great to know we can do something, small as it may be, to help someone injured in Iraq or Afghanistan settle into normal life again.

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/stevenfoster/stevenrunsforourwarriors

Back to the Drawing Board

So much has occurred in our lives since the last time I posted on this blog. I promise to get back to more regular writing for the one person that actually reads this. Career-wise, I have now proceeded on from my training at Fort Lee, and am now assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY. I am assigned to the most deployed brigade in the United States Army, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, the Rakkasans. This is a unit steeped in history, and let me tell you, they make sure you know that. It is, however, a great place to be and I am proud to be amongst the ranks of the Rakkasans.

We have moved back to small-town America as part of this move. I have to say, I actually really enjoy being back in a small town. Hopkinsville, and the neighborhood we live in, is straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. We have moved into a home built in the early-1900's, and are absolutely in love with where we live. Caitlyn and Melissa play in the yard every day, we have neighbors we hang out with all the time, a church home, and life couldn't be any sweeter right now.

Shifting gears, I am back in my training routine again, and building up for my next race. Prior to leaving Virginia, I ran in the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon in Fredericksburg, VA, and finished in about 1:54. It was another great race and great experience running in a historic city. After that, I PR'd the 5K distance on a flat course near my hometown in Arkansas, and that ended my Spring racing season. Now, I'm back on the horse and running as fast as ever. I recently ran a two-miler in 14:35 (in pants mind you), and had a 13.1 mile training run come in at 1:54. I'm hoping to shave about 8 minutes off that time come race day in 5 weeks. Fall racing season looks like two half-marathons and a 5K, and in the Spring I've already signed up for a full marathon, the Little Rock Marathon on March 4th. It's all about the finisher's medal for that race. But seriously, all my running keeps things in perspective for me, because I'm still running to raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project. That charity is very near and dear to my heart, knowing that this time next year I'll be leading America's sons and daughters into combat in Afghanistan. God forbid I, or any of my Soldiers, become wounded and need the support of WWP, but if it happens it's nice to know they have support. http://www.wwpproudsupporter.kintera.org/stevenfoster

I Ran, I Ran So Far Away

Homage to Flock of Seagulls aside, on March 26, 2011, I participated in and completed the SunTrust National Marathon in Washington, DC.  This was my first full marathon, and I venture to guess at this point that it won't be my last (much to the chagrin of my wife).  I started training for this race shortly after my McDonald's Half-Marathon PR in November, and my training was as up and down as the marathon race course.  Given the extremely hectic schedule I've maintained over the past few months, I was pretty concerned going into the race, and had adjusted my goals from coming in under four hours for this race, to just being able to cross the finish line in the vertical position.  It was a constant struggle to find adequate time to put into training through most of January and February, as work obligations and poor weather kept me sidelined quite often.  I managed to get in several good long runs, but the key speedwork and shorter maintenance runs during the week left me rusty going into every weekend.  Nonetheless, I got in a couple of decent 19 milers, and my last long run was a solid three hours non-stop, so I felt confident I'd finish the 26.2 one way or another.

We drove up to DC the Friday before the race, accompanied my my in-laws, which was a great addition to my support team.  It was a stressful trip up, and I managed to get to the Expo for packet pickup with just less than an hour to spare.  Because the DC Transit Authority deemed it unnecessary to open the Metro early on Saturday, I was concerned about getting to the start line on time, but thankfully our hotel was running a shuttle to the race, five dollars well spent.  They also offered runner-friendly sack breakfasts to pick up on the way (bagel, OJ, banana, peanut butter, etc), another five dollars well spent.  The last thing you want to worry about is how you're going to fuel yourself from a hotel room.  That bag combined with a Clif bar meant I'd make it to the start with a full tank. 

It was an unseasonably cold (for late March) morning that day, and I opted to go out there overdressed and take advantage of the bag check option (which I normally try to avoid the hassle).  Thankfully they had the Armory near the start line open to hang out inside, so I did in order to take advantage of the warmth and abundant pre-race toilet options.  Just before 7am, I checked my bag and coat, headed out into the fray. 

Like all other big races, it started out in a mob, which I am thankful for because it prevented me from taking off too fast.  I'm thankful for that, especially as I recount miles 22-26.  Two reasons I picked DC for my first marathon:  the scenery, and iPods were allowed on the course (the Shamrock in VA Beach the previous weekend didn't allow them).  We left RFK Stadium and headed west toward the Mall.  It was a great morning for a run, 35 degrees and sunny.  We passed the Capitol, the Washington Memorial, the White House, and all the other great sites in central DC.  Keeping things realistic, I rocked a pretty easy pace through the first 10K, crossing at just about 1:00.  There was great crowd support along the way, but none better than when we ran through Howard University.  The students were out in force, and it was a great morale booster.  Even better, about two miles after that, I saw five familiar faces along the side of the road, as Melissa, Caitlyn, Roger, Pat, and Laura were there to cheer me along.  It was great to see they made it out.

I hit the 13.1 split at just over 2:00, and was feeling pretty decent.  This was a quite manageable pace for me, as I'd run the half marathon at over 1.5 minutes per mile faster than that, but I knew I had to do it all over again, so I kept the same shuffle going.  I got a text from a friend saying he was camped out at mile 19, so I knew I'd see another familiar face soon.  With the second passing of the Capitol and all the monuments behind me, I prepared myself for the barren lands along the Anacosita River that were to come.  I'd read the support was thin along that stage of the course, so I was dreading it.  There were some great sights to see along the way, as we passed Nationals Park, Fort Myer, and the shipyards along the way.  I ran into my good friend Gary at about 20 miles, and it was great to see a friendly face, as I was starting to feel the effects of what was becoming the longest run I'd ever run in my life.  I'd done a pretty good job of feuling along the way, but there were a lot of miles and hours on my body, and they were ready to attack. 

At mile 21, Gary had run ahead to meet me again, and I'm glad he did.  My body was in full revolt, as I had little gas left in the tank.  I had earlier told Gary I was starving, and it became his personal mission to help.  He showed up with what would become the best tasting apple I'd ever eaten.  That refueled me like you'd never believe, and I kept moving along.  Shortly after, I saw the family again at about 22 miles, and my motivation and mood spiked again, but my legs didn't want to play along.  Cramps were setting in hard, to the point each mile became .25 walking, .75 running.  I wasn't going to stop.  I kept pushing, and managed to get a lot of the lactic acid out of my legs, just in time for the day's biggest hill at 24 miles.  I knew if I could crest this one, it was in the bag.  I pushed myself over the top with the help of a couple of funny signs and a friendly DCPD officer cheering me on, and settled in for the last mile and a half.  I saw another friend and classmate at 25 miles, and I knew I was almost there.  I crossed the river one more time, tackled a headwind full on, and found the finish line.  After 4 hours, 26 minutes, 32 seconds of running to hell and back, I became a marathoner.

All In All We're Just Another Brick

Yesterday, I embarked upon a quest to again set a personal record for distance running.  I plotted out and departed for what I planned to be a 20-mile run.  I had a relatively easy and familiar course plotted, prepped, ate, hydrated, and dressed accordingly.  I told myself that if I finished 20 in 3 hours or so I'd be quite happy.  The first few miles clicked away with relative ease.  I was maintaining about an 8:30 pace average through the first 12-13 miles, and thought for sure I'd meet my goal time and distance.  By 15, I was slowing, but expected that and figured I'd be good to go if I backed off the pace and rode it in to the end.  Toward 17 miles or so, I was coming up on the last hill of my course, and it was a doozy.  I crested it, but not without backing off to near walking pace, and the cramps were making their way in.  I shuffled the downhill portion of this hill, and settled in for the last couple of miles.  By 18, things were tightening up.  I was sure I'd finish the course, then at about 18.75, my body begain to revolt.  This is "The Wall" that so many runners talk about.  I'd heard the stories, and thought for sure this morning I'd be able to cross 20 miles without experiencing its effects.  Not so much, I found it, and hit it hard.  My glycogen stores were depleted, my water and Powerade were gone, I'd ate all the Gu I brought, and just couldn't go any further.  However, I still finished 18.90 miles in 2:51 (a 9:03 pace), so I still feel good about this long run.  I can also attest to the benefits of the ice bath.  I think I'm a believer!

What A Difference A Year Makes

So, here's a summary of the progress I've made in running from the beginning of 2010 to today:
Weight:
Beginning:  218
End:  198

1 Mile:
Beginning:  9:30ish
End:  6:58

Army Physical Fitness Test 2 mile Run:
Beginning:  no test
End:  13:58

5K:
Beginning:  27:00 (and some change)
End:  22:00 (and some change)

10K:
Beginning:  1:00ish
End:  47:19 (ran that yesterday)

Half-Marathon:
Beginning:  2:13:28 (ran on 2/14/10)
End:  1:48:02 (ran on 11/13/10)

Average Training Run:
Beginning:  3 miles
End:  6-7 miles

Weekly Long Run:
Beginning:  6-7 miles
End:  16 miles

2011 Goals:
1 mile:  6:00
Army Physical Fitness Test 2mi Run:  13:30
5K:  sub-21:00
10K:  sub-45:00
Half-Marathon:  1:40
Marathon:  Complete (goal is sub-4:00 for first one)

Happy New Year

I've been looking back on all the changes 2010 brought us, and I'm thankful for them, though some brought struggle and difficult farewells.  My wife and I have both parted ways with our old careers, and I'm grateful that I'm able to serve our great nation again, and she's able to be the Mom to our daughter they both want.  It was very hard for us to say goodbye to Texas, we established a home and family there, and made friends that we know will be our friends forever.  Leaving such a life is never easy.  I look forward to the new adventures we have begun, and will continue to embark upon as we enter 2011. 

I'm back. Back in the Saddle Again

I decided to take this week a bit easy with running, as I had my record Army Physical Fitness Test for my course this Thursday.  That said, I did not run between last weekend's long run of 13.1 miles and Thursday morning.  That morning was extremely cold, and we did the first two events of the test (a 2 minute set of push-ups and a two minute set of sit-ups) indoors.  After a paltry 47 push-ups (rhythm thrown off by the grader's requests to "lock out " my arms when I clearly was) I rocked out 79 sit-ups.  I nearly got the maximum score in that event.  After the first two events, we get a ten minute break prior to the run.  By that time, the sun was starting to come up, but it was still only about 20-25 degrees outside.  I opted to go ahead and go with shorts, long-sleeves, and just a beanie and gloves in order to keep the weight down.  In retrospect, I am glad I did, despite temperature.  I've always felt that I run much better in colder weather, being quite warm-natured, and I actually was sweating quite a bit at the end.  There are about 120 people in my class, so the start line was a bit crowded, as we did the run on one of the streets of Fort Lee.  I positioned myself toward the back of the pack, because I really wasn't expecting to kill the run.  They started off, and I settled into a nice stride, thinking I was pulling about an 8-minute pace.  My breath control was good that morning, and I began to pass several of my classmates.  About half a mile in, I'm finding myself easing closer and closer to the front of the pack, and my stride is lengthening out, and the lungs feel good.  As I get to the one mile turnaround point, I hear the time keeper, "7 minutes!"   I hit the turnaround at 7:04, so I had no doubt at this point I'd finish in probably 15 minutes or slightly less.  BUT, the last mile is slightly downhill.  I decided to try to pick up the pace, as my breath control is still good.  I pass a few more classmates that were pushing toward the front.  I hit 1.5 miles in just about 10 minutes, feeling good.  The last .25, I get passed as some who reserved their energy throughout decide to sprint out the last portion.  I'm OK with that, I like to maintain a steady pace.  Once I'm within about 100m of the finish, I hear the timekeeper "13:45!"  I stretch just a bit, and cross at 13:58, over a full minute faster than my goal.  I haven't run the two-mile portion of the PT test that fast since I was in college, so I'm very pleased with that pace.  I may just have to sign up for a holiday 5K just to see if I can PR that distance. 

After taking Friday off to stretch out from Thursday's "speedwork," I ventured out for my weekly long run on Saturday morning.  Another cold Virginia morning, it was about 35 degrees when I laced up to go hit the road.  Given that I didn't log very many miles this week, I kept my expectations kind of low for how long I was going to go.  That all stopped when I finally got going, because I realized quickly my legs and lungs felt GREAT.  I hovered around an 8:00 to 8:15 mile pace through the first 5K, and said, "you know what, let's see if we can add a couple of miles to the plan today."  Last week I logged 13, I put 15 miles in my crosshairs for this week.  By the time I crossed the 10K point, I ate a gel, drank some water, and was feeling strong.  I think I laced my shoes a bit tight that morning, because the top of my right foot was hurting, but just enough to be a nuisance.  I hit 7 miles in less than an hour, a personal best.  I hit 10 miles in about 1:23, another personal best.  At 11 miles, I threw my last gel packet down, and stretched out the stride.  After crossing the half-marathon point at just 30 seconds slower than my personal best (which came at the Richmond McDonald's Half-Marathon), I knew this 15 miler was in the bag.  All I had was one more killer hill to traverse.  I plugged in a favorite power song on the iPhone, and began my ascent.  The legs were burning, the lungs were screaming, but I kept going.  After that hill was behind me, I finished off my water, caught my breath, and eased in for the last mile.  I finished in 2:04:49, a full five minutes faster than I told myself I'd be happy with.  This was the farthest I'd ever ran, and just another step toward my goal of 26.2 miles in March.  I'm a little sore today, but I feel great, I feel strong, and I feel more determined and able to meet my goal of a sub-4:00 marathon by the time my training is done.

Goings on and such

Once again, I'm being quite delinquent in regularly posting to my blog, but my commitment to improve on that has not ceased.  Regardless, things are still moving along at a furied pace in our lives, as the dust from our move to Virginia has finally settled, and I am getting ready to start my course tomorrow.  I'm doing all I can to get brushed up on the new Army doctrine I have to become proficient in, and let me tell you:  IT'S NOT FUN.  That shit is just SO DAMN BORING.  OK, it's not really boring, it's just very cumbersome and difficult to pore through, especially when you're as ADHD as I am (hey, look a squirrel!).  So, for the next six months my life is going to be consumed by Field Manuals, Training Circulars, Army Regulations, etc, etc, etc.  I've also registered to take another MBA course starting in January.  Good times.

On top of my military and civilian education, my commitment to running has grown stronger.  Having recently completed the McDonald's (ironic sponsor, I know) Half Marathon in Richmond with a personal best of 1:48:02, I have a newfound strength and confidence in my running abilities.  I registered for the SunTrust National Marathon in Washington, DC, and will spend the next few months preparing for it.  I'm extremely excited to be able to run my first marathon, especially through a city rich in history and scenery as Washington, DC.  My training is just kicking off, and yesterday I ran my final run of the week, 13.1 miles, bringing me to a 32 mile week.  That is the most in one week I've ran since I started.  So far, I'm feeling good about where things are going.  I'm in the best shape of my life, I'm back to the weight I was when I was a senior in college, and I'm finally back in my career of choice.  Life is good my friends, life is good.  Best wishes to all as the holiday season really gets going, stay sane, keep the stress down, and stop and enjoy the scenery sometimes.  That's my life philosophy, that's my running philosophy, and it works (and it's not copyrighted).

Why I Run

So, in light of beginning my marathon training schedule today in preparation for the SunTrust National Marathon in Washington, DC, March, 26 2011, I’ve been trying to rationalize this crazy new addiction to running I have.  I’ve come up with a few reasons:

1.       I have quite the affinity for technical fabric.

2.       It gives me a non-perverted excuse to rub petroleum jelly on my nipples and bum.

3.       “Carb loading” as an excuse to eat excessive amounts of pasta.

4.       My toenails have lived their life, and now just need to move along.

5.       Finisher’s medals.  Enough said.

6.       Perpetual playlist perfection.

7.       Justification for a guy to have a shoe fetish.

8.       Post-race meal:  whatever the hell I want.  After I’ve been running for hours on end, who the hell are you to judge the fact that I’m eating 147 cajun spiced chicken wings and drinking 147 ounces of beer?  What did you do that Sunday morning? Oh yeah, slept till 10am.

9.       The quiet nobility of blisters.

10.   Restoration of the metabolism I had as a teenager.

11.   Race spectators.  Seriously, the people that come out to stand on the side of the road for a marathon or half-marathon are just amazing.  And some of them give out beer.

12.   Gizmos:  iPhone apps, GPS watches, noise-cancelling headphones, oh my!

13.   My legs look great in those tiny shorts.

14.   Small packets of gel loaded with carbs and caffeine.

15.   The 30 pounds, two inches in my waist, and 6 body fat percentage points I lost, and have no intention of ever recovering.

16.   Gawking at all the newest stuff at the race expo.

17.   The much talked about “runner’s high.”  Yeah, it exists.

18.   Icing down.  Is it wrong that I enjoy it?

19.   “I wanna go fast!”

20.   And finally, and seriously, I’ve seen many times what a lifetime of bad habits such as smoking, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyle can do and the havoc they can wreak on someone’s body.  I’ve seen the pain a person can feel watching their loved one waste away, damned to live the rest of their life tethered to an oxygen machine because their lungs are wrecked, or to a bed because they’re too obese to move .  I don’t want that life for me, or to have my family live on the other side of that story.  I want to set an example to my daughter of how an active lifestyle can extend your life and vitality.  That, and get some more finisher’s medals and cool t-shirts.

Veteran's Day Tribute to Army Spouses

On Veterans Day, let's not forget those service members may have husbands or wives who serve alongside them through it all.  I always thought this was super funny, I can't take credit for it: 
Army Wedding Vows

Dear family and friends, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and the Department of the Army, to witness this exchange of vows, and see the love that these two dedicated, loving people have for one another.

"Wilt thou, __________, take ___________ (who will now be referred to as the"dependent"), as your family member, to dwell together in so far as the Department of the Army will permit?" "Wilt thou love her, comfort her, via the postal service or over the phone, make sure she knows where the commissary, PX, and church are, and what time she is scheduled to use the laundry room the day she arrives, wherever you are stationed?"

"Wilt thou attempt to tell her more than 24 hours in advance that you will be leaving for two weeks, beginning the next morning?" This especially applies to the years you will live in a foreign country!

"Wilt thou ____________ , take this soldier as thy wedded husband, knowing that he is depending upon you to be the perfect (well almost) Army wife, running the household as you see fit, and being nice to the commander's wife?" Furthermore, you understand that your life with your husband (little that you may have together) will not be normal, that you may have to explain to your children, not once, but twice, and more often in the same day, that mothers do have husbands, and that children do have daddy's, and that the picture of the man on the refrigerator is not the milkman, but the same individual who tucks them in at 2200 hours, long after they are asleep. This soldier is their daddy, who loves them very, very much.

"Wilt thou love, respect and wait for him, preparing his favorite cookies and pictures of yourself and the kids, so he can remember what you look like?" And last but not least, put on the outside of your door his "Welcome home" sign when he's due to arrive?"

"I, ____, take thee ____, as my independent wife, from 1900 to 2200 hours or as long as allowed by my Commanding Officer (subject to change without notice), for better or worse, earlier or later, near or far, and I promise to look at the pictures you send me, maybe not when they get to me in the field, but before I turn the lights out. I will also send a letter, if time permits, and if not, to somehow, some way, make the time."

"I, _________, take thee _________ as my live-in/live-out husband, realizing that your comings and goings and 0330 staff meetings are normal (although absurd to me) and part of your life as a soldier. I promise not to be shocked or taken by surprise when you inform me that, although we've just arrived at our new duty station, we will be leaving within the month. Yes, I'll have you as my husband as long as while your are away, my allotment comes through regularly, and that you leave me a current power of attorney and the checkbook at all times. I am a famil y member and proud of it, dependent upon myself and my resources. Although I miss you when you are away, I know I can handle whatever comes across my path."

"Now then, let no man or woman put us under what God and the Department of the Army have brought together. The Army hereby issues you this lovely, dedicated, independent woman, knowing that she'll be an asset not only to your marriage, but also to the mission of the United States Army, which is, as you all know, to remain in a state of "Readiness." By the authority vested in the Bible, elaborated in the regulation and subject to current directives concerning the aspects of marriage in the Army, you are now a Soldier with a Family Member. Best Wishes and good Luck."

Veteran's Day 2011

So, again, I must begin a new blog with the disclaimer that I have neglected my literary and artistic callings for an extended period  of time.  Provided there is someone out there that is misguided enough to actually enjoy reading my delusional musings, I sincerely apologize for my apathetic state over the past 8 weeks.  However, the past couple of months have once again swept me away in a wave of fast-paced life change, as I am now in a different time zone and living in what could be considered the "womb" of America, where our nation was conceived in liberty, grew, and began to develop into the nation it now is.  That is, I'm in Virginia. 

Speaking of  America, Liberty, Freedom, all that schtuff, I'd like to say that, for the first time since 2005, I'm not a "veteran" per se, anymore.  I'm officially back in the uniform of the United States Army as a Regular Army officer once more.  After a year of hard work, paperwork, fighting, kicking, screaming, pissing off very high ranking officers, making other high ranking officers happy, and all in all placating the system as a whole, I finally got back in for good.  I've realized over the past few years, whilst living in and dealing with the utopia that others live in called "civilian life," that that's just not for me, and that I've been happier in the past five months back on Active Duty than I have been in the past five years since I left.  On October 20, I once again raised my right hand and took that solemn oath that "having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States in the grade of Captain, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic."

That said, on Thursday our nation will observe Veteran's Day.  For many, this is just another day that you have to deal with banks and post offices being closed, and if you live in a city that is a capital, then maybe you'll have less traffic on your way to work.  Well, take a minute to remember the reason you won't get mail  or be able to deposit a check.  There are hundreds of thousands of men and women that at one point  raised their right hand to swear to support and defend the Constitution as well.  Regardless of the reasoning behind their taking of that oath, be it college money, patriotic calling, unemployment, or just no other options, let us not forget the fact they took that oath and offered themselves up to the nation to serve and possibly die for our way of life and all we hold dear.  Many of these men and women have served multiple occasions away from family, friends, home, and all the comforts contained therein, and have returned changed mentally, physically, and emotionally.  Our country asks a lot of its military, and just because someone doesn't serve 20+ years in uniform doesn't mean they didn't pay the price for freedom, and return their debt to the nation with interest.  For that, we remember this Veteran's Day.  God bless you all, God bless America, and God bless our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. 

Goodbye Summer...sort of...???

Hell I know it's been a while since I've been on here, but a shitty blog is better than no blog,  right?  Ok, I know it's not, but do you really expect gold everytime I open my laptop?  Besides, why would you?  There hasn't been gold yet, why would you expect it now?  I didn't go out and get a PhD in Literary Arts in my absence, contrary to what you may believe.  Instead, I've been in the field, living in austere conditions and training for the worst possible scenarios our country could face, living in a hotel, training others for the worst possible scenarios our country could face, and in the meantime trying to find someone to rent my house so I can move to Virginia in a couple of months.  While all this has been going on, my wife has quit her job, supervised the packing and shipping of all our personal possessions, and moved her and the baby back to Arkansas for a few weeks.  I'm once again living in austere conditions, meaning I'm sleeping on my good friend's futon whilst sharing his one-bedroom apartment in the San Antonio barrio.  I've also completed 3 more hours of MBA coursework, decided to take a whole semester off, and lost ten pounds.  So, don't go getting uppity because of my lack of bloggage.  I've been busy!  

Memorial Day 2010

So, I've just gotten home after leaving work early to start the long weekend, cracked open that first cold beer of the four-day holiday, and I've caught myself thinking about Memorial Day, what it means to me, and what it should mean to everyone else. I don't intend to go off on what many believe (myself included) as the commercialization of a once solemn day of remembrance, but rather to reflect on nearly nine years of service to our nation and the many young men and women that have gone too early making the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. In the midst of trips to the beach or lake, backyard barbecues, massive shopping excursions, and relaxation, I hope that everyone will pause, even if for a moment, to remember why this day comes around every May. Our nation has suffered many years of conflict to maintain the level of freedom she enjoys this day, and we are still in the clutches of combat operations on multiple fronts to ensure that remains. This comes at a cost, a cost of time away from loved ones, of days, weeks, years in austere environments where every turn comes in peril and a warm meal and hot shower are more valuable than gold. The cost is going away wide-eyed and innocent, and coming home darkened and aged beyond your years. The cost many times is leaving a marriage and coming home to an empty house and a letter on the door. The cost is losing friends, brothers, sisters to a bomb buried under a roadway. The cost is leading a group of America's sons and daughters on a trip that you can't guarantee they'll return from, and having to live with knowing that fact. The cost is the blood, sweat, tears, and lives that less than one percent of the population will stand up, raise their right hand, and say they'll solemnly swear to pay.

When friends, family, former co-workers ask me why I volunteered and fought so hard to return to military service, it's hard to verbalize an answer. For so long I spent time hot, cold, tired, sleepless, scared, hungry, or confused for a job while others I knew went to white-collar jobs with six-figure salaries in plush office buildings. I thought that was the life I wanted, but it didn't seem to be for me. I'd rather spend a month in the field training, living on coffee and MREs than spend one more day in the back-biting rat race of corporate America. And if, God forbid, that the day comes I have to once more kiss my wife, and now my daughter too, farewell to fly around the world to fight for this great nation again, I will again do it with pride and in honor of so many that have made that trip only to not get the chance to return to those they love. Remember them, honor them, salute them, this Memorial Day. God bless us, and God bless America.

Captain's Blog: Stardate May 15rd, 2010.

I am so excited about returning to the days where getting to work means showing your ID, food is purchased at the commissary, you shop for everything else at the PX, there are no 7-11s but there are shoppettes, lunch decisions are Robin Hood, Charley's, Burger King, Popeye's or the DFAC, every Monday is spent in the Motor Pool, every Thursday is Family Day and Sergeant's Time, and you can guarantee that on the 1st and 15th it's time for Payday Activities.

There's a certain peace one feels within when you pull onto a military installation, seeing the multitude of buildings all the same size and color, each with their requisite flagpole in front. The delay of traffic because a convoy of HMMWVs and LMTVs or M1A2s and M2A3's (tanks and Bradleys) does not warrant the same frustration that one would encounter in a major city traffic jam. The "pop pop pop" of the rifle range in the distance brings a warmth inside and a slight jealousy that you're not out there firing with them. You can feel good about the day you've put in when you're on post for both reveille in the morning, and retreat in the afternoon, and also that you're getting to render courtesy to the colors you've sworn to defend.

Now that I've gotten word that I've been approved to return to Regular Army status, I reflect on the time I've put in, and look forward to remaining in uniform until I ultimately retire one day. I do not truly regret leaving when I did, as one makes decisions based on the information they have at the time, but I do wonder where I'd be and what I'd be doing had I remained in. There are many WONDERFUL people I've met in my civilian careers that I wouldn't have had the joy of knowing had I stayed in. However I will not dwell on past decisions but rather look forward to new opportunities and hope, nay pray, for successful future endeavors. Many of the dearest friends (rather, family) I've ever made came while I've been in uniform and that was only reinforced by a recent visit with many of them for a wedding in Pennsylvania. Meeting up with them is so easy because it's like no time has past since our last meeting. All the same stories come up, all the same quotes and impressions. I cherish every chance I get to see those guys and look forward to future meetings and the chance to work with them again.

So, when you wonder why I serve, there are many reasons. Patriotism and duty to our nation are the obvious. Every Soldier serves for that. But, there are many other reasons as well. There is a culture and familial atmosphere that service in the military creates that I long to be a part of once more and the chance to work, train, fight, and serve alongside the finest group of people America has ever known brings me back and will keep me in until I retire...

HOOAH!

Captain's Blog: Stardate May 3th, 2010.

As I ponder the past few days, I continue to appreciate the power of one person over the lives of so many. This holds especially true in the line of work I am in. One corrupt or toxic leader can completely destroy the climate and cohesion of an entire unit within a matter of weeks. I have now witnessed it first-hand and realized the lengths one must go go separate from such an organization. But, thank God, it's possible. I'm now on the way to a new assignment with a vacation prior, and my vigor, resolve, and motivation are coming back!

Catching Up

Wow, it's been a month since I've been on here. The past 28 days have been quite crazy, and don't for a minute believe that 28 days means I went to rehab. They tried to make me go but I said "No, no, no." But, I digress. This finance class I'm taking has been whipping my tail, and I really haven't had any motivation or inspiration to write for a while. My job is sapping every bit of life I had left in me out, and I am finally seeing a light in this proverbial tunnel I've been in for so long. I'm finally leaving the hell-hole cubical city I've been contained to for the past 8 months, and moving on to conduct a real mission for a while. It may pay off big time for me, and I'm hoping, nay praying, that it does. More to follow...

What unfolds today...

It appears today that America is on the verge of the passage of the most sweeping piece of healthcare reform legislation ever. Not since FDR’s administration and the passage of Social Security or LBJ’s administration and the passage of Medicare has America seen such a historical piece of legislation go to the Hill. Whether you support this bill or oppose it, you can’t deny that the vote going on today is huge…as is the price tag of it.

Now, I have not read the bill. I don’t know it inside and out, and cannot speak to the minute details contained therein. The sad part that I’ve seen in recent weeks, though, is that the staunchest opposition and support of it have not and cannot either. The loudest voices hawking this bill and even more so in protest of it are unable to speak intelligently as to why, and subsequently of what they support and/or oppose with this legislation. The loudest liberals and even more loud “Tea Party” conservative protestors take their cues and become puppets of Fox News Channel and Glenn Beck and Bret Baier, MSNBC and Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann. They spew their vitriol and two or three talking points, yet know nothing of the intricacies of the plan. They scream “government takeover,” yet don’t know that the freedom to choose is still there. They cry it “will reduce the deficit,” but ignore the fact that is unlikely to happen.

Now, I again don’t know this plan to the letter. I do know that I am the child of two very good people that worked hard for decades but seldom could afford their own healthcare coverage living in fear of getting sick not from what the cost to their physical health, but rather to their financial health. They, along with 30 million others, would benefit greatly for the passage of this plan. For this reason alone, I see the most good from the healthcare reform plan. I know the fiscal cost is great, and I hate government spending that raises my taxes and lowers my paycheck more than the next. But, to know that our family members that may not be able to afford private health coverage will now be able to go to the doctor when they need it, without fear of being bankrupted makes me think the most powerful nation in the world may finally be catching up to its neighbors…

Stirring the "Melting Pot"

In the past year, more children were born in the United States to people of color than to whites. Evidence has shown that by the middle of the 21st century, other races will outnumber whites. It seems, based on these facts that we are on the verge of a new minority in the United States. Now, I’m not for a minute complaining of the increasing amount of people of color in our country, or offering to champion increased immigration restrictions. I for one embrace the diversity that our country is so rich with. However, I wonder if come 2050 the paradigm will shift once our Anglo brethren are outnumbered across the nation. Will scholarships and job opportunities become easier to secure for those of Caucasian background because of new affirmative action legislation? Will advocacy groups march in force to ensure the rights of the ginger are protected? Are we going to recommend that our schools offer English classes so our kids have foreign language exposure? These may sound like foolish questions posed by an ignorant soul, but look deep at where things are going in the US today, and ask yourself, are they really that absurd?

One round-trip around a radio dial in Texas will show you the influence of our shrinking English-speaking population. Go to any new retail establishment and look at the department signage hanging from the ceiling to see that it is now required to be in two languages. Search the help wanted ads, and see that most positions now encourage bilingual skills. My last job position virtually required me to speak another language. I sit at my cubical, and hear full conversations in Spanish. I say all this with a bit of a laugh though, because if you were to visit our neighbors to the north, you’d see that most, nay nearly all, people speak two languages. My point is that America is behind the power curve as it is when it comes to open-mindedness regarding language. In our arrogance we expect everyone in our country to automatically speak English, and at the same time when we travel to other countries we expect them to speak our language as well.

America is heading a new direction with a growing population of blacks, Hispanics, and other races, and in our lifetimes we will see that whites are not going to be the majority any longer. The diversity and flavor that has defined America’s culture and language however comes from our roots as the new home and land of opportunity for those seeking a new life, and should always remain that way. I just hope that when we’re the new minority we’re not subject to the oppression and difficulty we gave their predecessors…