Getting Ready To Go!

I've spent the last seven days clearing Bolling AFB and visiting many base facilities and offices to get them to sign off on my out processing checklist. Medical, dental, combat arms, photo, et al.

I have been criticizing the Air Force as not being the Air Force I am used to. Its more impersonal and most actions are left up to the Airman. However, it seems the new Airmen have adapted to doing everything online, accepting responsibility for themselves, and I have come to the realization that things will be just fine.

At one of the offices I had to enter my hair color on a form and one of the options was gray. I asked the young Airman if I should enter brown or gray. She tactfully and politely said I should enter gray. Its hell getting old! As someone who is nearly three times as old as the new crop of Airmen, I am adjusting on the fly and adapting to this brave new world. What remains the same is the quality of the Airmen and their devotion to the mission.

At one of the offices I cleared, the official commented on the high rank and quality of the people now going to Afghanistan. One colonel was given a week's notice and he is all ready in country. With this caliber of Airman, I hope we can reach the tipping point and get the Afghan people on the road to a safer, more stable, and better governed country. The strategy that I heard from NATO Commanders at the Joint Warfare Center in Stavanger, Norway seems perfect to accomplish this. Now all we need is time and proper implementation.

My deployment officer called on Monday, 12 July and told me my job of training the Afghan National Army on Rule of Law was given to someone else and that I would now be doing fiscal law and contracts. This isn't what I envisioned, but I will soldier on . . .

I am marshaling my stuff for deployment. 550 cord, 90 mph tape, boot knife, Lula ammo loader, etc. There is so much to do and so little time. Maybe the colonel with the one week notice had it better . . . just go.

On Sunday, 25 July, I fly to San Antonio, Texas and Camp Bullis for Combat Airman Skills Training (CAST). It will be field conditions (tents), Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) for every meal, and lots of weaponry. Should be fun!