A few other things…

So yesterday I wrote about the bureaucracy that is the US Army.  Today, I’d like to talk about the parts of the Army that I love with all my heart.  This is not just about the Army though….it’s about what I like to call the “deployment mindset.”  As most of you know, I commanded in Korea.  This was great because we were essentially “on deployment.”  We could train, suppport each other when off duty, and focus on the mission.  I, as a commander, didn’t release everyone to the four winds at the end of the day.  We would get together at the end of the day and wind down as a team.  It was a bonding experience. 

Last night I was invited to a celebration.  It was the celebration of the May Full Moon which commemorates the birth and death of Buddha.  Many of the workers in our Dining Facility are of the Buddhist faith and so they chose to celebrate this holiday.  The thing that always strikes me about the deployment mindset revolves around the idea of a shared hardship.   Everyone celebrating are in the same boat we soldiers are….separated from family and loved ones, working to support the effort here and make a better life for everyone.  This echoed last night.  Several of us were invited to share in their celebration.  We attended, and as with any relationship, we learned more about each other.  The manager of the crew explained some of the important historical perspectives around Buddhism and Buddha.  He also took me on a quick tour of their living area.  I could see the pride on his face as we walked through the rooms and service areas.  It was terrific and it reminded me of the look on a Platoon Leader/Commander’s face when escorting the Battalion Commander through their unit area.  It is confidence and pride that everyone on their team is prepared….they have worked hard and are ready to meet the day’s challenges.  I was very happy and I look forward to our next celebration.

I’m looking forward to my next celebration with everyone at home as well.  Have a great night and I’ll talk to you all in August. 

Warmest…Fred