So who's in control, anyway?

Today's Quote: "Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Christopher Robin to Pooh."
- A. A. Milne

---

Lesson Learned: I'm considering the possibility that I am not in control.

---

If I'm not in control, who is? The Army? As much as I respect those that wear the uniform, I guess I've been a civilian wife too long to trust in the Army that much. Some say that God is in control and I should just turn it all over to Him. It's been a long, long time since I've been a believer. I'm not sure I'm going down that path again just yet. So I'll just sit here on the edge of chaos and see what happens. And I will assume that, like my eldest daughter, I will do things the hardest way possible. Maybe that's my destiny.

But all is not Gloom and Doom on the homefront. The radio station said there's gonna be a party and I think I am going to go and I am going to make my DH go, too. I emailed the organizer. Maybe she will become my first Army Friend. She's gotten units in our state (and their families) "adopted" during their deployments in the past. Perhaps I can assist her with that. Doing and giving seem to be good therapy for me - just have to be careful that Type A peronality me doesn't go too far overboard (I am assuming I will at least go a little overboard as that is just in my nature).

Well, at least I don't have to go this alone. There are friends and family - those who saw me through the last crazy idea my DH had - and friends yet unmet. A year from now, I'll probably look back at this and laugh at how wimpy I was!

See what happens when you're a sucker for a man in uniform!

OpSec

Today's Quote:

There is in every true woman’s heart a spark of heavenly fire,
which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up, and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.
   ~Washington Irving, The Sketch Book, 1820

---

Lesson Learned: OpSec

---

Ok, so I'm a blogger. And I certainly don't want to get the DH in trouble. So, as such, I figured I should learn about OpSec before I get too far into this thing. Yes, I want, demand and enjoy my All American Freedom of Speech. Yes, I want to speak up, speak out, and, in some cases, just let it all hang out. On the other hand, even more important than not getting my DH in hot water, I want to make sure he and his fellows are not put in any danger because of me. Thus, my self imposed OpSec training. I'm sure the ARNG will eventually train me on this, but in the mean time, I have found that mostly it's all common sense... or, hopefully common sense

The "Don't Post" list

• when your soldier is leaving or coming home, either for deployment, training or drill
  
• any identifying things about your unit (which is a bummer, because we are all Proud of our units, but we'd rather be Safe than Proud)
  
• so your soldier isn't supposed to tell You (the spouse) anything that isn't already OpSec cleared - but you know it could inadvertently happen - so be careful of posting anything that your soldier might tell you
  
• this seems obvious - don't post about any one's death until the CAO (Casualty Assistance Officer) has contacted the NOK (Next of Kin)
  
• anything that might clue in the enemy on the strengths or weaknesses of a force or piece of equipment
  

I'm thinking I'll probably be OK, here. I am imagining that my blog will mostly be about the day to day struggles of a new ARNG wife trying to get her act together. Hopefully the enemy will find this blog too boring to read and that other military wives might get a little laugh as they read about my little adventures.

Some ideas to consider when creating your blog

• create a separate email just for your blog - strangers may be writing to you, and you don't need them to know your personal email
  
• don't list your real home town, state, etc.
  
• invite your Mom and your other military friends to read it
  
• don't use names - maybe first initials
  
• don't use rank attached to names
  
• blog from a different account or service provider than your other blogs
  

Am I being paranoid, here? I've read quite a few blogs where the names and locations of people are not too difficult to figure out over the course of time. Interested in your opinion.

Voices From The Front

Today's Quote:

"Neither fire nor wind,

birth nor death can erase

our good deeds.

- Buddha

---

Lesson Learned: Be Thankful.

---

I have been feeling sorry for myself, lately. I am stuck doing all the paperwork and tracking people down for my husband, and he keeps talking about how he's volunteering to deploy - and how he's looking forward to it, if they'll take him. And I keep thinking, "Poor me, you're going to leave me here in Hometown, USA to take care of everything - all by myself." Well, after reading Frank Schaeffer's book, Voices from the Front: Letters home from America's military family, I am no longer feeling sorry for myself, or alone. I am feeling Thankful and Blessed, and hope to make those who have sacrificed so much more, proud. And I will reach out to my new Army National Guard Family, no matter how neurotic they sometimes appear (and sometimes are!).

Chapter 14 of the book begins with,

I have three sons who are presently serving in the armed forces... plus my husband...... This is [the] 2nd deployment to Afghanistan for my son...

All in all, in 2004 or so, this tough and loving woman has, at many times, all of her sons and her husband deployed, at the same time,to the Middle East. Ok, so I'm just letting the Army borrow my husband for a while. At least I don't have my babies joining him (although some would like to, if they could, and I'd be proud). From the purely "Mommy" perspective, however, I want them to all just stay in the good ol' USA and give us grandchildren. Totally selfish, I know. But I am thankful that at least I'm only giving up my husband for a while, and not my kids, too.

Another thing to be thankful for is that we have had over 20 years together. I cannot imagine what it must be like to be doing this as a newlywed. We are settled. We know and trust each other. We have already discovered our human follies and have either learned to accept them or ignore them. Our children are grown and they can understand and be proud of "why Daddy isn't home." When there were diapers and 2 a.m. feedings and sick babies spitting up, he was there. When they took their first steps, he was there. When there were soccer games and marching bands and graduations to attend, he was there (well, he may miss our youngest one's graduation.) We have been incredibly blessed. It's time for a little pay back. A little sacrifice. I do believe in "The Mission," but sometimes I just want to be a little selfish.

Bless our soldiers, and bless their families, too, for they also serve.

We're in the Army Now

Today's Quote: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."
- Aristotle

---

Lesson Learned: Everything is easier if you are ultra-organized.

---

This journey began when DH completed his Active Duty commitment to the USMC. Little did I realize that My Marine should have been a "lifer." Instead, we married (Yes, yes, with him in his Dress Blues!), he completed his obligation to the USMC, raised a family, had the same address for a decade or so, celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary... and then he announced he was joining the National Guard and was going to volunteer for deployment to the Middle East. (OK, yes, this is an overly simplistic chain of events. And I left out all of my yelling and tears and oft repeted, "You're doing what?!")

So now he's running around and getting dental exams and imunizations and I am filling out paperwork by the ream and we are all "Hurry Up And Wait." And, while we are now committed (I don't think Uncle Sam is letting us out of the contract now!), we keep looking at eachother and saying, "What have we done!"

So The Adventure Begins...