It is nearly the end of September. I haven't written in awhile, and for good reason. The fighting season certainly did take time and energy away from me. In fact, it wasn't the enemy who was responsible. The enemy was out there, stronger and trying to kill us, as always. The changes we experienced in the last 2-3 months had nothing to do with losing our own to injury or death. And yet despite this lack of losses and continued successes against the enemy there was more calls for a change in tactics, a change in strategy. How can we be more effective? How can we deal a harsher blow to the enemy and finally drive him from our area of operations? In addition to that, it seemed each chief with a little power felt it was time to flex it. To make their mark, to do things their way. The soldiers on bottom can only take so much of their superiors ordering them to do stupid shit for their own benefit. After awhile there is no motivation, no loyalty, and no belief that our orders are anything but the whims of a selfish system built upon the idea of privilege. So we get tired, and we lose sight of the real fight.
The fighting season is drawing to a close, and fighters won't be willing to return while the weather turns brutal and cold. We all turn our eyes towards home, hoping and wishing we will be there overnight. It is all I think about, and I am certain my fellow soldiers feel the same. We are barred from the celebration however, by the tedious and impeding bureaucracy slowing our every step towards redeployment. Each step towards home is filled with more processes and more changes, so much that it feels as though we are walking in sand, sinking with each step. And although we will touch down in the US, we are disheartened with the promise of how long it will be before we can hold our loved ones. Of all the "necessary work" that must be done in order to have a break from the constant dreariness that accompanies deployments. There is a training schedule, an equipment turn in, paperwork, doctors appointments, awards, ceremonies, and so much pomp and circumstance that we are almost dreading returning as we were departing. I know in 3 months, I will feel the pain and frustration of the whole process was worth it and be elated to be back. But for now, that feeling seems so very far away. One fight may be ending, here in Afghanistan, but it seems a whole new fight is beginning. The Fight To Get Home.
The fighting season is drawing to a close, and fighters won't be willing to return while the weather turns brutal and cold. We all turn our eyes towards home, hoping and wishing we will be there overnight. It is all I think about, and I am certain my fellow soldiers feel the same. We are barred from the celebration however, by the tedious and impeding bureaucracy slowing our every step towards redeployment. Each step towards home is filled with more processes and more changes, so much that it feels as though we are walking in sand, sinking with each step. And although we will touch down in the US, we are disheartened with the promise of how long it will be before we can hold our loved ones. Of all the "necessary work" that must be done in order to have a break from the constant dreariness that accompanies deployments. There is a training schedule, an equipment turn in, paperwork, doctors appointments, awards, ceremonies, and so much pomp and circumstance that we are almost dreading returning as we were departing. I know in 3 months, I will feel the pain and frustration of the whole process was worth it and be elated to be back. But for now, that feeling seems so very far away. One fight may be ending, here in Afghanistan, but it seems a whole new fight is beginning. The Fight To Get Home.
