So I'm in the great state of Georgia. The area where I am is kind of a dump...it is a military base so what do you expect? Anyway, I am three weeks into a sixteen week basic course. So far it hasn't been too bad. Other than we play a lot of games and get told we are all stupid Lieutenants. Oh well, everyone starts somewhere. So far I don't have many complaints and they all fall in with stuff that should have been taken care of a while ago by people other than me... 1. I would like to get paid. 2. I would like to know why it takes so long for people to do work. That's about it. I find it funny that I am again with a bunch of people who are younger than me. There are a few "old guys" with me but they don't really converse with me for whatever reason. Probably because I don't go out (I haven't been paid). The instructors are all pretty much what I thought they would be. NCO's who take full advantage of the school environment and remove the filters from their mouths. The officer trainers pretty much treat us like special education kids who are faking the handicapability we have. I will admit that the first time we got "smoked" I was a little angry. Then I realized I have been here before and it all comes to an end. It's actually quite funny to sit back and watch others get frustrated. I still help out as much as I can. We have international students with us. I won't go in depth because its not right. The south as a whole is different. The people aren't what I am used to and the way things run is quite different as well. I was sitting at a bar in Brentwood, Tennessee when this guy asked where I was from. I told I was from Utah. He asked the usual question and I gave the usual response. For the entirety of the meal I heard nothing but anti-mormon banter. Mind you, I'm not of the LDS faith. Anyway, I don't have much to say. Yet...

Life on the Range...

It's mighty strange,
being out there with endless vision.
Does he know what he's missing?

He saddles up,
gets on up and put the boot to the side.
Why does it feel like all he does is hide?

Avoiding the rat race,
doesn't care for the pace.
The life of the man in an office,
Only he knows why he loves this.

No one at home,
not leaving anyone alone.
Nothing to tie him down,
he is all smiles and rarely a frown.

The days in chute,
almost left him a mute.
Chasing the points,
paying the entry.

Nothing to show,
all but empty.

The only thing he chases is the straggling cow,
he is the only he has to pay now.
He is living in peace,
hoping it will never cease.

He beds down and falls asleep,
he has no one in which he needs to weep.
Because he is alone.
On the range,
to some that would be strange.

So I pose a question...

Now I am about to ask a question that has perplexed me for quite some time. So say a couple had broken up and for whatever reason they are unable to go separate ways due to say place of employment...or a social circle. Well one of the two decided to venture away from said area in order to move on and continue on with life. While the other one continues to mess around with the same group even though they are in a position where it is extremely frowned upon. Does this person just have no self respect? Are they just so immature? I don't get it...

Another question...

Why is it that all good deeds don't go unpunished? I mean really...

Lessons learned....

So I have finished my time as member of the 19th Special Forces Group. I have also finished my time as an enlisted person in the United States military... I have been learning so much about what it means to be a warrior, a leader, and a person. I am going to share a few of them. These are some of the most important lessons I have learned and I will take them with me as an Officer and a gentlemen.

1. Honor, Courage, Commitment...

These are the core values of the Marine Corps. Even though I will be an Army Officer I still have them and I will use them along with the Army values. There really is no such thing as too much of a good thing...

2. Don't be in a hurry to get your people killed...

I learned this one while I was in Fallujah. My platoon commander said it to one of the team leaders in my platoon. It was echoed by a Bradley platoon leader a few years later when we were getting ready to go out into a fairly dangerous city to do some work. Both men had a ora about them. They believed in what they were doing and they had a certain confidence about them as well. I won't be the guy looking for medals or for glory.

3. Don't be a douche-bag/ a--hole/ coward/ yes man.

I have seen this a lot. Officers and SNCO's get this attitude that is toxic. The officer's get it because a majority don't have experience as an enlisted man. They have this idea that the enlisted are dumb and lazy. They forget that they (the enlisted) are the working man of the military. They are the ones kicking the doors, kicking in the doors, sitting for days in a hide. I'm sure it comes from the program that they went through to become an officer. They are taught that they are better than the enlisted man. That's probably not the point that the instructor is trying to put across but that is how it is most likely translated. I could be wrong but that is how I have experienced it.
SNCO's simply forget where they came from.

4. I am always last.

The needs of my men come first.

5. Remember where you came from.

I have been the "boot." I will always be a boot to someone. I was once the Private who knew nothing and didn't do anything right. I have spent many nights in my barracks getting sweated for said mistakes as well. I have been the team leader. I have been the NCO. I will remember where I came from.

6. Be approachable.

Have you ever watched the movie " 8 Seconds"? There is a scene where Lane Frost (Luke Perry) stops and talks to young cowboy riding a bail of hey. He gives him some pointers and tells him to keep at it. Afterwards his friends (Tuff Hedeman and Cody Lambert) ask him why he did that. He said he wasn't going to be the kind of cowboy who was rude to everyone. He would take the time to speak to everyone he could. Anyway, I am going to keep the same kind of attitude.


There are quite a few more but that is what I am willing to share right now.

Place title here...

Oh in case you didn't know this... you haven't seen anything yet.

I've got my superman undies on and I'm feeling lucky...

Doo bee doobie doo

You gave me personality,
you gave me perseverance.
You gave me the willingness to fight.
You forgive me of my wrongs,
and awards me when I am right.

You give me a path to follow,
take away the things in which I wallow.
I am on a journey in life,
getting past the sadness and strife.

You help me come alive,
into the deep blue ocean,
you encourage me to dive.
To depths, through the thermals,
overcoming life's hurdles.

Right now I'm stuck on Shaw food,
taking on the task of daily school.
Living life of poverty,
not able to own much property.

One day those will come,
some day they will be mine.
He tells me, "Right now this situation; for you, is fine"
Patience, understanding, sympathy, those are the lessons for me.

I may never be money rich,
I will never be character poor.
Those who think different,
you can find the door.

He brought me from the darkness,
pointed me towards the light.
He has given me a reason to fight.
To live a life wild at heart,
that is where I will start.

Unending love...Amazing grace.

My chains are gone...I've been set free.

He has brought me out of the darkness,
taken away the pain.
The world, the life, love,
is now what I have to gain.

His strength will left me up,
his love will be bring me down.
I fall in front of his throne,
for it is my heart he wants to be grown.

I am following your path,
I'm letting you take the lead.
Because you are what I need.
In my life, in my heart,
before all the changes can start.

I can't take the pain,
I can't tough it out.
All you want me to do is shout,
to mountains so high,
with the eagles I must fly.

Stop hooting with owls,
stop committing those fouls.
Treat everyday right,
learn for what I must fight.

I am tired of being sad,
I know I'm not alone.
The path, the light,
he has shown.

I chose not to follow,
I chose the stray.
Where did it get me?
Nowhere.

My story is one that I don't want to share.
I'm not worthy,
I'm not not clean.
My heart is full of mean,
full of hate and anger.
I feel like a stranger.

Around my family,
the ones that I love.
It is them that I shove,
I put them away,
tell them to stay.

Out of my business,
out of my strife.
What a boring life!
They love on me,
they want the best for me.

So I decided to give it away,
give it to him.
Stop the fight,
surrender my sword.

That all now belongs to the lord,
he takes it and silences it.
I can sleep now,
I can smile now.
The feeling of love is back in my heart.

The journey into life can now begin to start.
I can do everything,
I can be anything.
I choose to serve,
I choose to love.

He brings me patience,
he brings me joy.
I can now be a man and not a scared little boy.

For thats what I was.
Scared
Angry
Defiant
Drowning the my pain by closing everyone out.
I wouldn't let myself shout.

I've never felt this good,
I am doing what I should.
He leads me through a path of good,
he helps me fight the bad.

No judgement, no putting me in a box,
its better than a new pair of sox!
He will bring me good people,
he will help me find one to love.

He will give me someone to share this adventure with,
to grow with, to serve with, to take on the world and be victorious!
He has shown me how to be,
he has set me free.

The weight isn't on my back,
he helped me put it on the rack.
To carry it right,
throw it to a new height!

I am so excited!
I can't wait to see where he is taking me!
He has given me purpose,
he has given the warrior a worthy fight!
One of honor, one of cleanliness.

Thank you!

My chains are gone, I've been set free.
My God my Savior has ransomed me.
And like a flood, his mercy reigns.
Unending love...Amazing grace.