And so it begins...

Exactly 364 days ago, I boarded an airplane to return home from a one-year, unaccompanied assignment on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean (www.dg.navy.mil if you are interested). While I always thought getting assigned as an IA could happen, I certainly didn't expect to be saying good-bye to my family for another extended separation quite so soon. But, as we were saying to each other this morning, at least now, instead of counting down until I have to leave, we are now counting down until I am home again. As painful as our good-byes were, we are one step closer to being a whole family again.

As I walked down the terminal toward my plane to Norfolk, I felt "dual emotions" stronger than I've had before. On the one hand, it was very hard walking away from my family, knowing I'm going to miss another Christmas, another anniversary, miss my son turn into a teenager, and miss my daughter turn 16. Separations are always hard, but today's was the most difficult we've ever had. But, on the other hand, I'm going to go do something completely different than I ever imagined I'd do. I'm a professional naval officer and I've been in this profession for 18 years, but always as a trained aviator. Now, I'm going to be operating on the ground, and the Army no less! Of course as an aviator I have a natural dislike for being on the ground, and the Navy has spent over a million dollars teaching me how to never be on the ground, but still, it is exciting right now to be heading off to do something new.

I know most days are going to be very routine, even boring. The one thing I hope as I begin this deployment is that I can make a difference. Not that I think I'll make a difference in the overall war; I'm not nearly that naive. But perhaps I can make a difference in the lives of a few young Soldiers and Sailors operating in a harsh environment, doing a difficult job, day in and day out. If I can do that, then my time in Iraq will be worth it.

Cheers, Mike

PS - I really didn't stay up all night just to write this post. My blog's time is set on Iraq time for simplicity's sake - it's really Sunday afternoon for me right now.