Tomorrow I will be a civilian for the first time in 12 years since first joining the National Guard in 1989. It’s hard to believe how fast the last twelve years have flown bye and all the great friends I’ve made and experiences I’ve had. Besides the life changing events of going through Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA I’ve been to four leadership courses that have helped me both in my military and civilian careers. Yes, I would have to say that the National Guard has been one of the best things to happen to me. Probably right behind getting married to Lynsey. But the time has come to take a break from the National Guard for a while.
All my military friends have been telling me that you’re over half way to getting your 20 years in so you can retire. Although I can see there point and my last drill a couple of weeks ago was a little tough saying goodbye, it’s for the best right now. There have been many changes in the last year. Drill weekends have become more demanding in the past year and I’ve come home exhausted most weekends. I’ve started a new job that requires longer hours, as well as working a couple of nights a week and also on several weekends. I’ve gotten married and we’ve been looking for a house.
Basically the last twelve months everything has been changing for the better. For now I’m looking at it as a much needed break after drilling every weekend for the last twelve years with the exception of about 3 or 4 weekends that I’ve had to miss for other conflicts. I will surely miss putting on my uniform every month with pride. And telling people that I’ve been in the National Guard for twelve years and seeing the looks on their faces when the say “how old are you?” Then I tell them, “I’m old twenty-nine” and they look even more shocked.
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