Over the past 13 years in the military Michael and I have had our ups and downs. We have been through four 6 month deployments, and several week/month long detachments while on the ship. We have lived in 5 different states, 2 different countries and moved a total of about 8 times (that I can remember). We have been apart for birthdays, holidays, even Jack's birth (well, I was there he was the one that was missing). But now we are coming upon the biggest challenge the Navy has given us thus far.
Michael has been selected for command. Which is great news. Basically it means 1. the Navy wants to keep him around just a little longer, 2. He's still in the running to make Captain before he retires. There are several different command positions. One of which would be returning to P3s. However, Michael was chosen for something completely different than what we are used to. He has been chosen to take command of an Army unit in Afghanistan. His job will be to oversee reconstructing parts of the country. Although he is up to the challenge and will be INCREDIBLE at this job, it's going to be rough. He will need to go to language school for 4 months (in D.C.), 2 months of Army training (somewhere in one of the Carolina I think) and then 12 months in Afghanistan. As of right now, we have no idea where the family will be during his schooling and year in Afghanistan, but we will find out soon I'm sure.
To make things a little more challenging and sad as well, the Navy needs him soon. WE will have to leave Germany in October 2010. That means the kids and I will have only had 10 months here. We were thinking it would be 3 years. Instead of being mad or pointing fingers at the Navy, we have chosen to be thankful for what we have had. An amazing opportunity that we would not have had without the Navy.
I know we can do this. It will be a rough road at times, but we are a strong family.
Being in Germany for a "joint tour" I have come across so many Army families whose spouses are gone for 12 to 18 months. I remember the first friend Molly made told us her dad had been gone 6 months and she still had 6 more to go. I immediately thought, "no matter how bad our 6 month deployments are, thank god we will not have to do that". Ha! oops! These Army families are incredible though. They have been a source of inspiration for me.
And so...I'm starting yet another blog. If interested join me, I'll write the good, the bad and the ugly. It will be an interesting 18 months!!
Michael has been selected for command. Which is great news. Basically it means 1. the Navy wants to keep him around just a little longer, 2. He's still in the running to make Captain before he retires. There are several different command positions. One of which would be returning to P3s. However, Michael was chosen for something completely different than what we are used to. He has been chosen to take command of an Army unit in Afghanistan. His job will be to oversee reconstructing parts of the country. Although he is up to the challenge and will be INCREDIBLE at this job, it's going to be rough. He will need to go to language school for 4 months (in D.C.), 2 months of Army training (somewhere in one of the Carolina I think) and then 12 months in Afghanistan. As of right now, we have no idea where the family will be during his schooling and year in Afghanistan, but we will find out soon I'm sure.
To make things a little more challenging and sad as well, the Navy needs him soon. WE will have to leave Germany in October 2010. That means the kids and I will have only had 10 months here. We were thinking it would be 3 years. Instead of being mad or pointing fingers at the Navy, we have chosen to be thankful for what we have had. An amazing opportunity that we would not have had without the Navy.
I know we can do this. It will be a rough road at times, but we are a strong family.
Being in Germany for a "joint tour" I have come across so many Army families whose spouses are gone for 12 to 18 months. I remember the first friend Molly made told us her dad had been gone 6 months and she still had 6 more to go. I immediately thought, "no matter how bad our 6 month deployments are, thank god we will not have to do that". Ha! oops! These Army families are incredible though. They have been a source of inspiration for me.
And so...I'm starting yet another blog. If interested join me, I'll write the good, the bad and the ugly. It will be an interesting 18 months!!
