I have found that my life has had ups and downs for as long as I can remember. My downs do not stay for long because I am very good at lifting my chin up and carrying on. I do not quite know why I am this way, for the most part I thank my father for his parenting skills. Things could have been a lot worse for me, I know for sure as I see it on a daily basis.
Currently I am in the second half of my deployment. Due to financial considerations I stayed a bit longer to make sure that I have one more good year. I also have the hopes that I will not be deployed anytime in the near future. I do not have any regrets with the service that I have given to my country. I know that I have a big decision coming up though that will affect the way I live my life for the next 10 years starting in 2010.
I currently have four children at home that miss me a whole bunch. I found that out when I was home with them over the holidays. I know that they need me to be around so that I can help foster and develop them into better rounded children. I have an ex-wife that can be difficult, but for the most part is trying to learn to be civil to me. I miss my children a whole lot too. Some people would say that the amount of time I have spent overseas is a direct reflection as to why I do not have a wife. Others would just say that we grew apart. Regardless, I do not have her anymore.
I currently have ten years of service in the United States Army reserves, five out of the last seven years, soon to be six, has been deployed overseas in hostile fire environments. This is a substantial amount of time for anyone, let alone a reservist. My reenlistment is coming up very quickly. I have been seriously considering to continue my service, yet at the same time, to what cost. I think that my children do understand that Daddy is in the military and they understand that I am in the business to help people out. To improve the quality of life of the world to be. However, I fear that my ex might be feeding misinformation to my children. I know that my kids need me home, but I also know that regardless of the kids, I am halfway to being able to have a solid retirement with the military.
I will continue to think about this. I feel that I still have a lot to offer in service to my country. I feel that my service is easy to explain to my kids when they ask. So I do not see many issues with doing what I do.
I do not think that I have had enough of the military, just as I feel that the military has not had enough of me.
Thank you for reading.
