Why I Came Back - Reason 1

Maybe what I need to do is revisit this question from time to time because when I take a minute to think about why I cam back to Afghanistan I seem to come up with solid reasons.  It's just when you're caught up in the grind that you sometimes forget but it's important to remember, particularly when you volunteer for the assignment.  So starting today and as this tour winds along we'll look at all of the reasons.

Reason number 1 (actually three in one):

Five Little Things

I’ve had the privilege of serving my country on what is now my third consecutive deployment overseas; this time Afghanistan.  It truly is a privilege but with obvious sacrifices. 

Leading up to one of these missions you tend to be so busy getting ready and making sure your family is ready that you don’t really appreciate all the small things you’ll give up.  Even once you’re here it takes a while before it really sinks in because you’re going 100mph just trying to get integrated and into a routine.

The Leader-Coach

A first sergeant once told me, he used some of the top coaches in sports as role models in developing his own approach to leading Soldiers.  I chuckled at first but since then I've taken a look at some of the men I follow in sports and the consistency in message and approach between leaders from our formations and those in the dugouts, behind the bench and on the sidelines is amazing. 

"Social Welfare"

Got my blood up yesterday after reading an article in the New York Times.  I shared it with the Facebook crew and thought it sparked some interesting thoughts.  So I'll share it here and see what you think.

Zombie update from: Afghanistan

The following is a guest post I did this week after some encouragement from my wife and sister-in-law. The premise is that humans from around the world are under attack by Zombies. Was a fun drill in collaboration, sci-fi style!

Zombie update from: Afghanistan:

'via Blog this'

Welcome

Thanks for dropping by the Way-Station.  Though it's a new site for me I'm not a complete rookie with blogging.  In fact, I've been blogging on Wordpress for a while now but I found it was difficult for those outside the site to interact, let alone follow my blog.    At any rate I'm glad you dropped in to check out the site.  Gradually we'll add guest posts and hopefully cover lots of topics.  I'll post some older material, along with the new.  Over the course of days and weeks I hope to pick up the abysmal pace of my writing and interact more with the folks who read my material...but it's really about embarking on new paths through conversations with people like you.

The Title

I thought that since the old way stations likely saw so many different kinds of people it would be fitting for this site, especially since my hope is we interact with the full gamut of participants.  Yes, participants because if you see something that initiates some feeling I'd ask that you add a comment; long or short.  Ultimately it won't be me that makes this a regular destination, it will be you and those like you because you are far more interesting and much more broad in your experiences.

So thanks again for coming by and let's get started.