Wasting my time...

One of the many challenges most soldiers face during a deployment is boredom. It seems you are either very, very busy, or you have absolutely nothing to do. I guess that is where the whole discipline thing ought to take over. Honestly, I am not doing so hot with that right now. I have spent quite a bit of time running and working out and stuff, which is a good thing, but also quite a bit of time with my friends from Dunder Mifflin and eating junk food. I know I have announced an intent to quit the crap food, but some days go better than others.

So the challenge is to find the most appropriate way to deal with the boredom. I think that this next year will be a great opportunity for me to grow. The struggle is staying focused on the things that matter most.

I have some goals that I would definitely like to accomplish. I want to run my two mile in under 14 minutes. I want to be able to do 20 pull-ups. I want to lose at least 30 pounds. I want to get all my GEs out of the way so I can come home and finish school as quickly as possible.

This next year will probably be the most challenging time of my life. I will have certain duties and responsibilities that will be mandated by leadership, but I will also have the opportunity to improve myself.

I have been given a year to grow. I have to leave my family and many of my personal comforts. I will in many ways be less than a prisoner. One thing that becomes clearer to me with each day is the sacrifices that are made in the name of freedom. I think it would be fair to say that soldiers will potentially sacrifice life, liberty, and pursuit of their own personal happiness, in the name of freedom.

I struggle sometimes because I struggle to understand my country. I have very strong ideals and are sometimes ashamed at the things that are done under the auspices of security, freedom, and democracy.

I don't understand war. I don't know all the reasons we fight. I believe we, as a people, have a long, long way to go towards pursuing that elusive "more perfect union." I don't know all the reasons and motivations for the wars we are now fighting. What matters most to me is I fight because I believe in America, at least in the dream of what America could, and should be.

Anyway. My family has sacrificed much. They will sacrifice even more before this is all through. I will no longer waste my time.

I will however still allow myself some time with Michael, Pam, Jim, Stanley, Angela, Phyllis, Meredith, Dwight, Creed, Oscar, Toby, and all my other pals at Dunder Mifflin. Just maybe not quite so much.

Peace.