Greetings, and welcome to the beginning of my field trip to the Middle East.
Back in October of 2007, it seemed that all of the post 9/11 chaos was about to settle down. My family had gone through the United Airlines bankruptcy, I graduated from law school while working full-time and was still happily married with children who don't mind speaking to me. I passed the Colorado Bar Exam, resigned from United Airlines, and was getting settled into the routine of a new associate at my law firm. I should have known better, because today was my last day in my "new job," for the time being at least.
The month before I was eligible to submit my Navy retirement papers, I learned that I had been mobilized for a one-year tour of duty in Iraq to support coalition forces. Needless to say, having spent all of my adult life as a Naval Aviator and airline pilot, the idea of returning to active duty to perform a mission on the ground, and in the desert is somewhat daunting.
At the moment, the entire concept of being mobilized, training with another service, and spending 10 months away from home is quite surreal. Nevetheless, the next few weeks of paperwork and training will be a drop in the bucket compared to the changes I will encounter later this summer.
I will be spending the next 6 days with my family before I report back onto active duty next Friday.
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