To Blog or not to Blog

I have published just over 800 posts here since I began this blog several years ago. That amounts to an average of three posts per week. I get near 50 page views a day on average, and that's been pretty consistent for a long time.

When I began this blog it was my intent to have a place where I could offer opinion and comment about the Army, as well as some of my views on lots of topics. It gave me a place where I could write things in between issues of Army Engineer magazine, for which which I am editor. For example, in the magazine I have an "Editor's Independent View" page.

It's my opinion that given the number of other blogs and online information people read everyday, which has increased dramatically since I began this blog, it seems likely that my little piece of the world may not be all that important.

I'm thus going to ponder whether or not to discontinue the blog. Note I write "ponder." I do not allow comments on this blog due to having been "spammed" in the past. But, if you have a comment about my perhaps ending this blog, I invite you to email me at ae.editor@gmail.com.

My Morning Routine

For years I have walked briskly every day except Sunday, when it's not raining or snowing too hard. My route through our neighborhood is 2 miles and it's the same every day, but I sometimes reverse direction. Before we moved here I ran every day except Saturday and Sunday, usually 3 miles in length, and I did so generally before sunrise because I had to go to a regular job. When I was on active duty in the Army I ran the same days a week, but 4 miles or more in length...and I did so either with close friends or in a unit formation. In short, I developed the morning routine I have now a long time ago.

What I have now that's different from before is a more peaceful experience. I guess age has something to do with that, but I also have to credit my increasing religious faith as well.  I can, for example, listen to various sorts of music on my iPhone and gain inspiration at the same time from reading bible passages on its screen while walking. It may seem to those I greet along the way that I am "alone" but I am clearly not.

My attitude improves as I walk, because I have to admit I usually walk out of the house a bit hazy, not yet fully aware of the pluses and minuses of the day ahead, so it may take a mile before my outlook improves. The same barking dogs (caged or tied up in yards) greet my passing, and there are the same neighbors out and about also walking. We say "Good morning" to each other and maybe add a few other tidbits of wisdom such as, "Weather's looking good, eh?" On Saturdays I have to watch out for many more passing cars than normal because that's "yard sale" day, but only in the spring, summer and fall. People around here don't sell any of their household junk during the winter. Not sure why.

Some have written that routine daily exercise can become an addictive habit, and when you don't do it your body shouts out, "Why not!" For me it's more of a "guilt" thing if I miss a day walking (except for Sundays as I wrote earlier). In sum, my morning routine is a way for me to put things in perspective as I begin each day, and to realize I am indeed thankful for what I have been given.

A Budget Proposal?

I read in Army Times that a Colorado lawmaker, and member of the House Armed Services Committee, has proposed transferring 100,000 active duty positions to the Army Reserve...as a "legitimate" (my quotes) way to reduce defense costs. I doubt this proposal will be adopted, but if it were to be, my first question would be, "In these hard economic times, where are civilian jobs going to come from for those individuals being placed in reserve (part-time) military duty positions?"

His proposal also suggests the Army "find" the 100,000 active duty positions to transfer into the reserve component, by returning home those now based in Europe and Korea. That suggestion alone pretty much sums up his total proposal as being not well thought out...in my opinion of course.

A link to the story is here.

Getting out and finding a job

I have the greatest sympathy with the struggles of those having left military service so far this year, in finding a suitable job which takes into consideration the skills which they have developed. It's tough finding a job outside the military and there's no doubt it's not going to get much better...at least for the next year or so. So, what can one do who has decided to hang up their ACUs and move back into the "civilian" world, to give them a leg up in finding a job?

First advice is to not wait until you get out to start looking for a job. This implies deciding what it is you want to do and listing specific professional objectives in that regard. Most important, prepare a competitive job experience resume, without using military terminology. For example, rather than saying you were a great engineer squad leader in Afghanistan while involved in route clearance missions, write down that you supervised "X" many individuals under highly demanding circumstances, while at the same time creating a highly motivated and cohesive work group. Lastly, use correct grammar and spell check it several times.

Talk to others you know who have already left the military and learn from their experiences. Get out your address book and find as many people already employed somewhere, who you can start a network with. One of your friends might, for example, be able to put you in contact with someone looking to hire a person just like you.

Lastly, never say, "I'll do all this after I get out." Not only is that attitude not wise, it's going to put you at a great disadvantage in the job market when you consider just how many unemployed there already are right now.

Unfortunately there is not much good news in any of this, so some may decide to just re-enlist rather than get out. I have to say that being in the military does create a nice "blanket" of security in many respects, and when that blanket goes away, some people panic. Best I can advise is to keep a positive attitude, never give up, network with as many others as you can, and remember that your military job experience is most definitely in demand...you just have to market that in terms civilians will appreciate. Good luck!

Reno Race Tragedy Part 2

If you're interested, here's a link to one of the photographer's mentioned in my prior post, who was at the race when the tragic acident happened. It pretty much sums up what this business is all about...aviation racing and photography. It's worth a read.

Unexpected Tragedy

We who wear or have worn a military uniform for any length of time…most of us anyway…have learned to deal with various forms of adversity such as having a comrade injured or killed. This happens both during peacetime and during war. It's when tragedy strikes at unexpected times, under circumstances when such should never happen, that coping with these losses becomes harder.

The recent crash of a racing plane during the Reno Nevada Air Races, where nine people lost their lives and scores of others were injured, is a good example of what I'm talking about. I'm a non-professional photographer and over the years I have followed the daily lives of many professionals in the industry, by reading and commenting from time to time on their photo blogs. I have come to consider these folks as friends…virtual as that friendship may be. Two of those individuals were at the Reno Race taking photographs for their business clients, and for themselves, and while both were not injured I am sure they have been adversely affected in many ways.

One of them is a strong believer in the value of religious faith in our lives, and his photo posts are usually accompanied with words of inspiration. The other is equally passionate about his photo profession, but seems less open about his religious faith. For both of them, however, their week at the air races was supposed to be educational for those attending "workshops", and it was supposed to be an exciting and fun time to make photos of vintage aircraft that would be impossible to do collectively, under normal circumstances. In short it was supposed to be a festive week throughout, but it did not turn out to be so.

Mission Complete

Yesterday I worked from about 0730 until 1530, with my grandson Michael helping, to execute my annual mid-September mission "Close the Swimming Pool." It was a success and today when I got up early for my AM walk, I looked on with satisfaction at the new 25x45 foot green tarp spread tightly across the pool, all tied down securely with filled water bags placed along the perimeter to make it even more secure from winds, rain and snow which will be the weather norm until I execute another annual mission, "Open Swimming Pool."

In-ground swimming pools are fun to have and use when you have young kids involved, splashing about, diving crazily into the deep water at one end, and floating about on all sorts of cheap, air filled devices that will generally last only one season. However, when the kids grow up, they tend to spend all their time on chairs and lounges at pool side, sunning themselves, never wanting to do the crazy stuff they once did, or many times never even getting wet...except from sweat. And so, the pool is left to the older folks, who generally float or bob about with sunscreen slathered all over exposed body parts, trying to stay as cool as possible. For example, it's been years since I dove or jumped off our diving board, and I never swim laps anymore.

For us today, our pool is generally a weekend affair, and only when the weather is what we call a "good swim day." In the meantime, I have to periodically backwash the large sand-filter and electric pump that keeps the water circulating and clean 24/7; check the skimmer basket daily to empty all the collected debris, including dead bugs, mice, frogs, snakes and (once) a chipmunk. I also have to walk around the pool with long-poled brush in hand once a day, keeping the bottom and sides relatively clean. Adding chemicals on a weekly basis is also a chore (expensive one too) and that involves making sure the chemistry of the water is OK. It's a "chlorine" amount versus "PH" (alkalinity) battle. Shall I mention I never "got" chemistry when I took it in school? Thankfully my wife "gets" it, and our daughter teaches middle school science and thus speaks chemistry very well. So, we manage fairly well throughout the summer, but we do have our challenges from time to time...like this year when the electric pump motor shorted out and had to be replaced.

Anyway, my "pool" mission is complete for another year. Thankfully!

Pick it up!

Being a photographer, and already in the midst of a casual stroll with camera in hand, I was interested in what the definition of a "photo shoot" was, but then I figured out it pertained to "wedding party photography" in this scenic garden park in Greensboro, NC. But what really caught my attention was the sign above instructing me to "Please pick up my poop" which I definitely was not going to do because I have no dog, and certainly I was not going to pick up someone else's dog mess. The line I liked was, "Know what's grosser than picking up dog poop?" Answer was, "Stepping in it." Been there done that. The sign got my attention anyway, and I guess that was its purpose.

Old Time Barbershop

I pressed my camera lens close to the glass window on this barbershop in Stoneville, NC yesterday, because it reminded me of a time back when I was kid, when I'd be sitting on a booster seat (such as the one propped against the wall to the right rear, getting my hair cut. I don't suppose there are many of these shops left anymore, except in small rural towns such as Stoneville.

I remember the powder the barber would brush on my neck after he finished, to get rid of the itch caused by cut hair. I remember the smell of the hair tonic he'd use. I remember looking at all the assembled adults waiting in line, reading old magazines and talking about all sorts of interesting stuff. And, I remember looking in the mirror held up in front of me by the barber, showing me what a great job he'd done (or not).

Later in life, the Army got hold of me and my haircut days changed dramatically. What once was a 15-30 minute enjoyable experience, turned into a sub 5 minute "slash and burn." "High and tight" as they say.

Back to Work!

OK, holiday weekend is over...back to work! My wife wondered yesterday why the Army couldn't have Tuesday also off when a holiday like Labor Day falls on a Monday—as a travel day. Good idea, but it isn't gonna happen force wide. Maybe if it just applied to Labor Day weekend?

I'm reading about troop units who are scheduled to deploy in the near future, having a 2-year dwell time in between deployments...even when they have a 9-month versus 12-month tour. That policy applies to those at division level and below—individual placements and those at corps level and above will serve 12 months.

However, one thing to consider given the total size of the force, coupled with other duties for troop units at home station, are temporary assignments related to national disaster emergencies such as floods, hurricanes, and forest fires. Those extra, unplanned duties are never going away...and often involve being separated from families. Then, there are training exercises away from home, etc-etc-etc. If the size of the force is reduced much more than it is now, and if we remain engaged overseas as we have been this year (Iraq being a big question mark now) then dwell time "months" may be sort of like a play on "numbers." Still two years versus one is pretty good.

Big Labor Day Weekend

One of the many things I miss about being on active duty in the Army is the anticipation I had (as did just about everyone else) for what lay ahead over a long holiday weekend such as the one now present. Being able to shut down beginning at the end of the day on Thursday, and then not having to return to duty until Tuesday AM of the next week, was a real joy. But, there were exceptions.

For example, not everyone had the luxury. Some had assignments that did not allow for it...being deployed overseas for example, or having some sort of official unit assignment. In my time that involved things like guard duty, Officer or NCO of the Day, or whatever. Today, I'm not sure what these type duty requirements entail. My point being that there are always some who have to "hold down the fort" while others are out and about having fun...safely one hopes.

So, for all of you "out and about", Cheers!