Goodbyes and Hellos

Yesterday, after one week of processing in Norfolk, VA I got on a bus at dawn and headed down to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina (Camp McCrady, to be specific) for two and a half weeks of training.

The last week was a good way to transition away from loved ones towards this new strange military life I will be living for the next year or so.

We were fitted for uniforms, went through endless rounds of medical (where I received every shot known to mankind....even though I already had most of them), got fitted for gas masks and sat through many many many briefs. All in all, it wasn't too bad, but I can certainly think of better ways to spend my time.

My good friend Bill Salvin surprised me in Norfolk for a few hours, as did my twin sister. It was really special to be able to see both of them, even if just for a couple of minutes.

Leila had dropped Conor and Jack off in the morning, so as soon as I was done checking out of the processing center we were able to spend time together as a family. We went to the PX so I could get a few last minute things and then went to the hotel in downtown Norfolk to spend the evening together. Great Mexican food and lots of laughter. I was amazed at my ability to sleep soundly! At 5:20, the wake up call came and it was show time.

When we got back to the processing site, we were delighted to be greeted by a bunch of civilians who had made us goodie bags for the ride. The fact that these folks got out of bed at the crack of dawn to greet us and wish us well was incredibly nice. There was also a group of Harley Davidson riders with American flags greeting us, they also led the caravan as we left the base. What a great send off!



Saying good bye to Conor and Jack was emotional, as I knew it would be....

Conor was great. All smiles and very supportive. He kept asking for groups hugs and was just very upbeat about the whole thing. When it came time to say good bye to Jack, I handed him an envelope with my diamond earrings and my engagement ring. It's been 15 years since I've taken that ring off...it wasn't easy. (There is no way I am parting with the wedding band, though. No way. No how.) Jack and I hugged and quickly said good bye....it was just easier, because I could just tell that we were both about to lose it.

Then I got on the bus and hit the road. 8 hours later, or thereabouts, we arrived at Ft. Jackson. The bus ride really wasn't that bad. I had a good book to read and plenty of time to think.

I thought a lot about how much I love my family, and how lucky I am to have the world's greatest child and husband. They've been with me every step of the way and shown enough humor and levity to make things a lot easier. How lucky am I??

Arriving at Camp McCrady was like stepping back in time. Seriously. This camp is circa 1942, as is the bedding I was issued for my 'rack'. We are living in mixed rank open bay barracks, just like boot camp for those of you who have gone through that. I think I lucked out, as I seem to be on the quiet end of the building. In a stroke of near genius, I packed an eye mask and ear plugs...they came in very handy last night.

I'm still adjusting to everything and am sort of on sensory over load. I'll have more to share tomorrow, once our training starts in earnest.

In-Processing in Norfolk

Well, the first day of processing is in the books! Lots of briefings, lots of paperwork, and surprisingly...a lot of my questions were answered. Not a bad way to start this whole experience.

I was fitted for new uniforms, because apparently the $5,000.00 worth of uniforms I have in my closet at home aren't the right kind or color. As you all know, I am in the NAVY but today I was fitted for ARMY uniforms. Welcome to the NARMY.

For about 2 blissful moments, there was a good chance that I would be in SMALLS! Then reality set in....it settled in right around my Big Ass Birthing Hips (BABHs) and the gig was up. I officially wear Medium Extra short tops and Medium Short trousers. It was sort of like the opposite effect of shopping at Talbots...where everything has been sized down in order to make us feel better. I don't think anything about the NARMY is designed to make us feel better.

That said, the folks at the Processing Center have been really good. Sure, there is a lot of down time or things that don't pertain to me, but with 200+ people to move through, it's understandable that not all of us will have the same issues. Having done this for several years, these people have it down to a science.

In other bizarre news, all day long I sat next to a super tall super skinny LCDR. Only to find out in the afternoon he is from Fredericksburg!! (Well, not really from there, but he has lived there for the last several years while working at Dahlgren.) I know I'm only a 2 hour drive from home, but still...isn't that strange?

First Day

I got up at the crack of dawn yesterday to make the 2 hour drive down to Norfolk to start this strange yearlong road trip. I took a shower, put on my uniform, grabbed a cup of coffee, kissed Jack and got in the car. It was all very matter of fact. No drama. No jitters. Just another day. Huge difference from earlier this summer.

Two months ago I was so freaked out about this impending deployment that I couldn't eat or sleep, now I just can't wait to get it started. I'm not saying that I can't wait to leave my friends and family for a year...what I'm saying is that I am soooo ready for this to get started. The anticipation is awful! I want to clock to start ticking already!!!!

I got to the Reserve Center, got my new ID card, went through out-processing and was able to hit the road to drive home by 11am. My first day as an active duty officer was a piece of cake!

Because I only live a couple of hours from Norfolk, I am able to drive home for the weekend. I'll leave to go back late Sunday afternoon to start the week long administrative boondoggle at the Navy Marine Corps Processing Center. Medical, safety briefs, uniform issue...in true Navy fashion, 8 hours of briefings stretched over one week! I'm lucky, actually. There are people flying in who have no where to go this weekend and no rental car...they are stuck and have already said good bye to their friends and family. I get one more weekend. Woo-Hoo!

The last week has been filled with spending time with friends and family, packing, re-packing, crossing things off lists, writing new lists, etc.

Basically, everything I will need for the next year needs to fit in a medium backpack. Isn't that strange? The last year of living alone in Houston has made me more of a minimalist, but still....no loafers? No extra sweater? What do you mean I can't bring any Crazy Pants?

Then I remember that I will be issued endless amounts of gear I will never use...and that I will need to haul that crap from here to Kuwait to Baghdad and back! I've run through too many airport terminals with too heavy carry on bags to repeat that mistake. So I am paring down, big time. Running kit, Kindle, laptop, bathroom kit, jammies, one pair of jeans and a couple of shirts. That's it. I swear.

Anywhooooose, I am okay. Really. I am sleeping well, eating well and not terrible anxious. I may still have a meltdown before I leave, but I'm betting not. I have drawn an enormous amount of strength from Jack and Conor and from my friends and family over the last several weeks; it is sustaining me. It will get me through whatever comes my way. I know it.

Last Day.....

Today was my last day working for my civilian employer...as if I'll really be able to ignore the emails and meeting notices I get. I am so addicted to my blackberry, it's hard to imagine really letting go of it all.

It was a bitter sweet day, one of many I've had lately. For the last year, I have been a Director for Public Affairs for BP (large oil company) and have loved every single minute of it. When I told my management team that I was being mobilized they worked out a plan that allowed me to come back to Virginia for my last 6 weeks at home. I was able to work out of the DC office, travel for the company, and work from home if it made sense. BRAVO BP for looking out for me! I could not have asked for a better situation. They made it very clear to me that my well being was their primary concern and to take as much time as I needed to get ready for the next year.

I've always had great bosses at this company and I can't wait to work for and with them again. I truly believe that I won the job lottery.

Anywhooose, back to today: As I've made a habit of doing the last several weeks, I finished work, turned in my badge and snuck out the back door. No drama, no speeches, just a graceful and quiet exit.

So, consider this a formal and public apology. I've told many friends and colleagues lately that I will go to lunch, dinner or drinks with them before I leave. Ain't gonna happen, folks. It's getting harder and harder to say So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Good-bye! (Come on....you had to know that a Sound of Music reference was coming at some point...) I'd rather that we'd all just pretend that I'm going on another work trip....and leave it at that.

Let's save the parties and the hugging for when I get back. Capice?

10 days and counting....

Well, folks. Here it is. Ten days until I report for active duty with the Navy. It seemed very esoteric a couple of months ago, but reality is starting to settle in.

I know the next several weeks will be challenging beyond any thing I can imagine, but I also know that thousands and thousands of soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines have done this before me. Many of my friends and Navy colleagues have done this. I can do this.

I will write about my experiences, my observations (many of you know me as a keen people watcher) and, of course, my opinions. My facebook page will stay very active, so please consider this just one more ego-centric platform for me to exploit!

(A special thanks to Patrick Evans for the inspiration for the blog title. His blog, which I followed regularly, was titled 48 Sundays. I hope to continue the great Navy PAO tradition of interesting and fun blogs.)