Journal Entry: "Leadership Changes"

We’ve pretty much spent the whole of the last week in BRM (Basic Rifle Marksmanship) practicing for qualification. I’m learning the nuances of my M16A2 and should be able to qualify that first time out, which is next week. Of course, I’m going for the expert badge–why not? Other than that, the week has been rather uneventful. I did fired from my PG (Platoon Guide) post in a mass firing due to some fit thrown by the First Sgt. Only to be reinstated by my Platoon Sgt. almost immediately. She waited a day, and let the first squad leader perform the PG role I think just to see how I’d react to someone else being in charge. I was the perfect soldier for my squad leader, and I could sense that the Drill Sgts. appreciated my positive attitude toward the issue. Frankly, I enjoyed the vacation. I continue to quietly lead by example and hope that it rubs off on at least a few of the younger soldiers.
There are several of the more serious soldiers that have confided in me that the lack of difficulty and discipline here at Ft. Jackson is disappointing and even disconcerting. I have to say I agree. I had mentally prepared for a more grueling experience, and frankly, the lax enforcement only serves to annoy those of us who understand we’re going to war. Most of these kids betray no understanding of the global events unfolding before them. I had one kid ask me where “Balujah” was and why we invaded it. It took me a second to realize he was talking about Falluja, which we just retook this week. I hope and trust it went well. I had a strong feeling we would take it down just after the election and sure enough….’bout damn time.
I’m so glad the election is over. I’m hoping the constant sniping and venomous partisan politics will cool off at least somewhat now that this critical decision has been made. Time will tell if it was the right one and if it was as fateful as it feels.
I found out Arafat died today in Paris. I fear this will make things temporarily worse for the M.E., but I’ve always maintained that pretty much everything will get worse before it gets better…eventually.I think about my nephews everyday here. There are young soldiers barely five years older than they are here, and as proud as I would be of them if they choose to serve when they come of age, I would hope the nature of their service would be to preside over and protect the peace and be placed in a position where it would be necessary to take a life or lose his own. I serve this duty out of love for them and for my future children and of an acknowledgement of the love that all people have for theirs.