Goals for this extention

As you all are aware by now, my tour in Iraq has been extended, along with the rest of the MN National Guard. I am a little down as we were around two months away from getting out of here. We were all very disappointed with a certain person in the Pentagon who decided, for political reasons I'm sure, that it was more important to contact the media and break the story to them before anything was said to a single soldier. The units morale took a big hit because we all found out through worried family members asking us "what do you mean your getting extended?" To which our response was, what are you talking about? We finally get the official word today that we are being extended and we will be here until the beginning of August at the latest. There is talk of leave being available as well as a four day pass.
Many of my fellow soldiers have decided that this news calls for a new toy or something to help us cope with the fact that we are going to be here about another seven months or so. I'm no different; I enrolled to retake two classes from Northwestern College that I failed. I could most certainly have bought a PlayStation 2 and sat in my room and played baseball all day. This idea had crossed my mind when I was home during Christmas. I just no longer have it in me to just sit in front of the TV all day and play a game, especially when I stare at a computer screen when I am at work anyway.
My motivation and morale are low (which is not to be confuse that with my morals), as is everyone else’s. It’s hard if not impossible not to feel a little depressed. But here is my fix and what I have decided to do; first is to go work out everyday but Sunday. My goal in the next six months is to lose thirty pounds and come home with “six pack abs.” A six pack is a lot lighter than this “party ball keg” I’m dragging around right now. I will require a lot of work, eating healthy as well as commitment and dedication.
Another goal is to read and blog thru the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in the time left. I also want to pass my to courses, New Testament Archeology and Church History with no lower than a B, an A is what I am shooting for though. By doing these I hope to deepen my relationship with God and strengthen my walk with God as it has slipped a bit over the past three and half months. I must spend time daily reading the Word of God, (the Bible) and spend time every day in prayer, at the very least once a day.
My language needs to change as well as my attitude. I have six months to make this transformation and build a more solid foundation of faith. (As I write this I just ripped open a small bag of candy, tisk, tisk, tisk, I say. That’s what I have to stop, especially since I have a good dinner waiting to be heated up. Like I said, I must work on my self discipline.

Official sponsor?

I have been informed that my Brigades official sponsor for this tour is

Snickers

Not going anywhere for a while?

OPSEC

On AFN (Armed Force Network) we are not shown commercials like the ones back home. We are bombarded by a few major themes. One is don’t drink and drive, which in a war zone where there is no alcohol, this is totally unnecessary. Another encourages troops to stop using tobacco. If the writers of these “commercials” were in Iraq and went thought half of what some of these guys do, they would see how asinine these are. I don’t smoke, but I know that the stress of being over here gets to guys (and gals too) and they smoke. When they get home some will stop and others won’t. I admit I smoke from time to time but I hate the taste. Sometimes it does clams the nerves just a bit. I’m still trying to find a good cigar over here.
The main thing that is preached to us is operation security aka OPSEC. In World War 1 or 2 the phrase loose lips sink ship came about. They were told to watch what they say. Today we are told to watch what we say, email, post on blogs or myspace, yet the press breaks OPSEC daily and has no problem telling the world what’s going on. The New York Times leaks classified documents and “breaks” the story about wire tapping and tells everyone how we are going after the terrorists. So we have to find a new way to get information vital to the war or terrorism.
Today I was told that my brigade is getting extended until July. That doesn’t bother me, what does is the way I found out. It would have been nice for soldiers to be told BY THEIR CHAIN OF COMMAND instead of a newspaper blindsiding the troops and their families.
Our missions here are hard enough without them being compromised because a soldier is more worried about how his/her family is instead of focusing on the mission. When you are worried about your family your head is not in the game. However this is anything but a game because our lives are at stake.
This is going to fall on the deaf ears of the press but just because you know something doesn’t mean you should leak it! Stop putting our lives in more jeopardy then they already are. Stop printing things that are considered OPSEC, the hell with your freedom of the press. It’s my ass thats's on the line not yours!

Happy New Year

Well I have been enjoying my leave over Christmas and New Years, seeing my wife as well as both of our families. Its been nice just being "normal," even if it is only for a few more days. I have decided to post my resolutions here and I wanted to also remind you to check out the new blog as well.
My resolutions are as follows:
1. Read through the entire Bible this year
2. Read 12 books
3. Journal and blog about what I am reading in the Bible and the books
4. Change my diet and exercise so I will lose 25 pounds my years end.
5. Come home in one piece in the next few months

There they are folks. Have a good new year and set your own resolutions.
Dont forget to check out the new blog where I will be blogging about false teachings currently invading the church, theology, and what I am reading as well as what is playing in my iPod.

Happy New Year!