When the Smoke Clears

There’s places I’ve had to be. They don’t often allow access to uploading posts. And then there is the tempo of the day, which often interferes with sleep, rest, thoughts beyond the next step. It reflects in the lack of writing. But I hear I am about to have access to and requests to write more.

Soon I’ll be in exotic locations. Specific details cannot be revealed, of course.

In the mean time, the latest thing has me stuck in a miserably hot/humid part of the South, well away from my mountains. I have a platoon of privates who don’t know each other and have a generally negative attitude towards their situation. I don’t have any sergeants to rely on so it’s all me. We’ve made some progress towards cohesion and discipline which will hopefully serve them well when they get overseas, though none will ultimately be attached to me. While I’ve had a few chewings to give over the last month, and a few soldiers I’ve just about dismissed as being real people, my platoon has been growing more attached to me, especially since they see how hard I fight for their wellness and welfare. Some of the youngest ones seem to seek my constant approval like puppies that have not taken their required Ritalin.

So I leave you with this brief story until I can write more exhaustively. Sometimes I have to be blunt:

PVT: Sir! SIR!

ME: (turns around)

PVT: SIR! You gonna have fun on pass this weekend?

ME: That’s my intention. You?

PVT: AW yeah! I’m gonna totally be all up in my girlfriend!

ME: Nice. (starts to walk away)

PVT: SIR! SIR! She’s really excited to see me and even texted me about wanting me to do this thing I do with my finger and thumb that…

ME: (interrupting) I get it…

PVT: NAW, sir, it’s just that I take it and while I’m…

ME: …seriously, I’m good without specific details of certain aspects of your personal life.

PVT: But sir, you have to try this some time… me and my boy Todd were doubling up and even DP-ing this one chick and I…

ME: (smiling) PVT, sorry to interrupt and while I’m always interested in new techniques, I want you to keep something in mind:

PVT: What’s that, sir?

ME: You DO understand that I’ve been F-ing for years longer than you’ve been alive, right? I think I might have a few things down.

PVT: …

ME: …

PVT: Roger that, sir…

ME: (leaving)

PVT: Sir, SIR! Do you think you could show me a couple…

ME: Oh hell no.

(sorry, mom)

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