It seems like only yesterday I was out on Skunk Lake, in Minnesota, with my family.  Probably the most relaxing place on the face of the earth.  The sound of the loons, the bass, and the clean air.  Nothing more stress free than fishing with no great expectations.  Names are often misleading, it does not smell.               

For the last seventy years my wife’s family has fished the lakes around or near Skunk Lake.  The trip is usually made during the first week in August.  I have attended these fishing trips, off and on, for the last twenty years.  My three children get to see their cousins, aunts, and uncles that they would not usually see regularly throughout the year.  Depending on who attends there can be four generations fishing in the same boat. 

My involvement with the 314th Public Affairs Operations Center began around the time of my last trip to Skunk Lake.  After finishing my journey to Skunk Lake, I started my Journey with the 314th PAOC.  This journey with my Army family will involve stays in Birmingham, AL; Fort Dix, NJ; and Iraq.  Just like in fishing the Army requires patience.     

Before reaching Iraq we were required to train at Fort Dix, New Jersey.  Now there are many similarities between some of the places I have visited while in the military and Skunk Lake.  Fort Dix, New Jersey is not like Skunk Lake, but they always serve baked fish at the Dinning Facility. 

Besides the baked fish, Fort Dix offered the 314th PAOC some of the best training I have seen in 20 years of service.  The Regional Training Center-East provided a variety of training to include weapons, land navigation, and other warrior skills that are vital for all Soldiers to know.  Many of our instructors were Drill Instructors with prior deployment experience.  Their experience and knowledge enhanced our classes.  Fort Dix is truly a center of excellence preparing Soldiers for mobilization.     

Fort Dix is almost in our rear view mirror.  I won’t miss the baked fish here, but I will miss the RTC-E instructors.  Their professionalism and training greatly enhanced 314th’s readiness.