Well I’m still hanging around Camp Buehring and I must admit I’m getting quite anxious.
The novelty of this new location has lost its luster and I am ready to head down range, get settled into a routine and be gainfully employed. Many times in the Army you find moments of shear excitement and volatility only to be punctuated by long periods of down time. Kuwait is no exception. We have, for the most part, been sitting around for the last few days with only something small here and there. It is a good way to get accustomed to the time change I suppose.
I’ve found myself battling the z-monster, the continuous urge to fall asleep, as we crawl through the few remaining days until our flight up country. I know that if I fall into that trap I will succumb to delaying my biological adaptation of my displacement half way around the world. So I’ve been trying to be proactive in spending my time wisely.
Just prior to our flight, the Chaplin at Fort Dix gave us the opportunity to grab some spiritual or leadership literature. I happened to grab one of the former with the intentions of reading it in its entirety prior to the end of the flight. Typically I have a hard time sleeping on a plane. This excursion was an exception and I thus didn’t finish -in fact I barely started- the book. I’ve spent the majority of my down time perusing it, not really a bad read. I found some much needed spiritual enlightenment there.
Oddly enough I’ve moved on to another book that is in stark contrast, that my friend Scott lent me. He is a longtime friend from high school that is an English major from Johnson State College in Vermont, where we both attended for a spell. I attended the school for a brief semester after basic training before realizing the flaming hoops one has to jump through to achieve financial aid form the Army. I’ve heard that it has been more streamlined so I hope to take advantage of that in the future. I broke my leg during my employment at a ski resort trying to work off the debt incured during the semester. I had to use the workers compensation claim to pay off my balance completely. This unpleasant welcome to college helped turn me off to pursuing my degree further. Scott is a drinking buddy from time to time, but is going to serve as my literature aid while I’m over here. I don’t care to say “book buddy” because, well I just don’t like the sound of that. He is going to send me “good reads” from his already sizable personal library.
I was reading ‘Gonzo’ which is about the life of Hunter S. Thompson as told by some of his friends and companions. I was quite into the book, but left it back in NH due to the limited cargo capacity of my travels at this time. Scott did lend me ‘The Rum Diary”, his first novel which was smaller. So thus I have transitioned from a spiritual-based self-help book to a work of fiction that can be quite explicit. All things in balance, I suppose.
Aside from that I have been trying to square away some loose ends. I have some things on my plate that I must take care of while there is down time. I’ve visited the education office today to see what I can do about taking classes while in theater to get back on the education train. I heavily regret, and am quite sensitive about having not yet achieved a bachelor’s degree at this point in my life, just a handful of credits from the University of New Hampshire and Johnson State College. I hope that during some down time, if any, that I may have during this deployment can be used for such a positive benefit.
I do worry about transferability of online credits and I know how stingy the University of New Hampshire can be about accepting outside credits. It’s to bad, but hopefully with the overhauled GI bill, and, if need be, a letter to my local congress representative may justify this.
In addition, I have to stop by the retention office to get some information on reenlisting. It is time to seriously think about that. Truth be told, the Army, as hectic as it can be on my schedule and life, is exciting for me. Otherwise I spend my weeks sitting in an office at my civilian job and lead a rather mundane life. I really have to weigh the pros and cons of a possible 3 or 6 year reenlistment. This weighs heavy on my mind as thinking for that far into the future is nearly beyond my comprehension. It’s the whole me versus time thing again… we just don’t get along well.
If there is one thing that I have at the moment, it’s time. But, I’ve been duped by time before and I’m sure that I will be again.
Until then I’ll be thinking and waiting…
Cheers
Sunday, 11. January 2009
Re-enlisting?! No surprise here.
Dream big Dreams, shoot for the moon and grab all the stars along the way , life is a journey. Your destiny is in your hands and they are quite capable hands!
I know that your education has meant a lot to you and you will get what you want as long as you continue to persue it with your zest for life.
Please continue to be spiritually based as he will carry you when you become weary. As far as time goes ……we have no say in that- only that you make the best of it while you have it.
Sunday, 11. January 2009
As far as books go I have that stack you set aside. Gonzo is there and that will be one of the first I send to you when you get where you’re going.
Re-enlistment and school, Mr. Fowler please refer to your e-mail for further comment.
Monday, 12. January 2009
If you need anything from Barnes and Noble-let me know as I have a membership. One good thing about the Army, It has great retirement. Enjoyed the blog!
Del
Tuesday, 13. January 2009
Getting back in school is always a good choice, it can only make your time go by more quickly. I’ve taken several online classes and even at my age, I’m ready to take some more. Good luck and we are all praying for your safe return.
Laurie CLifton
Wednesday, 21. January 2009
Hey Jer! We all miss you at NPCII! Your desk will be waiting for you. Once you get settled send one of us your address and anything you may need or would like.
Take care and be safe. Know that we are all thinking and praying for your safe return!
Anne~
Friday, 23. January 2009
Jeremy we would like to hear from you!
Saturday, 24. January 2009
Ms. Fowler — I can tell you that Jeremy has been extremely busy the past couple weeks. As the NCOIC of the Escort Section, arguably the busiest of all sections, he has thrown himself into his job…streamlining processes, coordinating work schedules, and taking care of the needs of his soldiers. On top of that, he has been putting together a promotion packet for the E6 board being held in a few weeks. I get tired just watching him do all that work every day.
Sunday, 25. January 2009
Thank you for the information. I do believe that Jeremy is in his element . I am really happy to know that all is well.
Sorry , just a concerned mom, with the best interest of her son in mind. I will remeber that he has a job to do and work on my paitience .
Friday, 30. January 2009
I have been praying for you forever. Your Grandma, Mary Fowler, goes to my church. She said your name about going to Iraq. I, now, say your name every Sunday, and night in my prayer. I am 6 years old and have 3 brothers and 3 sisters. I am the youngest. I want to be a soldier when I am 18. I work out my muscles and study. We just had another snowstorm - 12 inches. I could send you pictures if I had your real address. I will still pray for you. Your blog is real neat. Matthew PS My Mom typed this for me.
Wednesday, 4. February 2009
Hey Jer, Enjoy reading your blog, a way to have a little connection with Andy and what he’s been through. Thanks for sharing…God has given you quite a gift in journaling, so proud of you! Be safe over there!
Lots of prayers, M
Thursday, 12. February 2009
Hi Jer!
I hope you see this. You must be very busy since I don’t see any recent updates. Let me know if you need anything. Do you want me to send you some movie dvd’s? I sent my friend Louis a stack when he was over there and he and his buddies really enjoyed them.
Hey, your “movie” will be out in the fall, right? I still have the spent cartridge that Leonardo fired off.
Love you,
Aunt Leann