Good questions…As far as working in an area that I enjoy: The way I was able to get a job in Public Affairs/Broadcast Journalism is by taking the ASVAB seriously. I believe seniors can still take them in high school (I took mine at the beginning of my senior year so I didn’t take mine at the school). Obviously, the higher your score on the test the better job you can get. Every part of my “job” in the Army I enjoy. I’ve travelled around Iraq with a video camera following different units around to get their stories. I’ve had a four hour radio show, which of course is awesome! Along with the radio show I produced the Freedom Radio News and “spots” which is the AFN equivalent to commercials. Now I am working with reporters from around the world to get them where they need to be to get their stories. I’m constantly meeting new people with all kinds of different backgrounds. I believe it helps me be a more rounded person. How often do I get to change jobs? Within my MOS (Military Occupation Speciality) I can change jobs pretty often since there are so many different things involved with Public Affairs. I could be doing press releases, escorting media on the battlefield, working with the local media, and such. On the broadcasting side I could be doing Electronic News Gathering for radio and television, I could be an anchor, a producer, a camera man, a reporter, or a radio DJ. Those jobs could change as often as they need someone to fill them, going back to being well rounded. As far as getting a different MOS altogether…that depends on what contract you sign. My original contract was for 6 years active reserve and 2 years inactive reserve as a 46R (PA Specialist/Broadcast Journalist), I re-enlisted last year to do another 6 years of this because I enjoy doing what I do for the Army. If I wanted to change my job though I could sign a contract doing whatever other job I am qualified for. But all that stuff is better taught by a career counselor. Glad you guys are reading the blogs, but don’t stop at just reading mine, there are many other (much better) writers than me here, with some good stories and their own angle on this deployment thing. Some of which this is their first, second, or third. Me personally this is my second so I have a completely different view of it thatn some of the others. The trick to surviving any deployment after getting into a good routineis findinf a hobby to get into after work. I work out 5 days a week, which helps me in alot of ways, physically and mentally. Also, I play guitar, I’ve actually recorded one song since I’ve been here. If you are interested you can check it out on my band’s myspace page at www.myspace.com/actofsummer. Well, I hope I was able to answer all your questions. If there’s anything else you want to know just ask. Later!