Today is a very busy day at the Combined Press Information Center.  It is officially the first day of our move from Ocean Cliffs to our new home at Camp Prosperity.  We are taking apart electronic equipment, packing boxes, filling conexs, and making this former parking garage look more and more like a parking garage again (yes, the CPIC is really a retro-fitted parking garage adjacent to the Parliment and Baghdad Convention Center).

While everyone else here is doing all this moving work, I am busy for another reason.  I am headed out on my R&R leave.  I leave mid-day on Monday for a short stop at Camp Victory, and then I am on to the United States — to DC, Atlanta and Birmingham. 

When I first planned to take my R&R leave, the move of the CPIC was planned for March.  I though I had it all planned so well – I would move all my “stuff” into my new office and head out the door.  However, the move “got pushed to the right” — in other words, delayed.  That means I am going to be leaving the 314th at a time they could probably use my support the most.  However, I am looking at this from another perspective — maybe it’s good that I am leaving now.

I suppose all of us like to think of ourselves as being indispensible, but the truth is that all of us will be gone some day.  It’s our job as leaders to mentor younger Soldiers to ensure that come retirement day there will be others to take our place.

When I am gone for 3 weeks, Acting Sergeant Major Jeremiah Glassford will be the senior NCO of the 314th PAOC.  Not only will he be responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the difference CPIC sections, he will also take on most of the things I do — things that are largely external to our organization.

Would I like to be here for the move?  Sure (probably because I want to make sure none of my “stuff” gets lost — just kidding).

But, I will make it through the separation.  I found out I can log on to my Iraq email when I back home — so I will only a key stroke or two away from the 314th PAOC.

If all goes as planned, I will arrive back to the CPIC on one of the last days of the move.  LTC Perez joking says that I had this planned the whole time.    Like I said, timing is everything!