Last day at work

Tomorrow is my last day at work. As much as I'm looking forward to my little adventure in the Middle East, it is hard to say good bye to everyone. I really like the people I work with, even if I don't like my job all that much. I've also gotten a lot of support from my coworkers, even if they don't understand why I'm going, and from the management at Perot Systems. Today at our department meeting I was presented with an autographed copy of Ross Perot's autobiography. He actually took time to write me a note after being informed that I was deploying. It was very cool.

It's very wierd. I feel like I'm about to enter a new stage in my life. It's kind of like getting a new job, only a lot more intense. It's a good feeling.

thought of the day

I found this on another Soldier's blog...sad but true:

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON, AS MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM.

Twitter

In the interest of using all internet resources available to communicate to everyone, I've signed up for a Twitter account. I actually did it quite a while back but really haven't used it.

Twitter is a microblog capable of posts up to like 140 characters. Just quick little updates, but you can subscribe to peoples' blogs and "follow" them. If you're interested, go to Twitter.com and search for muchocheko. Unfortunately I think you have to sign up for the service, but if you want to, I'll try to post. I probably won't use it too much but it's there as an option if I need it.

Check this out:
http://jaypeeonline.net/news/student-uses-twitter-to-get-out-of-jail/

test post

just a quick test post from my psp. keyboard stinks.

Early 09

Hello all. Hope everyone had a good holiday season. Just a quick update on my ever changing military status. I officially transferred to the Minnesota National Guard in September of 08. No, we're not moving there; the unit I transferred to is going on a deployment in early 09 and I wanted to be a part of it. Why would I volunteer to go to war? There are a bunch of reasons I'm doing this ranging from career experience, to tax free money, to just something I want to do as a life experience. Basically I don't want to be one of those people who goes through life saying "I wish I did whatever when I had the chance."

Anyway while I'm gone, I hope to keep this blog going. I should have regular access to the internet, so stay tuned. I should start posting stuff from in country around early May.

Feel free to send email to both my military and gmail address.

Dan

update

Well, been back from OBC for a few months. I wish I could say that things are going well with the Reserves, but I hate it more each time I come back from drill.

Aside from the fact that we don't do anything at drill, I keep seeing how the Army Reserves does not take care of their Soldiers. This drill for example, we couldn't sign out because the person responsible left, and the sign out sheets were nowhere to be found. No sign out = no pay.

I got registered for a class, but my unit couldn't tell me whether I had a seat in the class, was on the waiting list, or anything. No status. I inquired several times, and after a week and half, was told that I didn't have a seat, and probably couldn't get one, but I could go on the wait list if I was able to leave with two days notice. Mind you this is a 2 month long class. I have a full time job and family. Leave with 2 days notice. Right.

There are many more examples of ineptness (nice word huh?) within our unit, but it's not worth going into. I just hope karma visits the people responsible.

I have actually begun to think about getting out. On one hand I look at all the time I've put in to get this far, but on the other hand, it hasn't gotten me anywhere. Maybe the time would be better spent with my family camping, or making biodiesel, or pretty much anything else.

I'm definitely disappointed in the Army Reserves. I never had these problems with the National Guard.

Oh well, thanks for listening...just had to vent.

Home

Finally. I made it home Wednesday afternoon, although I could do without the ridiculously cold weather. All in all, it was a good experience, I learned a lot, and made some good friends.

Thanks to everyone for keeping in touch and the words of encouragement. Monday it's back to the grind. I can't wait...