Random Advice on How to Survive a Deployment by a First Time Deployer - by Sgt. Griebel

Step 1: Get Promoted

We've finally begun our pre-deployment training for OMLT 4 (to get an idea of an OMLT group, click here).  Thus far, things are going quite well.  I met the rest of the team, and I think we're going to be a good, cohesive group.  One of the sergeants going with us has already gone on four deployments, and a number of the other soldiers have deployed as well.  So it looks like there's a lot of experience going, which is incredibly helpful.

We finally saw some photos of where we'll be training and where we'll be deployed to.  The location in Slovenia looks amazing.  The countryside there is beautiful, and I cannot wait to spend time there.  Where we're going to in Afghanistan is, well, less-than-stellar looking.  It's a bit dry, dusty, barren --- a far cry from my home state of Colorado.  However, I am excited about the mission, and I am glad for this opportunity, knowing that God can work His will, regardless of the landscape.

Earlier this week, we began with some blood work and shots.  And, for whatever reason, the sergeant drawing my blood had to stick me three times to get blood.  I know from donating blood back in Greeley that I have a high iron count in my blood, which means that it's thicker than normal.  This makes the blood draw challenging at times; however, this poor sergeant's first stick (which completely missed my vein) did not draw more than a tiny drop of blood.  So odd it was that he and I both stared at my arm as I said, "Uh...shouldn't there be something coming out of that hole?"  Finally, though, we switched arms and got enough blood for the test.  This fun experience was followed by two shots, which (as shots often do) left me feeling cruddy for the rest of the day. 

On to better news:  today I was finally pinned as a sergeant (E-5)!  I've been a specialist for three and a half years, and I was incredibly excited at the privilege to get promoted.  As much as I've enjoyed the "sham shield," I think it's time for me to move up a bit and take on more responsibility.  Plus, the extra pay will be nice since I'm still paying off student loans from college.

As I'm working on "blogging" (a new experience for me), I'll try using clever aphorisms from literature and pop culture to enliven my writing.  And today, I'll end with the iconic closing words of Paul Harvey's radio show:  "Good day!"