2010 in Review

What a year!  Redeployment, auditions, training, and a move across the country to a new duty assignment = life in the Army!

January: I redeployed from Iraq with the 1^st Cavalry Division.  I hadn’t seen my family in seven months so it was a great way to start the year.

February: I went on block leave (two weeks of vacation) with my wife and children to visit my family in Phoenix and Southern California.  It was a great break after being gone for a year to Iraq.

March: I auditioned as a singer and conductor for the US Army Soldiers’ Chorus at Fort Meade, MD.  What an amazing experience!  The musicians in that group are true professionals and it was a pleasure to meet them and get to work with them for a few days.  Although I did not get the position I was invited to an Army band officer audition in May at Fort Myer, VA.

April: I spent the month getting ready for my officer audition.  I also attended Warrior Leader Course at Fort Hood for two weeks of intense leadership training and field exercises.  For me, the highlight of WLC was land navigation in the hill country of Central Texas.  Good training in a beautifuly environment.

May: I attended the Army Band Leader Training conference in Virginia Beach and was awarded the Army band field’s 2010 Junior NCO of the Year award for active duty bandsmen (thank you SSG Brown, SFC Buchanan and SSG Winters for your mentorship!).  At the end of the month I auditioned and was selected for the Army band officer program!

June: My family and I said goodbye to Fort Hood and moved to Fort Monroe, VA.  Moving a family of six is never easy, but my wife and I agree that it was well worth it as we have enjoyed our quarters and the post at Fort Monroe.

July to December: I have been a part of the TRADOC Band team now for six months.  I have played in numerous ceremonies and concerts as a euphonium player and fanfare trumpeter.

This has been a great year and I could not have done it without my wife and kids.  I was able to pursue my goals thanks to the support of my senior leadership at the 1^st Cavalry Division band (CW5 Aaron Graff and SGM Leslie Nock).

2011 looks to be just as busy as I prepare to attend Officer Candidate School in April, Basic Officer Leadership Course in August, and report to my next duty assignment as a 2^nd Lieutenant by the end of the year.