Taking a break from all this training chatter, I'm in the mood to share a part of my life that is incredibly precious to me: my marriage. Wait! Before you click away because this doesn't cover my usual "I worked another 17 hour day" banter, at least take a moment to realize that sometimes we tend to shove certain things to the side for the sake of our career. I do. All. The. Time. Guilty, guilty, guilty. Mark, my husband (yes, I still love writing...read more

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Oh MIBOLC, how you make me want scream obscenities. I always feel like I'm playing catch up but never know what I'm supposed to be doing or what's going on for that matter. It's frustrating. The light at the end of the tunnel feels so far away and out of reach if not impossible. How do my instructors motivate the class? By the usual "These many people failed last time..." I could use a hug.

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Leadership. It's not found in any FM regardless of what others may say. It's found through experience, through learning, through making mistakes. I arrived back from my four day weekend, dressed for PT, and waited with my class for the call to formation for the raising of the flag when I see my TAC NCO walking towards me. He points and says, "You, you're now class leader." I am now the master of the copy machine in the orderly room. The listener of all the...read more

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What I wish I could say is, "Suck it, Trebek." Alas, I'm not the great Mr. Connery and also hold the lowly rank of a butter bar. The logic of the Army, or lack thereof, never ceases to amaze me. Yes, you can have a four day BUT you must work the next weekend. Oh wait, we also think you need to come up with a 30 page presentation to brief that morning but are only going to give you an hour and a half to work on it. AND when you do brief it, we are going to rip you to shreds...read more

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MI BOLC is not making me very joyful and full of glee these days. Therefore, I stare at these and think happy thoughts. http://mingmakescupcakes.yolasite.com/ Why can't COIN be as smile inducing?

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Sometimes I think we take for granted the bravery of our military. The wounded are assumed to be healed. The fallen quickly honored. Life moves on. There are moments though when all seems to stand still. The knowledge that a fellow soldier and 2LT has fallen to the atrocities of war made my mouth go dry and my eyes water this morning. 2LT Mark Noziska was killed in action in Afghanistan. I only knew him in passing. He went to a rival high school and received his commission from...read more

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I had my first make it or break it test yesterday, my big Mission Analysis Brief. Here's how my instructors motivate my class: "Thirteen people failed this last time." Way to motivate, instructors. Clearly none of you were involved in such activities as cheerleading (guilty), show choir a la Glee (guilty), or had Disney character filled dreams as a child (guilty again). After what felt like dozens of meltdowns and nightmares where I wake up standing next to my overlays...read more

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What I have learned today: 1) Guys actually watch shows like "Say Yes to the Dress" and "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" 2) 80% of everything I'm told is deemed "notional" 3) INA stand for "Is Not Assessed" NOT "Iowa Newspaper Association" 4) Power Point is the bane of my existence along with I-45 from The Woodlands to my house in downtown Houston. I hate them both. 5) AKO is pointless and I'm giving up...read more

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I smile a lot. "Smiling's my favorite!" That's the kind of person I am. I laugh at pretty much any dirty joke or sly comment. I can't help it. So it really took me by surprise when this happened... Here's what I got told today by an instructor: "Why are you smiling? Cut it out and take this seriously! I mean it, stop smiling, stop laughing, and act like your life depends on this." He said this with his "I am Man. Speak from Diaphragm." voice....read more

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IPB is officially sucking the life blood out of me. The good news is that I only have two more weeks left before moving on to MOD C! YES!!!! Until then though, let me continue to come up with enemy COAs...

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