Now, for just the next 45 days, I'm back on active duty. In a way I do feel a little bit of relief. The Army has been my extended family and home for so long, even the couple of years that I have been away for the first 2 years of medical school have been a little disorienting to me. But now I'm back, if only for a short while. Over the next few weeks I will be working at Madigan Army Medical Center, taking care of the Army family in many ways, learning more as a student, further developing as an officer.

But even more than that, I get get recharged by knowing that I am doing my part, even though it is small now as a student, to protect and serve my nation as an Army Medical Department officer, called to care for our Army and taking my small part in a great historical traditon of service. I may be a small part of the Army, but my Army is large...large of spirit, courage, heart, and yes, even of mind. I don't think many realize how much the Army has grown in so many ways.

It's good to be back home.