Well, the nice relaxing weekend came to crashing halt with the ringing of the 0530 alarm. On this day there were no early morning phone calls to interrupt P.T.  Not, because everything was going smooth down at the MEPS, but rather because we had nothing going on down there today. Not exactly good news! I prefer the annoying "you suck" phone calls as I arise myself. At least when that's happening things are going on to provide the strength.  I can overcome problems and adapt to issues, but silence is far from golden in our business. All that is about to change and do so with a vengeance! The days between today and mission day promise to be packed with all the headaches that come with success. Bring on the pain! 

Today was filled with interruptions that poked holes in my normal battle rhythm. We had a command climate survey that lasted 41/2 hours, annual testing for recruiter development, and we're preparing for a change of command this week! All this on top of the already hectic Monday routine. At the end of the day the Mustang company did what it does best though. It overcame the challenges, got results, and prepped for the tough holiday season that lay ahead. The naysayers who count Minneapolis company out prematurely will be disappointed when all is said in done. Resiliency is the theme of the month!

This weekend I'm off to Iowa for some training. Not a choice time to leave, given the current mission posture, but I have above average subordinate LEADERS, so I fear not! I hope the training will have some lasting value. Our Battalion covers four states, so company leaders rarely get a chance to meet and develop plans of action to improve the whole of the organization. I've been preparing for that, trying to keep up with school work, and balance work and family (I'm at my daughter's gymnastics as I write this). All of that is easy to keep up with when things are running like a well oiled machine, but they just add stress when times are tough. Right about now, I wish I was only taking one class. That's MUCH easier to keep up with...

My Company commander changes command this Thursday. I hate to see him go, but I look forward to the challenge of teaching another commander the technical and tactical aspects of recruiting. This command is somewhat unique in that our newly assigned commanders have no recruiting experience. Just about the time everything is running smooth - change comes and the cycle begins anew. My task will be to get the incoming commander up to speed and on point before I leave, which will either be in 9 months or 19 months...I'm not exactly sure at this point...I hear rumors about my next assignment, but I've learned not to put to much stock in assignments until orders are in hand. It's all good to me either way. I like what I do and where I do it! I knew nothing of Minnesota before my arrival here (other than it's cold), but now that I've been living here a year and a half, I like it a lot. Minneapolis kindly set the city up in such a way that you can go everywhere and never go outside. That was nice of them! I despise cold weather...my last assignment before recruiting was at Fort Drum, NY....NOW THAT WAS COLD! Even on the coldest day here, I tell myself "it's not Fort Drum cold". 

On this day I remain Resilient, my team remains Resilient, we adapt to change and forge ahead. This is a job nobody in their right mind would leave before they have to!

Until next time,

Terry