As I'm sure all of you know by now, I am an Army Reserve Soldier, and so I attended drill earlier this month at the end of which I received my permanent orders.  It appears that it is safe to say I am being deployed to Afghanistan indefinitely.  Obviously, to observe Operations Security (OPSEC) regulation, I clearly cannot reveal further information.  However, I just wanted confirm what has already been shared via my YouTube videos and basically provide my thoughts on the matter.

In a small way, I have experienced a considerably consistent time away from home, work and of course, family.  I have spent the vast majority of this year dotting the United States attending schools for training and Army competitions, in all of which I have done quite well.  However, I have already begun to face estrangement from my friends, who also happen to be my colleagues at my civilian workplace, as well as my 1,000+ elementary aged students (FYI: I'm a public school teacher if you didn't arleady know).  In terms of the former, it's been a great year, but as for the latter, this year has sucked.  I've said all this to help shape my ultimate point:  a year of deployment and the time I'll have to be away from work to prepare for it means another year of becoming a stranger.  It's an odd feeling and it was palpable throughout the 2010-2011 school year.  I'm hoping that I can work this out, as my job situation in regards to this deployment is a unique one.  That's all I have to say about this for now.

On a positive note, I do look forward to the experience of being deployed, all the while praying for my safety (lol).  There is a HUGE financial benefit as well as learning more about what my MOS (Military Occupational Specialty aka "army job") will be like in a combat environment.  Honestly, I don't know what to expect but I know for sure I will have a lot to share as I go along or afterward.  In short, I am both excited, afraid but encouraged to do my best as my unit prepares and once we deploy.

Stay tuned!