I decided to check my enlistment contract for the US Army today. Why? I wanted to figure out how long I had until my initial 8 years is up. See, even though I'm not on Active Duty, I'm technically still in the Army until 8 years after my enlistment date - though classified as Inactive Ready Reserve during the remainer of my non-Active term.

I have 603 more days. You would think that, after those 603 days are up, I'm free and clear, right?

It's amazing the things you realize after it's too late to do anything about them...( Read more )

To those with whom I served. Thank You.

To those we left behind. Thank You.

To those who protect me still. Thank You.

I am so close to getting out of the Army I can almost taste it. The next 27 days will probably fly by, but they can't go fast enough.

I'm not going back to school right away, but at some point I'll be taking advantage of my GI Bill. Pondering going back to college has got me thinking about my past experiences...

I went to Harding University after high school. It's a small school, as Universities go, but it's a good one. I especially liked the School of Business. The staff and faculty were talented and genuinely interested in the welfare of their students. Unfortunately, I was an Accounting major and most of the jobs in public accounting are in the NYC area. When I transferred to SUNYA, I exchanged a great education for a good one, but I gained better prospects for a job. I guess for some that's what counts, but I often bemoan the loss of the small-school atmosphere.

So here I am looking to go back to school. The thing is, I already have a degree and I don't have the desire to enter an intensive degree program. I've had a "career"; now I want a life. If I were enrolling today, I'd probably take a bunch of history classes, none of which would gain me a degree, but all of which would be on topics I'm interested in. I spend so much time studying ancient cultures and history, it'll be nice to have someone (the US Government, no less) paying me to do what I love. Who cares if I get a degree out of it, I'll enjoy the ride.

Of course, I only need 12 credit-hours for a Masters. I wonder if UW has a program in ancient near eastern history...

Got back from Iraq last night.

Yay.

Now I sleep.