The greatest gift

So I was thinking the other day about gifts; and obviously birthday's come to mind when you think of receiving gifts. So I was thinking to myself, "Self, what do you think would be a great birthday present this year? I mean, there's nothing you need so what sounds good to fill a want?" Well, I'm happy to announce that I didn't have to actually answer that for me because the Air Force has seen fit to give me the greatest birthday present anyone could ever which for. I know, what employer ever gives its employees a gift they want, especially when your employer is the government, but the Air Force has done just that.

This past Friday I was given my gift in advance. After working all night and coming home to sleep I was awoken at about 0900 and told that the Air Force loves me so much they wanted a urine sample from me so they can have a little bit of me all the time. So I complied and filled the cup above the line (just so they have a bit extra so I can't be called greedy) after which I went over to my squadron building to give our deployment people the sizes of ABUs (Airman Battle Uniform) that I wear. *NOTE: That's not me in the picture. Anyway, to continue with the story of my birthday present; so I dropped off the sizes of the ABU that fit me the best (why they decided to completely change the sizes from what BDUs are is beyond me). Now, before I explain anymore let me first say that the reason I was taking my ABU sizes over to the UCC (the people that deal with deployments) is because I had received an email saying something along the lines of 'You've been nominated to deploy' like it's an award that I was trying to win. So I take my sizes to the UCC and ask them what the chances of me actually deploying would be and they said that as far as they're concerned I'm going. So I'm like "Oh goody...I get to go on a sandy vacation again." Well, before I left the UCC I looked at the board that shows all the different taskings for my squadron to find where and when I'm heading over to that wonderful place around the world...and that's where my birthday present actually given to me. I found out that on January 14th I will be flying away to the Middle-East. Happy birthday to me!

Honestly, this won't be too bad. I'm only going to Qatar, and while it's not the United States there aren't any rocket attacks like there was in Iraq. In fact, last time I was in Qatar (that was the base we stopped at both going to and coming from Iraq last year) I was told that the Church Service Group would take a trip for FHE out to the Persian Gulf. So it's not like I'm going to have to just sit on base and do nothing. I'll actually be allowed to take trips into Doha (the capital of Qatar) and I hear; I repeat and emphasize I hear they actually have camels...since Iraq doesn't. Another positive is that there's a pretty good group of Airmen from my squadron, to include my good buddy that I've worked with for the past two years. So I'm actually looking forward to going, if for no other reason than to get away from the people that run my squadron...they drive me insane.

I'm hoping also, that I'll have orders down to San Antonio, TX when I get back from Qatar (not sure when that will be, don't know if it's going to be 4 or 6 months.) I'm hoping to be selected to go to Lackland AFB, TX and teach at the Supply tech school. I will be able to submit my package in March, and you better bet that I will do just that. So I'm hoping that I'll find out, when I'm over sweating off the few extra pounds of jiggly stuff that have found a place of abode above my belt, that I will be going to Lackland. Now, how does this wish affect my desire to get into the PA program you might be wondering. Well, it's going to allow me to do as much school in the evenings as I can handle since teaching at Lackland is a 4 year tour where I won't be deployable. And if I can't finish those four classes I need in that 4 year period then I just don't think I ever will. So don't think that I've just given up on doing something with my life that actually matters...I'm just going about it in a bit of a different way so I can get away from Pope.