(no subject)

[aadler]

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Quick update, cuts to spare the flist.

First Cut — Military Stuff

After weeks of preparation, I took and passed the Army Physical Fitness Test. Though I’d been pushing for max performance in my workouts, in the test itself I scaled back a bit; settled for 70% on push-ups and sit-ups, to conserve my resources, then ran two miles at a steady pace. I qualified on the run with a comfortable margin, and I’ll continue my workout routine with the intention of SOF-qualifying the next time we’re tested.

I’ll report to my unit tomorrow to formally re-enlist, with an accompanying bonus that will either support me for the coming year or go into a retirement account, depending on whether I get a slot at the Defense Language Institute anytime soon. I had to have a current APFT score before I was eligible for DLI anyhow, so this last test covered two eventualities at once (re-enlistment and eligibility for special classes).

Next month we’re having a three-day drill to do field training (weapons, land navigation, whatever else they decide to throw in), to keep us up to spec on all our operational capabilities. Theoretically my unit can’t be mobilized en masse for another two years, but that only covers Iraq and Afghanistan; if Iran or North Korea should suddenly require urgent action, you can bet we’ll be on the list. So we continue to train hard.

Close First Cut

Second Cut — Family Stuff

I’m following my daughter’s activities on her LJ; only the other day she posted that her drama ministry team is going on to Hong Kong. That should be something of an experience; Taiwan will have provided a transition for her, but I understand Hong Kong has the highest population density in the world. Intense. I got slightly claustrophobic just dealing with normal sidewalk traffic in L.A., many years ago, so I can only try to imagine increasing that by an exponential factor.

I don’t know when her team will do their time in South Korea … and with Kim Jong Il behaving in a way that may well call for immediate and stringent action, I’ll be looking forward to hearing that they’ve moved on to the Guam portion of the tour. I can’t complain ― not after volunteering for duty in two combat zones ― but I’m following international news a little more closely these days.

Since my ex-wife did a missionary trip to western Europe before we married (and a medical mission to Tanzania while I was in Afghanistan), that suddenly leaves our son as the only member of the family who’s never been out of the country. I know how that feels, since the Iraq deployment was my first trip outside the contiguous United States. Maybe the next time I deploy, I’ll pay for him to fly out to join me on leave; Germany again, maybe, or Ireland, or even Australia. Something to consider.

Close Second Cut

With the events of the past few days, all the issues that have kept me preoccupied are now, for the moment, completed. Consequently, after weeks of talking about how I need to work on “God Save the Queen”, I’m finally ready to do it. Starting this evening. (Hear that, sroni? I’m on the move at last.)

That’ll do for now.

Comments

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

I imagine having the fitness test behind you is a relief.

I can certainly imagine you're watching the international news intently. I will be praying for her continued safety.

[aadler]

Thanks. She seems to be doing fine, and I have no reason to expect otherwise. All the same, I appreciate your best wishes.

Currently in Hong Kong

[sroni.livejournal.com]

It's really not so bad right now. Surviving the MRT in Taiwan durning rush hour was a lot worse.
I'll go to China right after Christmas, and South Korea sometime in January or February, before heading back to China, Hong Kong, Macau, and then, finally, Taiwan in April, to then come home in May. Which, much as I love what I'm doing, I'm looking forward to.

Re: Currently in Hong Kong

[aadler]

Glad it’s all going well. As my own most recent LJ entry shows, I may or may not be in-state by the time you arrive.