Four Years in the Army

Today is my active duty anniversary.  Four years ago, I became an Active Duty U.S. Army Chaplain.

Of course,  I was a National Guard Field Artillery Officer from 1992-2000.  But, I went on active duty at Fort Jackson, SC on January 5, 2005.  That was 48 months ago.

Over those 48 months my life has changed drastically.  I have spent 33 of those away from my family–2 for training, 6 for the girls hospitalization and rehabilitation, 2 for the Officer Basic Course, 2 for moving and 21 (between 2 separate tours) deployed.

We have added three kids to the family.  Two girls and a boy. The family has moved twice. I have moved 6 times.

I have been in two wonderful units–one Aviation and the other Engineer.

I have become a blogger.  I have had 10,000 hits on one of my blogs (this one) and 7900 hits on comicbookday.com.  955 of those hits have been on a post I wrote called “I can’t stand to fly”.

I became a comic book fan since I went on active duty. I have grown a comic book collection of over an estimated 2500 comic books. (we’ll be getting a better total when I go home on leave.)

So, when I look back–I know I am probably missing something huge–I’ll here about it later, I’m sure.  But, when I look back, I see that all in all–it has been challenging and rewarding.  I look forward to the next four years–what will it bring?