Talking Too Much

Normally when you report to a new command in the military you arrive to an already established organization that has been trucking along for years.  You are usually referred to as the new guy while you try to find your way around, see how things operate and wait patiently for someone else to show up so you are no longer the new guy.  Hopefully you receive a good turnover from someone who has been doing the job for a couple of years and before you know it you are part of the team, moving forward to do your part in completing the mission of the command.

This time I am a part of something different and extraordinary.  I arrived back in Indiana a week ago and immediately started to work with an amazing group of Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen to build a team from scratch.  These are the folks that I will go to Afghanistan with and I can say quite easily that I am blessed.  To be able to build the team from the ground up is truly a gift.  With a core group of just less than thirty we have already started to shape it and mold it into the team that we want...into a family that is going forth to Afghanistan to do great things.  The days have been long as I have been in training all day and then I have been meeting with four members of the team every night one on one to get to know all of these people who have come from all over, plopping down in the middle of Indiana to be a part of something greater than themselves. I usually finish up around ten, tired and ready to sleep.  But it is a good tired.  It is a good tired because I end each day energized by the spirit and the commitment that every member of this team shows.  Every one of them have different reasons for being here.  Many volunteered...some were voluntold meaning their parent commands were tasked to submit a name to go to Afghanistan and they were chosen. Some feel an obligation to go because to be in the military during a time of conflict means you have the opportunity to have a positive impact on the end result.  These people do not want to stay on the sidelines but rather, are anxious to take their turn as many of their friends have.  I am impressed by their professionalism and their positive attitudes....not a knucklehead in the bunch...except me of course.

Over the next week about sixty more will arrive and then we will almost be a complete team (a couple will join us later in the training).  The first order of business has been to set the tone for the training.  Camp Atterbury has an unfortunate reputation.  Every person I spoke with while I was in Afghanistan talked about how much Atterbury sucked.  Our team will not have that same experience because we will ensure that every member of the team keeps perspective while we foster an attitude of excellence in all things.  The training will be effective, the team will get in shape and they will maintain balance in their lives by maintaining contact with their families and friends.  Over the next year birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and other special events will fly by and it is important that they continue to be a part of all that whether it is through phone calls, Skype, emails, gifts, etc.  Throughout the training we will always strive to do things just a little bit better which will set us up for the deployment so that we go over there fully prepared and ready to assume the duties.

It may be corny but I have never been so excited about a mission or a job in my thirty plus years in the Navy. There will be frustrations and setbacks but because this is such a great team, we will meet each challenge head on and continue to move forward with a clear path to success.

Unfortunately my enthusiasm and excitement for the challenge ahead is probably wearing down the core of about twelve who have had to suffer through my pontificating.  Each day we spend the morning in class and then we move to our trailer to work through planning exercises.  Once the exercise is complete I have been taking them through many of the necessary steps to build an organization from nothing.  I have spent the last few days going on and on about everything and anything that pops into my head, usually dealing with leadership and taking care of the troops.  I am having such a great time that I often forget myself and keep them their so long they have to hurry to get to the dining facility before it closes for dinner.  It is just too much fun for me, but I have to throttle back a bit and let them breathe and get their feet planted firmly underneath them.  Perhaps in the next couple of days I will have mercy on them....maybe.  For now, the hour is late and I must rise early in the morning.  Good night!