So, as most will recall, the Army has now stopped a football player from going pro, and a boxer as well. Why? Had they been allowed to go pro, that could have been the BEST recruiting net out there! These soldiers, were still going to be "active duty" in a recruiting capacity. Kids, who idolized them, could have gone and been recruited BY their idols! The Army however, thought it best to just keep them back in the ranks, and mandate them to be ordinary soldiers. Now, instead of having career soldiers, going pro, and drawing people to the Army, these guys will finish up their enlistments and bolt to be able to enjoy the life of pro players, MINUS any commitment or love for the Army that tried to hold them back...
Fast forward to what I found today. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13276.html
The Army is now in a deal to sale the rights of the Big Red One patch to Sears. Why? Because they say it will put the Army out there to the masses. It will get kids wearing the Army gear and make them want to join. What? Really? Who is the marketing genius to the Army? He/She needs to be demoted! That patch is meant to be worn ONLY by those that proudly serve that unit. Want to wear it? ENLIST!
According to the article, the manufacturer of the clothing line sporting the Big Red One, will be an American based company, falling within the guidelines of all things legal, a.k.a. not a sweatshop. Great. FOR NOW! Does the Army not realize that this will require their full attention, FOREVER? You see, the Army can never get lazy about monitoring how this line of clothing will be made. If they do, and this company OUTSOURCED making an Army logo, and the nation of choice that makes it oh so much cheaper, EVER got busted for using small children in sweatshops to make the clothes, the Army would have a BIG RED FACE! You are who you take up company with. For now the company is safe, but in the drive for a dollar, all things can go wrong. We see it on the news DAILY! Does the Army REALLY think this is the way to go about recruiting? Are they REALLY prepared for the possible drawbacks? Don't they have enough responsibility on their plate with looking after soldiers, without adding being a watchdog for a possible recruiting tool gone wrong?
Want to recruit? Allow those outstanding athletes/soldiers to go pro, with an agreement to continue to serve out their enlistments as a recruiter. Contract them to wear the Army logo on the field or in the ring until their enlistment is complete! This will reach the masses via internet, television, radio, etc. These are soldiers who understand why they serve and who they are representing! The watchdog necessity is so much LOWER in this situation.
Hurry up, WAIT, and THINK, THINK, THINK!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
An important blog from the past...one to never forget
Monday, October 09, 2006
In the life of a military spouse, we learn to live with fear. We push it away to the back of our heads, we keep ourselves INSANELY busy to the point of exhaustion, because that is the ONLY way we sleep at night while our soldiers are away. In the quiet moments, we hear our thoughts... we dream of homecoming, the signs we will make, the first moment in our soldier's arms after being apart for a year, and finally taking in a whiff of their scent that ACTUALLY belongs to them and not the replacement we have made AKA his pillow with his cologne on it. Then just as we get that smile, we remember where they are. We remember the danger. We remember the blood they will see, and the dirt they will taste. We fear the changes coming, because inevitably there will be change. We just pray it is a change that can be faced by two and not a change forcing us to face it alone. This fear is overwhelming. IT grips your throat and chokes you. IT sits upon your chest waiting to suffocate you. This is the TRUE life of a military spouse. The only thing that saves us is the friendships, our families, and God. Those quiet moments of prayer, the journals we write in to keep from unloading our heavy burdens on our soldiers so far away with much more on their minds. The next time you meet a military spouse, either current or past, think of this, and thank them for their bravery and service to their soldiers. Being a military spouse may not be the hardest job in the military, but it is MUCH more than coffees, gossip groups, and shopping at the PX.
In honor of all of those spouses that have had to face their worst fears... God be with you all.
In the life of a military spouse, we learn to live with fear. We push it away to the back of our heads, we keep ourselves INSANELY busy to the point of exhaustion, because that is the ONLY way we sleep at night while our soldiers are away. In the quiet moments, we hear our thoughts... we dream of homecoming, the signs we will make, the first moment in our soldier's arms after being apart for a year, and finally taking in a whiff of their scent that ACTUALLY belongs to them and not the replacement we have made AKA his pillow with his cologne on it. Then just as we get that smile, we remember where they are. We remember the danger. We remember the blood they will see, and the dirt they will taste. We fear the changes coming, because inevitably there will be change. We just pray it is a change that can be faced by two and not a change forcing us to face it alone. This fear is overwhelming. IT grips your throat and chokes you. IT sits upon your chest waiting to suffocate you. This is the TRUE life of a military spouse. The only thing that saves us is the friendships, our families, and God. Those quiet moments of prayer, the journals we write in to keep from unloading our heavy burdens on our soldiers so far away with much more on their minds. The next time you meet a military spouse, either current or past, think of this, and thank them for their bravery and service to their soldiers. Being a military spouse may not be the hardest job in the military, but it is MUCH more than coffees, gossip groups, and shopping at the PX.
In honor of all of those spouses that have had to face their worst fears... God be with you all.
Blogs entries from the past...on Myspace
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
A Thought for Mother’s Day
So, as I sat here writing an email to my sister-in-law about how little ones absorb time fast (she is a new mom and hasn't sent out the 3 month or 6 month photos of her daughter...got a little behind..we've all been there!) I thought of each of you, the mothers I know. I thought how we must all feel about how fast time has gone by, and how bittersweet motherhood is. I shared a story with her, and I hope it helps as she raises her first child. I felt so alone in raising my son as he was my first and I had no clue how to do it. I had...correction, HAVE so many regrets. Each night as I kiss my children, I worry that how I parented today, might not have been the best way. I wonder if I will have the answers they need tomorrow.
Being a mom often means faking it. Dealing with things day to day that you honestly have no idea how to handle, all the while, hiding your fear that you are doing it wrong.
Regrets? After talking to my step-mom about my regrets, some that I feel so deeply that I still cry about, she assured me that all moms have them. Maybe not the same regrets, but regrets none the less. So, here is what I shared with my sister-in-law.
"I imagine they (regrets) are sort of like battle scars we wear. Maybe not so out there for everyone to see, but still, proudly because regrets mean you are trying your very best. That is all we can do."
To all of the mom's out there, have a happy Mother's Day. I know, you are all doing your best!
Saturday, March 08, 2008
One more thing about military spouses...
If you think that we only care about ourselves, and our own soldiers you are far from correct. Our hearts break each time a friend's soldier deploys. Our hearts break as we watch the evening news, and see the faces of strangers that share our lifestyle saying goodbye...AGAIN. Our hearts feel the grief that you see in a widow's face as she is handed that flag.
It is hard to decribe what it is, but it FEELS like each one of us, whether we know each other or not, is in fact a part of each other. A true kinship. We don't always like each other, but we feel for each other.
I want to dedicate this to friends of mine that are about to say goodbye again. I want you to know, that you have a place in my heart, and I am thinking of you and your families. I want you to know, you are not alone. I hope that through this, you find solice in knowing for every beat of your own heart for your soldier, there are lots more hearts beating and thinking of you.
Stay strong!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Here comes 2007... A YEAR LATER...
HOW THINGS CHANGE!!!
May 2008 be good to us all.
2007 just about kicked my butt, but I survived! Thank God for miracles big and small.
So as I sit here tonight, touching up my MySpace, time in 2006 is tick, tick, ticking away. Saddam was killed today... just a note for the date and time...
Most people look back on the year and see what they would change. I myself can only focus forward. In the past year, only 3 of those were "normal" months. We were a true family unit for 3 out of 12 months! Between hurricanes, earthquakes, and war, 3 months were ours. I feel like I have just walked in a daze through 2006, and 2007 doesn't look much more clear. So with that, my hope and wish for a new year would be for family unity, time together, and peaceful moments.
Happy New Year...
A Thought for Mother’s Day
So, as I sat here writing an email to my sister-in-law about how little ones absorb time fast (she is a new mom and hasn't sent out the 3 month or 6 month photos of her daughter...got a little behind..we've all been there!) I thought of each of you, the mothers I know. I thought how we must all feel about how fast time has gone by, and how bittersweet motherhood is. I shared a story with her, and I hope it helps as she raises her first child. I felt so alone in raising my son as he was my first and I had no clue how to do it. I had...correction, HAVE so many regrets. Each night as I kiss my children, I worry that how I parented today, might not have been the best way. I wonder if I will have the answers they need tomorrow.
Being a mom often means faking it. Dealing with things day to day that you honestly have no idea how to handle, all the while, hiding your fear that you are doing it wrong.
Regrets? After talking to my step-mom about my regrets, some that I feel so deeply that I still cry about, she assured me that all moms have them. Maybe not the same regrets, but regrets none the less. So, here is what I shared with my sister-in-law.
"I imagine they (regrets) are sort of like battle scars we wear. Maybe not so out there for everyone to see, but still, proudly because regrets mean you are trying your very best. That is all we can do."
To all of the mom's out there, have a happy Mother's Day. I know, you are all doing your best!
Saturday, March 08, 2008
One more thing about military spouses...
If you think that we only care about ourselves, and our own soldiers you are far from correct. Our hearts break each time a friend's soldier deploys. Our hearts break as we watch the evening news, and see the faces of strangers that share our lifestyle saying goodbye...AGAIN. Our hearts feel the grief that you see in a widow's face as she is handed that flag.
It is hard to decribe what it is, but it FEELS like each one of us, whether we know each other or not, is in fact a part of each other. A true kinship. We don't always like each other, but we feel for each other.
I want to dedicate this to friends of mine that are about to say goodbye again. I want you to know, that you have a place in my heart, and I am thinking of you and your families. I want you to know, you are not alone. I hope that through this, you find solice in knowing for every beat of your own heart for your soldier, there are lots more hearts beating and thinking of you.
Stay strong!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Here comes 2007... A YEAR LATER...
HOW THINGS CHANGE!!!
May 2008 be good to us all.
2007 just about kicked my butt, but I survived! Thank God for miracles big and small.
So as I sit here tonight, touching up my MySpace, time in 2006 is tick, tick, ticking away. Saddam was killed today... just a note for the date and time...
Most people look back on the year and see what they would change. I myself can only focus forward. In the past year, only 3 of those were "normal" months. We were a true family unit for 3 out of 12 months! Between hurricanes, earthquakes, and war, 3 months were ours. I feel like I have just walked in a daze through 2006, and 2007 doesn't look much more clear. So with that, my hope and wish for a new year would be for family unity, time together, and peaceful moments.
Happy New Year...
Thursday, September 4, 2008
"Daddy's always leaving..."
Yep, those were the first words from my 10 yr. old son this morning. Before breakfast was even made, he realized there were bags being packed. The house is full of activity as my soldier scrambles to find the items on his packing list, not at the last minute, but very near still.
With more than 10 years experience at this, it amazes me that each and every trip is packed at the last minute. You would think we would have this down to a finely tuned and oiled machine by now... I guess the scramble makes it all exciting and busy... busy enough to keep our minds off the fact that we will once again be seperated by distance and the call of duty.
A friend of mine put it best yesterday when we were talking about being back in the deployment cycle. As we discussed how we are both finding ourselves feeling at odds with it all, she said she recognized this dance. That is EXACTLY what it is like being an Army family. We do this "dance", several times a year.
You learn the steps (if you don't, you fall apart and lose it), you start to see the "dance" coming, and you do your best to try to learn a new step here and there. The new steps are the ones that make life easier and the goodbye smoother. The old steps (the FIRST ones you learn as an Army family) are the ones where you bicker a month out because you and your soldier are both pissed off that another goodbye is coming. (and pushing each other away will make it EASIER right?) The old steps cost you time that could have been spent loving each other, and reassuring each other that you have each other. They STEAL YOUR WIND!
Regardless of how you say your goodbyes you will have to say goodbye. That is this life. That is the "dance".
Now, back to my son. In our life, we have never sheltered him from knowing what daddy does. We have always talked openly about the Army and the way of life with him. At 10 he has decided that he will NEVER be in the Army because they are always leaving. They are aren't they... but I am quick to remind him that other jobs, civilian even, leave. Right now, he wants to be an oceanographer. They NEVER leave...right? This is the point I make and he is stunned a bit. He hadn't given thought to the fact that other people, other jobs, leave. Be it this life, or any other, there are no guarantees of time and togetherness. Even if you live a life of 9-5 and see your spouse on a daily basis, that drive home can be a wreck waiting to happen. The point?
LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST EVERY DAY! Don't wait for retirement. Don't wait until the next duty station, or the next homecoming. LIVE FOR TODAY! LOVE YOUR SOLDIER TODAY! Yes, they always have one foot out the door, but that is only one foot. The rest of them is there and the time you have together is short. Make the most of it.
Not just Army strong... Army Wife strong!
With more than 10 years experience at this, it amazes me that each and every trip is packed at the last minute. You would think we would have this down to a finely tuned and oiled machine by now... I guess the scramble makes it all exciting and busy... busy enough to keep our minds off the fact that we will once again be seperated by distance and the call of duty.
A friend of mine put it best yesterday when we were talking about being back in the deployment cycle. As we discussed how we are both finding ourselves feeling at odds with it all, she said she recognized this dance. That is EXACTLY what it is like being an Army family. We do this "dance", several times a year.
You learn the steps (if you don't, you fall apart and lose it), you start to see the "dance" coming, and you do your best to try to learn a new step here and there. The new steps are the ones that make life easier and the goodbye smoother. The old steps (the FIRST ones you learn as an Army family) are the ones where you bicker a month out because you and your soldier are both pissed off that another goodbye is coming. (and pushing each other away will make it EASIER right?) The old steps cost you time that could have been spent loving each other, and reassuring each other that you have each other. They STEAL YOUR WIND!
Regardless of how you say your goodbyes you will have to say goodbye. That is this life. That is the "dance".
Now, back to my son. In our life, we have never sheltered him from knowing what daddy does. We have always talked openly about the Army and the way of life with him. At 10 he has decided that he will NEVER be in the Army because they are always leaving. They are aren't they... but I am quick to remind him that other jobs, civilian even, leave. Right now, he wants to be an oceanographer. They NEVER leave...right? This is the point I make and he is stunned a bit. He hadn't given thought to the fact that other people, other jobs, leave. Be it this life, or any other, there are no guarantees of time and togetherness. Even if you live a life of 9-5 and see your spouse on a daily basis, that drive home can be a wreck waiting to happen. The point?
LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST EVERY DAY! Don't wait for retirement. Don't wait until the next duty station, or the next homecoming. LIVE FOR TODAY! LOVE YOUR SOLDIER TODAY! Yes, they always have one foot out the door, but that is only one foot. The rest of them is there and the time you have together is short. Make the most of it.
Not just Army strong... Army Wife strong!
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