I'm getting a new battle rhythm, based on the needs of our commander. It looks like we will be expected to try to visit each of the FOBs or COPs in our area of responsibility at least once per month or sooner. This isn't out of necessity, but is driven by some Army policy that is enforced by some Army Colonel somewhere, and is reinforced by the commander here. We were shooting for a six week interval or for an as-needed schedule, which is what was done by the last team. Oh well, things change.
I am making peace with this by trying to control the mode of my travel as much as possible. Flying is the preffered way to travel. Not only is it more comfortable but it is faster and you have a decreased chance of experiencing an ambush, and a zero chance of experiencing an IED. I suppose you take on the statistical chance of an aircraft mishap, but there are always risks with every mode of travel. Even staying in one place has its risks.
Anyway, I've resolved to tell myself that I am quite capable of enduring any hardship. The hardships that are projected ahead for me include a few more trips to places that are "OK", and at least one more trip to a place that is "not OK". That's not bad. The good thing about each mission is that when it's over I feel very relieved-- like checking off an unpleasant and difficult task. We've been to all of our locations over a period of almost three months, so theoretically that only leaves time for one more rotation. In between these missions there is my standard clinic work and a fair number of quiet days and nights. I really don't mind the missions because time flies by rapidly, even when I'm not doing much.
I have an upcoming mission to a smaller FOB to the south but I have to fly through one of the larger regional FOBs to get there. I will spend at least one night at this large base. I think they have a coffee shop and an air strip! There is another combat stress team there, so I'll visit with them, get in some internet time, read some books, wait for my flight the following day.
This trip should eat up the rest of September, bringing me into October. If I time things right I will be able to take some R&R at Bagram in mid-October and be back in Gardez by the third week in October for the home-stretch of the deployment.
I feel like I'm breaking the rules of "how to live right" by being obsessed with the future. What ever happened to living in the present? Maybe I'll keep giving that a shot, but it's challenging under the circumstances. My everyday life isn't bad-- my routine at my home FOB. It's comfortable, safe, productive. Even missions to most of our locations turn out pretty mundane. The most difficult part is finding a room to stay in and getting adjusted to new people and a new place. By the time you get a sense of the place, you get a flight or a convoy out. Not so bad.
Looking back, the time has gone fast. I got in country on July 11, left home on July 7. It flew by. Looking back even further-- I left for training on April 28, and that was about five months ago. It seems like just a few weeks ago. Five months from now I will be relaxing in Vegas, wondering how time went by so quickly.
