I had a realization today about the deployment. I can safely say that I have done less complaining about the soldiers being gone for a year than other wives I know have, but I have in fact grumbled a little about how long a year is and how hard it is on the soldiers. But today I realized I've been looking at this all wrong. Deployment is in fact the raison d'etre for a soldier. It's the default position.
My father is a sales manager for Carrier. His employer pays him to sell big corporate air conditioning jobs. They don't pay him to sit in his office and get ready to sell these jobs, or to have his co-workers come in and pretend to be potential buyers so he can run through a would-be scenario. His job is to actually do the selling. In the same way, my husband's job is to actually be a soldier, not just to train to be one. Going to CMTC and gunnery and training exercises is a vital part of my husband's preparation, but his actual job is to be in Iraq (or Afghanistan or Haiti or wherever the heck else they send him).
Therefore, I think the analogy to the Superbowl is not entirely accurate, though it still has merit. Instead I think that I should start looking at this is the way it's supposed to be. My husband is supposed to be in Iraq because that's what his job is, just as a firefighter is supposed to fight fires or a teacher is supposed to teach. In fact, I've heard the word "soldier" used as a verb many times in our short Army career, and all of a sudden it makes more sense.
A soldier is supposed to soldier. In Iraq. Period.
Posted by Sarah at March 27, 2004 01:21 PMYou've made a big step. Of course, your husband would prefer to be home with you. But soldiers get excited about actually doing their job. You are what makes his effort worthwhile. That's the synergism of a military family.
Posted by: Mike at March 27, 2004 03:46 PMYou are one impressive Lady. I read you daily, and could not let this opportunity go by to let you know how much I admire you. You and your husband are in my thoughts each day.
Posted by: Tammi at March 27, 2004 05:44 PMOne .. slight.. comment. A soldier or firefighter is always prepaired to do their job. I think both would be perfectly happy to never have to actually perform what they train for (in most cases). After all they both sort of do the same thing.. put out fires. But great article!!
Posted by: LarryConley at March 27, 2004 06:35 PM