High school was officially over and I was adamantly opposed to being affiliated with the military, any longer. Then again, I was adamantly opposed to anything my parents were involved with. This included the military, going to college, and of course, Republicans. It did not help that I had been an Army brat the last 17 years of my life, toted across the US like a carry-on bag. I was sick of all the moving and sick of all the extra mandates that came with being in the military. Being a military brat meant there were certain household rules the family had to abide by, ones that normal families might think strange. There was the no painting or wallpapering of walls rule, no digging up the yard rule, and no purchases of anything permanent or long-term rule. Having pets was based on our housing situation. So for several years, they too were shipped around to various relatives for safe-keeping. Having friends longer than a few years was a joke and I became quite adept at making the obligatory promise of keeping in touch with a straight face. Thus, when the time came for me to make
Showing posts with label grant bramlett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grant bramlett. Show all posts
Friday, 24 August 2012
Army Brat: Growing Up Military
High school was officially over and I was adamantly opposed to being affiliated with the military, any longer. Then again, I was adamantly opposed to anything my parents were involved with. This included the military, going to college, and of course, Republicans. It did not help that I had been an Army brat the last 17 years of my life, toted across the US like a carry-on bag. I was sick of all the moving and sick of all the extra mandates that came with being in the military. Being a military brat meant there were certain household rules the family had to abide by, ones that normal families might think strange. There was the no painting or wallpapering of walls rule, no digging up the yard rule, and no purchases of anything permanent or long-term rule. Having pets was based on our housing situation. So for several years, they too were shipped around to various relatives for safe-keeping. Having friends longer than a few years was a joke and I became quite adept at making the obligatory promise of keeping in touch with a straight face. Thus, when the time came for me to make 
Monday, 20 August 2012
Eagles in Afghanistan: My Year Deployment With the 101st Airborne
I was more concerned with getting to my final destination, wherever it was, and finally getting more than a few minutes of sleep after days of travel, than anything else. I left Ft. Benning on a Friday, flying to Europe first, then various countries within the Middle East, to make it to Afghanistan. It was Sunday evening before I was finally headed to Bagram Air Field, the military base where I was to report. I worried that my arrival was unexpected after listening to the conversations of other Soldiers also on their way into country. My orders clearly stated I was to report for duty to the 82nd Airborne Headquarters at Bagram, where I assumed I would in-process, before traveling to Kabul for the job I volunteered for, just months ago. But from what I was piecing together, the entire 82nd Division had left days prior, replaced by the 101st Airborne Division.
Shit, I thought to myself. These guys don’t even know that I’m coming.
During my trek across the world, I met other Soldiers in similar situations as I was. We quickly banded together, trading information to see if we could glean anything from
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