I began my military career in the under belly of Naval ships in the Pacific and Indian oceans. It was an opportunity to see the world. Stationed in Hawaii as a Marine Corps infantryman and Recon Marine I saw a good chunk of the world. Most of which I have yet to revisit. I’ve seen kangaroos in the Australian bush. I’ve scuba dived in the Philippines. And I’ve seen the three life forms that inhabit the island of Diego Garcia, only one of which is indigenous. Diego Garcia is in the middle of the Indian Ocean a long way from nowhere and even farther to somewhere. But, somehow the crabs, donkeys, and U. S. Navy Sailors eke out a life there.
Four years later I transitioned out of the Marine Corps and guess what? I still didn’t know what I wanted to do. So what the hell, Army Special Forces always sounded cool so I signed up. Fort Bragg here I come. Six months later I graduated the Q-Course and became a Green Beret. Not the hat but the soldier.
Except for a three year stint in Civil Affairs I remained in SF until I retired. I’ve travelled the world, other places, to include three deployments to Afghanistan. I told everyone who would listen that I’d never go back. Think Al Pacino gripping the air and yanking his fists into his chest. The elusive they pulled me back in. I went back to Afghanistan as a contractor and saw a lot more of that country then I’d seen as a soldier.
Now, I live in Germany with my wife, a dog, and a cat. I’ll let you decide the order of my affection. Mercifully the kids are out on their own now doing adulting things. They are learning how much a pain in the ass it is to be full fledged adults. The days of I told you so are upon us. My days are full. I spend my time behind a computer or iPad writing. In the afternoon I workout and do my martial arts training. And since we’re living in Germany I travel (partly to discover new ideas and places to use in my novels). And I am discovering whats and whys of what makes a good coffee.
It’s been a good life and it’s only getting better.
Cheers