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Sunday, April 30, 2006

A Great Day in the Desert



There aren't a lot of great days here. It's getting really hot, they call us MORTARITAVILLE for a reason, and the repetition is enough to drive you insane.

And even though Saturday wasn't the best day (I got into a fight with the captain in charge of Morale and Welfare and my air conditioning went out...AGAIN) there was a highlight that seemed to make all the bad stuff go away.

My current NCOIC (Non Commissioned Officer in charge, AKA right-hand man) re-enlisted to stay in the Army for six more years. For those of you living up the civilian life, when a Soldier comes close to the end of their time in service, he or she must retake an oath and sign a contract in to stay longer. It's the exact opposite for Officers who have to cut off limbs to get out. Technically a Soldier is discharge and resworn in all in the same 24 hour period. I've sworn in a few Soldiers in my day, but it's always an honor for a Soldier to ask you to issue them the oath. It's kinda like saying that they like you the best, and I love to be popular.

CPL Florinda Torres is a great individual. Originally from the Dominican republic, she just got her citizenship in December. She's also serving in a position that is WAY above her rank. I'm supposed to have a Sergeant First Class and she's just a corporal. Think of asking the mayor of Denver to become the president of the US. Kinda like that. But she is amazing. Her ability to keep her cool is something that I try to emulate. She doesn't get stressed when bullied around by the higher ranks, and she's arrogant enough to not take a lot of shit from people. I'm very lucky to have her, and I just wanted to take a chance to give her a shout out and write this down to have something that I'll always remember.

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