Please take the word "plans" with a grain of salt...this is the Army we're talking about, and everything can change in the blink of an eye!
Over the past 8 months or so, Steven has been the XO (Executive Officer) for a company in an infantry battalion. As in most positions in the Army, you only hold onto a certain job for a little while, because basically everyone needs to get a turn. It's so silly to me...but hey, they didn't ask my opinion, go figure! Well, the Army is having a hard time retaining officers right now, so they're pushing many of them through the promotion process a little quicker than normal. Steven is up for Captain in May, and when officers reach Captain, they eventually go to the Captain's Career Course to learn how to be a company commander.
Anyway, we found out last week that Steven has been given a slot for the Career Course in April, 2010! That means he will not be deploying with his brigade in June like we originally thought! He will attend the course at Fort Knox, KY which is only 2 hours from Ft. Campbell! Originally we thought he'd go to the course at Ft. Benning, GA, but things change!
Steven will go to school during the week at Knox, then come home over the weekends. When I first heard this, I was NOT happy, we really hate being apart when we don't have to and 5 days a week away is not my idea of fun. BUT...after much talk and level headed thinking, we've decided this is good news for us. It gives us another six months to keep our home and pray the market continues to recover before we have to sell. I do have wonderful friends here and many are in the same situation with schools or deployments...so lots of girl time and play dates for baby! We'll still be fairly close to my family (the closest we'll ever be in the Army) so visiting home and family coming here will be easier. This course is throughout the summer, so baby and I will be able to go spend some time in Fort Wayne with my parents and sister at camp! I'm also planning a road trip to Nebraska...it's been over 3 years since I've been there, missing Anna and my other friends!
Also, before Steven starts the course on April 18th, he'll be able to take about 30 days of leave!! So, we're planning a nice trip to Washington to see all of Steven's family in late March. As hard as it will be for Steven to be away from baby and I during this time, we think it's for the best. He will have tons of work for this course every night, and he'll be able to focus hard during the week and hopefully have the weekends free!
After the Career Course, we don't know what the Army has in store for us. Steven turned in his packet yesterday to basically "apply" for the Special Forces. This has been a dream of his FOREVER, so please keep him in your prayers. We are really praying he gets selected and is able to take this path in his career. If that happens, we'll be off to Fort Brag, NC for 14+ months for SF training sometime in late 2010 or early 2011. As of now, we're just taking one day at a time and praying for the best!
Over the past 8 months or so, Steven has been the XO (Executive Officer) for a company in an infantry battalion. As in most positions in the Army, you only hold onto a certain job for a little while, because basically everyone needs to get a turn. It's so silly to me...but hey, they didn't ask my opinion, go figure! Well, the Army is having a hard time retaining officers right now, so they're pushing many of them through the promotion process a little quicker than normal. Steven is up for Captain in May, and when officers reach Captain, they eventually go to the Captain's Career Course to learn how to be a company commander.
Anyway, we found out last week that Steven has been given a slot for the Career Course in April, 2010! That means he will not be deploying with his brigade in June like we originally thought! He will attend the course at Fort Knox, KY which is only 2 hours from Ft. Campbell! Originally we thought he'd go to the course at Ft. Benning, GA, but things change!
Steven will go to school during the week at Knox, then come home over the weekends. When I first heard this, I was NOT happy, we really hate being apart when we don't have to and 5 days a week away is not my idea of fun. BUT...after much talk and level headed thinking, we've decided this is good news for us. It gives us another six months to keep our home and pray the market continues to recover before we have to sell. I do have wonderful friends here and many are in the same situation with schools or deployments...so lots of girl time and play dates for baby! We'll still be fairly close to my family (the closest we'll ever be in the Army) so visiting home and family coming here will be easier. This course is throughout the summer, so baby and I will be able to go spend some time in Fort Wayne with my parents and sister at camp! I'm also planning a road trip to Nebraska...it's been over 3 years since I've been there, missing Anna and my other friends!
Also, before Steven starts the course on April 18th, he'll be able to take about 30 days of leave!! So, we're planning a nice trip to Washington to see all of Steven's family in late March. As hard as it will be for Steven to be away from baby and I during this time, we think it's for the best. He will have tons of work for this course every night, and he'll be able to focus hard during the week and hopefully have the weekends free!
After the Career Course, we don't know what the Army has in store for us. Steven turned in his packet yesterday to basically "apply" for the Special Forces. This has been a dream of his FOREVER, so please keep him in your prayers. We are really praying he gets selected and is able to take this path in his career. If that happens, we'll be off to Fort Brag, NC for 14+ months for SF training sometime in late 2010 or early 2011. As of now, we're just taking one day at a time and praying for the best!
36 Weeks Down....4-ish to go!
That's a HUGE belly!
1 comment:
I know this is selfish, but I can't help but be happy you will be next door to me for a little bit longer. I can't imagine a better neighbor and friend!
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