Blog
Outside the Box, But Still in the Sand
November 23, 2024 4 CommentsI forgot how uncomfortable it can be to be sleep deprived, out of your element and dropped into a new and completely unfamiliar place. That’s how we arrived in the middle east on the way to Afghanistan. After just over 24 hours of traveling we arrived to an incredibly windy, sandy sunrise. While the fresh […]
Read MoreDear Lesley
November 23, 2024 1 CommentDear Future Lesley, There are those times in life that accelerate growth and encourage you to rethink the way you see and behave in the world. I’m assuming that the remainder of the year will be that type of experience. So, I’m taking a moment to write a letter – to you – my future […]
Read MoreWise Words from A Navy Seal
November 23, 2024 No CommentsOn our last day at the Navy Individual Augmentee Combat Training course I had the opportunity to interview the commanding officer a mobilized Navy Reserve SEAL, Captain Grant Staats. Throughout the time we were students at his command he offered keen words of wisdom that I thought important to share with all of you. I […]
Read MoreIf Not Me, Then Who?
November 23, 2024 No CommentsAs I was preparing to leave on deployment, it crossed my mind that this time around was very different from my previous deployments while on active duty with the Navy. Sure, this time around I’d be in-country and not on a ship, but that wasn’t the biggest difference. For the 10 years that I served […]
Read MoreA Clear Advantage
November 23, 2024 5 CommentsHave you ever sat and ate dinner by yourself at a local restaurant? Sometimes it can be peaceful. You pop out your phone and catch up on what’s new with your friends lives, other times it can be downright lonely. It is Friday night and I didn’t eat by myself tonight, but Jason did. The […]
Read MoreLet’s Talk About Strength
November 23, 2024 7 CommentsThis week I’ve learned I’m not nearly as strong as I thought I was -physically speaking. Now my mental strength – that’s carrying the day right now. It has been an intense few days as we complete final weapons training prior to heading out. I’ve been amazed at how heavy all of this is. When […]
Read MoreOne Bite at a Time
November 23, 2024 3 Comments“How do you eat an elephant? One bit at a time.” – African proverb I’ve always thought that saying was silly. Who on earth is eating elephants? I’m more of a “rip the Band-Aid off” and smile type myself, but I’ll admit this week has been all about one day at a time. Even if […]
Read MoreNo Task too Small For …. THE LIST
November 23, 2024 2 CommentsBefore every family vacation I have the tendency to run around the house trying to get everything I’ve ever had on my to do list done. Packing up for a family of six is no easy task and requires lists just to make sure no toothbrush or pair of underwear is left behind. On top […]
Read MorePsychedelic Emotions
November 23, 2024 No CommentsThe highs are higher and the lows are lower. If emotions were viewed in colors, our family’s have gone from pastel or maybe even Crayola to psychedelic, glow in the dark brilliant. With less than a month until I deploy, the most noticeable part is the intensity of emotions each one of us is displaying. […]
Read MoreNever Say Never
November 23, 2024 No CommentsI’m sitting at the Commodore computer, likely chatting to people over AOL and my dad comes up the stairs and peers into the study from the hallway. He asks me if I’ve been thinking any more about the R.O.T.C. (Reserve Officer Training Corps) program. I’d mentioned it maybe a few days or weeks before after […]
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