Funny thing, I began blog entries for my most recent foray
into the “Stans” way back last fall. I
didn’t post them as I’ve been struggling with what I want to say and how I wish
to say it. Also, last fall I was
updating my government clearance, a very obtrusive affair. Many of my neighbors and friends were
questioned by FBI agents to determine if I was a candidate for blackmail or
inclined to sell my country for some coin.
During that process I thought it wise not to exercise my 1st
amendment rights. While most US citizens
have the right to speak as they please, that does not apply to the
military. We must be more cautious. We can get in trouble if we speak out of
turn. All you civilians out there should
take time to thank the military for the right to speak as you please. It is a privilege we do not enjoy so freely.
Anyway, I now find it’s the beginning of February. I am in training for a deployment of a year…
or two. I write this from an air force
base in Ohio. I am in training for
Security Assistance. You may ask what
that means. A friend of mine told me “oh,
you’re going to be a runner”… meaning gun runner. Much as that may sound adventurous and sexy
the truth is a wee bit more complex (like everything in life). I will be part of an office that helps
nations prevent wars. How does that work
you may ask. After all won’t you be
helping nations arm up? The mission we
will do does involve selling arms but also involves training the host country’s
military to be a more professional force.
The hope is that by assisting our friends to be properly protected and
able to interact seamlessly with our military forces we will make wars less
likely.
OK, OK, I know what you may be thinking… friends like Iran,
Libya, Iraq, South Vietnam, gee those did not turn out so swell. True enough but the most important aspect of
our mission is building relationships with our foreign counterparts. The military in many countries is extremely
influential. If we are able to build
close ties we improve the chance we can have a positive impact on regional
developments that help forestall wars. I’m
heading to a crucial part of the world that could devolve and end quite
badly. That would be a shame and I am
happy to be part of the effort to keep that from happening. So while you enjoy the opportunity to protest,
speak your mind, to spend time with family and friends, I join the large number
of military and state dept personnel stationed in faraway lands. It’s a dirty job but someone has to do
it.
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