Saturday, February 9, 2013

DEPLOYING FOR UNCLE


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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