Desert Combat FTX

We spent three days and nights out in the OTA (orchard training area) running combat and recon patrols and simulated warfare. We were tactical 100% of the time, thus no sleep and very little food. I couldn't take videos of our patrols, but I had time during transport to pull out my phone and record the UH-60 Black Hawks and some of the guys. The sound was deafening and the clips were random, so I spent a little time turning it into an actual video for your enjoyment rather than tolerance. So, here's a very small taste of what I do... Enjoy!

Spring 2009

School is winding down to an end in these next couple weeks. This semester has been a challenge of my character and my commitment to success in school and the Army, but I've made it out the other end, more intrepid than ever. I can attribute my development over these past months only to LTC Trujillo, 1SGT Rodriguez, Major Schoonover, Courtney, and others who either helped or inspired me to keep moving forward.
Early on, I received multiple back injuries (twisted vertebrae between my shoulder blades, a herniated disc, multiple subluxations, and twisted hips) and was forced onto profile with the military. This status halted my paperwork at the department of defense and ceased any payment I would have received from the Army for my books, tuition, or even my monthly paychecks. As a result I trudged through the semester without textbooks until just weeks ago (I got two of them thanks to mom :), had unexpected expenses of tuition and no money for food. This semester has consisted of one question after another. I gave up music and enlisted, thinking that I would have the privilege of service along with financial support for school. A lot of people (mostly my mom) were wondering if I was just headed into a situation worse than the one I had left.
Obviously, I've thought about it a lot, and here's my answer: Though the circumstances are unfortunate and the road here was difficult and unexpected, the experience has taught me much more than any professor ever could. This commitment is so much more important and rewarding than Blue Thunder ever could be (despite the misgivings of David Wells)... the stress, hard work, pain, sleep deprivation, and doubt is all I could have hoped for. If it was easy, everybody would sign up... Harder days are ahead and I'm excited for the opportunity to face them for a cause this time. Basically, I just want to set the record straight for anybody who might be thinking, "Oh crap, Joel's getting screwed over again." I'm happy where I am and doing what I'm doing. The money will come in time and I'm making it so far. So, no worries!

THE TITLE OF THIS BLOG

A person's life-journey is a trajectory affected by variable elements (some less visible than others). A person is a projectile, launched into existence, with an intended path to follow. At our birth, we explode into the world and are, for a short time, guided by our parents toward our ultimate target. Hopefully, our time spent in guidance stabilizes us for what is to come. But, some of us yaw violently when we come spinning out into the world. Who knows why we do this? Perhaps, there is a lack of balance within us, or perhaps a flaw in the guidance we've recieved... but one thing is certain: we are imperfect. We immediately are launched upward and we are going the fastest that we ever will. Eventually we will reach a pinnacle in our life's trajectory; a crucial point. And we will begin to slow and float. Along the way we are challenged by winds and unseen obstacles and we deviate from our intended path. But we all hope to plot well when we land, for at the end, our impact is made visible.

2009

Christmas Break was a welcome change of pace after last semester. It started with dropping Courtney off at the airport and saying "see you soon" to her, as we both knew that she would end up in Illinois after Christmas. I was happy to spend the night and the next morning with my Aunt Wyn and Uncle Steve before they departed for Montana to visit the largest portion of the McNamara clan.
I spent the day fighting the crucible of AWS (Arctic Warfare School) North of Idaho City. [I was lucky to be asked along by SGT Steele] We fought uphill for nine hours against a Guard platoon and eventually made it to the top.
The next morning, I left for Illinois and my break REALLY began. We spent Christmas without Beckah and although it was still a fun holiday, we all felt her absence (it was quieter and all of the pets were called by their given names). Soon after Christmas, Courtney came from California and Beckah, Tony, Orry, and Zandy drove in from Montana. We spent the next week and a half with twelve people in the house. It was a tight squeeze, but we enjoyed being together.
Beth, Beckah, and Courtney and I left around the same time. Courtney and I met her father and brother in Salt Lake for a ski trip. We spent a week in Park City (where the Olympics were held) and enjoyed "The Canyons" (a huge ski-in/ski-out resort). I gave up snowboarding for a couple years, because I can't afford to seriously injure myself and lose military training opportunities. So, I decided to take on skis for a change. I learned quickly.
Courtney and I parted ways for another week and I went back home to be with my family. I probably watched at least 12 episodes of "House" that week. It was too cold (-40 and below) to go hunting (especially alone) and I knew that the next week was going to be ridiculously busy. I spent my time pirating DVD's for Jess, doing crossword puzzles with my mom, talking guns with Wayne, and talking about everything else with Bryan. Bryan and I went to see "Valkyrie" together and had a GREAT time. I'm really. really, really hoping that they can make a trip out to Idaho this spring.
This past week was a crazy beginning to a new lifestyle for me. I came back to find out that my DOD eye exam had been fouled up and that they needed a remedial before they could give me any pay. I've scheduled the exam for the 26th, but until the DOD (department of defense) gives word, I'm waiting on $600 for books, $5000 for school, and $500 pay. My schedule is definitely intense. I have 22 credits worth of classes crammed into Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I start my days at 0500 and have class/training (straight, no lunch break) until 1700. Friday through Monday, I'm either training or serving as a liaison for the re institutionalization of military marksmanship schools throughout the country. My days are long and my weeks are busy, but Courtney has been amazing as my support. She's definitely going to be the one to keep me going this semester.
Well, that's my update... I kinda forgot about this thing for a couple months...