This new year is off to a good start. Although I would rather be home with my family, being deployed has offered several opportunities which I would not otherwise have had.
First, since I am stationed in the Middle East, I have had a chance to visit several places which I would not otherwise have been able to see. I was able to visit the Dead Sea as well as several ancient ruins.
When I joined the Army, I wanted to see the world. I was hoping to do so with my family, but the way things have worked out, I will have some nice pictures and I'm sure some fun stories to tell.
Second, I have been able to interact with several very important people at my location. Back at my unit, I would probably just be a face in the crowd to them. Out here, as I continue to diligently perform my duties, I have been able to interact with them one on one. If they remember me or not will be another issue altogether, but they know my name on a temporary basis, at least.
Third, this deployment has afforded me the opportunity to lose some weight. I'm not saying that the food is bad at all. I really like the food out here. Being here has allowed me to select the healthy options and to increase my Physical Training simeltaneously. In my experience, this is a winning combination if you are interested in weight loss. Seventeen pounds at last check.
Finally, as I am keeping this post brief, this deployment has afforded me the opportunity for personal growth. I am taking 15 Master's level credits this semester (the same as last semester), I am working on my language skills, studying for the board, learning about my current Army job, and as I have time, I am still working on my writing.
Deployment is not exactly what I would have picked at this point in my life, but I know that we all have to "take our turn." And besides, as it says in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." This deployment has certainly proven that in my life.
David H. Troyer
www.davidhtroyer.com
www.amazon.com/author/davidhtroyer
This post was going to be "January 28, 2013 - Deployment Opportunities"
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