Where were you on September 5th, 2006?

17 years ago, September 5th, 2006, I got on a plane to Atlanta to join the Infantry during the surge. I met the first drill sergeants of my life at the clock tower in the airport, as tens of thousands have done since then. Around this time, 1 am, I rode the bus to Fort Benning, got off at 30th AG on sand hill, and was getting the brief about how to stand at attention, put our shit in the amnesty box, and get our initial issue. Fucking wild. 17 years doesn’t even sound like a real number. I can’t believe it’s been that long, or that I still talk to friends that I met that day.

I’m going through a medboard now. Been a long time coming, PTSD from my deployments. I don’t sleep at night and I drink too much, but I think I’ll be ok, once I get rid of this Army bullshit I’m still dealing with. But I’m sure many people have said that. We’ll see.

I’m watching Band of Brothers tonight and having a few drinks. Watching this after a high school friend died in Iraq was why I joined.

“Civilized place for civilized men”

“Should’ve been born earlier, Nix.”

“And what, give up all this?”

I’ve lived a hell of a life in the Army. I’ve met so many great people. I found my Band of Brothers that I think I was looking for. Maybe I just stuck it out a little too long. I relate more to Nix than anybody, probably not a good thing. But him and I have lived good lives, I think.

I have a family now, and the Army actually pays me pretty good these days. And I’m still here. I guess that ain’t too bad. No powerful concluding words, just glad I’m still here doing ok, 17 years later.

Edit: this post has been really fun, thanks for sharing your experiences everyone. Just to clarify, I am getting help and trying to get better as I go through this MEB. I’m not fighting it at all. Just was feeling nostalgic.