Back to Iraq 2007

As I get ready to go back to Iraq in September (second tour) I find myself thinking a lot about how things have changed, and not changed in the last two years. I will be interested to see if things there seem more safe, more optimistic.

It is my honor this time to be leading a group of eight of my shipmates. I find myself thinking a lot about what that means… to lead. The idea of inspiring, motivating never meant as much to me as it does at this moment. I think a lot of our service members go about their daily business in a professional manner every day and they get the job done as well as they can without perhaps ever thinking about what the bigger picture is. Mainly because, it isn’t their job to do that. They have to be the technical experts at the job… let the brass worry about the war.

One thing I know is that I am personally inspired by the courage of the average American who volunteers for service knowing they could be put in a dangerous situation. I believe they are heroes for signing up… a heroism that may or may not ever be tested directly on the battlefield but still, a degree of heroism is there.

As my preparations continue and I head into Iraq, I will be posting here as often as I can to keep everyone interested up to date. Thanks for all the support so far and never let your politicians forget that there are men and women on the front line every day. I feel like repeating that because when I came back from Iraq the first time it was like no one seemed to understand that. I know it is hard to keep it in perspective when you are not there, but PLEASE, never let your politicians forget that there are men and women on the front line every day.

Thanks, and best premises!