Belated season's greetings ya'll. I hope this finds everyone well.
I'd like to send my very best to everyone stuck in a deployed location over this holiday season. Johnny Utah shoutouts to Capts Joni and Andrea, fellow JAGs who spent their Christmas in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. I'd also like to welcome back Capt Dave from his OIF deployment, his homecoming being even more notable as he was able to meet his newborn daughter for the first time. While the current wars seem at best an abstraction for many, never lose sight of the massive impact deployments have on the service members and their families.
I'd like to send my very best to everyone stuck in a deployed location over this holiday season. Johnny Utah shoutouts to Capts Joni and Andrea, fellow JAGs who spent their Christmas in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. I'd also like to welcome back Capt Dave from his OIF deployment, his homecoming being even more notable as he was able to meet his newborn daughter for the first time. While the current wars seem at best an abstraction for many, never lose sight of the massive impact deployments have on the service members and their families.
Prior to heading home for Christmas I had an exceptionally busy couple of weeks. I had my second court martial which proved to be a far more complicated proceeding than my first, though it still ended with a big win for the legal office. In retrospect, the curveballs that the court presented were an invaluable learning opportunity. At the time, however, I could only consider that the stress was causing my hairline to continue with its 1940 French at the Maginot Line retreat.
Too soon?
I also had my first post-JASOC course at the Air Force JAG School, Deployed Fiscal Law & Contingency Contracting. The title pretty much tells you all you would want to know. Alternatively, I'll borrow from Mark Twain: "Chloroform in print." The material, while both dense and dry, is nevertheless invaluable. Fiscal Law and Contracting Law are those areas that no one but a deranged few love but are still critical, especially while we are at war.
The best part of the course was laboring through it with some of my favorites from JASOC. After spending nearly every waking minute together for the 10 weeks at the JAG School, it was bittersweet when we dispersed to our bases throughout the world. These 1-2 week courses, known as TDYs (Temporary Duty), not only allow us to hone subject matter expertise, but to reconnect with old friends and network with new ones. I'll be heading to the Army's JAG School on the campus of the University of Virginia this February for my next course.
It took quite a bit of maneuvering but we conned our way into the O-Club with its beloved Crud Table.
Being back in Chicago for the holiday was an absolute blast. It was something to spend one morning at a St. Ignatius Crew practice with the women's team I coached last year, to spending a night with friends I met fourteen years ago at Fenwick.
I hope everyone has a merry Festivus and a happy New Year. For all those in the AOR, stay safe!
Shitter was full!
