Day 7

0300: time to get up! It was an early wake-up call and a plane to catch this morning. Before I knew it, I was in a bus packed full of sailors, hopped back on the Yellow Brick Road en route to the next training stop before heading to Oz. While many get all hyped up during travel, I simply blend into the background and relax. I try to look around and observe and soak in the surroundings. Take this photo, for example. I took many but this is one of my favorites. It always amazes me when someone slams the window shade shut on a plane when this is outside. God's creation...beautiful.

Arriving at training stop #2, I quickly found myself inside the local USO for a snack and a bottled water before heading down to get my luggage. They also arranged our travel to the base. So far, so good! Arriving on base, we were quickly notified that a tornado warning was issued so we needed to hurry inside. Hurry? My seabag was an easy 60lbs...perhaps 70. Plus, I had a loaded backpack and flight bag, also loaded. I made it in...arm a bit numb, but I made it and down came the rain. 15 minutes later...sun. Looking around, we were the first of about 200 sailors to arrive today. This morning, I woke up in a hotel room on base. Cable TV, fridge, microwave, etc....the works. Tonight? Open bay barracks!  Just like bootcamp...only 20 years later and I don't think any trash cans are going to wake us up tomorrow morning with a Company Commander screaming "Get on the line!!!!" As the day wore on, more and more fellow sailors rolled onboard, we got our check-in packet, picked up some linens for our racks, and grabbed some chow. Yep, I guess I need to start using some Army speak now. It's all Army here...some people even call it "Narmy." Hey, I'm just a sailor who clearly needs to step up and help the Army! Still a sailor! Hooyah! I digress...

Dinner was pretty good at the "dining" facility. I had some chicken and mashed potatoes then some beets, cucumbers, and cottage cheese. Ate a banana for good measure and about 16oz of water. I'm super dehydrated so a concentrated effort in the category is necessary. Afterwards, I made up my rack and got situated and here you have it...in open bay barracks with about 30-40 other guys. Then, there are several more buildings like this and the women are segregated. It wasn't only my processing site that came here. Mine plus several others from around the country all feed into this location.  We are all split up into two major "companies" and then multiple platoons within them.

Back home in Kansas today, Tin Man and Scarecrow had their dance. They decided last minute not to wear the yellow ribbons...I'm guessing they didn't match the outfits. Still, it sounds and looks like they had a wonderful time. A short while ago, I received a picture where Tin Man and her friends were all holding up a handmade banner for me. Now THAT tugged at my heart!

I have learned a few things today. One: I have some amazing friends. Today was a special day for me personally and I received messages all day long. They didn't ever seem to stop...in fact, they're still pouring in. Some really great people surround me! Two: I am a puddle of mud when it comes to my kids. It's only Day 7 but when I see a photo of them, smiling in all their joy, on a video sending me a message, or videoconferencing with them, they go straight to my heart. All defenses fall and I crumble. While life goes on at a very fast pace in Kansas lending to distractions, my heart and mind is consumed with Dorothy, Tin Man, and Scarecrow. I'll still stick to the mission and do my job but they are my everything...and you know what? I wouldn't want it any..other..way.  They are frozen into my minds and they are for what I live for.

Goodnight, friends. Quiet day on tap tomorrow but Monday is not too far away. Quiet would NOT be the word I'd use for that. :-) Hooyah!