Command Life

Hey everybody,

Hope all is well, and that everyone is staying safe out there, whether it be from COVID-19, or 2020 🤷🏻‍♀️

Just doing a little check in to say, I’m alive. I’m breathing. But it hasn’t been easy. Warning- this may be long.

In case some of you don’t know, upon return from a deployment to Afghanistan, I took a command position. You know in the movies where there’s a group of people waiting to see their loved ones and stuff? We were greeted by people in hazmat suits and put into tents for 2 weeks. We were rushed through an entire demobilization process (normally takes 2 weeks) in 2 days, and put on a plane to our Homes of Record.

And I went from being needed at all seconds of the day, constantly on phone calls, constantly solving problems…. to silence.

Soldiers were excited to go home to see their families… I was lucky to get an air bnb. Soldiers, after a tough deployment, were ready to relax after being constantly alert… I went back to work 3 days after being released from DEMOB.

I walked into the office as if I never left- and was greeted with the realization that the road ahead was going to be a little harder than I had anticipated.

After hearing that the next step in my Army Journey, Engineer Captains Career Course (ECCC) was delayed, I decided to get an apartment, and have something that made me feel like I was home. I settled in to tackle the tasks that were sure to be before me.

Being a Commander is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my military career thus far, but it can also be one of the most challenging. There have been many times where I am a problem solver, but am also an ear, a mentor, and a person.

I am so proud the Soldiers who returned from deployment to close on homes, start new jobs, and go to college. I had the privilege of promoting good Soldiers our of the unit to grow and develop with other tasks outside of Route Clearance. I am honored every time I get asked for a letter of recommendation to support a Soldier’s growth. While many joys came into my life, there also come many hardships.

There have been many a time where a Soldier is in need and I can only help so much, due to my Company being in the Reserve, and therefore not having the same opportunities. Many a time where I phone a Soldier to war the words, “I’m not doing so hot,” and listening to them pour their heart out. How do I, as a Commander, as a fellow Soldier, do my best for the Soldier?

Check on your command teams, because they bleed too. The good ones seek answers for those who have none. They strive their utmost to do what they can to help each and every Soldier, regardless of rank, succeed. And they carry those burdens, oftentimes quietly.

This may be a two part piece; there are only so many hours in the day. Feel free to comment and or reach out. And thanks for still being around to read what I have to say.

-Jo.