Back to the World

Before we left for home from Iraq three months ago, most of us had big plans for what we would do when we got home. During the last few weeks, when work was at a minimum and boredom was at its peak, talk about life back in the world was rampant.

Everyone had their unique visions, but the collective dreams about what was to come were as follows:

*We would have time to spend with loved ones, and not take that time for granted.
*We would be engaged in unlimited, frequent love-making. And all of our fantasies would be fulfilled as gratitude for our sacrifices of the past year.
*We would have freedom from unrealistic, often petty demands. (Does not apply to married soldiers)
*We would buy new cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats etc.
*We’d get new houses or make home improvements
*We’d take an extended vacation before getting back to work.
*Wild parties would abound.
*Some would start businesses or get new jobs.
*We’d have unfettered access to consumer goods.
*We thought we’d feel apprehension about going unarmed.
*And finally, we thought everything would be easier having gone through the war.

These expectations made our final weeks and days in country almost unbearable. Tempers ran high, but discipline was still pretty good. Many were apprehensive about doing anything “dangerous.” There was a sense that we made it this far, and would hate to have something go wrong at the end.

When we finally took off for Kuwait December 3rd, and then on to the states, everything became almost a blur for me. This fuzziness was enhanced by a stop in Ireland. Not only was it may first chance since June to see a beautiful, green landscape, it was also a chance to have a legal drink. We were allowed two beers. Nothing was said about shots ...

Once in the States, we were greeted by a bunch of high-ranking officers who babbled on about a bunch of unmemorable crap. We then headed to Camp Atterbury, Indiana, where the whole voyage began last year. At the base we attended a flurry of briefings, which I believe were led by the teacher from the Peanuts cartoon. Then, there were medical and psychological tests and a pile of forms to fill out, get checked, signed and stamped.

Concurrent to this, we had to turn in our equipment. As expected, this was a colossal clusterfuck. No one knew what to turn in, where to turn it in, or when to turn it in. In the end, most people wound up with no jackets or gloves to wear, though it was snowing and bitterly cold. Others held onto a lot of their worn-out stuff, but they were threatened with having to pay for it. This bitter taste, however, was washed away by nightly trips to the bar. It was great to get a chance to unwind with everyone, reminiscing and dreaming.

Because our unit was made up from people from Ohio and Wisconsin, we parted ways that last day. This was a tough moment. Many of them were like family to me. After a long bus ride through a snowstorm, we arrived at a downtown Milwaukee reception hall. As we marched down steps to the ground floor we were greeted by thunderous cheers from hundreds of relatives and friends. After one last formation, we were finally cut free and taken up into the arms of our loved ones. Even in that moment of joy, there was pain. Four soldiers who served with us and their loved ones didn’t get the chance to share that moment.

SGT Gary Andy Eckert

SFC Matthew Kading

SPC Kendall K. Frederick

Capt. Benjamin Jansky

As for Me and My Dreams…

Well, I’ve done a lot of what I wanted to do so far. I’ve got a chance to see and spend time with a lot of my family and friends, but not as much as I’d like. I’m back in grad school at UW-M and working as a teaching assistant. Also, I’m now the Milwaukee bureau chief for WisPolitics. This is, admittedly, a puffed-up title, since we have no real office here, unless you count my living room as one. Regardless, the title does have a nice ring to it.

Right now I’m wearing three related hats. It is a bit of a struggle to do all of these things at least somewhat well. I found school the easiest transition, the reporting work the most difficult. By being gone for over a year I wound up really behind on political developments and was left with few sources. It’s hard to catch up with things that have happened while keeping abreast of what is happening. Also, my reporting skills we’re quite rusty. Having been at it for a while now, though, I think I’m getting it back. It’s a challenge for me, but I do enjoy it.

Despite offers of generous, tax-free bonuses, and the allure of travel to exotic locations, I have left the military. My contract expired this March. Part of me will miss being in the Reserves, but It will be nice to have my weekends and summers back, and the ability to plan my life without fear of future deployment.

I did take about a month and a half off before starting back to work, but didn’t really go on a big vacation. All the traveling of the past year kind of burnt the travel bug out of me. However, I do have a fishing trip planned for June. This I will do in my new boat, which will be pulled by my really nice Jeep Wrangler that is parked behind my really cool apartment.. (Thanks, Uncle Sam!)

Some things just haven’t come about yet. I haven’t yet started my own newspaper, used car business, real-estate business, t-shirt shop or landscaping service. I also haven’t been exercising like I planned and I still smoke like a chimney.

So far, my life as a full-time civilian is going well. However, I find it unsettling that I have to pay for housing, utilities, food, gas, medical care, and insurance. And, not only do I have to buy food, I have to cook it! And wash my own clothes! And clean my own bathroom! And pay taxes! And drive through the Marquette Interchange! Maybe they’re still offering that bonus…