Last weekend was a relaxing respite following the two weeks of field training my unit just completed. It was 14 days of 6am until midnight work days, with plenty of stress and few meals. You'd think I'd lose a bunch of weight, but the stress must increase my cortisol levels which kind of keeps me at status quo.
What's so stressful, you ask? A team of observer/trainers came up from Ft Leavenworth to train and evaluate us, the staff. I had a colonel devoted to looking over my shoulder, to analyze every thing my team and I did. He was actually a great help...a wealth of recent experience and knowledge, but it doesn't make it any easier.
The other stress comes from performance anxiety, as the commander establishes his requirements from his staff. I always want to do my best for him. He deserves a good PAO; one that meets his information needs and delivers sound advice. I hate it when I come up short. It's like I disappointed my dad, or something.
In the end, the staff and command team performed superbly. We'll be ready to go, without a question. The question is, what is Iraq going to look like when we get there? With the US forces leaving the cities tomorrow and handing security over to the Iraqis, it will be interesting to see what Iraq will have devolved (evolved) to by the time we get there. I pray for success, but realism says they will be facing some extreme challenges that we may have to help them with. Many mistakes we may have to undo. Areas we may have to reestablish.
Iraqis--I wish you well. Do your best. Don't let your commanders down.
No comments:
Post a Comment