And so it begins...

So here's the first blog post. I figure I'd better get started some time, and since I've sold just about everything I own - including my last TV tonight - it looks like I'll have plenty of time to "blog". Yuck. I hate the word "blog" for some reason. I used to hate Twitter & "tweet" too - but now I tweet & follow people. Whatever.
So this whole blog is going to be a test of my attempt at brevity. See, I've got a knack for writing - I just don't know when to stop somtimes. Vocally, I'm not so bad (although some would argue otherwise, I'm sure). But when it comes time to putting my thoughts to type - I have the hardest time slowing those fingers down. So wish me luck - and, if I fail - I apologize now - and only now ;)

I also hope to be able to document what my experience as a civilian contractor in I.T. working in Afghanistan is like. Of course, there's a little thing called COMSEC that I've got to be forever mindful of. That stands for Communications Security. So while there's plenty I'm sure I'll be able to share, there's also plenty I can't & won't be able to discuss. It is what it is.

In my next few blog posts, I'll shed some light on what lead me to this whole "Afghanistan excursion" - and the process that I took to get where I am today. Speaking of which - currently, I'm about 10 days away from deploying to the Army's CRC (combat readiness center), where I'll get some indoc & gear issue for Afghnistan, among other things I'm sure. After a week there, I'll be shipped out to Kuwait, where I should finally learn exactly where in Afghanistan I'll be headed to, and quite possibly, what exactly I'll be doing there. The suspense is killing me.

In a nutshell - the driving factors behind going to Afghanistan for me are:

• I realized that from last new year to this new year - time flew - and the past year was relatively uneventful - and even boring to be honest.
• I'm tired of being an "armchair quarterback" to US government policy as it involves Iraq & Afghanistan. Since I cannot re-enlist (I proudly served in the USN from 89-92), by doing this, I'll be able to be involved in some other way besides arguing with a half-wit liberal and casting my vote on election day.
• Its a great career opportunity. I do ok now. But, I've got high hopes of moving from the Northeast Ohio area to Florida. This helps get my foot in the door for government/military contracting stateside - quite possibly with the company I've just signed up with (which shall remain nameless for now). I will also be re-activating my security clearance, which is a highly desireable item to have for government/military work in my field.
• And finally - the moolah. Well, more like the opportunity to SAVE moolah. Now, maybe I'm being naive, but besides paying off my stateside bills while I"m there, what else could I possibly want to spend money on in the middle of that God forsaken country? So, the goal to save save save is definitely a big one.

So - that's enough for now - a good start (a little informative, & somewhat brief!). I'll get into the whole "how I learned about the job" and "what the hiring process is like" on my next post. Until next time . . .