Of Pens and Swords

Considering that I’ve gone through physical therapy about 5 times when I was Active Duty Army, I figured I had a decent grasp on things. I can say that all 5 of those sessions I had totalled maybe what I got today. Sometimes, I feel really jip’d about the treatment I got in the Army. Don’t get me wrong, I loved damn near every minute of it, except for the times that I got ulcers for working 18hour days, 7 days a week, for months on end…or being eaten alive by ants while in ambush…or being rained on for days on end and shivering so much that every muscle in my body ached…or not getting to eat but one meal every two days for weeks on end. Other than that, I loved it. I put in as much effort most of the time as I could, and for that I hurt my body.

After seeing the doc’s here in the civilian world for the past couple of months, it’s really showing me that Army doc’s either don’t know what they’re doing, or they just don’t give two fucks about a person. It’s most likely a combination of the two, though the latter is seemingly the more likely candidate for my vote.

So, I’m paying for medical service…that’s why I’m getting such good service. But wait, I paid for my previous medical service with my body and soul…I would think that would be better than any monetary payment. I guess not.

Anyways, therapy went well today. I have an order to not do my stretches once every couple of days like I typically do, but a couple times a day. No problem. I found out that my right leg is a tad longer than my left, which makes complete sense considering how much ankle and hip problems I’ve had with my right side since I can remember.

The more I think about it, having insurance and paying for treatment is the only way to go. It’s nice to have people that actually seem to care about how to fix a problem.

I’m far from a fix, but I’m getting there, finally.

I just submitted my paper for the final in my composition class. I went over the paper with a pretty fine toothed comb, changed what I had to, yada yada yada. I’m overall happy with the end product. I submit it to the instructor, and now I’m nervous. I even went as far as proofreading it after I submitted it so to verify that I was fully comfortable. I am. And I’m still nervous.

Maybe it’s too much coffee. Maybe visions of Raven Shield are floating in my head, and I’m waiting on the instructor sniping me from a half klick away…

Me Strong. Maybe this is to help recruit the kids who graduated high school but can’t quite grasp the ability to read so much…since the Army is doubling it’s allocated amount of below average test scorers. So, it’s only going to 4%. I agree that it’s not a test score that says how well you can soldier, but man, nowadays with being scattered to the four winds, the Army needs people that are more intelligent, not less.

I really can’t wait for the next 6.5 years to pass so I can retire. The Army has taken a nose dive like it did post Vietnam, and I’m frankly tired of it. Promotions are based on the ass-to-hickey ratio instead of merit and potential it seems, with puppies being promoted so fast that they’re barely able to keep up with the demands of two ranks ago, much less leading a squad.

I know I’m talking more on the REMF side of the house. I’m sure the Infantry, Arty and tank worlds are keeping the standards, since it’s more or less their real life asses on the line, and not just an award for half ass doing your job.

All Your Base are Belong to Us! Army Strong!

Next, we’ll have a black circle with a gold outline, since it’s too hard to make a Converse Star.