MAKE A DIFFERENCE

I am planning on writing this blog once a month (and maybe a few words in between) during my deployment to provide update on what is going on with me. This blog is solely meant for my family and friend and all who have support me and the fellow men and women that serve the United State Military (Past and Present).

Brief Background – OIF to OEF

As many of you know, I am on my second combat tour of duty of my military career. My first one was to Iraq in 2005, as a Sergeant. When I returned I went to Officer Candidate School to become a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army. I am currently a First Lieutenant. I am the Executive Officer (which is 2^nd in Command) of the 236^th Engineer Company (Texas Army National Guard) out of Denton, Texas, which is currently deployed to Afghanistan.

Comparison of Civilian Job and Military Job

When I am not deployed with the Army, my civilian job is a Teacher and a Coach. I am a certified to teach 6-12 Business and 4-8 Generalists. I have taught Business and Math in my previous teaching positions. The one thing that I find similar in Teaching and being an Officer in the Army is the Leadership and Planning that is involved. In each position, you are the first to show and the last to leave. (This will make my fellow educators proud) In addition to being a Leader, I also find myself being an Educator, as I am always being asked how to do things on the computer, as well as always looking to teach my fellow soldiers a new way, the right way, or a better way on how to accomplish different task. I guess that the “Educator” in me remains alive. Thank you to my fellow educators for the patience and time that you give to teach this country’s future.

It is what you do that matters

During my training for this deployment, I heard a quote that went something like “Be not worried about how long you will be on ground, but it is what you do while you are on ground that matters”. This quote hit me as I realize that although I have an idea how long I will be here, but if all I do is look for the light at the end of the tunnel (the time that I am to return home), then what I do here will not matter. If I take each day and do the things that I need to do to make a difference that I will be successful here, no matter how long I am here. I relate this to the way I feel that we need to live our lives for Christ. If we go out each day to make a difference, then time means nothing on this earth.

ACU

As I write this blog, I also think about the tragic events that occurred involving an ACU bus accident, which resulted in many people injured – some critically – and ended the life of one young lady. This group of people were on their way to take part in a mission trip that had been an annual thing for over 20 years. I think about the earlier quote I mentioned above, and how I know that these people were not worried about the time they lived on this earth, but looked everyday to make a difference for Christ on this earth. Involved in the accident, are two wonderful people and who adopted my wife and me as their kids while we were attending ACU. Emmett and Pat Miller looked everyday to make a difference in our lives, as well as everybody else’s lives. I also think about all of the professors, coaches, and staff at ACU that focused each day on how to make a positive impact in all they were involved with, regardless how long they might be at ACU. I take pride in ACU and the difference they made in my life. Although I am proud of the accomplishments that I had on the football field and my two BBA degrees, I am more proud to say that I am an alumni of ACU and I wear and sport my ACU items with pride. ACU truly does educate, minister, and lead people to go out in the world to make a difference (even when people – meaning myself – do not realize where and how they will be sent throughout the world).

Making a Difference (I hope)

As I mentioned in the first paragraph, I am the Executive Officer for the 236^th Engineer Company (Texas Army National Guard) from Denton, Texas. This makes me 2^nd in Charge of this unit. Part of my duties as Executive Officers is to make decisions and lead. Many of these decisions have a direct effect on the lives of the soldiers in the unit. – In the middle of writing this month’s blog, something came up and I had to stop writing and go make decisions. Although the decision meant staying up to the early hours of the morning, but working those hours is sometimes the cost to make the best decision to place the soldiers in the best position to complete their mission. – My goal is to not worry about how long I will be here, but that the things that I am lead to do while I am here, I pray that I do the things or make the decisions that will have a positive effect and make a difference in lives of my fellow soldiers and all others involved.

I finish with the hope that each day you will not worry about getting through the day, but be concerned with how you are going to make a difference.