Active Duty

I must say in-processing is a huge pain.  But that's what active duty has been so far.  I arrived at Laughlin AFB around 17:30 last friday the 21st.  The base is smaller than I expected and everything is situated in a grid.  I drove into Del Rio to see what I would be doing for the next two years.  I will be the first to let you know that there is not much to do in this town.  There is no Hastings or Taco bell.  Surviving is going to take some effort.  I can see the lights of Mexico at night which reminds me how far south I am.  Topeka seems more interesting than Del Rio.  

I in-processed monday with a million questions that everyone else seemed to have.  Let me tell you that there has been lots and lots of paperwork, and I don't like paperwork.  However, things finally started going smoothly when I got my CAC (ID) card.  The things you can do with this little piece of plastic are amazing.  

I checked out of the base hotel this morning and am now getting ready to finish up checking in to the many stations on base.  I'll finish up at flight medicine and then move into my new dorm room.  It is furnished so I don't need furniture.  I now await my other belongings to be delivered, but it is Thanksgiving week so it is hard to get a lot done as I have a four day weekend.  

I believe Kansas plays Missouri this weekend.  Rock Chalk!  There is a Mizzou guy stationed here and I want to talk some trash!

Until then, happy thanksgiving!

Only hours left...

I decided to go back to Lawrence for one last night in the party atmosphere. Dusty just happened to be passing through and all the pilot-selects were going to be getting together at our favorite bar. It was great seeing my former roommates Dusty and Jared again. It brought back many memories of our shenanagins. Wow, were we crazy at times. I came back to Wichita on Sunday afternoon a little tired and a bit hungover. I don't think I'll miss the party scene that much after that feeling...
The movers came today. This gave me an official feeling that things are really starting up in my new career. My room is somewhat empty with all my things being shipped off down south, but I know I'll catch up with them later. I'm glad there was an air force base nearby. Everything seemed pretty painless. However, as long as nothing is broken, and I have 100% accountability of my belongings, I'll be extremely overjoyed.
It is funny to listen to my dad give me the countdown of civilian life. I remember being pretty upset that my active duty entry date was going to be a six month wait. But after looking at the situation over and realizing that I would get to have nothing but fun for the next six months. And the last six months have been a blast. From a drama filled summer at the pool to going to my last KU home game (at least for a while), it's been fun. Now the work begins.
I leave Thursday morning to drive my 11 hours to Del Rio. When I am finally settled in and inprocessing is done, I will be able to give a sigh of relief. But for now, I stare at the sky and dream. I can't wait to be up there...

Now to listen to The Final Countdown...

Preparing to Move

It was hard leaving Lawrence. I've invested a lot of time there. I have some great friends. Now I am spending my last two weeks with my parents in Wichita. It is nice to be home and not really have to do anything. My dad is having me go through all my old things and get rid of old junk. I don't like being a pack rat. However, it is fun to go through old memories and pictures and deciding what is worth keeping. I found a bunch of my newspaper clippings with many swimming victories. It seems like such a long time ago.
Today, I went to McConnell AFB and went to the Outbound Assignments office to talk to them about getting my "household goods" shipped down to Del Rio. It is strange actually getting ready to go through my first Permanent Change of Station (PCS). I still don't know if I am going to live on base or not. The word on the street is that I will have to find a place in town. Being six miles from the border of Mexico makes me a bit jumpy. Hopefully I can find a nice complex that is safe. Until then, the coundown begins...17 days until I enter active duty.