Took the wife and kids camping this week. School starts next Monday, and I drill this weekend, so the middle of the week was the best opportunity. Campground was surprisingly full - other folks who figured the campground would be packed on the weekend.
So I'm sitting at the dining table chatting about the plans, and I say "a high-speed soldier would probably write up an Op-Order for this trip." And she looks at me. And she grins. And I know I'm gonna have to do it. So I did. I found a couple of template-type documents to build an OPORD with, and I filled it in (more or less, I skipped a lot of stuff) and in the end, it helped the trip go more smoothly.
We didn't pack enough clothing, and were cold in the evening. I forgot to get 9-volt batteries for the remote control trucks. Everything else went great. I brought balsa gliders, so the remote control truck disappointment didn't last very long.
I used the camping trip as an opportunity to practice some things - like the OPORD, like radio communication, like map reading, and map research, and pace-counting from the campground up to the fishing lakes. I taught the kids a bit about the radios, and we all had call signs. The boys learned a bit about reading topographic maps. We went to a different location the next day 
where there were less people, and shot an air rifle and BB gun at a target. We picked up other people's trash, and talked about who owns the National Forest. (I do - and so do you. Don't forget it.)
And the whole time, I kept thinking about 2009.
I'm section chief of the Unit Ministry Team, so I go to monthly training planing meetings. At the last meeting, it was mentioned that we might deploy in 2009. Might. Maybe. And if we do, it might be as a BSB, which we are, or it might be as a security unit.
I was awake from 3 am to 5 am today thinking about that.
I signed up originally on the "try one" plan - a one year enlistment. In order to get student loan repayment, I have to re-up. I couldn't get that benefit just enlisting. Also, when I signed up I liked the "if I don't like it" option.
Now we're coming up on my year. November 11th.
Gives a man something to think about at 4 am.
