Changes...

On Friday I said goodbye to almost a third of our team. They had all put in their year (all three military reserve or guard component). It still amazes me how well people cope with this kind of a disruption in their lives. Two of the guys (yes, they were all men - only two women on the PRT when I arrived - more later on that)were in their late fifties/early sixties, and the other about my age (a couple of years older). Two light-Colonels (next promotion full-birds) and an E-8 (Master Sergeant). For those not familiar with military rank, these are career people. And because they also have lives in the "real" world (although it's hard to get more real then when you're dodging bullets and bombs/bombers), they bring the experience of their specialization to the table as well. Very valuable people. One has a background in banking, the other is a trial attorney, and the last was a administrator for a city council in Virginia. Here those specializations translate into finance, law, and governance. Very applicable. All three of these individuals volunteered for this duty. Granted, they made a little more money by serving in a combat zone (hazardous duty), and I believe they wont have to worry about taxes for the income made during this tour, however, their only break was a 14 day R&R about half-way through the year=long tour. Don't think you'll ever read this, but thank you Jay, Morris, and Emery. Safe travels and hope to run into you down the road again someday...Cip