If I Had Only Done This

If I had only trained harder and for a longer period of time. For the next 28 days I would be pushed to my limits and further mentally and physically. I would be faced with fears of embarrassment, broken bones, and even a chance of dying. For 11 years I had wanted to attend the Army’s Engineer Regiment’s premier leadership school which is called Sapper School.

We redeployed from Afghanistan in July 2011. All the soldiers were excited to be home and about to enjoy 30 days vacation time. I was excited too thinking I would be enjoying the warm summer weather. Spending each day with my family. Knowing that I could let my guard down and relax. There was no more bad guys try to kill me. I didn’t have 32 soldiers to watch for. It was just my family and I.

Just before leaving work for the last time and embarking on vacation, my boss asked to speak with me. I went to his office and he asked me to close the door. His walls were painted white and decorated with plaques and awards he received through the years. The carpet was red representing Engineers and power. It was clean not a speck of dirt anywhere. Now I have been standing on his carpet in front of his desk before but this time felt different. I could sense I was neither in trouble nor about to stand through a mentorship speech. Instead he asked if I would like to attend Sapper school in October of that year. Excitement came over me, I could hardly stay professional. I said yes I would be ready to by October and for him not to worry.

As I arrived home and bolted through the door, my wife could tell I had some great news. She was so excited when I told her I was getting my chance at Sapper School. As I told her I needed to start training her face begin to sadden. I then realized her worries that for the 30 days of vacation my concern would be to training. To make her worries lesson I had promised her I would only train for an hour each morning before her and the kids would wake for the day....