Learning how to hit curveballs

Moving, moving, moving...sort of seems like all I have done lately is move from one military installation to another. I went from Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia to Fort Campbell, Kentucky then on to Ft. Lee, Virginia with a final destination of Afghanistan so I'll continue to stay on the move. After Afghanistan I'll have about 8 months left at Campbell before I have to move again to who knows where at this point.

I gotta say the Army keeps me on my toes. Running, being the only outlet I have continues to be a challenge to maintain as well. After all, this blog is about running and the challenges of doing this so I'll get to that focal point soon...

First, I'll start out with the military aspect and then turn to the running aspect...my source of sanity.

My journey to Fort Campbell to be a part of the historical 101st Airborne Division went off without a hitch and I enjoyed every minute of being a part of this organization. Well, with all good intentions and plans, you must always remain flexible.

You might recall in my past posts that I was supposed to head to Afghanistan and return with a follow on assignment to the Command and General Staff Officer Course (CGSOC). Well, once again I got a screaming fast curve ball thrown at me when I received a message from the Army stating that all year groups 2000-2003 must have attended CGSOC by the close of 2013. There was only one problem with this...I would have been deployed for 2013 resulting in my having to attend the distance learning version. We all know what happens to those officers...or at least what happened in the past. Those who had to attend via DL didn't have a much longer career left in the Army and I certainly didn't want to fall victim to this. Even though the message clearly stated that DL wouldn't have an effect on promotions...the underlying rule here is...of course it will. The government is trying to downsize the military and what a great way to do that by limiting the slots to attend a course.

C'mon, let's be serious, how many people actually want to attend a DL course? Not many so how many will opt for this? Not many. What a great way for the military to non-selectively put officers out. You're either disciplined enough to do the DL course or you're not. I did my MBA through a lot of online courses and in class courses. It took 18 months for that, there was no way in hell I wanted to do military training that way especially when it came to my professional development.

Obviously I'm not the only one in this time frame but here is where I explain how my situation is special.

First, what division in the world would let a key officer, ok, I'm a deputy but still play a vital role in the office...at least that's the lie I like to tell myself to make myself feel better. Honestly, I'm quite happy with the job because I have a great boss who I have learned a lot from and will continue to learn from as long as I work for her.
Anyway, I got sidetracked so let's get back to the topic at hand. I called my boss when I got the email and was a bit distraught to say the least. I was so upset that I would have to go to CGSOC via DL and that was not suitable to me but in order to get promoted and be retained it was a must after the deployment.

Having the boss that I have, she immediately sent an email to the Chief of Staff asking for him to approve my attendance to the short course and simultaneously called my branch manager to get me a seat in the first class of the year. Her intent was to get me to the course and get me to Afghanistan directly after to meet up with the division. How supportive. The decision had to be made by the end of September. It just so happened that the Chief of Staff was on leave when this came out and he didn't get the request, at least that is what I thought.

He actually did get the request but forgot to answer with his support. I really didn't expect him to send me. I thought he would say what everyone in a division that is deploying would say...suck it up, you're deploying and you can go to CGSOC via DL. Much to my surprise he told me that he supported me and that it will make me a better officer and asset to the Division. I was awestruck.

So, here I am about to enter week 5 of CGSOC and I feel like I am treading water. I lack some serious organizational skills. Skills I used to have but somehow have lost them. I believe that when I don't run, I am a mess. I'm grumpy, unorganized, tired and
emotional...not running turns me into a complete train wreck sometimes.

Here, at Ft. Lee, there is an access point to the Petersburg battlefield where I love to run. It is so serene, quiet and beautiful. This past Monday I ran it and saw 4 deer along the way that just looked up as they saw me pass. They didn't move, just grazed on the grass. When I turned around to head back, just before the end, the deer were still there. That really amazed me that they were not afraid of me at all. They sort of looked at me; I'm sure with their “deerish” grin and saying to themselves..."There goes another one of those two-legged creatures running away again!" Ok, so I'm a little dramatic but you get the point. They were laughing at me :)

In my endeavor to continue to run, I signed up for the Virginia is for lovers Half Marathon that takes place in a week. Let's just say I won't be getting a PR! That's ok because my focus is on my courses. I think if I can get this running thing under control, I'll be able to get my head on strait and be able to reorganize myself once again.

It's almost as if running is the oil that makes my brain flow smoothly and without it, I can't seem to think or move properly. Without it, I wouldn't be able to hit the curve balls that life and the military feel necessary to throw at me.