Kids, Tough Regardless of Age!

Well, I am fit to be tied about my kids. While I thought this was to be a fairly stress free week, it turned out to be pretty stressful. First, Trey (1LT, US Army) has been trying to get back to Ranger School since he got hurt there a year ago. He called the other evening and told me that he had met with his Battalion Commander who told him he would not support sending Trey to Ranger School prior to their deployment to Iraq later this Summer. He did tell Trey that he would sponsor his going to Airborne School and contacted the Brigade Training Office on his behalf. The Training Office said no FORSCOM assigned soldiers were being sent to Airborne School at this time. Trey was angry. He called me, I guess looking for sympathy. I told him the Army was an Institution and one had to understand that an Institution had things happen that we don't always like, but have to learn to deal with. This was not what he wanted to hear. In fact, he told me he might not want to be a part of that institution. I said OK, its your life and I can't live it for you. He said he had to go and we haven't spoken since. Second, Dave was in a foul mood the other evening. His Mom called him to get the latest and greatest scoop from UVA and he almost bit her head off. Apparently his Thesis Advisor told him on Monday that a major draft was due this Friday. Dave mistakenly believed that he had another three weeks. Mom was just trying to be nice and Dave used the opportunity to vent some of his frustration with his Advisor directly at Mom. Anyway, somehow the blame for all of this rolls my direction. Ah well, when life throws you cherry pits, use them to grow trees.