Beat Your Face!

It has been a busy week so I haven't had any time to update the blog. I can't really go into details but I had a pretty significant legal proceeding this week that just wrapped up today. It has taken most of my free time and unfortunately the old blog was the first thing to go. Now that this is behind me it should hopefully get things back to somewhat normal. Normal as in busy enough to always have 2 or 3 things going on but still able to have some free time to hit the gym and watch movies.

After a lot of hard work by Chief Regan, SFC Kerchal, and SSG Johnson, my promotion came through this week. I am now a member of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) corps, also known as a Sergeant. There are many benefits to being an NCO. More money (not a ton but a little), a little more respect, and you can make the junior enlisted do pushups (look out Benes, Burnham, and Fleck!). Unfortunately, there are also more responsibilities. I have a weekly meeting I have to go to now, and I can't use the excuse anymore that I'm just a Specialist, which was one of my favorites when I wanted to get out of doing something. All in all it is a good thing and I'm excited.
Our First Sergeant, the senior NCO for the HQ Troop, is big on doing promotions in front of the whole unit. This is me reporting to the Troop Commander, CPT Lorenz. SFC Kerchal, the NCOIC of my section is in the background. In the far background you can see SGT Hanseling, but can't tell that he has a blackeye due to the Oakleys he is wearing. More on that to follow later.
My last salute (hopefully!) as a Spec 4.
It is official! The Commander does the easy rank on the chest, which is velcro. SFC Kerchal did the one on the patrol cap which is a little but tougher. This is SSG Johnson's old rank, there is no E5 rank to be found anywhere on post. He had to make the chevron on my hat from an E6 rank by cutting off the "rocker" which is what separates the E5 and E6. Score one for Army ingenuity.