Yesterday was  victory for the 525th MI Bde.  We sent an NCO to prison for three years for distrobution of marijuana to lower enlisted soldiers.  Nearly nine months in the making--the case that has been both my nemesis and my cornerstone...it is completed.  Three letters of reprimand, three field grade article fifteens, two summary courts-martial, two general courts-martial; A combined total of 135 days restriction, 135 days extra duty, 60 days confinement at Camp Lejeune, 5 years confinement at Fort Knox, a total loss of twelve pay grades/ranks, and two Bad Conudct Discharges. 

and some say marijuana is not a big deal.  Firsthand, even without this case, I know just how wrong that statement is. 

We celelbrated last night; Captain Holley (our Bde trial counsel) took the Bde legal team (SFC Wade, smith, and myself) out to dinner at the brewery.  Captain Swenk (who assisted in the prosecution) also made a brief appearance.  I had the best sirloin steak I've had in ages and a good portion of ale :)  Smith drove the two us home in the rental car I'd needed for the courts-martial (shuttling witnesses and such)...nice car--i liked it a lot (1999, i think,  Monte Carlo)

It was a long, trying week.  12 hour days with hardly a break for meals, last minute changes, new witnesses, new itinieraries, detention cell coordination for the out of town prisoner coming back to testify (who never even took the stand btw), etc. etc.  If there was ever a time in my life where the pressure could crack me--it was these past two weeks--for even before the case proper there was a madman's load of coordination required...with SFC Wade gone, the ball was completely in my court...

but I performed my duties and did not crack--did not falter, did not stumble.  I am proud of myself for this...and I know full well why this is the case.  When I arrived at the 519th MI Bn, I was overwhelmed by the diluge of cases and thing to be done--in a brand new setting, unsure of myself, hardly knowing any of the chain of command...it was a thin sheet of ice and I most certainly fell through...but it was  learning experience and I grew stronger from it--such that I could react calmly under pressure this time around.  A simple matter of adjusting fire, act/react. 

in other words, I kicked ass. :)

Last Thursday was the Sergeant (E5) promotion board.  I smoked it.  After all my worries, all my stress, all the studying, i went in, knocked it out, and added a "P" after SPC.  In the face of the whirwind from this court-martial, I still shined...even that day witnessing the defenses interview of the LTC and the CSM...I stood virtually all morning so as to not wrinkle my uniform--something that gained admiration from the board.  I also gained admiration for being the only one of 8 soldiers to answer one particular question correctly--the significance of that day (200th anniversary of the White House).

My cousin Paul was visiting my parents in San Francisco this past week as well.  He flew out wednesday and I spoke with him on the telephone tuesday evening...so good to hear his voice after all these years, and to catch up to speed with each other.
 
 

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On this date last year:  Friday?!!!!!!!

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