I do a lot of self-reflection.  Not because I enjoy it, but because circumstances force me to - sometimes at the worst moments.

I've noticed that there are some real whiners out here.

Their lodgings aren't good enough, the food isn't tasty enough, the transportation isn't fast enough, blah and blah and blah.

We all knew before we came out here that tents were the lodging of choice.  It IS the Army heading this stuff up, you know.

We all knew what contracted cafeterias were like, too, since we're all required to have a military background.

We all knew the toll this would take on us and our loved ones.

At least, I thought we all did.  Every day, I see people heading home before their end of contract because they couldn't hack it for whatever reason.  Some are very good reasons, like a rocket in your b-hut.  But others?  I could have made up a better excuse in my sleep.

Yes, I miss my family very much.  Yes, it's hard on all of us.  But, in the end, I know that they love me and accept me and my need to do this.  I have goals, and they require that I stay here the full year. 

This is a big commitment.  Don't commit to play in the yard with the big dogs if you can't hack it.