On Tuesday Ryan came home with these. He finally had learned, of the highly anticipated news, about our follow-on assignment after AFIT.
Background: In August, Ryan received an email informing him that he is 'highly vulnerable' for a 365 deployment (a 1 year). This did not come as a surprise to us but it still put a lump in my throat. The deployment is a joint tasking with the Army who is short manned and tagging AF Logistics officers to fill some of their slots. There were several options available in his rank post AFIT graduation. They were all in Afghanistan, most likely on an Afghan training base. Prior to the deployment he would be required to complete 3 months of training with the Army. Needless to say, the thought of having our boys separated from their daddy for 15 months caused my heart to grieve. I know many, many families have endured this once or even multiple times.
An alternative: There was a 12 month, unaccompanied assignment to S. Korea for a Logistics Officer to fulfill. This job is with the Defense Logistics Agency in Daegu. It would also count as an AFIT payback (working there for a year to payback his graduate degree education). Ryan called the assignment team and volunteered for this position which also had the possibility to expand to a 2 year accompanied assignment in which we could go over as a family. This was an answered prayer. He was told via email and on the phone that he had the position. His advisor told him to prepare for Korea and the assignment team even told one of Ryan's classmates at a conference this past October, that Ryan would be fulfilling the S.Korea position. We were just waiting to see it in ink. Meanwhile, we have researched and networked to learn as much as we could about the lifestyle and experiences other families have had in Korea. Just about all the feedback was very positive.
Soft Orders: So, during the first week of November, all of his classmates received their 'soft' orders for their follow-on assignment, except us. This delay in caused me to pause and fear that something might change. Ryan learned that his was held up in the approval process.
Finally, this past week, he learned of his assignment and has it in ink! A HUGE curve-ball; he has orders to report to Hurlburt Air Field in Florida! This was NEVER even on our radar. To be honest, it was difficult to process the information at first since we felt so certain our place was in Korea. As it has sunk in, we are thankful to be staying in the states. Although we know we probably would have loved Korea, the logistics of traveling over there and living in an apartment in a city sounded daunting as a young family with 3 active boys.
Ryan will be working at the 6th Special Operations Squadron. Their main mission is to deploy, so like 9 of his 13+ active duty years, he will have his bags packed in the trunk, ready to leave in hours notice. The unit trains, assesses, advises and assists foreign aviation forces in airpower employment, sustainment and force integrations.
Germany will always remain a special place since it was there that we met and fell in love. We loved the ease of travel and adventure in visiting different countries. We were blessed with a wonderful group of friends whom we unspokenly met each Friday night at an Irish Pub or German Bar.
NJ is where we begun our married life and family! We also purchased our first home. We loved our church there and having lived there for 6 years we felt comfort in traditions we started. We again were blessed with wonderful friends whose bonds are still deep rooted today.
Ohio was already dear to my heart since I graduated from Miami and still have a couple of very close friends nearby. We love our neighborhood here. Positively the most warm, social and welcoming development. From block parties, football tailgate gatherings, big wheel races, Halloween complete with firepits and friends... Our neighbors were quick to embrace our family and we have lifelong friends that have developed.
Once again, we will move with a heavy heart. But, we will trust that Florida is exactly where God wants our family and that He will bless us with friendships and happy memories. After all, home is where the AF sends you!
NOTE: We will be blocks away from the white sandy beaches and clear water of the Gulf. Please book your visits now for the Fisher B & B!
