The Broken Soldier

I’ve not posted in some time. In part because I’ve had nothing to post about. In part because I’ve lost interest in posting here. Those with similar experiences see truth in what I’ve posted. Those who haven’t see lies. Those who want ammunition to use against organized military will surely find it here. Those who seek reason to besmirch the characters of or if in their power destroy anyone criticizing organized military will, likewise, find it here.

Yesterday I alerted my CoC my wife wasn’t attending ‘muster,’ a five day event my Community Based Warriors in Transition Unit (CBWTU) program put on every quarter. A chance to voice grievances, press the flesh with higher-ups, receive information, play golf an meet beauty queens. I brought this to the attention of those in charge as soon as I learned of it. Those in charge seemed unhappy, but, as I’ve so often said here, truth doesn’t have to be beautiful/what we want it to be.

My wife is being promoted. A promotion taking us to San Francisco. A big move with short suspense. Much for which to prepare. Additionally, my wife chose to stay behind to attend to matters of moving and to take care of our dogs - one of whom is only 4 months old, weighing less than one pound.

Upon sharing this information, I was told this was creating significantly more work for those responsible for my travel and lodging - while the person responsible for my travel and lodging stated in the background ‘It’s not a big deal.’ I offered, in the spirit of making things easier for everyone, to make my own travel arrangements (n.b. I did not actually make them, just offered to do so to make things easier). I made the mistake of sharing this information with my wife. My wife sent an email, as she was instructed to do by those in positions of power at the CBWTU, to my CoC.

My CoC voiced its distemper with me today. In our discussion, I was told ‘This is how the rumor mill gets started.’ My wife’s email, containing the word ‘reprimand’ to describe her sense of what went down. Her email was then forwarded to ‘15-20 other people.’ To this I voiced confusion. Confusion that will never, regardless of how much discussion is had, dissipate.

This is not how the rumor mill is started or fueled. “This” meaning the actions of my wife and I. I did what I was supposed to do. A change in plans came to my attention, and I shared it with those in power immediately. My wife did what she was told to do: If you have a problem, share it with us.

My wife and I are neither the creators nor the fuel for the rumor mill, which has created hostility for me everywhere I’ve gone. Those who send information, often out of context to those who, as enumerated above, look for lies and a reason to besmirch or destroy in anything viewed as criticism of the organization to which they belong are the rumor mill. God only knows the motive. I makes no sense to my wife and I.

From now on we will keep our mouths shut. I have little time left. And motive and hope to correct what we see as wrong, as we’ve been encouraged to do, simply isn’t worth the potential cost.