Yet another chapter in my life closes.
I got my honorable discharge certificate from the Army in the mail today. It was effective 18 March, 2004.
I’m really happy, but at the same time, it still hasn’t fully sunk in yet. It’ll take a little time, I’m sure — something that has been part of my identity for so many years is now over. At some point in the near future, my .mil e-mail address will stop working, and I’ll be shut out of Army Knowledge Online (the main Army collaboration portal).
It was a good tour. If I had to do it over again, I’d do it the same way. Darrell asked me this evening:
“So aside from all the leadership experience, comraderie, sense of duty and fulfillment, working with other soldiers for something greater, learning about massive organizations, practical experience with all levels of command, and the huge chunk of cash that you got to attend to Notre Dame, did you get anything out of the army at all?”
☺
Yes, yes I did.
Thanks to all who helped me have a fabulous Army career; you are all too numerous to mention. How many of you kept a young LT / CPT straight and honest? You know who you are. ☺