Arrival in Italy (Hurry up and Wait)

So, I've been in Italy almost a week now. The unit I was supposed to go to (683rd Support Detatchment) is in need of a Staff Sergeant Chaplain's Assistant, rather than a private. Therefore, I'm getting orders re-cut, and according to my old 1st Sergeant, I may very well end up in Bamburg, Germany. 
In the meantime, I'm trying to get to know the post a little bit, as well as work up the courage to head off post and see a little bit of Italy while I can. It's silly to think that I, an American Soldier, would be afraid of going out in a friendly city, but I am. I don't really have anyone I can go out with, and I'd be a little nervous about going out alone. I don't much care for the post, that much is certain. You could walk across the whole thing in about 10 minutes if you wanted to, the PX is pretty small and the only thing for entertainment is the standard bowling alley and movie theater-combination. 

Went to see Salt today, which wasn't too bad. There were almost as many plot twists and betrayals as there were gunshots, but it was entertaining enough for a couple hours time. 

My roommate is quite the party animal, apparently. Normally I wouldn't mind, except he seems to prefer to host these parties, which is pretty annoying when he's blasting his country music at max volume on his stereo and I'm trying to sleep or watch 24 or what have you. 

Anyway, I should know my unit in a few more days. Updates will follow as they happen. 

The Ballad of the Green Beret

Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
These are men of the Green Beret. 

Silver wings upon their chest
These are men of America's best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win a green beret

Trained to live off nature's land
Trained in combat, hand to hand
Men who fight by night and day
Courage takes from the green beret

Silver wings upon their chest
These are men of America's best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win a green beret

Back at home my young wife waits
Her green beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed
Leaving her this last request

Put silver wings on my son's chest
Make him one of America's best
He'll be a man they'll test one day
Have him win the green beret.

What the Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine might be thinking...

Honestly, I don't look forward to complete strangers approaching me in the airport because they want to thank me for my service. I don't really want anyone to thank me for my service. I don't want military discounts on my food, my rent, my dishwasher, or my pimpin' rims. You know what i really want? I want to be left alone. The Army is a means, not an end. I joined to better myself and serve my country, not cut to the front of the line to board the aircraft and receive tumultuous applause upon deplaning. 
My Corps motto is "For God and Country". That means my primary service is to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as a minister of hope from him to the Joes in my unit. If I serve him by serving others and being Christ to them, I have done my work for the day. Whether that means supplying the chapel with Bibles and Q'urans or refilling the Kool-ade bowl so it doesn't run out, or just sitting and listening to SPC Garcia talk about his family problems, I am being the image of Christ, a "little Christ" in their life. 
THAT is what my military service is about. I serve the people of the United States (especially it's soldiers) and live the Army values. 

Italy!

Yes, I realize this is two "new" posts in one day, but frankly I don't care, since the other post was actually like three weeks or more old. Besides, i have great things to write about! my permanent duty station is Camp Ederle in Vicenza, Italy! I am most pleased with this duty assignment. I do not know what unit i will be a part of, since all my orders say is Vicenza, but there is a good chance that i will be assigned to a batallion of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, which is a pretty sweet deal. Just being part of an airborne unit is cool enough as it is, but the brigade is deploying to Afghanistan in August, which would be exciting to say the least. Yes, it would suck to go play in the sandbox shortly after becoming part of the unit in Italy, but i am looking forward to the excitement that comes with going new places and actually being part of the "real army", the part that goes out and DOES STUFF.
as my good friend Chris Sedgewick says, "DO WORK SON". Good stuff. I may not be an infantryman, but i can DO WORK and i fully intend to when i get there. i have had more than enough rest time here at home, spending good quality time with mi familia and am kinda itching to get on to the next great thing. Even if the next great thing really sucks.
All the way, AIRBORNE!