Shane In Afghanistan: Part 2

Hey everyone. Well, it's been a while since I've sent out an update to everyone, so tonight I figured 'why not'. It's a good question, I think. When I asked it to myself, I couldn't come up with a good answer to further procrastinate writing this. Thus, here I am, writing the e-mail that you're about to read (or lightly scan). Let me start off by saying THANK YOU to everyone that's e-mailed me, giving me encouraging words, updating me on your life, and/or telling me they won't have their wedding if I'm not able to come home (brother Brian, props for the commitment). If I haven't responded to you yet, I deeply apologize from the bottom of my heart, and I am still working my way up through the responses. So, even if it's two months later, it will still be there, that I can promise. Ok, onto my update.

Since my last e-mail, a few big things have happened. The first one, I got promoted from Second to First Lieutenant. Nothing better than an 18 months mandatory promotion. I earned every one of those months too. The pay increase is definitely nice. I have attached a picture of this 'monumentous' event in my young army career.

Second, I found out that half of the Apache helicopter unit that is attached to our Aviation Coalition Task Force is from none other than Boise, Idaho, my home town Guard unit. And, for those of you from Idaho, what's better than being able to catch up on Idaho talk, and be able to discuss how big the areas getting and how much we hate most of the Californians moving to the state. And potatoes.

Third, and most important, I grew a mustache. It looks rather disturbing, but I figured what better time in my life than when I'm in combat, where I'm not trying to impress anyone, get a date, or model. Although I never try to model, but that's beside the point. Apparently, officers are highly encouraged not to have a mustache, so there was a lot of pressure from my boss, and his boss, etc. LT Matlock's mustache actually became a big issue for some reason, which I thought was ridiculous, because we're in war and there are a lot more issues at hand here in Afghanistan than me getting an 'in regulation' mustache. So, I kept it to show peope I'm not going to get bullied...and because I wanted to prove that I really WOULD look good with one.

I am doing very well here. Life is very busy, and I still haven't had a full day off since I've arrived. It's 10-16 hours a day, 7 days a week. I am working with British, Dutch, and Australian aircraft along with our American aircraft. I have a large mission during this year, and I've enjoyed how much I've learned in this process. I have been taught a lot about leadership by my Platoon Sergeant who is attached to me from a reserve unit. I am continually learning how to be a better leader and officer from his knowledge. He was a former First Sergeant on Active duty (only a few of you military people know what that means) and he is really the first person that I know I will be able to point to later on in my career as someone that has helped shape the type of military leader I want to be. I've flown quite a few times, ran a couple ranges, was a convoy commander, led a quick reaction force fuel/ammunition supply team, and have had to deal with some tough issues on what I know was right vs the popular choice and a lot of pressure to agree with that popular choice.

I am also currently in a weekly bible study with some of my good friends from Watertown and it has been a continued blessing having them here. We are all crazy busy, so we don't get to just hang out much, but just an encouraging work or joking around a little when we see each other is helping this deployment go by quickly. I found out that I will be able to take my leave in June, which I can't wait for. I will get to see my whole family, my Grandma, some cousins, and my girlfriend in Houston for my little brother's wedding. I knew he'd beat me to the punch, but it's still weird to think it's almost here. His wife is going to be a great addition to the Matlock family.

That's it from here. Thanks again for all your prayers and support. I wish you all the best and can't wait to see you down the road.

God Bless,

Shane

PS. The pictures of me are at my promotion, one with my Platoon Sergeant, Master Sergeant Soloff before a mission, and then me with one of my soldiers during our mission outside Kandahar Air Field. Also, if you squint real hard, you can see the early beginnings of the mustache.