Orders

So Joshua found out this week what his orders are for after tech school. South Korea. South Korea is an unaccompanied tour, so I wouldn't be able to go with him. He'll be there for about a year, but I cannot discuss dates (I don't even know the dates right now) due to OPSEC.

OPSEC is Operations Security, and it's just that, security. If Joshua were deployed, I wouldn't be able to say how long he was gone, or when he's coming back. It puts him and his squadron, along with any other troops that may be where he is, at jeopardy. I'm not 100% if I can say where he is during deployment. But because this is a duty station, it's okay for me to say where he will be going.

But a year without Joshua. We're already at four months separated. It'll be 2015 before I could possibly be with him. I don't think he'll have another unaccompanied tour right after this one, but you never know. I know I didn't expect unaccompanied right off the bat, but here we are, looking face-to-face with even more separation.

At first, I was devastated. I didn't cry, but I got close several times. My mom kept telling me she was sorry. Sorry for what? She did nothing wrong. All she was doing wrong was that she kept bringing it back up. I didn't want to talk right then about it, or how I felt. I was amazed I was able to keep the conversation up with Joshua until we got off the phone so he could call his mom and tell her.

The first couple of days I was numb, and in a daze. And jealous of civilian couples, like early in the BMT separation. But this jealousy was so much worse. I was REALLY jealous. I have a couple of Facebook friends who are separated from their SOs (they're all civilian), but at least they're in the same country! Joshua will be 16 hours ahead of me. After Christmas, I won't see him again in front of me until at least July, when he can take leave.

Yesterday, and for the majority of this damn tour, I feel better. I'm excited for him for seeing the world. Nervous, however, because it IS South Korea. South Korea has no problems with the U.S.A., the proof being we have an air base over there, but North Korea is, uh, right there, north of where Joshua will be. But I don't feel sad or numb anymore. I will after the next goodbye Joshua and I will have, but this is my life as a milso.

This is what I'm going to do for Joshua's tour. This is a deployment DIY idea, but I'm using it for the tour. I look forward to decorating the vases!

He's My Airman

So last night, Joshua's family, my mom and I got back from visiting Joshua. He's an Airman! He has his coin and rank! E-3, Airman First Class Joshua A. Taylor! I am so proud! This blogpost will mostly be pictures, but he did it!

So the way it works: 8.5 weeks of basic military training. In the last week, Joshua graduates. Thursday he did the Airman's Coin Ceremony. That's where the M.T.Is (Military Training Instructors) pass out the Airmen's first challenge coin, signifying they met requirements and completed the Air Force BMT. It's a really awesome ceremony. Once they have that coin, their title changes from Trainee to Airman. They then say the Airman's Creed, and then we can tap them out.

I teared up hearing the Creed. But it's so awesome and chilling at the same time. It's weird to describe. We went down to tap Joshua out, and I fully expected Sheri and I to share the experience, since Joshua didn't have a tap out on Friday. Tapping out is just hugging them when they're at Parade Rest. They have to look straight ahead until you hug them. When I saw Joshua, I just said "Oh, wow." Sheri told me it was okay, and I hugged him. We all hugged him. Joshua and Sheri were crying. I choked up, but no tears.

I love how he looks in ABUs. I was just in shock he was in front of me.

One thing that BMT changed in Joshua was his lack of social skills. One of BMT's goals is to make the trainees become dependent on each other. And after 8 weeks dealing with people, you learn to lean on them and become close. Your flight becomes your second family. Your wingmen fully understand what you went through. I will never fully grasp what Joshua went through, but his friends do. 

Joshua bought me a teddy bear. More like I said "I want this," and made him pay for it, but it was his money... I'm starting a teddy bear collection lol.

Friday was the Parade Ceremony. It's all formality, but they march past us in their Blues. Joshua's flight and his sister flight carried the flags. He's the middle guy you can see. He carried Georgia's flag. You can't tell in this picture, but they have their ranks sewn onto their shirts too. Joshua has 2 stripes, signifying he's E-3. No stripes, like the two men you see here, mean they are still E-1.

After the Parade, we got a tour of Joshua's dorm and then we headed back to the hotel. Joshua and I had like 45 minutes alone, which we just talked and enjoyed each other's presence. It was nice. We then went to a buffet with a museum, so Joshua could stay out later.

My future: standing next to Joshua as he socializes. Him and his flight mate are listening intently as a retiring Air Force member chats them up. 

Saturday we went to Sea World. It was supposed to be an all day thing, but poor Joshua had EC duty the night before for the baby flight and was really tired. I had to keep touching his elbow to keep him awake during a show. But when we got to Sea World, Joshua had strings on his uniform. No strings allowed, so he had to clip them. But with what? Thankfully, Sea World knew.

Joshua, like I said, is extremely social now. He went up to a group of his flight mates (and one sister flight member) to start chatting them up.

I didn't get any pictures on Sunday. It was on base, and we just went back and forth from the mini BX to the main BX (Lackland's mini malls). But he looked amazing in his Blues jacket. And church was awesome. I totally get why trainees enjoy it. The chaplain was upbeat. The music was upbeat. They could sing and laugh. Trainees really need that in BMT.

The goodbye for me wasn't hard. Right now, I'm texting Joshua. I am TEXTING him. I so missed that. I endured 8.5 weeks with little contact. This next step will be loads easier. I can't express how proud I am of him. The Air Force is picky, and he did it. He really did it.

I will be that wife who cries at the national anthem for pride. Congratulations to every new Airman! May your journeys take you to amazing places, and your lives be fulfilled!