Reservist checks priorities in Iraq

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Tim Horton
  • 916th Communications Squadron
CAMP ANACONDA, Iraq --  Traffic is at a stand still, internet connection is not operational, telephone company is working the problem with the lines, TV reception is only snow--does this sound familiar? How much time is devoted to complaining about such things? If you made a list of things you do in a month, grouped them according to importance, and examined where most of your time is spent, what item absorbs most of your time?

We've become so accustomed to using the "necessities" of life, most of the high demand items are taken for granted. We expect rolling into perfectly-planned weekly routines not expecting interruptions; sliding into your favorite ride without contemplating fuel availability; flipping a switch equals desired-intensity lighting; clicking on the internet provider of choice's logo means instantaneous access to the superhighway; turn the tap...a rush of crystal-clear, cold-as-ice water flows endlessly; and of course one of my favorites--pour every undesirable substance known to man down the drain with a proud sense of accomplishment!

Life moves along, then out of no where appears an unplanned significant life-changing event! We've all experienced them--a major storm disrupts utilities, Hollywood writers go on strike (favorite TV show gone!), flat tires, relocation of family/friends, loss of job to losing a dear member of your life. Some such events are isolated due their nature. Deployments are associated with military and DoD employees, but other agencies like the American Red Cross also "deploy."

When someone's scheduled for deployment, well-wishers express concern and statements of success. All desire the deployer a safe return after the task at hand is done. For many deployers, the expected day of return is a motivator--this too will pass.

During this deployment, I've had the opportunity to reevaluate some thought processes--deployed to a hazardous place, family/friend separations and job details. After some training and visiting the hospital, I recaptured how blessed I am. With recent utility outages/shortages such as power and water, priorities are renumbered. If things or conditions do not produce the results we think/expect, we're forced to rethink--a nudge to reset priorities is sometimes needed.

We need to remember the words of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians in chapter 4 verse 11 and learn to be content. We all have priorities, but are they correct?