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Over the last week and a half I was back in Ohio taking part in an inspection for my old guard unit (well...was current at the time). It's whats called an Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI). An ORI is designed to see if a unit is capable of handling and functioning with its mission capabilities. We had been getting ready for it for the last 18 months...and in 4 days it was over. So much work and prep put into it and we rocked.
We pulled the highest rating that could be given in both sections of the ORI. That has not been accomplished by a unit in over 14 years. That says alot in the planning and training that went into getting ready.
Monday was my last day officially with the unit. I out processed with them. Why? I live over 6 hours away now instead of 30 minutes. I transferred to another unit.
Leaving that unit was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life. I spent 16 years with them. They were my second family. I have watched kids grow up in that unit and then join when they turned 18. I watched friends retire from there. 16 years...long time. To have my commander shake my hand and tell me thank you and remember when I worked directly for him and some of the pranks I pulled as an airman.
I told him that being in that unit had been some of the proudest years of my life. I deployed with them several times, I worked with them through situations that called us all together. We always took pride in what we did. We took the core values taught us in basic and live by them. That is what makes us one of the best units around. Hands Down. We are pointed out by the active duty as one of the units to turn to when in need of bodies for deployments or for training exercises. We are the unit that can and will find a way to make something work.
That is where we pull our Pride from...each other....we rely on each for the knowledge, the friendship, the values to adapt and overcome obstacles put in our path.
We were the First then....and we are First Now.
To be the first unit put together after WWII and still be around...that says alot.
I will miss you all...you will always be home. No other unit will be able to replace the Pride I have in having been a member.
