The Art of Decision Making

Janet, Gabe, and I are going to Caldwell, TX this weekend for our friends' wedding. The couple, Kit and Tiffany, asked each one of us to participate in some form or fashion during the ceremony and we are honored to be able to be a part of something that will be one of their most cherished memories. Plus, I look damn good in a tux.

In keeping with modern tradition, the guys and I from B/2-4 AVN decided to provide Kit with a night of debauchery commonly known as "The Bachelor Party". We all met at HOOTERS and then hit some local establishments and a good time was had by all. In keeping with another tradition, no details will ever be divulged by anyone involved under penalty of death. Just kidding. It was a very fun yet low key night that concluded without incident. Everyone that has seen the pre-Academy Award winning Tom Hanks film "Bachelor Party" would have been disappointed. No drugs, hookers, male sex organ sandwiches, or donkeys were involved. But, when all was said and done, I believe that everyone that participated had a great time and was happy to be a part of Kit's grand send off.

I think one of the most important thing to mention is that at no point in the night was anyone in our party in danger of getting into a physical altercation or receiving a DUI. We had a plan, designated drivers, and friends that care enough about one another to make sure that fun and not trouble was the focus of the evening. In my younger days I pushed the boundaries of safety and good sense by doing things I now consider overwhelmingly idiotic. There are mornings that I woke up wondering how I got home only to look out my window and see that I had driven not only myself but many of my drunk friends home as well. I'm not saying this to brag but to make a point. There are some life lessons we are lucky to survive learning. Too many of the young (and sometimes older) men and women that are coming home from Iraq drop their good sense off with there leave packets and weekend passes and drink and drive. I was fortunate enough to never get caught, kill myself, or God forbid kill anyone else during my college years. But I was also fortunate enough to know that if I got caught I wasn't going to ruin my current career. The young men and women that I work with who take these risks not only will be prosecuted by civil authorities but also recieve non-UCMJ punishment, can be removed from their current jobs, and lose money and rank. STUPID!!!!! All of these things are so easily avoided by just having a plan....even if that plan is to call some one at the end of the night to pick you up or hiding $20 in your car to pay a taxi to take you home.

I guess the reason I am thinking about the DUI thing is that today is the anniversary of my return home from Iraq and in the preceding 365 days I have known several people lose rank, money, and even lives for simple stupid decisions made at the end of a good night of partying. I am not in any way advocating for the abstinence crowd. I believe that it is a persons right to abuse themselves in any way that they see fit as long as it does not hurt or adversely affect others. So the point I am trying to make is that there are enough pitfalls and dangers in our lives and jobs as soldiers and aviators, don't make yourself an easy target when life sends a round your way.

P.S. Here's one of the groom. Good luck Kit and Tiff!