Frustration

Adam does not tolerate incompetence and inefficiency, so you can imagine his frustration at not obtaining his bonus for extending his contract. His contract with the Guard was supposed to end in September, but he re-signed in March, so he was supposed to get a decent-size bonus when the extension started. Instead, he began receiving stop-loss pay, which is extra money but incomparable to his bonus.

Part of the frustration comes from the fact that he signed his extension papers twice. The first set was "lost." How something that important gets misplaced, I do not understand. But the Army said it could not be found, so Adam signed another set. And yet he is getting stop-loss pay instead of his bonus.

He is not the only soldier experiencing this, so he plans to speak to a retention officer about it. But he is extremely frustrated. It isn't only about the money. Such issues contribute to unnecessary frustration, anger and resentment, in addition to difficulty retaining soldiers.

Other issues are frustrating him as well, on which I am unclear. They relate to missions and leadership and how things are being done. Obviously, he cannot get into detail about any of this.

So proud of Puffin!

He spent three weeks in classes and graduated with four others at the top of the class. :)

Adam is OK

I apologize for slacking at this.

Four soldiers were killed Tuesday in separate attacks in Baghdad and northern Iraq, where Adam is stationed. He is not one of the dead. I am grateful, yes, but pained for those who lost their lives and their grieving families.

On a happier note, thank you to Aunt Gwen and Uncle Herald and their family for sending Adam a care package. His mom sends more than enough, and I send some as well, but it is nice to know his extended family cares and is thinking of him. Too many service members are in this alone, though it sounds as though most of Adam's men have caring families as well.