1 year...

It seems crazy to think it has been a year since I was retired about of the military.  So much has happened in the last year and I have found that while I fully enjoy being an Army wife and supporting my Soldier husband, I greatly miss wearing a uniform.  Since I got out, I have found myself wondering from time to time if I made any kind of difference while I was in.  Although I will always have the pride of knowing that I served my country, knowing that there was some kind of impact on a smaller basis is what has meant the most to me.  Recently, I had two of my former soldiers contact me and without feeling like I'm bragging or anything - what they had to say made me feel like I had accomplished something.  When I first 'acquired' these two soldiers they were troublemakers for lack of better explanation.  I remember having to stand in front of our commander just a few weeks after being promoted to Sergeant and explaining one of them and another soldier beating the living tar out of five other soldiers.  Both these soldiers had their fair share of troublesome ways, but bottom line - they were both good soldiers.  I think they honestly just needed someone to believe in them.  Now looking back...  both of these soldiers have 'settled down' and married, one is even a father now.  Although during your time in the military, it's always nice to hear good things from your supervisors, it doesn't compare to the words and opinions from those who you supervised.  I still miss the uniform - and I probably always will, but at least I know I did something good while I wore it.