Tuesday, September 11, 2007

The Next Step


Justin re-enlisted in the Marines today. He is FINALLY going to get to learn Arabic. That's why he enlisted in the Marines in the first place... to be an Arab linguist.

Our next stop is Monterey, CA where Justin will attend the DLI (defense language institute). Yay! We might finally get some visitors. We're not sure when we're supposed to report but it'll be sometime after next April (hopefully so I can have this kid first).

It's definitely memorable that he re-enlisted on 9/11. Though most of our reasons for being in the military are selfish I know Justin is proud to serve his country. I'm proud of him! Just wish he'd come home already!


That's the short version. If you'd like the long version, Justin e-mailed a letter today to family members. Here's part of it:

When I was on my mission I decided that what I want to do in life is to learn Arabic and be a special agent for the F.B.I. To help me on that path I started attending Mesa Community College in hopes of knocking out my general education and then moving on to a degree in Arabic or Middle Eastern studies through a university. MCC offered some Arabic courses I enrolled in to help me get a start on learning Arabic. When it came time to decide whether I wanted to continue on with school or to join the Marine Corps in hopes of going to the DLI to learn Arabic, I decided to join the United States Marine Corps. The entire reason I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps was to learn Arabic and that didn't happen. I was stuck as a Special Intelligence Communicator for the next five years. That job turned out to be great! I loved working on computers, but I still had a deep desire to learn Arabic. When it finally came time to decide whether to stay in or get out, I needed to complete 12 more classes to earn my Bachelors in Middle Eastern Studies and that meant taking classes non stop up until September. I would really be pushing it to have my degree by the time I got out of the Marine Corps and then that left me no time to go through the waiting process of getting into the F.B.I. or NCIS. After much pondering, praying, and consulting with the boss, Shauna, I decided to
go ahead and re-enlist and that happened today. I had to re-enlist for 5 more years and when I get back from Iraq I will be headed to Monterey, California to attend the Defense Language Institute where I will learn Arabic. I don't know when I will leave or where I will go afterwards. I am excited because I am back on track after a five year pit stop. It was hot today, as usual, and I had about 10 people attend (the re-enlistment ceremony). My Senior Drill Instructor is my company 1st Sergeant, so that was kind of cool to have him there. I never thought I would see him again. I had Sgt Sickles film the re-enlistment and I will mail it home to Shauna one of these days. But other than that, there hasn't been too much going on. I am interested in knowing what the future holds for me now. My three choices for duty stations were England and two letter companies at Ft. Meade Maryland. I will probably end up in Maryland which would be cool because D.C. is roughly 45 minutes from there. England is pretty much not going to happen but it would be nice.

I Love you all and thanks for the prayers and everything else.

Love, Justin

15 comments:

Bonnie said...

Hi, I'm Becky Beals' mother-in-law. I read your blog sometimes from hers and just wanted to tell you thank-you for supporting your husband while he supports our country. I told Katy McDonald this once too- but I am totally sincere. Our prayers, family and personal are always with you military families. Your sacrifices are not unnoticed or unappreciated. I have been thinking about our country a lot today and how grateful I am. By the way you have a darling family and your blog is hilarious. Yes, I am sometimes and "old blog-stalker". You can e-mail me at bonharkey52@yahoo.com if you want. No need if you don't. Good luck with your pregnancy, especially with your husband being gone. You are amazing!!

Becky said...

YAH! for some CRAZY reason i am really emotional today! UGH! i hate those days! I am so happy for you guys and did shed some tears with this post! i know how bad Justin wanted this and i am so happy for you both that his "dream" is closer! AND you get to be closer to family! :) YAH Baby!

Cher said...

Wahoooooo!! I can't wait!! You are only 1 1/2 hour away! There are lots of things to do down there and there are lots to do up here so we'll be down there for sure and you can visit anytime. Even leave your kids with us so you and Justin can have alone time in the city (it's only about 25 miles from here)

McDonald Army Brats*** said...

Justin is so amazing that he writes journal entries to yall. I can barely get two or three sentences out of Preston! Glad yall are staying in, I would miss yall! Love ya!

Lindsay Riggs said...

You will definitely have more visitors in CA and it will be much easier to come down to AZ when you want to! That is so cool that he will get to learn Arabic!

Katie said...

I'm excited for you guys! CA is so much closer to AZ. That's really cool that he wants to learn Arabic. Who grows up wanting to do that?! You are such an awesome support! Great example for the rest of us.

stephanie said...

ooh, it's really nice in monterey. sounds like a plan!

brentanderrin said...

i am so excited for you guys... i know that you wanted to move there, or it was one of the better places that you would like to live... yeah!!! i cant wait... but we will have to hurry up to visit you now! crazy how time flys... love you guys and cant wait to see you... i am already counting down the days!

The Rogers said...

interesting, i had no idea that was why he was in the marines....that is a really great goal, and what an exciting career! Monterey is not very far from us. about an hour and a half, that would be really fun to get together! i'm happy you guys are moving toward the goal, not much feels better than that.

Aric and Sally said...

Umm, does that mean you're leaving me here . . . in Jacksonville . . . alone?

Malissa said...

Well congratulations!! That is great news for you guys!! Arabic just sounds hard, so good for him for wanting that!!

Sarah's Nonsense said...

That's wonderful. It feels so good when things turn out in a way that makes you think someone totally knew what they were doing even if it wasn't always you personally. Good luck in California next year. That should be nice. You could make quick road trips to AZ. At least they'd be pretty quick...

tamir said...

So happy for you guys! Congrats on getting into DLI. And California will be a nice change for you.

KatieJ said...

Yeah! That is exciting- I am glad you'll be moving this way and that Justin will finally get to do what he set out to do! I checked your blog yesterday and didn't see this post- am I crazy??

sara said...

oh - LUCKY!! Monterey is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! and my sister-in-law lives really close to there so I may stop and visit someday and re-meet you!! :) I am excited for you guys and Justin. That is really neat.