One of the characteristics I find most important is honesty. I strive for it in both my personal and professional life. Many times it is much harder to be honest than to say what is politically expedient. That is exactly what Robert Gates did yesterday.

You could see the pain on his face when he announced he would not be nominating GEN Pace to a second term. Instead of making up an excuse as to why; Secretary Gates told the truth. He said the confirmation hearings would be based on GEN Pace’s previous six years of leadership and not on the future; and that is not what is best for the country right now.

Since coming into office last November, Secretary Gates has been brutally honest about our situation in Iraq. He has admitted to problems and focused on solutions. He has not used right wing talking points like the Michelle Malkins of the world but instead has been forward thinking about our strategy and continues to surround himself with others of the same mind. That is why I will proudly serve anywhere he sends me!

This week I flew to FOB Salerno, a place southeast of Bagram near the border with Pakistan. I was appointed Summary Court Martial Officer for one of our Soldier’s who was med evacuated back to the States. This extra duty has turned my normal twelve hour day into sixteen plus.

Salerno is worlds away from the hectic life of Bagram; you can think of Bagram as the city with all of the politics and Salerno the country life, laid back and relaxed. Salerno is one of the places where you will find those that are daily carrying out this war. At night, it is pitch black with light discipline strictly enforced.

The plane ride was interesting; I was amazed as we flew through some of the passes. Here are some photos that I took.

Today marks twelve years that Amy and I have been happily married. Through the years we have had some awesome times and some difficult times. Thankfully all of the difficult times have been used to bring us closer together and make us a better team.

Our relationship has never been better than it is today which makes this year’s separation even more painful. I long for us to be back together.

I look forward to our future together! Never in our marriage have we so clearly known what the other wants to do with their life and been so actively working to achieve it. Amy, I love you and I miss you! I can’t wait for us to be together again!

This is one of the flight crews I worked with. Pray for their families.