Looking back at nearly two years on 'The Rock'

It's hard to believe that nearly two years ago (August 15, 2009) I first set foot on Kwajalein Atoll as a 'Kwaj newbie'. Fast forward two years later (or if you're bored, read the blog entries from the beginning) and you can see how I've enjoyed my time here in 'paradise - in the middle of nowhere'. Sure, life here has had its ups and downs but you just can't beat the experience. I've already signed my paperwork to extend on 'rolling 90s' and I'm looking forward to going on vacation in October and attending CAP National Staff College. (The application was approved and endorsed up the chain of command and I'm just waiting on notification from the NSC staff by late July or August.)

Occasionally the swift application of military justice (this IS a restricted military installation, even though the uniformed military presence here is minimal) here causes more than a few raised eyebrows within the community. While contractors are not subject to the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice), a bar order imposed by the commander can swiftly end an employee's career on Kwaj, depending on its severity. Most everyone out here minds their P's and Q's, but occasionally some people just don't listen or learn. The commander is the ultimate authority on the island and his (or her - there was a female commander a few years ago) word is law. Our infrastructure may be crumbling and our quality of life may be suffering, but if it wasn't for the sense of community here and the many friends I've made over the past two years I wouldn't have considered extending my contract. People may come and go, but the Kwaj experience lives forever.