Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Again, I am utterly astounded by the fast flying passage of time. As well, if the past years I have written you to say I had learned a great deal, nothing compared to the lessons I was taught this year. The challenges were great, the lessons learned humbling.
I began my official journey of “Lieutenant Hood” last November when I acquired a platoon of my very own. They continue to call me “The Ma’am” or “Unit Mom” and I am so fortunate to be a part of the best unit in the 108th ADA Brigade. Because we excelled at each of our missions we were awarded the opportunity to deploy to Jordan whereas the other two units within the battalion will deploy to U.A.E. We shall be alone and unafraid! I have been blessed to work with so many amazing Soldiers—young men and women that perform duties every day both asked and unasked of them. I learn so much from them and I assure you I have learned more from them than they have from me. They have been my teachers this year, not the other way around. I even had the honor and privilege of reenlisting six of those amazing Soldiers this year—two of which that had not planned on serving any more time in the Army, and two more that asked me after they had been transferred to another unit with new leadership.
In May, I was afforded the opportunity to travel to Israel for a training exercise for two weeks. What a gorgeous and culturally rich country! Two of the days I was there, we were able to travel outside the base to sight see in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The beaches of Tel Aviv were teeming with people. The markets were so crowded one could barely move. To walk the ground Jesus walked on was an unforgettable and humbling experience. I took too many pictures to count. I even took a mud bath and floated in the Dead Sea—the lowest place on Earth! The Army is taking me places I never thought I would see!
In August, I was promoted to First Lieutenant. Let me tell you—what a difference a black bar makes over a butter bar! People look at you differently and believe for the first time in “Lieutenanthood” that you might actually be a competent human being!
Unfortunately, my greatest education this year came from the loss of one of my brothers in uniform. His name was 1LT Robert Kelly. He died in April after succumbing to injuries sustained in a car accident. I think of him every day. He was a unique man—an eccentric personality, never frowned, held meetings he said would only be 5-10 minutes but were 45 instead. He served as my greatest education because regrettably, my last conversation with him was not a pleasant one due to stress from work. While he was not the type of person to hold such against you, I have strived since to not allow my last conversations with people to be negative; to let them know how much their work is appreciated and how much they as a person are valued and appreciated. Life is too short and tomorrow is not promised to us—it is important to let those we care about know we care about and love them. Being asked to write and deliver a eulogy at his memorial service has by far been the hardest thing I have been asked to do yet in my job.
My unit and I are deploying to Jordan in January for twelve months. I am both very excited and anxious for this adventure! My address is enclosed. As well, you can email me at stacilynch1217@gmail.com. I do ask that you refrain from disclosing information about the where and when on the public pages of social media sites. Please only disseminate the address privately as well. I will have access to internet there and will be able to correspond via these awesome, technologically helpful communication tools, however, I can only do that if I am doing so responsibly and legally. OPSEC (Operational Security) is taken very seriously in today’s Army. (Clarification: I mail Christmas letters each year via snailmail but published this via blog in 2018 – four years post deployment)
I will return to the states with a new appreciation for the simple things in life as my room in Jordan is only going to be 8 ft by 10 ft in size. There are no toilets—only porta johns and we will shower in shower trailers. The food mostly consists of chicken and rice therefore basic training food all over again… probably some more of that mystery meat as well… (Yikes!) However, the experience will be a positive one. While I will not be “living in American luxury” I will still have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food to eat. That is all that matters.
In the Spring, I will be starting my Masters in International Relations with Webster University out of St. Louis, Missouri. It is a very military friendly school. The way shifts will work down range, I will be on for 24 hours, off 24 hours and the third day will be an eight hour day. There will be plenty of time to work on classes. By the end of the deployment I will have completed more than half of my degree. I am very excited.
In June, I served as a bridesmaid yet again for my third best friend’s wedding. That leaves only me… I am not thinking it is going to be any time soon. Besides, now that I have three married best friends, someone has to be the black sheep in order to keep things interesting.
On December 10, I became Aunt Staci yet again when Cayden Louis Clinard was born. Three golfer girls married, two now with babies—we have come a long way since those college golf days!
My sweet kitten, Ava, is no longer a kitten. She turned one on October 15. She is great company. She has brought me so many laughs and smiles this year; that is when she isn’t bringing snakes and lizards in through her kitty door… I had two snakes and at least seven lizards in this house at some point in the year. Yuck! Snakes and lizards in the house are no laughing matter! She will be spending the year in Tennessee with my family while I am away. Hopefully, she will keep the critters out of the house.
Have a blessed, fulfilling and satisfying 2015. Take part in all of the crazy, fun, free liberties you are afforded simply by living in this great nation. I will miss you all but my love for you shall transcend the ocean distance between us. I look forward to seeing you in January 2016.
Address: Lynch, Anastasia (*Just name, no rank*)
407 AEG/TFW
Alpha, 1-7 ADA BN
APO, AE 09321
If you were curious, I will be eight hours ahead of you in Jordan until you spring forward for daylight savings in March, and then it will only be seven hours.