{"id":7786,"date":"2025-07-17T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/?p=7786"},"modified":"2025-07-17T07:47:37","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T11:47:37","slug":"196-your-mission-should-you-decide-to-accept-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/196-your-mission-should-you-decide-to-accept-it\/","title":{"rendered":"#196\u2014Your Mission \u2026 Should You Decide to Accept it"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Who said, \u201cA soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.\u201d<\/em>?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. In what movie (and who said it) did we hear, \u201cThe Almighty tells me he can get me out of this mess, but he\u2019s pretty sure you\u2019re f-ked.\u201d<\/em>?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. In what song (and who sang it) did we hear the following?
    Yeah they were dancin\u2019 and singin\u2019<\/em>
    And movin\u2019 to the groovin\u2019<\/em>
    And just when it hit me<\/em>
    Somebody turned around and shouted<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    <\/div>
    Blog #196 (audio)<\/div><\/div>
    <\/div>
    <\/div>
    Published: <\/span>July 16, 2025<\/span><\/div>
    <\/div>Audio by Andy Adkins<\/a><\/div><\/form><\/span>1<\/span> Download<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>
    <\/div>\n\n\n
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    Do you remember when you first joined the Navy<\/a> (or military \u2026 it really doesn\u2019t matter which branch)? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Do you remember the recruiter who totally agreed that whatever job you selected was \u201cThe best job in the Navy?<\/em>\u201d Yeah \u2026 they told that to everyone<\/em> who walked into their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Then, a few days later, there was the Armed Forces Induction Center<\/strong>\u2014you know, that first introduction to \u201cHurry Up & Wait<\/strong>!<\/a>\u201d And don\u2019t forget the physical (\u201cbend over & spread \u2018em\u201d<\/em>). After that long-ass day in AFIC, a long bus trip, a plane ride, a car ride \u2026 whatever. Finally, getting to the Recruit Training Center<\/strong> (Orlando<\/strong>, for me), arriving about midnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That first \u201cHell week,\u201d then five more weeks of wondering what in the hell did I get myself into<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Graduation \u2026 \u201cA\u201d School<\/a><\/strong> \u2026 filling out the \u201cDream Sheet<\/a>\u201d \u2026 then your first duty station<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Then before you know it, 30 Days and a Wake up<\/a><\/strong> before transferring to your next <\/em>duty station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Where has the time gone? “It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure.<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Somewhere, in between, you got a little time to fly home, visit the family, eat some home cooking, get drunk with your high school or college friends (or not), see your old girlfriend(s) (or not), then off again to your next adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My Navy \u201cjourney\u201d ended after a brief, Three Years, Eleven Months, & 29 Days (But Who\u2019s Counting)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But now, 48 years later, I can still recall a lot of details of my time in the Navy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How, might you ask?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Let me share with you something that you may have already thought about, but have yet to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Your Navy (or Military) Memories<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Your memoir doesn\u2019t have to be a book, nor does it need to be a long document. But it\u2019s something that you might share with your family. And not just your immediate family, but those extended family members who heard you\u2019d spent time in the service and want to know a little more about what you did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Serving in the United States Navy<\/strong> was one of the most honorable and memorable periods in my life. I\u2019ve said many times it was a cornerstone for my journey through life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I realize others may not<\/em> feel the same way about their<\/em> service, and that\u2019s okay. Of course, there were times when I\u2019d complain<\/a>. But for me, I had many more good times than bad, and that\u2019s what I always try to focus on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Where to Start?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The initial questions above are a good start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n