Hanging up the Sam Colts....for a while

[Major Matt Lewis]

This is one of those Good News/Bad News deals. About 3 years ago, I almost dropped dead of a blood clot in my lungs. While I was laying in the hospital I had a lot of time to think about what was really important in life (family) and what I really still wanted to accomplish. I was in my mid thirties and was significantly over weight, but I got the idea that the one thing I REALLY wanted to accomplish and had wanted to, since I left the Marines in 1993 was to go back in as an officer. I met all the requirements, accept weight. So, it took time and drive, but managed to drop 90 pounds. To make a long story short, I took my Oath of Appointment and was commissioned a 2d Lieutenant in the US Army Reserves on March 14th of this year.

As luck would have it, I was laid off from my employer on March 27th. So, I had asked my career detailer to hurry up my military schooling. I will report on May 10th for about 4.5 months of Active Duty training and branch qualification. I am looking forward to it. That will take me through September. As a Reservist, I have been offered the opportunity to spend 3 years on active duty, which I am considering. If I do not wish to take that route, I will be loaned out to a unit within my brigade that currently has orders for a year in Iraq, but that could be changed to Afghanistan with ease. This would be later this year and it would work out for me to finish out schooling.

Either way, it looks like I will be hanging up my Sam Colts for a bit.  I guess the long and the short of it is, I guess I could still hear the drums and bugles and needed to do something about it while I was still young enough. I will miss all my local Kansas pards and the pards I have made on all those wonderful road trips.  I was not at the convention because I had Drill that weekend.

I am stepping away from NCOWS with a bit of a heavy heart.  This is because I had not yet accomplished everything that I wanted to in NCOWS as a shooter, but acknowledge that I will be back.  I don't believe in good byes, but I do want to say "Until Next Time, Pard." 

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Congratulations on your new career.  I'm sure you will be a success.

Do keep in touch with Cascity, and your shooting Pards.  After a bit you might find you will be able to drop in on a local club and get a bit of shooting in.

[Dr. Bob]

MM,

May your road be smooth and straight and may you come back a better man. 

[Grizzle Bear]

Shucks, can't you do like Patton and carry an ivory handled Colt?



Grizzle Bear

[River City John]

Keep in touch, Major Matt. NCOWS will be here waiting for your return.
And once you get settled into wherever you're posted, don't forget to let us know snail-mail contacts.

RCJ


Major Matt, I think this gives one interesting perspective about new Lieutenants.

From We Were Soldiers Once. . . . And Young, by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore:

    "There was precious little time to jam foureen months' worth of airmobile training into the new lieutenants' heads. We did our best and so did they. When they reported in, I called them all in, together with their platoon sergeants, and told them we were heading for war and time was short. I issued two orders: One, platoon sergeants will teach their new platoon leaders everything they can about airmobility, small unit tactics, the men in the ranks, and the leadership those men deserve. Two, the new lieutenants will keep their mouths shut except to ask questions, and will listen to and remember everything the platoon sergeant tells them."

[Tame Bill]

Major Matt,

You will be missed by all of us at Powder Creek, but I know that we will see you down trail.

My best,

Tame Bill

[Tjackstephens]

Matt, good luck and wish you the best. Might add that we are proud of you. I was hoping I could buy you dinner at the National as I had promised. Just remember when you get back the offer is still there. Take care and see you down the trail. TJ

[Irish Dave]

Congrats and good luck, Matt.
Best wishes for your safe return to the outfit.

[Silent Joe]

Major, Good Luck and stay safe. And when the time is right, come back to Cas City and let us know. S.J.

[Will Ketchum]

Matt, I am certain that you will show the Army what Marines are made of.  Do us proud

Semper Fi Brother and keep your head down.

Will Ketchum

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Matt......A big pat on the back from a old Army Vet & friend....it takes a lot of courage and dedication in what you are doing...stay safe no matter where they send you. My family will be praying for you and yours.

Bill

[gw]

Good like and be safe Matt.

Deadwood

[Montana Slim]

Take care Matt!

Slim

[Capt. Montgomery Little]

Richard,  Harold Moore was an excellent commanding officer and a lot of men came home because they listened to his advice and orders.  Commit to memory what the previous post quoted him as saying and you will not only come back safely but a better man/officer for it. Coming home to a family like yours should be motivation enough to keep your ears open and you butt down if you should get into "hostilities" (how's that for PC?). Looking forward to hearong of your further adventures. God Bless.

Larry Little aka Gripmaker

[Silver Creek Slim]

Congrats.
I'll be praying for you, pard.

Slim

[Black River Smith]

Good luck to you and take care of your people.

Also find that tree large enough to hide behind.

Be safe and we will see you down the road.

[Major Matt Lewis]

Thanks all for the kind words.

River City and Larry,

Hal Moore was an outstanding officer and leader.  Many a people could learn a lot by reading his works.  Point was unnecessary, but well taken.  The benefit of having an MBA is that it really never taught me the answers, it taught me to ask questions

My Platoon Sgt is a very experienced Staff Sergeant.  My first priority is to get him promoted to SFC so he will be my platoon sergeant when we head over to the show.  He is that high caliber of an individual that I do not want somebody to cross over and bump him because he is only a Staff Sergeant.  The couple of issues that we had to work thus far, I have backed his personal decision and he has back my policy decision, if that makes any sense.  For example, when it came to sending a man from my platoon to WLC (Warrior Leadership Course) his first choice was not to send anybody because he didn't feel any of the Specialists were ready.  My thought was that I would rather have one of ours trained up than somebody elses.  He was receptive and picked the soldier to go.  So, I get a soldier trained and a future potential squad leader and he picked who is ready to begin that journey.  I want to get to know the men better, he wants me to get to know the NCO's better first.  I say, "OK."  So, I am not your typical 22 year old Boot LT, as a matter of fact I have 10 years on the Platoon Sgt, but the REAL important thing is that I realize I am still a BOOT LT....LOL.

[Old Top]

Maj. Matt,

It is good to know that you are proceeding in an excellent manner, not that I expected anything less 
.  The functioning of the Lt and Psgt is a difficult "marrage" at times but it sounds as if you are well on the way to making a well running Pl.  Look forward to when you will tell us that you have your own company and are now dealing with crusty old 1sg's.  Please keep up the excellent work and keep yourself as safe as possible, you and your family are in my prayers.

Old Top

[Frenchie]

Godspeed, Richard. Stay in touch. Bring that hat and send us a pic of you wearing it

[Major Matt Lewis]

Frenchy,

I have a couple of different ideas for "flare" depending on where I am sent.  I am partial to seeing if a blue polka dotted wild rag will fly in the field and if my platoon would catch on