And a Jay-Z Song was On

15JUN2010:
My headphones are on and blaring Jay-Z. Sweat is dripping down my head. I'm strapped into what you could call a seat along the side of a C-17. In front of me are thousands of pounds of cargo strapped to the floor. It looks to be a shit ton of Russian electronics. To my left is a crazy ass Major who is totally stoked that his deployment is now over as he shows me pictures of his family on his Ipod. To my right sits a sweaty ass, Chester-the-Molester looking contractor who downs a few pills. I have a feeling he is not too comfortable with our mode of transportation. Thirty-five minutes ago I was pissed at the world.

We had been sitting here on the runway for 45 minutes already when the flight crew informed us of a technical difficulty. They were calling in reinforcements as they could not figure out the problem on their own. I was having a very real case of Déjà-vu and I started to think about this little trip I was on. I’m headed to Qatar on a four day pass because Charlie Company decided I shouldn't take leave so close to possibly re-deploying. Our company commander lied to us a while back telling us that it was the Brigade’s decision and new policy that those individuals who are on the list to return home in August would not be allowed to take leave after April. For those of us that were affected we were very pissed but what could we do. They said we would be allowed to go to Qatar for 4 days of relaxation. Now I had been fine with this up until a couple of weeks ago when I started to talk to many people from around the Brigade, who were redeploying before me, but were still going leave. They were still going to get to see their wives, their families, their homes. They were also not being charged this leave as was the new Army policy that would have been granted to me too. Now, I wanted to bring this up to the good Captain before I left on this little trip but alas the fucker was on leave. My blood is boiling at this time. I recognize this and think about how easily I get worked up nowadays. But shit, I don’t want to go through all this traveling in gear and heat and tents and shitty food just for a four day chaperoned army fucking weekend.

So you see its 35 minutes ago and I’m pissed. But then a few minutes later there is progress. The flight crew says “Put your gear back on, we are going to get this bird off the ground.” For the next 15 minutes they blare some classic 80’s hair band songs as the engines rev up and my mood is immediately lifted. When the engines get really fired up their music ends so I continue on my own, some Jay-Z to keep my spirits up (I guess I do have something in common with Miley Cyrus). We get to the start of the runway and the crew chief says “Hold onto your shit, we are going for a ride!” At that moment the planes thrusts forward with a power that can only be felt when one of these monstrous flying machines is kicked into full throttle. It’s a good moment for this Soldier. I’m alive, I’m safe, I’m moving and rocking out all by myself. Music is a wonderful thing.