After many dreams and day-dreams and many thoughts about what life would be like IN the Corps, and OUT of the Corps, I have finally decided on my FINAL decision.

I can’t live a life with even the SLIGHTEST chance exist for me to go to Iraq again. I am going to EAS and no reenlistment will be happening. After much thought and talks with Hiromi, I can’t even phatom going back to Iraq, not for my sake, but for hers. The emotional stress that she went though was quite an ordeal for both of us and quite frankly, I’d like to go without it for the rest of my life. I’d rather struggle with money then leave again and not have her know if I am coming back. Everytime I turn on the news, Iraq this and Iraq that. Death here, and murders there. How would I feel if someone I loved were to be sent to a place like that? What if Hiromi was sent there and I stayed behind? No…never. I wouldn’t ever let that happen, but Hiromi stood by and watched me go. How strong…she is someone special. Someone brave enough to let go and hope I return safe. I did. And they ask me to put her though that again? No. Never.

The only good factor I could see from staying in is money. Gosh, I know we are going to be hurting for money and I won’t be able to bring in much bread being an American in Okinawa. I pray that everything will work in our favor and I will land a decent job to bring home SOME sort of income. Although I have a nice little savings to get us though for awhile, it won’t last forever, but I am praying I can make it grow before I get out. Again, struggling together is better then living by chance; at least in our eyes it is. Together, we can, and will get though anything.

As the end of my career as a Marine is drawing near, we await the future and are standing ready to take on the challenges of a life with each other. Con Dios…