In an effort to share with the gentle reader what military life is like, I thought to write about our latest PCS (permanent change of station) move. The life of a Soldier and his/her family is unique, to say the least. My heart goes out to those married to your Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Coastguardsmen for the sacrifices they and their children make, in both peace and war. What follows is a brief description of our 4th PCS move since 2001. Part I can be found here.
Door: ding dong
Hook: (opens door) Hello?
Man w/clipboard: (looking down at clipboard) Mr. Hook?
Hook: No, that would be “Mr. Clipboard” (pointing a finger at said clipboard), I’m Mr. Hook, can I help you?
Man w/clipboard: (looks up nearly snapping his neck) Oh sorry sir, we’re with Acme movers, we’re here to pack you out today.
Hook: blink, blink, blink…today? I thought you were coming tomorrow?
Clipboard man: (quickly glances at clipboard and back up) No sir, we’re scheduled for today and tomorrow and the truck comes on Wednesday to load you out.
Hook: blink, blink, blink…load me out?
Clipboard man: yes sir
Hook: (calling up the stairs to the Lovely and Talented and Downright Sexy Mrs. Hook) Honey, the movers are here.
TLATADRSMH: (wearing only a bath towel having just come out of the shower) blink, blink, blink…drip, drip, drip
Hook: OK then, come on in.
Clipboard man: Mr. Hook, I’m Maurice, and these are my associates, Lawrence and Curly.
Hook: Mo, Larry, and Curly?
Mo: Yes sir.
Hook: blink, blink, blink
And so they went to work wrapping and packing dishes, glasses, wall hangings, golf shoes, Castaway Conner, furniture, clothes, and whatever got in their way.
Hook: Hey Curly, could you unwrap my son, Castaway Conner, we’re gonna take him with us in the car.
Curly: blink, blink, blink
Castaway Conner: Oh man that was fun! Andrew! Andrew! You gotta get packed up!
Larry: (sound of glass shattering) Oh shit! sorry man.
Mo: I apologize Mr. Hook, I’ll make a note of that (writing on his clipboard).
Curly: Hey Mo! Look at this…wooops!
Mo: I apologize Mr. Hook, I’ll make a note of that (writing on his clipboard).
Hook: blink, blink, blink
At the end of the third day, our household was stuffed into a large tractor trailer and driven off towards our new undisclosed location.
Hook: (turning to my now homeless family) Let’s go to the hotel.
Castaway Conner: Does our hotel have room service dad?
TLATADRSMH: blink, blink, blink
Hook: I think so son.
CC: Andrew! Andrew! Andrew! We’re going to the hotel with room service!
TLATADRSMH: (arms crossed over her chest, staring at her soldier) blink, blink, blink
Hook: It also has a hot tub.
TLATADRSMH: wink
Renegade Ryan: blink, blink, blink
Typhoon Tyler of Trieste: blink, blink, blink
Andrew the Adventurous: blink, blink, blink
Castway Conner: yeah! Room Service!!
TLATADRSMH: blink, blink, blink
So we packed our duffel bags into the cars, along with four pirates and two dogs, and drove off to the hotel way too exhausted for hot tubs or room service. Tune in for PCS Part III. Sgt Hook out.
Posted by Hook @ 2354 zulu | | Permalink
This post is filed under: Army Times & Homefront
