Got Orders? We do. Have you noticed that Navy spousedom seems to be lived in cycles; sea duty (that lasts too long) followed by shore duty (which is always too short); repeat. I love shore duty. Sea duty; not so much.

May I ramble about orders? There will be a point at the end, I promise. As the window for orders approaches 'it' starts; that wrestling with the unknown that impacts our life. I start anticipating and assessing the possible options. Will we be able to stay here? Will it be a good opportunity for my husband? Will it be a career enhancer or career killer? Will he love his next billet or will it be one that he 'endures' while counting down the days till our next 'window'? Will we be moving? I love my house, will I find a house I enjoy as much as this one. Where will these orders send us, down the road or across country? What about my job, my career? What about the kids, what about family, what about friends? Arghhh! The mental gyrations can be dizzying yet I put myself through it every time! "Hello, my name is Beth and I'm a control freak."

So we have orders. My husband just informed me that he has orders to HoA otherwise known as Horn of Africa. He has GSA orders for a year in Djibouti, Africa. One Year. Boots on the Ground. Africa. Did I mention that was for a year?

Many of you may know that my husband just battled kidney cancer, and won. He is home recuperating from surgery to remove the cancerous tumor from his kidney. We are so blessed. They got it all!

Can I tell you that during this challenging time I prayed? I mean I PRAYED. I prayed fervently. I prayed dangerously.
- "Lord, thank you for revealing this cancer so early that it has the best possible prognosis. Please let them get it all!"
- "Lord, please let him be approved to reenlist."
- "Lord, 'You' decide where his next orders should take him, you know his career desires, put him in the best place for his career - just let him be able to reenlist!"

Did I really pray that? Okay, Lord - when I said "You decide" what I meant was "You decide the orders that *I* would want...while still being the best place for him." Horn of Africa? I misspoke God. Can we have a 're-do?'

So, we have orders. After my initial pity party I found my big girl panties, changed my attitude and set about the task of readying myself for GSA orders. I loved; let me repeat that, I REALLY LOVED shore duty, so much so that I forgot [conveniently] much about deployment. Orders in hand means I need to get my ducks lined up so my Sailor can deploy assured that I'm 'good to go'. Where are those birth certificates? My Power of Attorney expired WHEN? Not another horrid photo ID, valid for another 3 years? I know I have a checklist somewhere...or did I throw it away in the bliss of shore duty?

Got orders? Are you heading back to sea duty? Perhaps your hubby is like my man, heading out on GSA orders (by the way I understand IA/GSA training at Fort Jackson is known not only for developing skilled IA/GSAs and some great Abs - I'm just saying...).

The point is orders change everything. Like it or not I'm walking the path of GSA orders. Have you been there? Are you there now? Will you be on the path with me? Walking with friends always makes the journey so much easier...wanna come along? I need you, your friendship, your insight and, of course, someone to share a coffe with...

You may have heard, even followed, the controversial front-page publishing of the photo of dying Marine Lance Corporal Johsua Bernard by the AP. Much has been written about this situation. SECDEF Gates as well as leaders of many veterans' groups have condemned the decision to publish this photo.

The AP defends the decision to publish this photo, against the wishes of the family, as their 'journalistic duty' to cover the news and 'reality of war'.

What is interesting to me is that I have never seen front page photos of a dying victim of gang violence. I do not recall photos of the mangled bodies of victims of drunk drivers above the fold. I have no memory of photos of the ravaged bodies of victims of spouse/child abuse ever publised in the newspaper. Those photos would quickly (and rightfully) be decried as inappropriate and insensitive. But when it comes to photos of our brave service members - well, that is a "journalistic duty."

BULL!

This family asked for the photo not to be published. Would this request be ignored if Cpl Bernard was a victim of one of the recent train wrecks?

I lack the words to express my anger, disdain and utter indignance at not only the publishing of this photo but the justification, the excuses, offered by editors as to why this was 'responsible' journalism.

We all know war is ugly. Hollywood has documented, personified and glamorized the violence associated with war and conflict. Video games emulate the violence. Quite frankly, the supposed claim that they were trying to do a 'service' to the military by showing the true cost of war falls on deaf ears.

I don't need to see the crime scene photos of Columbine to know that it was horrific. It would add nothing to my understanding of that tragedy. Likewise this photo offered nothing save inflict greater pain on the family and fellow marines who lost a son, a brother.

Shame on the AP. Shame on the papers that published that photo.