Headed Down Unda' - Finally

World View of an Invader

Granted, not every continent I've visited was due to a war-zone invitation. I had a great time in Europe every time I went; always on vacation. Except Paris - that wasn't all that fun. South America was my first (after North America, obviously). We were there in '05 for training exercises. We were on our way back when Katrina hit, so we got stuck assisting with the aid effort for the next three months - 18 hours on, 6 off is grueling. Next was Asia; I was deployed to Iraq in 2006 and spent a year in the southern and eastern parts of the country. I spent my "mid-tour leave" in Germany with some of my friends from the unit. In 2009 I deployed to east Africa (Djibouti), and was able to visit several countries surrounding the area. That really made me appreciate some of the 'luxuries' we have in the US that we don't even consider 'luxuries'. After leaving active duty in 2011, I accepted a job in Afghanistan and spent the next 22 months working there. I took a vacation on my way home in Europe and visited London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Barcelona, Paris, and Amsterdam. 

I've been around. However, almost every trip I've made has been under orders or on official business. Even my "vacations" have been accompanied by an undertone of my active military status. I never minded. I still carry that "veteran attitude", as it's been called. I just recognize that seeing the world as a Sailor (though I didn't do much of that on the sea) has shaped my world view. In Asia I was the invader; in Africa, the savior; in Europe, the GI on leave from war. I saw parts of each continent that most would not - either for want or ability. 

Now I visit Australia. An invader no more, but still with the mind of a veteran. That will never change. Going as a student already seems significantly different - lighter, certainly - and I'm pretty excited about that. I couldn't help myself... I've already completed security assessments, registered with the State Department, printed proximity maps, found police stations and embassies, looked up phone numbers, researched weather... but now I sit back and think about how care-free (relatively) I can be. 

I honestly have no idea what to expect from the Aussies in regards to their view of us. I got along great with all the Aussies I met in Iraq and Afghanistan. My dad (Air Force) loved Australia. He said he had a blast. One of my former co-workers, who had been on a ship, told me that the Australian girls would write their numbers on tennis balls and throw them at the ship as it pulled in, hoping to get a call from an American Sailor. I know we're viewed very differently in many parts of the world. I've gone from being a beloved ally to a hated enemy in less than an hour in the same country. It's all relative. For the most part, I believe Americans are generally viewed as superior, or at least feeling so. American exceptionalism is not lost quite yet. And unfortunately, most Americans are ignorant to most international issues, foreign customs, or even the very relevance of anything outside of America. I know that in our allied countries (Australia being one) we are welcomed a bit more fondly, but even there I'm sure there are plenty who have an opinion we'd rather not hear.

My new Mission

...because every Sailor needs one. 

This trip is incredibly important to me. I'll be graduating next May ('18) with my B.S. in Exercise Science. I then plan to attend USC's Doctor of Physical Therapy school. I want to start and facilitate a program that utilizes physical fitness to rehabilitate disabled veterans (I could go into SO much detail, but I'll leave it at that, for now). Australia has already pioneered this field with their Physiotherapy programs, and I have referenced their research in multiple papers/studies. I cannot wait to delve deeper into this program!

I'm not anxious. I haven't been anxious about travelling abroad in over a decade. It seems to fade with time. Especially once you encounter accept the fact that your fate doesn't care if you're anxious or not. Most of my friends, being veterans and students, are jealous. I can't say that I've received much advice other than "Don't try stabbing a shark" or "Take pictures with a Crocodile". A few jokes have been made about karma coming for me because I named my boat "Steve Irwin" - and it's a Stingray. 

I don't foresee our group of 31 bonding the way I'm used to. I'd love to be proven wrong. Unfortunately through most of my time at USC, I've only been a part of a few "cliques", and one of them is the Student Veterans Association. Even my smaller classes have been overpowered by cell phones and earbuds, rather than conversation. I don't know who all will actually read this, but - mohawk, beard, and tattoos aside - I'm a pretty easy guy to talk to. Piss me off and I'll break your soul in half, but I'm a good friend. I guess it's more like a dare, and only those brave enough to accept it find out who I really am. Most of my peers tend to shy away. I hope this group functions well as one, and mixes up the groups each time. I think we'll get the most out of our time that way.

I'm looking forward to everything that's been planned for this trip. The lectures, the visits, the outings, the views, the very fact that we'll be doing it all in Australia. I'm already out of my comfort zone. I think these days I'm trying more to expand my comfort zone, rather than just be out of it.