I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're goin' through

Friday, September 7, 2012

Our Personal Myths

Huhn, well, that was interesting. So, I'm researching some part of my personal past in regards to certification for the reboot. All this time I was under the impression that part of my severance from the Air Force was the result of a court martial. However, going through my papers packet and can't find the words "court martial." Everything I read is that it was an investigatory committee. It sure felt like a trial at the time.

What the fuck? Why the hell was it always referred to as a court martial? I'm fairly certain that's where I got that impression. Also, I was given reasons which weren't a part of the official record. Son of a bitch.

Okay, so I was a very different person back then. But I've always been observant and exact, those are some of the character traits I've keep. You have noticed how anal I can be about facts, haven't you? Yeah, it's a curse. I wouldn't have just made that part up. It's been over 25 years now, so I don't have clear memories of the whole thing. That's why I was rereading all the documents.

That event is a part of my personal identity, something I look back on as the impetuous for changing who I am. I'm not the same person I was then. There's a reason for that.

So, I'm sure you'll all be happy to know that I never was through a court martial.

I know I am at this point.

In case you're wondering, I have an honorable discharge. That was a little tricky to arrange, but well worth it (and deserved I might add). The certificate is hanging up in the office as a reminder.

2 comments:

Chris Gerrib said...

The story of your departure from the Air Force sounds, well, interesting.

Steve Buchheit said...

Hey Chris, well it's now a little less dramatic, but yeah. Have I mentioned how I was followed by the AFROTC officers and non-coms for the semester? I have a few witnesses to that. Really liked the one tech sergeant. So when it was his duty I used to buy him beers or pops (depending on where we were and if he was in uniform).

I'm not sure if it's good or bad that some of what I remember isn't in the record. I've been trying to remember all the details of the "investigation hearing" (which had been referred to as a "court martial" by the officers). Given the presence of the one witness, I'm confident that one of the charges, that isn't in the record, they really did try to pin me with (insubordination if you're curious, a Cadet Major was pissed I showed him to be an ass in front of the class, but he was the one who forced the issue - add in that as a reserve member I outranked him, a fact I reminded him of at the end of our encounter).