Tom, it has been an honor to fight by your side as squaddies in the Swampdragons and together as countrymen when you became a member of Lute's crew. Please tread carefully on your tour.
Also if at all possible may I (from my own experience) suggest the following:
1) Grow eyes in the back of your head
2) Never "X" out days on your short timers calendar until just before you hit the bunk each night
3) Trust your crew, remember you are the high-speed NCO that trained them
4) If it seems suspicious, aim center mass, disengage safety, then ask questions
4) ALWAYS, pay attention to those hairs on the back of your neck. They stand up to get your attention for a reason and they are usually fairly accurate
I hope this post finds you well, and that you stay that way until you again step foot upon US soil.
sir for putting yourself in harms way and protecting the freedoms and liberty that most take for granted.
Godspeed Sarge!