Today, Jason completed the check-out process from his unit. It's crazy to think this day has come this quick. It has been just about 3 years since the day he checked-in. May of 2006 we arrived here in 29 Palms and Jay checked in as soon as he could so that we could get a house. We met some of the people he'd be working with and he was ready to get started. 
He was assigned as a Platoon Sgt. with Echo Co. He warmed up to everyone right away and was eager to begin training! 5 months after he came on board they had begun training at Mojave Viper. I had no idea what that was and at first he was confused because they used to call it CAX. He was scheduled to be gone an entire month but was really only about 25 minutes from us. They returned from their training and a few short weeks later we had our first Marine Corps ball with 2/7. The guys soon went on their pre-deployment leave and once that was up, they prepared for their deployment to Iraq. Jay was pumped! He was ready to go!! He had waited for this day for a long time and was glad he was going with such a strong group of guys. He had become very close with the boys in his company and was ready to stand with them! 7 long months passed and they returned home to their families. Once Jay returned we had about a month before he had to leave again. This time for a course called IULC. It was down at Camp Pendelton so we had weekends to see eachother. We took every opportunity!! He graduated from that in December of 07. He came back to 29 Palms and got right back into the swing of training. March came along and it was time to go to the field again for 3 weeks. Once the training was done only days passed before he got back on that dreaded white bus and left for Afghanistan. His deployment to Afghanistan was a lot different and much harder. He didn't have the men he had by his side in Iraq. He came across many more struggles and was faced with unforgettable moments. He lost friends but became a stronger man because of those who lost their lives. One good thing that occured this deployment was Jason's promotion. He was promoted to a Gunnery Seargent. I was so proud of him but so sad that I missed this huge accomplishment in his career. After 7 months of pure hell, he returned back home to us. 
Once Jay returned home he was passed on to Golf Co. to become their company Gunny. It was only for a short time but in that period of time, he was blessed to work with more amazing men. He learned a lot about his job and so did I. Pretty much since he's been back he's just been preparing his replacement for the job Jay has done and also preparing for our move out of here. It's been pretty chill for him since then and the day finally came, Jay is no longer with 2nd Battalion 7th Marines.
He feels great! He is ready to begin the task of moving all of us cross country...again! He's ready to start his new job and is very excited to see what exactly it's going to entail. He did such an amazing job with 2/7 and I am very proud of the impression he has left on many young marines that served with him thru one or two combat deployments. They learned a lot thru his experience and his knowledge but he also learned a lot from them.
Thank you 2/7 for a very exciting, stressful and memorable 3 years!!!
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