A couple of months ago, it was passed down that all soldiers (after a certain date) who go through the medboard process, would no longer complete the process in Italy, but instead be sent back to the States to a WTU unit to complete the process. I'm assuming it's not just us that they are doing this to, and it affects others in Europe as well. Although I'm ready to get back to the States, Sean and I wanted to stay in Italy, simply for the fact we didn't want to have to move twice AND we make more money by staying in Italy. Sean asked one of the people in charge about this new policy and was told we had a choice to stay in Italy or to go back to the States.
Fast forward to last Friday, a mere 24 hours or so after I get off the plane, and Sean tells me the man he spoke to was wrong(surprise, surprise) and we don't have a choice. That we will most likely be moving back to the States within 60+ days. Sean just got his permanent profile approved yesterday which will put this whole process in motion. His superiors in S1 are wanting him to drag it out as long as possible until his replacement is here and properly trained. However, we are still looking at leaving here in March. At least that's our best guess. We have no idea where we will be sent, just a list of six possible places that it could be. Honestly, most of the choices are fine and I'll be able to make do wherever we are. It's just a lot to process in a couple of days time.
So, much to my dismay there are a lot of places we won't be checking off our to-do list to see since we leave in such a short time. However, I think we are going to give it our best to try to make Ireland before we leave since it's very high on Sean and I's list. Besides, it's not like I can never visit Europe again. And I realize I've been very, very lucky to see all the wonderful places that I have seen in the three years I've been here.
In less than a year, Sean will most likely be done with military career and I'm praying that he gets a good rating so we can continue to keep our benefits. We've both been researching this process, but there is a lot that goes into it. We still aren't 100% sure where in Oklahoma we are moving when we are done, but we have agreed that Oklahoma is our choice of where we want to end up.
Once I know more about where we are moving to finish out this process I will most likely be asking for tips and advice on the location. So...stay tuned!
