Commander

We had Mike's change of command the first week of July.  It was a formal event and one in which I wish family lived nearby so they could attend and help us recognize Mike on this day.  Becoming the commander is kind of a big deal, even if Mike plays it down.  His career field isn't exactly one that would give him the opportunity to become the commander so we feel like this fell in his lap at the perfect time.  We had planned on moving back to Colorado Springs in a year (we had only been in Florida two years) but Mike got an email saying that they had too many people coming back at the same time and they needed everyone to find another job in between then and coming back.  Mike applied for a job in Maui.  I was really hoping for that.  He had a second interview and then this job popped up.  He was at a commander's call and there was an announcement that they needed a position filled as a commander in Denver.  Mike interviewed and got the position and everyone told him to take it even though the Maui job was a cooler place.  So, we moved a year early so he could have this opportunity.  He seems to be enjoying the job so far.  The men/women under him are pretty bored at work.  They have been here for years and years and the hours are not ideal (they have to take shifts so someone can be at work 24/7).  Mike's biggest issue with being the commander will be moral.  So far he has gone in at midnight during a shift change to talk to the guys.  He has also brought in treats on holidays for the guys who don't get the holidays off and then he has invited people over for dinner.  So far we have had a few families come over so they can meet us all and get to know Mike better.  They do other stuff like play board games and such to keep the guys interested and not so bored.  Besides that, most of it is classified.  Classified but boring.

I think Mike is going to be a great commander and I really loved being there to see him take over and was really grateful the kids could be there too to see their dad.