Chatty Cathys

I've noticed you can tell the new arrivals because of how much they talk. I mean no disrespect. I did this, too. Chatting away happily about anything and everything, annoyingly. Ask my sister. I tortured her for months. But now I get it. That sense that life is out of your control and you're so frightened you think you can talk your fears away.

It doesn't work.

But the soldier who just annoyed ME, quoting the bible every five seconds, talking AT some fellow soldier non-stop like only HE had injuries, doesn't know all that yet.

He was like a machine gunner with his talking. All you could do was duck for cover.

Those of us who have been here awhile tend to be a little more introspective. And rather than talking about every thought that pops in to our heads....we don't always feel the need to share. How will I get through today? You have to figure that out for yourself. All the talking in the world won't bring that leg back.

And if you're not LISTENING, you're not learning.

And trust me. If you don't learn from these guys... YOU ARE SCREWED.