I'm gone for a month. I'll be back beginning of July. The PL I'm shadowing is also an FDO by the way, and apparently "I'm just in time for maximum field time." I knew I was going to regret saying "I miss the field" out loud last week. I know that you were guard WE! And on the note of M109A5s, we're still rocking Paladins and M777's out the wazoo as far as I know. I haven't even seen a Padalin in person yet but my last summer training had us pounding M777 rounds into the mountainside for like two days. If you miss the heavy artillery short of missile systems now's a great time to re-up your contract ;D
I had assumed I was too old to re-enlist, but this site says Guard with prior service can re-enlist up to age 59 as long as they'd get twenty years of service by age 60. And I would! That said, nope. I have fond memories of my service, and I wouldn't discourage anyone from joining. But that time is behind me. Part of me does miss it. I don't miss 2 AM radio watch, but having missions come through and be successful felt good. Not in a "dropping 95 pounds of HE on a clump of dirt" kind of way but "I can contribute to the group success."