Displaced Beachbums

When we found out we were moving to Guam, most everyone we told expressed surprise and the inevitable question was either: Why would an army person be going to Guam? and How did FM manage such a great gig?  To be honest, no one was more surprised about our move to Guam than myself. 

It all started when FM put in his application for Professor of Military Science (PMS). With the application, he was asked to list the top 15 Universities (from a list of available positions) he would like to be assigned. Once he made his list, he showed it to me for my “approval” and I mostly agreed with his choices.  University of Hawaii was his first choice and since I’m from Hawaii (the Big Island) and my Dad got his undergraduate degree from UOH, it would have been ideal to be there for a few years. Unfortunately, every other applicant put Hawaii as their top choice. The other schools FM listed were OK with me since we had a connection to them. One was my Alma Mater, two were in towns we used to live in and liked a lot, several were very close to family or good friends but then I see the University of Guam listed as number 11.  Hmmm…island life sounded nice but I knew how far away from family and friends we would be. We’d already been in Germany for 5 years and, as much as we loved it, it was a long flight to visit anyone. I knew living in Guam would double the flight time so I took University of Guam (UOG) off the list.

When FM came home last October and said he’d been selected for a Professor position, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to hear where we’d be going.  I should have known something was up when he started giving me hints rather than just telling me. First he said it was his 11th choice which I remembered as #11 being Kansas State U. Then he said it was in the Western Region. Montana State? No, it’s way west.  My heart skipped a beat when I thought it was Hawaii.  It was then he thought he’d better go ahead and tell me: Guam.

Needless to say, I was surprised. My stubborn FM put UOG back on the list and doesn’t ‘remember’ me taking it off the list.  Guess that is why I married the man ~ he continues to push me in directions I might normally not go but it usually ends up being the best choice.  Since, the distance was my only concern, our move to Guam has, so far, been a good move and FM loves working at the University.