179 Days

As a civilian, it has been a real education to have people so dear to me in the military. While I amazed by the people themselves I am also intrigued and, occasionally, confounded by the intricacies of the rules that govern their lives.

One such rule is the 179 day time limit, designed to keep the assignment from qualifying as another type of deployment which would then, as I understand it, trigger another set of rights and rules. When I first learned about this, I thought it a bit unfair. But now I am glad. It gives me a good number to count down against until my friend is home again.