One of the biggest things I missed while in Okinawa, Japan, was TV commercials. I know, it's weird, but it reminded me of home. I wasn't the only one; my family sent me TV shows on VCR tapes. I would watch them in the community room with other corpsmen. I tried to fast-forward through the commercials and was asked not to. They were homesick, too. What I missed when I left Okinawa, Japan: the scuba diving. You could go into the water anywhere on the island and see wonderful coral reefs and sea life. One of my favorite drinks was only available there. It was Apple Tea. What was good? The drink vending machines would serve hot drink cans. Coffee and the apple tea were worth the 100 yen. Hmm, I don't think hot canned drinks would do well in the USS, especially after the McDonald's coffee lawsuit.

7. I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

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Compassion and a broader world view. In port in 3rd world contry, we attached a barge for trash to the ship. As I was "taking out the trash" I noticed the barge set up. There was 5 people on deck. The barge had two sides, one for true trash and the other for salvagable reusable things (shoes, aluminum cans, etc.). Well I didn't want to throw it on top of them, so I waited till one of the guys made eye contact with me. He smiled and opened his arms to catch the bag. What stuck with me was the look in his eyes. It was like "Mana from Heaven." Never looked at trash the same way again.

I hate to stereotype. In civilian life, work is different. I would say Duty or Heart. The old saying, "It's not a job, it's an aventure!"

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all of these above acept fitness. Mindfulness is something I do also. Centering myself with meditation.