tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-141636392012-02-16T03:23:32.098-08:00A Warrior's point of view on life.Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.comBlogger241100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-42019742707309155572010-02-24T00:35:00.000-08:002010-02-24T00:54:07.622-08:00

I really have to learn to post more frequently than I do. If you read this, I am sorry. Although, I don't think I have any followers. I have recently taken stock of my life thus far, and I have noticed a few things about me that aren't so bad. Generally I am very self critical. I have noticed that I generally shy away from being in the spotlight. I never really understood that before. Most

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-38662514129488109302009-12-04T02:37:00.000-08:002009-12-04T02:53:46.795-08:00

I was talking with some friends the other day about the difference between management and leadership. I feel that both are important, but I am definately biased and have much more respect for Leadership. It isn't hard to notice the lack of Leadership these days. I suppose that is what I miss most about being in the Army; Leading. I miss training young warriors and watching them develop into

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-5903485083941352862009-05-28T20:27:00.001-07:002009-05-28T20:43:10.442-07:00

Well I thought I was not going to use this blog anymore, but maybe I've changed my mind. I ran across it today and decided that I just can't throw it away. The very first entry I made on this site was before I was injured. I just don't feel like letting go of that for some reason. I can't really explain it, but I would just rather keep it for sentimental reasons I guess. It is really

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-66221274755750727822007-06-30T01:39:00.000-07:002007-06-30T02:26:06.302-07:00

So I think one way to look at stress, when you CAN look at it objectively without being consumed or overwhelmed by it, is to see that it is kind of like fire is to the sword. It burns, but it makes you stronger. I am one of those who can easily be turned negative under enough stress. I often resort to a "Direct Leadership Style" and become snappy and profane. I can be demanding and down right

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-63843029934834757282007-06-20T11:49:00.000-07:002007-06-30T01:33:16.173-07:00

Well we have finally begun to settle in at our new home. It is just the right size for a family our size. There is enough room for everyone to find a place to go without feeling crowded. There is also plenty of room outside for the kids to run and play without us having to worry if they will be hit by traffic or get caught up in some kind of trouble. We have been attending a new church the

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-745618030010139702007-06-12T00:57:00.000-07:002007-06-12T01:16:28.451-07:00

Today I was driving in the car and came to an intersection. There was road construction and a man was directing the rather large amount of traffic that was accumulating. It was taking him some time to get to my side of the intersection when all of a sudden, the car quit running because it had begun to over heat. Naturally, this was right when he was signalling me to make my turn. I could not

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-35308277123772286292007-04-14T19:16:00.000-07:002007-04-14T19:50:08.402-07:00

So I've had some issues with vehicles lately. My wife and I currently have 5 cars we are responsible for right now. One is totaled, the other which was given to us has a blown engine, which we intend to replace with the one from the totaled car, my truck won't move due to either transfer case issues or transmission issues, the car that was just given to us has a bad fuel pump which will cost a

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1167458617970268092006-12-29T21:52:00.000-08:002006-12-29T22:03:37.980-08:00

Well I have been out of the Army for a little over a week now, and it still is hard to think about it. I only had 7 more years to go and I would have a retirement. Many people wonder why I quit after the half way mark. I suppose those folks have never been blown up. It just got to difficult to keep leaving, and I was sick of watching good people die. So now what? Well I am going to try out

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1162042845323973272006-10-28T06:13:00.000-07:002006-11-08T01:40:38.806-08:00

Well I had seen this list on Pastor Jason's blog and figured it would give me something interesting to post so here it is. Although by reading it, you won't learn anything real about me, but it is mildly amusing. Anything to push that last negative post to the bottom of the list.EVERYTHING YOU NEVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ME Name: Adam W. SkillenBirthplace: Redding, California Current Location:

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1160699525378982062006-10-12T16:36:00.000-07:002006-11-08T01:32:04.256-08:00

Well as God would have it, it looks like I am definitely NOT going to Afghanistan. I didn't want to post this news too soon, because having served for at least a couple of days, I know how the Army loves to change things... and then change them again. So now the issue becomes one of finding employment, and fast! For those of you who pray, I could use a little help here. Not only in praying

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1157681044852158202006-09-07T15:27:00.000-07:002006-10-11T12:27:38.673-07:00

I once heard in a song that if you wanted to hear God laugh, tell him all your plans. For a minute there I thought I had things somewhat figured out. Then I received an E-mail that changed my life and the future of my family in an instant. As of next month, I'm being deployed to Afghanistan. I will become a member of an Embedded Training Team, or ETT. This is a small group of around 12 to 16

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1155590029982024872006-08-14T13:50:00.000-07:002006-08-17T07:24:55.663-07:00

Well after searching around my desired target area and seeing nothing I was beginning to feel a bit discouraged. Until yesterday when after returning from a dump run I decided to follow a not so common road to see where it went. I had my son Brandon with me when we came upon these two youngsters you see in the pictures. When I first spotted them I had to point them out to brandon. Deer

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1150178329080481082006-06-12T22:20:00.000-07:002006-06-16T18:47:44.413-07:00

For those who don't know, I love music. Not just listening to it, but playing it. I'm not biased to any particular style. It is my opinion that musicians should have a well rounded understanding of all styles, especially percussionists. Now sure I can pound some skins, make a little noise. But I like to play guitar also. But drums is where I am free to express things more. Every drummer has his

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1149566875978990352006-06-05T20:43:00.000-07:002006-07-12T07:25:17.600-07:00

So this will be the first year I will be able to hunt since I was a kid... For animals that is... I mean furry ones... Okay terrorists are furry too... I'm finally going to go and hunt something other than people. There, I got it. I have always loved the hunt, for people or otherwise. But something about being out in nature involved and part of the natural food chain, taking part in the great

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1149102188755652492006-05-31T11:18:00.000-07:002006-06-16T11:07:38.536-07:00

I have decided to boycott CNN. In my opinion they are bordering treason. They feel that because of the UNITED STATES constitution, that they somehow have freedom of the press in all areas of the world. So they choose to go where our military goes and report on every little mistake made and try and present our soldiers as murderers. Take a good look at any controversial article in the news today.

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1147929811326843352006-05-17T22:09:00.000-07:002006-05-17T22:23:31.346-07:00

The following is something that I received in an email. I believe that it deserves some thought and consideration. It is a fair assessment of how we try to be politically correct in the midst of complete chaos. It is a glimpse of common sense, a virtue that our government and military have deemed contraband in modern times.“WHAT'S ALL OF THE FUSS?" Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1145342785663048672006-04-17T23:29:00.000-07:002006-04-21T18:49:17.006-07:00

Man, what the hell is wrong with me lately? I have a ton of anger within me that just won't seem to go away. Mostly though, it's at myself. I hate having to be in a position where I have to take a butt chewing for someone else as if it were me. I'm disgusted with my country, I hate people who place themselves in lofty positions and look down on others with excessive judgement, and I hate my

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1136487481390255672006-01-05T10:08:00.000-08:002006-01-05T10:58:01.423-08:00

What does your freedom mean to you? I think most of us take it for granted due to the fact that for the average American, it has never been threatened. They watched 9/11 on TV and thought how horrible. Then they went about their daily lives and soon forgot about it. Life goes on they say. So you have never had to live in fear of dying a horrible death every day of your life. "That would never

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1136396760739592552006-01-04T09:07:00.000-08:002006-01-06T00:07:27.826-08:00

So last night I was watching David Letterman's show and he had Bill O'reilly on it. When he was introducing the guests on his show, I could see that Dave didn't really like Bill, or it appeared that way to me. Shortly after Bill came on and they began to speak, I could see why. Poor Dave can't seem to stand the confrontational nature of Bill. Mr. O'reilly seemed to bring up confrontational

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1135883532407748542005-12-29T10:52:00.000-08:002005-12-29T11:16:29.620-08:00

I'm sorry, but I have to say it. All the stores who have decided to say happy holidays instead of Merry Christmas have down right offended me. They say they don't want to offend anyone? Well I'm offended. I'd also bet that the majority of Americans are also, considering that according to a poll taken more than 80% of them are believers. So have we come to this; worrying about the feelings of the

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1133587012055621292005-12-02T20:48:00.000-08:002006-01-10T20:23:25.710-08:00

Many times I have been cought in some rather tricky situations. One thing I have always been grateful for is that God gave me the ability to remain calm in the worst situations imaginable. I cannot count how many hair raising encounters I have faced in my life. Every time I encounter one I always notice that most people present are staring in shock or wondering what to do. The current

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1133567718360314092005-12-02T14:40:00.000-08:002005-12-02T15:55:18.396-08:00

My thoughts on Ephesians chapter 6, specifically 10 thru 20. As a soldier for my country I had to learn how to use many different weapons to accomplish any mission I could ever be assigned. From my hands to naval gunfire and everything in between, I had to become an expert in the use of various weaponry and learn which weapon was most effective against whatever I was facing. I also had to

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1129752213250077712005-10-19T12:38:00.000-07:002005-10-19T13:03:33.263-07:00

Today’s War, Today’s WarriorAn opinion from someone who’s been thereStaff Sergeant Adam W. Skillen Allow us to stop for a moment; to freeze time if you will. Look around you, what do you see? When it comes to war, and America’s presence in Iraq, I’ll tell you what I see. I see a country divided. I see people who are for it, and I see people who are against it. Nothing new you say? So do

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14163639.post-1120422317939514662005-07-03T13:01:00.000-07:002005-07-03T13:25:17.950-07:00

It is amazing what people can do nowadays. Here I am sitting in Baghdad Iraq, and I have the ability to put my thoughts down on a medium that anyone can view at any time. I also see this as a bad thing too. You see, many soldiers have used this forum to say what they think or what they see. As embarrassing as it is, soldiers from my own company have done so. They have put their opinions down, and

Skillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998681547637011393noreply@blogger.com1