The Night I Became a Colonel, My Mother-in-Law Cut My Hair While I Slept—By Morning, I Was Done Obeying Them

Because this version of me belonged entirely to me.

I touched the top of my head.

Then I whispered:

“You are still here.”

That became enough.

PART 9 — MY FIRST COMMAND CRISIS

Two weeks into my new command, we had an operational problem.

A major readiness report contained conflicting information.

One section showed personnel availability above ninety percent.

Another showed enough temporary medical limitations and pending transfers to make that number impossible.