When a National Guard or Reserve unit comes back from an overseas rotation of any sort, they have to de-mobilize in a process very similar to their initial mobilization. Medical checks are the primary purpose– they want to make sure you’re in good shape coming back.

This involves waiting in a lot of lines. A lot of lines. Long, long, slow-moving lines that literally wrap outside down the hallways and wrap around to the other side of the hallway. I wish I were exaggerating; I am not. If anything, the images I drew understates it.

You really can get to the point where you have forgotten what line you are standing in. Your phone battery may actually die, with your soul following shortly behind it.

The idea that some Specialist up ahead is getting his 20-year retirement party while standing in line would not surprise me a bit.