I realize that it’s been about a year since I started this blog and I have written almost nothing since its beginning. My how time flies when you’re having fun!

Around this time last year, I learned that my company lost the bid for continued work on a significant contract that I oversee, including the content management of the Military OneSource website. Such is life in government contracting—you win some, you lose some. In the months since then, I found myself frequently telling my team that if you can’t handle change, you need to get out of government contracting. I personally thrive on change, but even so, it’s never easy, especially when it is dragged out over a year.

Today marks the first time in 14 years that I am not in some way responsible for the Military OneSource website. I was the program manager at Headquarters Marine Corps when we launched the pilot program in 2002, eventually moving over to lead the contractor teams providing the work. I started as an enthusiastic Marine spouse with a passion for ensuring that service members and their families have all of the information they needed to live a resilient military life. We helped them through war, deployments, reunions, and relocations. I worked with dozens of talented government and contractor teammates who shared that passion as we launched numerous redesigns and expanded into the social media world. We never lost sight that this was the pinnacle of military community support and we were fortunate to serve. My, how we have grown!

I hate sentimentality. I prefer to say, “See ya later!” rather than “Farewell.” There are all kinds of sayings that apply: One door closes and another opens; don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened; that which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger; life is hard, and then you die! I prefer to think of myself as a honey badger—chewing the scenery and taking no prisoners as I charge through life. My company and I have other work to do and we are focused on the future. We are all moving on, knowing that we are better professionals and individuals than we were before, molded by the work and experiences we shared as we helped others.

The site will continue. It will change and grow. It might get better. I hope it does, but it’s hard to imagine that it will knowing that I still have the A team. We’re a hard act to follow. What I do know for sure is that what we did matters to so many, and for that I am one proud honey badger.