I appreciate you confidence but it also worries me a little not having more of the starting generation of GWOT there to offer experience and insight

PFC (Join to see), there is no need to be worried about that because your path is exactly where it is supposed to be within your life. As a molded leader, you will know what to do when you have to do it as rank is irrelevant. Experience is built over time. I thought the same thing because I did not have an understanding of the Desert Storm conflict as I joined the Army during peacetime when I did finally join, but then again I was only 9 during Desert Storm....Sometimes you have to just literally get thrown into the fire, but you will be amazed at what you exercise based on the learning of your training and current experience. I deployed to Iraq Mother's Day of 2003 (May 11). The war kicked off March 20, 2003. I was scared as fuck, but here I am 30 months later of combat time (15 months in Iraq 2003-2004, 9 months in Iraq 2005-2006, 6 months in Afghanistan 2013-2014) and you will understand and realize your vast knowledge is above reproach in which it will be discovered to you naturally. Of all the long winded message, the bottom line is to not to to worry and trust your training, your team, and above all yourself!! There is a reason why the 1% message is communicated, regardless of how long any team member chooses to serve, we all provide a critical contribution to this organization and it aids towards our overall success. Hope this helps and contributes to your peace of mind.

SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM - thank you SSG if there is a fight I will go I just hope we are up to the task that faces all of us going in, I know for sure I will not be left out of it.