More on the Thesis...

I'm obsessed at the current moment with the thought of doing a thesis. Actually, I'm obsessed with possible topics--what's acceptable, what isn't? Can I pick my own topic? Do I have to do something that my advisor wants me to do? Most of this could easily (in theory) be answered by said advisor--but the advisor I have isn't exactly the most readily accessible let alone willing to answer my apparently tedious questions with understanding and concern.

Ok, better get back to my thesis issues before going off on a diatribe rant on my advisor. There are many many topics one could chose from. I have a topic in mind even. "The Evolution of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force and Case Study in Employment." Does sound dry when its all written out, doesn't it? Rest assured, it is worth a review--no official history has been written and as far as I can tell no other dissertation has been done on it.

There is another possible topic--it may not be long enough however. The Marines in World War I who did not deploy to France with the AEF. There were Marines stationed in Texas for various reasons from possible war with Mexico to the "Sugar Intervention" to German U-boats in the Gulf of Mexico.

Personally, that one doesn't trip my trigger. I'd like to stick to the post Civil War era through pre-World War I era. However, I'm not really sure what sounds like something that would thrill me. I don't know about you, but I have to be "into" my project to really write well. (Can't you tell with this blog?!)

I've asked a couple coworkers to go to lunch to help me mull this over and to get their opinions. As it stands right now, the thesis is going to happen. It shortens my graduate education by a year and that in turn helps me when time comes for 'fleeting up' the ranks at work---many vacancies to be had for the right people with the right mix of education and experience in the years to come. I don't want to have my knees cut out from under me simply because I haven't finished my MA yet.

Cheers!