When does the second DUI count?

My lawyer said from conviction to conviction and if that is so, then I should have received a first time offense. How can I ever recover from this? In February of 1999, I had a bad public defender who scared me into a no contest plea. Even though I could not push my car downhill, keys where in my pocket, and I drank after the fact. I did my court ordered requirements to get my license back. In doing so, I was taught by ex-policemen about DUI's learning little tricks one what to do or how to avoid getting caught again. Six years and 10 months later, the law was changed from 7 years to 10 years. So, of course in March of 2007, I was pulled over. I had orders to leave for Afghanistan in 4 days. Not knowing that the law for a second DUI had just changed from 7 to 10 years. I thought I got a good lawyer, who said he would arranged it so I could go to Afghanistan and deal with the courts after I returned. Not knowing I would be over there for 3+ years. I still thought it was a good thing especially if I was to avoid the possibly of facing the consequence for not fallowing my military orders to go to Afghanistan. I decided to stay in Afghanistan for 3+ years because of yet another law change. I was informed that my license was revoked due to a claim the cop made on the police report stating that I had refused to a breathalyzer the DMV automatically revoked my license for 3 years. I was found me not guilty on that charge. However, I had already did the time for it. I literally paid for a crime I did not commit. To top it all off, I had to pay it again with a three year suspension. My lawyer said I did not have to be present. The court proceeding took place and in December of 2010. I received a second DUI. Almost 11 years after my first. The court was nice to me. I was not required to comply with any of the normal mandatory requirements.