Four months now and 7 to go. The days are running together. In OCS we had a saying, "The days are long, but the weeks are short." That's to a T how it happens here. I count my weeks off by Fridays, and my days off by my conversations with Lisa.
There's been alot of civilian activity here lately. The embassy folks like to come here and discuss counterinsurgency all night over a campfire. Quite a few are dressed like hippies, so it quickly becomes, in my mind, a Kumbaya-Woodstock collaboration. Not that I'm against peace and all that, just that this is a military base. But hey, what the colonel wants...
My NCOs have seen some scary things the past few weeks, especially before the elections. They saw a guy shooting an RPG in the middle of town between them and another convoy. They were outside another base when an VBIED went off outside the gate. They missed it by minutes. And they were about 20 minutes from a location when another VBIED went off. We've gotten some lucky breaks here lately, I hope it continues.
My usually very adept team of Navy supply officers (myself and Tracy) has been a Navy of One lately. She's on leave, which, I feel, is an appropriate term. "Leave." Let it roll off your tongue. That's what she did....left me with a ton of work! This job is alot harder for one person, so I'm not sure how she did it over the 3 months before I got here (I am spectacular, by the way). Anyway, when she comes back, I'm disappearing for a few days so I can have a break from how crazy such a small base can be at times.
New laptop is here and works well. I had to uninstall all the useless drivel HP has pre-installed on every computer they make. Crap that takes up space and does very little. That's their software as far as I can tell. I'm also feeling much better after two bouts with sickness, one involving a temperature of 102 with vomit, and the other a temperature of 96.9 with dysentery. Yay Afghanistan!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Fridays are the new Monday
We're supposed to have a slow day on Fridays. I can only think of maybe 2 Fridays so far that have been remotely slow and today was NOT one of them. I'm driving an SUV through Kabul thinking "Well, at least I'm not just sleeping late and enjoying a nice day off like most of the staff here is...."
I'm delusional, but it keeps me sane. I'd also go into a rant about some of the people that I have to deal with, but this is the internet. Which means that before I could finish typing this and hitting publish, someone here would hear about it.
But aside from the usual hustle, things are at least in a battle rhythm. I'm gonna try to start going to some Dari classes our interpreters give every morning now that I'm comfortable with my job. Also found out that the person I'm relieving may be here til December now, which is great cause we can kinda split the duties a little.
Elections are coming up, so I expect things to get hotter here (and I don't mean the weather). I just bought more stuff yesterday at the shops up on the hill. My room is starting to look like a central asian museum. There's a turkish made rug on the floor, persian pillowcases hanging on my afghan made desk, some things made in Pakistan for deco. And then there's me, a southern boy in the middle of it all who says things like "howdy" and "ya'll."
And we can't forget to mention my bottle of Febreeze for my convoy clothes. My set of ACUs that smell pretty freakin bad cause I sweat like a pig under my armor (pretty much everyone does). I refuse to wash them more than once a week cause they'll just smell bad again, so I Febreeze them. They still stand on their own, often times frightening me at night, but it keeps me from getting annoyed because yet another set of ACUs are nasty.
I'm delusional, but it keeps me sane. I'd also go into a rant about some of the people that I have to deal with, but this is the internet. Which means that before I could finish typing this and hitting publish, someone here would hear about it.
But aside from the usual hustle, things are at least in a battle rhythm. I'm gonna try to start going to some Dari classes our interpreters give every morning now that I'm comfortable with my job. Also found out that the person I'm relieving may be here til December now, which is great cause we can kinda split the duties a little.
Elections are coming up, so I expect things to get hotter here (and I don't mean the weather). I just bought more stuff yesterday at the shops up on the hill. My room is starting to look like a central asian museum. There's a turkish made rug on the floor, persian pillowcases hanging on my afghan made desk, some things made in Pakistan for deco. And then there's me, a southern boy in the middle of it all who says things like "howdy" and "ya'll."
And we can't forget to mention my bottle of Febreeze for my convoy clothes. My set of ACUs that smell pretty freakin bad cause I sweat like a pig under my armor (pretty much everyone does). I refuse to wash them more than once a week cause they'll just smell bad again, so I Febreeze them. They still stand on their own, often times frightening me at night, but it keeps me from getting annoyed because yet another set of ACUs are nasty.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Got me some packages!
I truly enjoy coming back from convoy to find packages and letters sitting on my desk. Frickin awesome! And I've gotten quite a few lately. I got the one from you, Dad, nice stuff in there, I'm actually eating some of those snacks right now. I also got one from Nana and Papa with the biscuits, which were quite delicious. And the coffee came in from Boca Java, thanks Mom! I wrote everyone on the list of emails to say thanks.
And of course Lisa, thank you for the cookies and chocolate covered coffee beans, please continue that trend as it certainly makes my day bearable. I've begun to mimic my dear mother's habit of shopping for hours on end. Small difference being that I do my shopping at the local shops up the hill and buy stuff for prices that would make most American women drool. And its nice stuff usually. The greatest part is them not minding you bargaining with them. Try that at Sears.
Last couple of days have been kinda slow, so I've been getting in earlier than before. It's become apparent that if I leave about 1400 or so, take a nap, then come back, the 2100-2200 nights aren't so bad. Tonight was much earlier though, 1900.
I bought some "Man-jams" from one of our local guys that is a vendor here. I look pretty suave in them, kinda like a handsome ninja.....I have another guy making me a vest for it as well, pinstripe at that. He's studying to be a tailor, and he does good work. Do I need a vest? No, of course not. Am I gonna wear it? Probably!
We recently had a bunch of big-wigs here for a few days. Several generals, some local government officials, the ambassador, and some EUPOL guys. It was the T3C, Train the Trainer Conference (don't ask me who the witty guy that came up with T3C was). It was pretty cool, but it exhausted me. Lots of running around making sure people had what they needed, picking up the generals from the helipad, greeting people when they came in (I'm the visits officer), and just general "What can I do for you, sir?" stuff. It was rewarding in its own way, but I'm glad it's over!
I'm sure you've heard about the missing guy by now. Not sure what you guys heard, but from where I'm standing he's gonna land himself in a lot of trouble with what he's said on tape. Also, I'm not sure why he was walking off base by himself with no weapon or armor....sounds kinda fishy to me, but we'll see what comes of it.
This place has been fairly quiet. I went down to the front gate of the ANA complex here to pick up a catalog from a vendor and the guard on the way to the gate (there's two gates) offered me some chai, their standard drink of choice. I accepted, mostly because he was smiling and shoved it in my hand, and told him I would be right back to sit with him. Not entirely sure why I told him that, because he didn't understand that at all. I went and got my catalog, spoke with the front gate guards a bit, then ventured back to the original gate to sit with the one who had so politely offered me tea. Upon arrival I was offered a chair, where I sat and .... stared at them, while they stared at me. No translator. It's kinda fun though, trying to understand. And they're so relaxed, shoes off, barefeet in uniform with cups of chai. I think they were just happy to have had the chance to be hospitable with me. It is in their nature to be hospitable and I find myself waving to everyone and actually getting a response. And now that I can greet, say "Good morning" and "how are you", "I am fine, thank you", "how is your health?" they tend to smile at me more.
Chai tastes basically like our tea to be honest, but they make it with the leaves directly in the water, so when you pour it, there's leaves in your drink. Or parts of leaves.
I know I keep saying I'll post pics and I don't, it's cause I keep forgetting to bring my camera back to my room. I do have one pic of local 'traffic' I have to post here so everyone can see how bad it COULD be in the states :) Okay, I'm out for now
And of course Lisa, thank you for the cookies and chocolate covered coffee beans, please continue that trend as it certainly makes my day bearable. I've begun to mimic my dear mother's habit of shopping for hours on end. Small difference being that I do my shopping at the local shops up the hill and buy stuff for prices that would make most American women drool. And its nice stuff usually. The greatest part is them not minding you bargaining with them. Try that at Sears.
Last couple of days have been kinda slow, so I've been getting in earlier than before. It's become apparent that if I leave about 1400 or so, take a nap, then come back, the 2100-2200 nights aren't so bad. Tonight was much earlier though, 1900.
I bought some "Man-jams" from one of our local guys that is a vendor here. I look pretty suave in them, kinda like a handsome ninja.....I have another guy making me a vest for it as well, pinstripe at that. He's studying to be a tailor, and he does good work. Do I need a vest? No, of course not. Am I gonna wear it? Probably!
We recently had a bunch of big-wigs here for a few days. Several generals, some local government officials, the ambassador, and some EUPOL guys. It was the T3C, Train the Trainer Conference (don't ask me who the witty guy that came up with T3C was). It was pretty cool, but it exhausted me. Lots of running around making sure people had what they needed, picking up the generals from the helipad, greeting people when they came in (I'm the visits officer), and just general "What can I do for you, sir?" stuff. It was rewarding in its own way, but I'm glad it's over!
I'm sure you've heard about the missing guy by now. Not sure what you guys heard, but from where I'm standing he's gonna land himself in a lot of trouble with what he's said on tape. Also, I'm not sure why he was walking off base by himself with no weapon or armor....sounds kinda fishy to me, but we'll see what comes of it.
This place has been fairly quiet. I went down to the front gate of the ANA complex here to pick up a catalog from a vendor and the guard on the way to the gate (there's two gates) offered me some chai, their standard drink of choice. I accepted, mostly because he was smiling and shoved it in my hand, and told him I would be right back to sit with him. Not entirely sure why I told him that, because he didn't understand that at all. I went and got my catalog, spoke with the front gate guards a bit, then ventured back to the original gate to sit with the one who had so politely offered me tea. Upon arrival I was offered a chair, where I sat and .... stared at them, while they stared at me. No translator. It's kinda fun though, trying to understand. And they're so relaxed, shoes off, barefeet in uniform with cups of chai. I think they were just happy to have had the chance to be hospitable with me. It is in their nature to be hospitable and I find myself waving to everyone and actually getting a response. And now that I can greet, say "Good morning" and "how are you", "I am fine, thank you", "how is your health?" they tend to smile at me more.
Chai tastes basically like our tea to be honest, but they make it with the leaves directly in the water, so when you pour it, there's leaves in your drink. Or parts of leaves.
I know I keep saying I'll post pics and I don't, it's cause I keep forgetting to bring my camera back to my room. I do have one pic of local 'traffic' I have to post here so everyone can see how bad it COULD be in the states :) Okay, I'm out for now
Monday, July 13, 2009
Got me some internet
Well, the internet is finally working again! I say working again, but truthfully, it went down because we went from a pay service to a government-pays service. Thank you to my hard working American people for my slow, but free, internet!
The contractors that came out to hook it up actually made us provide a router to make their internet connection work. Which is ridiculous because I'm sure it's in their statement of work to provide all the materials necessary, but the colonel gets what the colonel wants!
In any case, we've been so busy that the internet has been an afterthought, except for skype and the ability to talk to people. It started working last night, and I got in around 2130. I walked in, plugged it up, started up my browser and saw Google come up. I said "Cool, internet," and went to bed. There's alot of cool things going on that's been keeping me busy. I will go into more detail once it's over, what with OPSEC and all. Just happy to be out of the 2100-2230 meeting tonight. Sheesh!
I've gotten quite a few packages now, and I've beginning to be the envy of the office! Keep those coming and I'll keep the gifts flowing back to the states :) Love you guys, will write more later. I have to go find my pillow from between my eyelids.
The contractors that came out to hook it up actually made us provide a router to make their internet connection work. Which is ridiculous because I'm sure it's in their statement of work to provide all the materials necessary, but the colonel gets what the colonel wants!
In any case, we've been so busy that the internet has been an afterthought, except for skype and the ability to talk to people. It started working last night, and I got in around 2130. I walked in, plugged it up, started up my browser and saw Google come up. I said "Cool, internet," and went to bed. There's alot of cool things going on that's been keeping me busy. I will go into more detail once it's over, what with OPSEC and all. Just happy to be out of the 2100-2230 meeting tonight. Sheesh!
I've gotten quite a few packages now, and I've beginning to be the envy of the office! Keep those coming and I'll keep the gifts flowing back to the states :) Love you guys, will write more later. I have to go find my pillow from between my eyelids.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Guns and mo guns!
Double whammy today everyone. Why? Cause I got to shoot lots of guns today!
The counter narcotic guys on base here wanted to say thanks for all the work we had done getting them their own latrine. These guys go out all the time and do poppy eradication, which includes pissing off certain people that make money from it (read: Taliban). So we did what we could to help those guys out, and they let us shoot off their old rounds.
List of weapons I shot today:
.50 Cal from a turret
MK19 Grenade Launcher, from a turret
AK-47
M249 and M240 - I got to shoot the M249 standing up and holding it like a rifle
M203 - M16 mounted grenade launcher
and my personal favorite, the .50 cal sniper rifle!
Hooyah! The MK19 was crazy. It has automatic fire which I used to light up a tank target about 400m away. Thrilling. Only word I can think of to describe that feeling of firing off 5 rounds and then watching your target light up about 6 seconds later with several loud thuds that you feel in your ribcage. I was pretty accurate considering, scored a bunch of direct hits.
The .50 cal sniper rifle, you don't hear it so much as feel it. It just reverberates through your body. If you're wondering what this rifle looks like, watch the redone S.W.A.T movie and it's the gun the bad guy shoots the chopper with. A .50 cal round DEVESTATES whatever it hits. Depleted uranium does the dirty work.
The M203 is a fun weapon, mostly cause you hold like Rambo. Also because I shot it at about a 45 degree angle and watched it fly about 150m into the air, then fall down and explode. Lightin up berms in Afghanistan.
The AK-47 kicks alot more than the M16, in my opinion. Took me a minute to figure it out, but I can see why it's so effective. The thing fires even with heavy abuse. Too bad it isn't terribly accurate past 200m or so. Well, too bad for them, good for us!
We also got to drive the MRAP today. Mine Resistant Ambush Protected. Basically an armored bobtail with an armored carriage on the back for troop transport. Has push button gear shifting, which, might I add, is amazing considering this thing is at least 10' tall and bulletproof.
Anyway, not much to add to that...it was awesome, got some videos, pics, memories, etc. I also got video of two local kids that came up to collect our brass, the spent shell casings. They kept asking me for a biscuit. It was weird, especially since I told them over and over I didn't have a freakin biscuit. When they asked for a dollar I just got annoyed. I understand it though, they're poor.
What struck me so much was how they were so young, but their faces looked like they were 40. I mean, they had childlike features, but those features appeared to have been eroded by sand and hunger for so long that nothing was left but age.
The counter narcotic guys on base here wanted to say thanks for all the work we had done getting them their own latrine. These guys go out all the time and do poppy eradication, which includes pissing off certain people that make money from it (read: Taliban). So we did what we could to help those guys out, and they let us shoot off their old rounds.
List of weapons I shot today:
.50 Cal from a turret
MK19 Grenade Launcher, from a turret
AK-47
M249 and M240 - I got to shoot the M249 standing up and holding it like a rifle
M203 - M16 mounted grenade launcher
and my personal favorite, the .50 cal sniper rifle!
Hooyah! The MK19 was crazy. It has automatic fire which I used to light up a tank target about 400m away. Thrilling. Only word I can think of to describe that feeling of firing off 5 rounds and then watching your target light up about 6 seconds later with several loud thuds that you feel in your ribcage. I was pretty accurate considering, scored a bunch of direct hits.
The .50 cal sniper rifle, you don't hear it so much as feel it. It just reverberates through your body. If you're wondering what this rifle looks like, watch the redone S.W.A.T movie and it's the gun the bad guy shoots the chopper with. A .50 cal round DEVESTATES whatever it hits. Depleted uranium does the dirty work.
The M203 is a fun weapon, mostly cause you hold like Rambo. Also because I shot it at about a 45 degree angle and watched it fly about 150m into the air, then fall down and explode. Lightin up berms in Afghanistan.
The AK-47 kicks alot more than the M16, in my opinion. Took me a minute to figure it out, but I can see why it's so effective. The thing fires even with heavy abuse. Too bad it isn't terribly accurate past 200m or so. Well, too bad for them, good for us!
We also got to drive the MRAP today. Mine Resistant Ambush Protected. Basically an armored bobtail with an armored carriage on the back for troop transport. Has push button gear shifting, which, might I add, is amazing considering this thing is at least 10' tall and bulletproof.
Anyway, not much to add to that...it was awesome, got some videos, pics, memories, etc. I also got video of two local kids that came up to collect our brass, the spent shell casings. They kept asking me for a biscuit. It was weird, especially since I told them over and over I didn't have a freakin biscuit. When they asked for a dollar I just got annoyed. I understand it though, they're poor.
What struck me so much was how they were so young, but their faces looked like they were 40. I mean, they had childlike features, but those features appeared to have been eroded by sand and hunger for so long that nothing was left but age.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Whew
I know, I know...2+ weeks since my last post. Between my job and the internet being down about 23 hours out of 24 every day, I haven't been able to update.
All in all, things are going pretty well. Camp Julien is nice and relaxed, as I said before, and I've gotten a handle on about 75% of my job now. The other 25% I can say will get figured out, probably the hard way, but it'll get done. One of the challenging pieces of this puzzle can be the management of the trillion different things I'm managing here, none of them difficult. It's death by a thousand paper cuts if you don't treat each one quickly.
I ordered about 10 trucks of gravel to cover some bald spots on the base here, and they brought me 18...not sure why, but I think the vendor felt guilty for bringing me 2 trucks of nice, small gravel, and 8 of the bigger, ankle-busting variety. So he sends 8 more of the grapefruit size crap...THANKS! Even more fun was trying to tell these local drivers where I wanted to put piles of gravel. There is one road on base that I wanted several piles about 100' apart. Now, I know *I* made it pretty clear. What the end product became was more like one long, sinewy pile of gravel down the whole road. Lost in translation....
I sent a bunch of stuff home (70lbs worth!). I've been spending my money to stimulate our economy...yeah, that's it...wait, wrong country. But seriously, it's easy to amass souvenirs, so everyone stand by for STUFF. These guys sell you something cheap (according to us anyway), then give you something as a gift to get you to come back. Take for example the blanket I bought my first week here. I buy that and a bronze ornate peacock. The guy says "I make special business for you. This gift for wife." Okay, cool. As he is shifting items around, moving his merchandise to find this well hidden gem, I'm thinking it will be another statuette or something. Instead, with a big grin on his face, he hands me a clear bag with ornamented clothing inside. I pull it out and can't help but laugh. It's a belly dancer outfit! Seriously...dude...okay, I'll send it home and see how that goes for me. He even gives me a fitting demonstration.
"See, hook here if she small. If she bigger, hook here. If she really big, hook here!"
Nuff said.
I've gotten some cool videos and pics lately, my favorite being the herd of goats and sheep crossing the road. Also, a video of some kids giving us a thumbs up...though I've had kids kick dirt at us as we pass by, too. Who knows. When you're driving around Kabul, you see all kinds of stuff: people riding donkeys next to cars, ghetto taxis (a guy pulling a wooden cart on wheels with people on it), vendors wearing large plywood display racks on their back, full of sunglasses. I imagine Thailand might be more interesting, but that's about it.
And I have yet to get a picture, but the DMV would have a proverbial bovine birthing incident if they saw how people stacked their "jingle" trucks here. I mean, seriously, bags full of ... something... stacked as high as the truck can handle, then stacked even more until it's hanging over the sides and tied down. It looks like it would just bust, but these people have been doing this for years. I guess they got it down pat. I have to get a picture, it's truly amazing.
Other than that, things are pretty calm most of the time. One of the SGTs here likes to banter back and forth with one of the locals who works here about who's wife fusses more. Just goes to show, some things don't change no matter where you are....the banter or the fussing.
Steve sent me pics of when he was checking on Noah and I bust out laughing at those BCGs (Birth Control Glasses). I have some too, and maybe I'll start wearing mine now just to get looks from people. I'm just teasing ya man, I know you have to wear those....lol! Good to see you're doin fine though. It's such a liberating feeling, being done with your intital training. I'm proud of you and by the way, I got you a cool graduation present, I want to tell you what it is, but I won't. You'll like it.
Alright, Secrist Out.
All in all, things are going pretty well. Camp Julien is nice and relaxed, as I said before, and I've gotten a handle on about 75% of my job now. The other 25% I can say will get figured out, probably the hard way, but it'll get done. One of the challenging pieces of this puzzle can be the management of the trillion different things I'm managing here, none of them difficult. It's death by a thousand paper cuts if you don't treat each one quickly.
I ordered about 10 trucks of gravel to cover some bald spots on the base here, and they brought me 18...not sure why, but I think the vendor felt guilty for bringing me 2 trucks of nice, small gravel, and 8 of the bigger, ankle-busting variety. So he sends 8 more of the grapefruit size crap...THANKS! Even more fun was trying to tell these local drivers where I wanted to put piles of gravel. There is one road on base that I wanted several piles about 100' apart. Now, I know *I* made it pretty clear. What the end product became was more like one long, sinewy pile of gravel down the whole road. Lost in translation....
I sent a bunch of stuff home (70lbs worth!). I've been spending my money to stimulate our economy...yeah, that's it...wait, wrong country. But seriously, it's easy to amass souvenirs, so everyone stand by for STUFF. These guys sell you something cheap (according to us anyway), then give you something as a gift to get you to come back. Take for example the blanket I bought my first week here. I buy that and a bronze ornate peacock. The guy says "I make special business for you. This gift for wife." Okay, cool. As he is shifting items around, moving his merchandise to find this well hidden gem, I'm thinking it will be another statuette or something. Instead, with a big grin on his face, he hands me a clear bag with ornamented clothing inside. I pull it out and can't help but laugh. It's a belly dancer outfit! Seriously...dude...okay, I'll send it home and see how that goes for me. He even gives me a fitting demonstration.
"See, hook here if she small. If she bigger, hook here. If she really big, hook here!"
Nuff said.
I've gotten some cool videos and pics lately, my favorite being the herd of goats and sheep crossing the road. Also, a video of some kids giving us a thumbs up...though I've had kids kick dirt at us as we pass by, too. Who knows. When you're driving around Kabul, you see all kinds of stuff: people riding donkeys next to cars, ghetto taxis (a guy pulling a wooden cart on wheels with people on it), vendors wearing large plywood display racks on their back, full of sunglasses. I imagine Thailand might be more interesting, but that's about it.
And I have yet to get a picture, but the DMV would have a proverbial bovine birthing incident if they saw how people stacked their "jingle" trucks here. I mean, seriously, bags full of ... something... stacked as high as the truck can handle, then stacked even more until it's hanging over the sides and tied down. It looks like it would just bust, but these people have been doing this for years. I guess they got it down pat. I have to get a picture, it's truly amazing.
Other than that, things are pretty calm most of the time. One of the SGTs here likes to banter back and forth with one of the locals who works here about who's wife fusses more. Just goes to show, some things don't change no matter where you are....the banter or the fussing.
Steve sent me pics of when he was checking on Noah and I bust out laughing at those BCGs (Birth Control Glasses). I have some too, and maybe I'll start wearing mine now just to get looks from people. I'm just teasing ya man, I know you have to wear those....lol! Good to see you're doin fine though. It's such a liberating feeling, being done with your intital training. I'm proud of you and by the way, I got you a cool graduation present, I want to tell you what it is, but I won't. You'll like it.
Alright, Secrist Out.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Super Busy
Well, I've had little time to devote to writing any sort of description of what I'm doing. But I'm gonna do that now...sort of.
I've started getting settled into my job a little more now and learning what's what and creating my contacts for getting stuff done. That's what supply officers do, they get stuff done by talking to the right people. However, I don't think I ever got the run around as much in the Navy as I have so far in the Army.
Largely, I'm reviewing, creating, renewing contracts, and getting the day to day stuff for the base. The COL also appointed me the Visit Officer, which means I get to baby sit the people that come visit us. That's kinda cool, but truthfully, I can see it being more of an annoyance when I have to get real work done, like, I don't know, making sure we get the building materials to construct housing? It's not hard though, just another small collateral.
If anyone has checked my Facebook account, I've posted tons of pics. I would love to post them here, but it takes forever to upload here (well, it takes forever to upload period in this country), so I'm just leaving them there.
Ok, so I've also started learning Dari, the major language here. You don't really NEED to learn it, but it certainly makes it easier to deal with the locals here, and they will often give you a better deal if you at least attempt to speak to them in their language. And all the ANA (Afghan National Army) are nice here, so it's not difficult to speak to them, assuming they know english of course. Yesterday, coming back from the chow hall, a truck full of ANA came driving at the three of us walking back to our base (we have to walk up the hill to eat, it's great for "appetite justification"). I mean, they were hauling tail comin up on us and fast. Then they hit the breaks real hard, swerved, and then waved at us while laughing! I actually found the whole episode pretty funny, and it goes to show that even though we're in a war zone, humor isn't lost on either side of the language barrier.
I've started getting settled into my job a little more now and learning what's what and creating my contacts for getting stuff done. That's what supply officers do, they get stuff done by talking to the right people. However, I don't think I ever got the run around as much in the Navy as I have so far in the Army.
Largely, I'm reviewing, creating, renewing contracts, and getting the day to day stuff for the base. The COL also appointed me the Visit Officer, which means I get to baby sit the people that come visit us. That's kinda cool, but truthfully, I can see it being more of an annoyance when I have to get real work done, like, I don't know, making sure we get the building materials to construct housing? It's not hard though, just another small collateral.
If anyone has checked my Facebook account, I've posted tons of pics. I would love to post them here, but it takes forever to upload here (well, it takes forever to upload period in this country), so I'm just leaving them there.
Ok, so I've also started learning Dari, the major language here. You don't really NEED to learn it, but it certainly makes it easier to deal with the locals here, and they will often give you a better deal if you at least attempt to speak to them in their language. And all the ANA (Afghan National Army) are nice here, so it's not difficult to speak to them, assuming they know english of course. Yesterday, coming back from the chow hall, a truck full of ANA came driving at the three of us walking back to our base (we have to walk up the hill to eat, it's great for "appetite justification"). I mean, they were hauling tail comin up on us and fast. Then they hit the breaks real hard, swerved, and then waved at us while laughing! I actually found the whole episode pretty funny, and it goes to show that even though we're in a war zone, humor isn't lost on either side of the language barrier.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Some pictures....
I'm throwing some pics up here that I wanted to put in previous posts, but I figure it's easier to just look at them here than scrolling and navigating to find them. That's right, I'm thinking of you, gentle reader. Here goes...
There's a pic of me on a C-130 giving the thumbs up (because it's not a C-17 that wants me dead).
Speaking of the traitorous C-17, you can see it's murderous rage from the bus we took to Qatari Immigrations.
Some desert life; a fox and a mouse...this was two different countries, so no, the fox wasn't chasing the mouse.
Me and my HMMVV crew at the Udairi. We be rollin, they be hatin.
There's a pic of me on a C-130 giving the thumbs up (because it's not a C-17 that wants me dead).
Speaking of the traitorous C-17, you can see it's murderous rage from the bus we took to Qatari Immigrations.
Some desert life; a fox and a mouse...this was two different countries, so no, the fox wasn't chasing the mouse.
Me and my HMMVV crew at the Udairi. We be rollin, they be hatin.
Camp Julien
Got to my permanent duty station last night (well, permanent for one year). I'm already glad I'm here because it's small and relaxed. I like the people I'm working with so far. My room (that's right, MY room) is a decent size for me. I'm used to a 10' x 5' room for 3 people on the boat, so this place is luxury. I get to sleep on a mattress which is better than the cots I've been sleeping on for the past 3 weeks.
Basically, this is a schoolhouse for teaching counter-insurgency techniques. And despite what a large part of America probably believes, that doesn't necessarily involve hunting down terrorists. In fact, there is little of that from what small portion I've learned. The majority of the lesson to be taught is respect for the culture and understanding of the Afghan mind. There is a huge difference in conventional warfare and ending an insurgency, and I'm proud to be here and be part of the effort to truly understand these people instead of just kill terrorists. The United States is here to help rebuild this country in the AFGHAN image and to help the government do the business needed to make this place stable.
What will be the best part of my job, in my opinion, is interacting with the locals. I'll be a purchasing agent here (for the lack of a better term), and quite often I will be buying services and materials from local Afghans. In my mind this is just awesome. We are putting money into their economy through their labor, building a base that we'll be handing over to them eventually. These are a proud people and they have every right to be; they work hard and 98% of them want a country they can call their own.
I've begun reading a book called 'Afghanistan: A Military History from Alexander the Great to the Fall of the Taliban.' It's a great story to read, the history of invaders that have come into this country and departed, but not without leaving a little piece of themselves. I've been infused with a desire to learn about Massoud during my first convoy here. One of the intel guys was talking about him and said "He's a cool dude, check him out." If you aren't familiar with him, he was a very moderate Muslim that opposed Al-Queda and even warned of 9/11. In fact, he was killed 2 days before 9/11 because of his intentions to tell the world about it. I'll let you read about it.
Here's a picture of my room.
Basically, this is a schoolhouse for teaching counter-insurgency techniques. And despite what a large part of America probably believes, that doesn't necessarily involve hunting down terrorists. In fact, there is little of that from what small portion I've learned. The majority of the lesson to be taught is respect for the culture and understanding of the Afghan mind. There is a huge difference in conventional warfare and ending an insurgency, and I'm proud to be here and be part of the effort to truly understand these people instead of just kill terrorists. The United States is here to help rebuild this country in the AFGHAN image and to help the government do the business needed to make this place stable.
What will be the best part of my job, in my opinion, is interacting with the locals. I'll be a purchasing agent here (for the lack of a better term), and quite often I will be buying services and materials from local Afghans. In my mind this is just awesome. We are putting money into their economy through their labor, building a base that we'll be handing over to them eventually. These are a proud people and they have every right to be; they work hard and 98% of them want a country they can call their own.
I've begun reading a book called 'Afghanistan: A Military History from Alexander the Great to the Fall of the Taliban.' It's a great story to read, the history of invaders that have come into this country and departed, but not without leaving a little piece of themselves. I've been infused with a desire to learn about Massoud during my first convoy here. One of the intel guys was talking about him and said "He's a cool dude, check him out." If you aren't familiar with him, he was a very moderate Muslim that opposed Al-Queda and even warned of 9/11. In fact, he was killed 2 days before 9/11 because of his intentions to tell the world about it. I'll let you read about it.
Here's a picture of my room.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
White Space
Just sitting around lately with not much to do. Today we started our 3-day indoc brief schedule. Yay.
This post is more of a filler, if nothing else. We got to hear about all the nice vipers, spiders, and sand fleas here. I guess I should start taking my malaria meds, but I hear it screws up your liver (or possibly).
I have some good pics to put up for some of the previous posts, but I have no wifi access for my laptop and they won't let me plug my camera into these desktops we're using, so for now it will have to wait.
I've read like, two books, watched several movies, and the entire 5th season of Boston Legal while waiting on this indoc thing to start. How sad is that? I have worked out though, and started cutting my calorie intake. The DFAC (dining facility) has each item labeled for calorie count so it's easy to figure out how much I'm eating. Not that it is in any way interesting, but I've kicked myself down to 500 calories per meal and lots of water, juice and milk. My body doesn't take long to lose weight, but it goes the other way pretty quickly, too.
I was just thinking yesterday about how we're required to carry our weapons with us everywhere and how much that differs from the real world. Anyway, this post was, like I said, filler and contained very little useful or entertaining information. Just trying to keep something up here so you guys don't think I died.
This post is more of a filler, if nothing else. We got to hear about all the nice vipers, spiders, and sand fleas here. I guess I should start taking my malaria meds, but I hear it screws up your liver (or possibly).
I have some good pics to put up for some of the previous posts, but I have no wifi access for my laptop and they won't let me plug my camera into these desktops we're using, so for now it will have to wait.
I've read like, two books, watched several movies, and the entire 5th season of Boston Legal while waiting on this indoc thing to start. How sad is that? I have worked out though, and started cutting my calorie intake. The DFAC (dining facility) has each item labeled for calorie count so it's easy to figure out how much I'm eating. Not that it is in any way interesting, but I've kicked myself down to 500 calories per meal and lots of water, juice and milk. My body doesn't take long to lose weight, but it goes the other way pretty quickly, too.
I was just thinking yesterday about how we're required to carry our weapons with us everywhere and how much that differs from the real world. Anyway, this post was, like I said, filler and contained very little useful or entertaining information. Just trying to keep something up here so you guys don't think I died.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Kabul
Well, since I have at least a week here in Kabul before heading to my final spot, I get to take in the wonders of Kabul and Camp Phoenix, where you get all your minerals in one breath. As we jumped on our armored bus (called a Rhino) and started on our way out the gate toward the camp, it really hits you that you're in a war zone.
I know I wasn't the only person on that bus with their head on a swivel and getting stressed every time the convoy would slow down. It really is poor here. The camp was only a couple of miles from the airfield, but the entire way you're looking for suspicious activity. Afghans have long since learned to stay out of the way of the convoy and it showed. When we turned one corner, no car dared to try and get in between our cars. Children lined the streets, some waving, some staring. Most were wearing their traditional clothing but some had on t-shirts with random graphics. One teenager even had on a very bright purple chiffon looking shirt with popped collars that was out of place amidst the craters and crude mud houses along the street. But business is business. I saw a car sales lot named NO LEMONS, and a sign to match the name (a lemon with a circle and line through it). And these people are ingenious; for a security fence, the lot had normal mud-brick walls about 9 feet high, but when it was made the owner inserted broken glass into the top of the wet mud while it dried. Anyone trying to climb it at night would be in for a sore morning.
Anyway, these people burn every kind of waste they create and there is actually a curtain of smog surrounding the city. Good for me, I won't be here the entire year. I'll be headed to a location far enough away that the smog won't really affect us.
Today we are voluntelling a few people to go on a convoy to get our luggage. Now, convoys are dangerous. And we're gonna send people on one to get luggage. Why? Because it never made it on our plane for some reason. Ben please do something with your airmates or whatever you call each other.
So I'm just 'dwelling' again until we can do our indoc class and then I can finally get started. Bad news is, I have nothing to do, good news is, the clock is ticking into my boots on ground (BOG) date. It's a fair trade I suppose, just seems like a waste of money for the Navy to send me here to sit around for 2 weeks doing nothing. I'm ready to work.
Actually, looking back and remembering '07 deployment, the Navy gets their work out of you. I calculated my pay for 2007 and the amount of hours worked and it was around 17 cents an hour. But at least I got that 17 cents for every hour I slept, too. Sleeping DOES pay off...just not much.
I know I wasn't the only person on that bus with their head on a swivel and getting stressed every time the convoy would slow down. It really is poor here. The camp was only a couple of miles from the airfield, but the entire way you're looking for suspicious activity. Afghans have long since learned to stay out of the way of the convoy and it showed. When we turned one corner, no car dared to try and get in between our cars. Children lined the streets, some waving, some staring. Most were wearing their traditional clothing but some had on t-shirts with random graphics. One teenager even had on a very bright purple chiffon looking shirt with popped collars that was out of place amidst the craters and crude mud houses along the street. But business is business. I saw a car sales lot named NO LEMONS, and a sign to match the name (a lemon with a circle and line through it). And these people are ingenious; for a security fence, the lot had normal mud-brick walls about 9 feet high, but when it was made the owner inserted broken glass into the top of the wet mud while it dried. Anyone trying to climb it at night would be in for a sore morning.
Anyway, these people burn every kind of waste they create and there is actually a curtain of smog surrounding the city. Good for me, I won't be here the entire year. I'll be headed to a location far enough away that the smog won't really affect us.
Today we are voluntelling a few people to go on a convoy to get our luggage. Now, convoys are dangerous. And we're gonna send people on one to get luggage. Why? Because it never made it on our plane for some reason. Ben please do something with your airmates or whatever you call each other.
So I'm just 'dwelling' again until we can do our indoc class and then I can finally get started. Bad news is, I have nothing to do, good news is, the clock is ticking into my boots on ground (BOG) date. It's a fair trade I suppose, just seems like a waste of money for the Navy to send me here to sit around for 2 weeks doing nothing. I'm ready to work.
Actually, looking back and remembering '07 deployment, the Navy gets their work out of you. I calculated my pay for 2007 and the amount of hours worked and it was around 17 cents an hour. But at least I got that 17 cents for every hour I slept, too. Sleeping DOES pay off...just not much.
Monday, May 25, 2009
The Air Force is trying to kill me.
At least that's what I'm going with...
Where have I been for the past three days? Spin your globe to the middle east and pick a major airport between Kuwait and Kabul and I've probably slept there. And I wish that were a joke.
The very day we get back from the range (previous post), we have to pack our stuff and head to the airport for a 0200 flight. Mind you, we were up that morning at 0400, so 22 hours have passed since we got on our plane. Which of course didn't leave until 0400. No sleep. 24 hours. Okay, I'm fine, whatever. It could be worse...
An hour and a half into our flight I was serenely napping. Have your ever seen a movie where someone wakes up to alarms and people are running around shouting and panicking? Yeah, been there, bought the stinkin T-shirt now. Klaxxons were blazing, lights were flashing, the people on the outside of plane had those masks next to their faces and were putting them on. I thought "Wow, maybe I should be doing something?" Luckily, I had, out of sheer curiosity, examined the oxygen-producing bag in the seat in front of me so I kinda knew how it worked. I say luckily because I was sleeping when they explained how to use it.
So this big fat C-17 is losing cabin pressure fast and I have the dumb look on my face that says "Huh? Is this a drill I can sleep through?" Supply Officers are notorious for taking their racks as battlestations during drills. This facade faded when I saw the aircrew guys jumping around in the seats and helping people get their masks on. If I had been up front and saw one of the aircrew girls crying, I would have needed help changing my pants later. Anyway, I put this thing on my head and pull the red ball that makes it create oxygen with chemicals and subsequently create alot of heat in the process.
This sounds exciting, I know. Please contain yourselves, it wasn't fun. Until the plane started to dive. Now ... I didn't know why it was diving, and like most everyone else, just figured it was broke and we were gonna, well, die. I find out later the pilot wants to get us to an altitude that actually has oxygen. Which leads me to my new status as a Qatari immigrant.
Yep, we had to immigrate to Qatar for the night. I say 'night' loosely. We were there maybe 18 hours. After we leave there, we get to Bagram and get another brief that was pretty much identical to the one we got in San Diego, then Ft Jackson, then Ft Jackson again (i'm not joking), then in Kuwait...you get the idea. I'm actually surprised they didn't just give it to us in Qatar as well. We stay over night in Bagram and leave this morning at 0930 from our tents for a 1300 flight. Anyone wanna guess how far away the airport is? Let me put it this way...if I were to accidentally on purpose have a raging fit of anger and throw all my belongings onto the main road outside the tent while suggesting loudly that the Air Force was primarily manned by people romantically linked to animals, the passenger terminal could hear me.
But whatever, there shipmates, you drink your freaking kool-aid and sit down. I'm so used to this, that I'm like a robot. I discontinued using my brain long ago, because, despite what the officer corps tells you, you don't need it to operate or understand the Air Force flight planning model. I'm pretty sure they use 5 year olds and high school dropouts from Kazakhstan to run things. "It's niiice!"
I'm going to bed before I get bitter....
Where have I been for the past three days? Spin your globe to the middle east and pick a major airport between Kuwait and Kabul and I've probably slept there. And I wish that were a joke.
The very day we get back from the range (previous post), we have to pack our stuff and head to the airport for a 0200 flight. Mind you, we were up that morning at 0400, so 22 hours have passed since we got on our plane. Which of course didn't leave until 0400. No sleep. 24 hours. Okay, I'm fine, whatever. It could be worse...
An hour and a half into our flight I was serenely napping. Have your ever seen a movie where someone wakes up to alarms and people are running around shouting and panicking? Yeah, been there, bought the stinkin T-shirt now. Klaxxons were blazing, lights were flashing, the people on the outside of plane had those masks next to their faces and were putting them on. I thought "Wow, maybe I should be doing something?" Luckily, I had, out of sheer curiosity, examined the oxygen-producing bag in the seat in front of me so I kinda knew how it worked. I say luckily because I was sleeping when they explained how to use it.
So this big fat C-17 is losing cabin pressure fast and I have the dumb look on my face that says "Huh? Is this a drill I can sleep through?" Supply Officers are notorious for taking their racks as battlestations during drills. This facade faded when I saw the aircrew guys jumping around in the seats and helping people get their masks on. If I had been up front and saw one of the aircrew girls crying, I would have needed help changing my pants later. Anyway, I put this thing on my head and pull the red ball that makes it create oxygen with chemicals and subsequently create alot of heat in the process.
This sounds exciting, I know. Please contain yourselves, it wasn't fun. Until the plane started to dive. Now ... I didn't know why it was diving, and like most everyone else, just figured it was broke and we were gonna, well, die. I find out later the pilot wants to get us to an altitude that actually has oxygen. Which leads me to my new status as a Qatari immigrant.
Yep, we had to immigrate to Qatar for the night. I say 'night' loosely. We were there maybe 18 hours. After we leave there, we get to Bagram and get another brief that was pretty much identical to the one we got in San Diego, then Ft Jackson, then Ft Jackson again (i'm not joking), then in Kuwait...you get the idea. I'm actually surprised they didn't just give it to us in Qatar as well. We stay over night in Bagram and leave this morning at 0930 from our tents for a 1300 flight. Anyone wanna guess how far away the airport is? Let me put it this way...if I were to accidentally on purpose have a raging fit of anger and throw all my belongings onto the main road outside the tent while suggesting loudly that the Air Force was primarily manned by people romantically linked to animals, the passenger terminal could hear me.
But whatever, there shipmates, you drink your freaking kool-aid and sit down. I'm so used to this, that I'm like a robot. I discontinued using my brain long ago, because, despite what the officer corps tells you, you don't need it to operate or understand the Air Force flight planning model. I'm pretty sure they use 5 year olds and high school dropouts from Kazakhstan to run things. "It's niiice!"
I'm going to bed before I get bitter....
Friday, May 22, 2009
Home on the Udairi Range
Strap yourselves in; gonna be a long one.
We left Camp Virginia on Wednesday around 1300 (that's 1pm for all you civilian types) for the Udairi Range. Not a long trip, but we rode the bus in full armor. We arrive around 1430 or so (just add an hour and a half to 1pm) and subsequently ground our gear. Then we picked it up and took it somewhere else. Then we were told to pick it up and bring it inside. About 20 seconds later, we were told to leave it where we were already standing. Anyone but me getting flashbacks?
You'd be proud of me, though. I made the wise choice. Knowing full well the likelihood that whoever was in charge PROBABLY didn't know what to do, I stood my ground. This is where my good time begins! As soon as the aforementioned 'HNIC' (google it and look for it in Urban Dictionary, it's worth it) told us to leave our stuff in the second spot, two people had tantrums and BAM! I literally bathed in happiness as it left their bodies. It was the moment that made the last three days worth every unopposable grain of sand I can't find on my body.
Now I realize that it's not right to relish in someone else's anguish. However, it would just be bad economics to allow that happiness to go free. Okay, enough of that. After the tantrums, we got inside our tent that served as classroom/sleeping area. Had a nice little class about convoy tactics and battle stuff, army, army, army...Sorry Uncle Ron, I know it will save my life, and I promise I listened, but I just wanted to shoot something. We downloaded alot of good combat info and then moved chairs around so the 40 of us could sleep on the floor. I found all the smokers outside on the way to the head. I may have also made some comment about scorpions and their affinity for smoke, etc, etc...I don't remember.
Aside: I realize that this was kinda wrong, too, but you have to understand I spent 2 years on a submarine. My scope of what's entertaining has been, how shall I say, 'illuminated' to the joys of sowing a little discord for my enjoyment. A few months before decom started, I took this one officer's hat and gave it to another officer to wear (he thought it was his own). But I held onto it for a week or so to build his frustration. So it wasn't just the small altercation between them in the middle of Muster that made it worth it, it was the fact that all that work paid off.
Okay, back on point. Went to the range Thursday morning and shot about 60 rounds or so, some while walking. This one girl that was standing next to me kept ending up behind me while we were doin the walk and shoot. It brought to mind the comment the range master made before we got started: "If someone gets shot, don't rush to help them, we have people for that." Huh? This happens so much they have a SOP for it? So the range was exciting in several ways for me.
That night we did another class and the TCs (truck commanders) and Convoy Commander came up with our battle plan and briefed us all that night. All good plans...
Friday morning, 0430, Reveille. No bugels, just plenty of snoring. Not by me, I slept on my stomach to keep from getting gagged at night. We loaded up the trucks and I got some good pictures (I'll post them when I get a chance) before we mounted and headed off to our Start Point. Our first checkpoint was the second traffic circle we came to. The Army hires TCN (third country nationals) to help us practice and there were a bunch of them in this little 'town.' Didn't really matter. We went through that thing so fast, that the suicide 'bomber' we never saw didn't have a chance to get close. Hey! Don't make fun, we're Navy. I buy food, parts and torpedoes for a living :)
After that was some fun stuff but would honestly be boring to read it. We sang alot of Garth in the truck while we were moving and keeping our eyes peeled for 'IED' indications. At one point, a vehicle got hit by one and there was an ambush to go with it. Once again, they employ TCNs to point fake weapons at us for realism. So I'm in the Aid and Litter vehicle...guess what I get to do? I get to run my up-armored tail to the damaged vehicle and fish out the injured/dead people and bring them to another vehicle! Yeah! When we practiced it Thursday night, we did it without body armor and I almost died hauling this 250lb guy about 200ft. Today it was just a 130lb female, so worked out much better for my heart and back. We did pretty well for our second time ever doing it, if you ask me (really, who else would you ask?). Eventually the instructors reset all the dead and injured so we could keep driving and what happens next? The lead vehicle runs right over a tripwire and triggers an IED in a disabled vehicle. Luckily that was the end of our route and we were told to wrap it up.
So that about sums up our last few days. Now I'm sitting at Starbucks, belly full of MREs and Dulce de Leche Frappucinos. We'll find out in about an hour when we'll be leaving. Because they schedule this range thing at the end, I'll be leaving the country with dirty laundry.
...come on, I'm a sailor, I had to wrap it up with a complaint!
We left Camp Virginia on Wednesday around 1300 (that's 1pm for all you civilian types) for the Udairi Range. Not a long trip, but we rode the bus in full armor. We arrive around 1430 or so (just add an hour and a half to 1pm) and subsequently ground our gear. Then we picked it up and took it somewhere else. Then we were told to pick it up and bring it inside. About 20 seconds later, we were told to leave it where we were already standing. Anyone but me getting flashbacks?
You'd be proud of me, though. I made the wise choice. Knowing full well the likelihood that whoever was in charge PROBABLY didn't know what to do, I stood my ground. This is where my good time begins! As soon as the aforementioned 'HNIC' (google it and look for it in Urban Dictionary, it's worth it) told us to leave our stuff in the second spot, two people had tantrums and BAM! I literally bathed in happiness as it left their bodies. It was the moment that made the last three days worth every unopposable grain of sand I can't find on my body.
Now I realize that it's not right to relish in someone else's anguish. However, it would just be bad economics to allow that happiness to go free. Okay, enough of that. After the tantrums, we got inside our tent that served as classroom/sleeping area. Had a nice little class about convoy tactics and battle stuff, army, army, army...Sorry Uncle Ron, I know it will save my life, and I promise I listened, but I just wanted to shoot something. We downloaded alot of good combat info and then moved chairs around so the 40 of us could sleep on the floor. I found all the smokers outside on the way to the head. I may have also made some comment about scorpions and their affinity for smoke, etc, etc...I don't remember.
Aside: I realize that this was kinda wrong, too, but you have to understand I spent 2 years on a submarine. My scope of what's entertaining has been, how shall I say, 'illuminated' to the joys of sowing a little discord for my enjoyment. A few months before decom started, I took this one officer's hat and gave it to another officer to wear (he thought it was his own). But I held onto it for a week or so to build his frustration. So it wasn't just the small altercation between them in the middle of Muster that made it worth it, it was the fact that all that work paid off.
Okay, back on point. Went to the range Thursday morning and shot about 60 rounds or so, some while walking. This one girl that was standing next to me kept ending up behind me while we were doin the walk and shoot. It brought to mind the comment the range master made before we got started: "If someone gets shot, don't rush to help them, we have people for that." Huh? This happens so much they have a SOP for it? So the range was exciting in several ways for me.
That night we did another class and the TCs (truck commanders) and Convoy Commander came up with our battle plan and briefed us all that night. All good plans...
Friday morning, 0430, Reveille. No bugels, just plenty of snoring. Not by me, I slept on my stomach to keep from getting gagged at night. We loaded up the trucks and I got some good pictures (I'll post them when I get a chance) before we mounted and headed off to our Start Point. Our first checkpoint was the second traffic circle we came to. The Army hires TCN (third country nationals) to help us practice and there were a bunch of them in this little 'town.' Didn't really matter. We went through that thing so fast, that the suicide 'bomber' we never saw didn't have a chance to get close. Hey! Don't make fun, we're Navy. I buy food, parts and torpedoes for a living :)
After that was some fun stuff but would honestly be boring to read it. We sang alot of Garth in the truck while we were moving and keeping our eyes peeled for 'IED' indications. At one point, a vehicle got hit by one and there was an ambush to go with it. Once again, they employ TCNs to point fake weapons at us for realism. So I'm in the Aid and Litter vehicle...guess what I get to do? I get to run my up-armored tail to the damaged vehicle and fish out the injured/dead people and bring them to another vehicle! Yeah! When we practiced it Thursday night, we did it without body armor and I almost died hauling this 250lb guy about 200ft. Today it was just a 130lb female, so worked out much better for my heart and back. We did pretty well for our second time ever doing it, if you ask me (really, who else would you ask?). Eventually the instructors reset all the dead and injured so we could keep driving and what happens next? The lead vehicle runs right over a tripwire and triggers an IED in a disabled vehicle. Luckily that was the end of our route and we were told to wrap it up.
So that about sums up our last few days. Now I'm sitting at Starbucks, belly full of MREs and Dulce de Leche Frappucinos. We'll find out in about an hour when we'll be leaving. Because they schedule this range thing at the end, I'll be leaving the country with dirty laundry.
...come on, I'm a sailor, I had to wrap it up with a complaint!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydr...blegh
Standby for the Hydrate-a-thon of 2009. I'm headed to the desert (I mean, the REAL desert) today. Desert that looks the same from all directions, and there is no Starbucks, yet.
We'll be camping out there tonight and tomorrow night for some good ole range time! Whew! I really felt that I didn't get enough range time in SC, so I'm happy we're getting more. In the desert. 130 degrees. In full body armor. I guess that as a condolence to us, we get MREs with heaters this time. Heated food, in the desert.
Exactly. But anyway, this is gonna be fun I think. There's an old submarine adage we refer to as the Finite Happiness Theorem. You see, when the hatch on a submarine closes, there is a finite amount of happiness contained within. If you want to be more happy, you have to steal it from someone else. It simply MUST apply to the desert. So that will be my focus while I'm there. I'm gonna smile, sing, whistle, and point out how much fun I'm having while everyone is complaining. This is a fool-proof plan. I can't lose. Your happiness will be mine!
I should be at my final destination sometime this weekend.
Here's a pic of the airport area..and no, there's nothing wrong with my lens...it's really that dusty outside.
We'll be camping out there tonight and tomorrow night for some good ole range time! Whew! I really felt that I didn't get enough range time in SC, so I'm happy we're getting more. In the desert. 130 degrees. In full body armor. I guess that as a condolence to us, we get MREs with heaters this time. Heated food, in the desert.
Exactly. But anyway, this is gonna be fun I think. There's an old submarine adage we refer to as the Finite Happiness Theorem. You see, when the hatch on a submarine closes, there is a finite amount of happiness contained within. If you want to be more happy, you have to steal it from someone else. It simply MUST apply to the desert. So that will be my focus while I'm there. I'm gonna smile, sing, whistle, and point out how much fun I'm having while everyone is complaining. This is a fool-proof plan. I can't lose. Your happiness will be mine!
I should be at my final destination sometime this weekend.
Here's a pic of the airport area..and no, there's nothing wrong with my lens...it's really that dusty outside.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Okay, it's hot here....
But it actually rained last night. In the desert. Huh?
Anyway, it's pretty freaking hot in Kuwait, luckily in Afghanistan it's much cooler. It even snows during the winter. We'll be heading out Wednesday to camp out in the desert to further our experience in desert living - sounds like a home design magazine.
The heat isn't so bad, but everything has a film of dust on it. And it's not really dust, it's sand. The sand here is so fine that to make cement these people actually have to import SAND to make it. OUR sand. Funny huh.
Camp Virginia isn't so bad though. There's buildings set up in fairly close areas to go shopping or get fast food. Make no mistake, this camp is luxurious compared to most of them out there. They even have a McDonalds here, not that I really want that or vomit-inducing Hole-n-One donuts in this heat. I'll put some pics of my glorious tent up later, something
you will all enjoy seeing.
Anyway, it's pretty freaking hot in Kuwait, luckily in Afghanistan it's much cooler. It even snows during the winter. We'll be heading out Wednesday to camp out in the desert to further our experience in desert living - sounds like a home design magazine.
The heat isn't so bad, but everything has a film of dust on it. And it's not really dust, it's sand. The sand here is so fine that to make cement these people actually have to import SAND to make it. OUR sand. Funny huh.
Camp Virginia isn't so bad though. There's buildings set up in fairly close areas to go shopping or get fast food. Make no mistake, this camp is luxurious compared to most of them out there. They even have a McDonalds here, not that I really want that or vomit-inducing Hole-n-One donuts in this heat. I'll put some pics of my glorious tent up later, something
you will all enjoy seeing.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Germany Layover
Hangin out in Leipzig and I just paid about 10 bucks for an hour of internet access. We've been in the air for almost 20 hours now. Our layovers in Canada and Iceland were pretty short. The airport in Keflivik was so small that most people didn't bother going through the security search to get in...which, by the way, made no sense.
They check you before you leave the terminal, but not as you're coming back into it. I guess they think us Americans are smuggling cigarettes in (smoking is illegal in Iceland). The trip hasn't been too bad. The crew has been great, we get food when we want it and water all the time, so I can't complain one iota. At this point, being strapped to a ceiling fan while getting whipped with a wet spaghetti noodle is better than being at Camp McCrady...
They check you before you leave the terminal, but not as you're coming back into it. I guess they think us Americans are smuggling cigarettes in (smoking is illegal in Iceland). The trip hasn't been too bad. The crew has been great, we get food when we want it and water all the time, so I can't complain one iota. At this point, being strapped to a ceiling fan while getting whipped with a wet spaghetti noodle is better than being at Camp McCrady...
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Last day at McCrady
Thank God.
We're headed out super early, just after midnight. We have three stops on the way to Kuwait. Canada, Iceland and Germany. Roughly 24 hours of traveling and I haven't finished stocking up on beef jerky. We also have a bunch of briefs today that could have been distributed evenly about our 2.5 weeks here, but for whatever reason they decided to pack it in today, the day we need to just relax and finish packing.
Yesterday we did our convoy ops. It was alright, people 'died' and we all learned. Someone got a pic of me driving one of the humvees so if I can get that, I'll post it.
We're headed out super early, just after midnight. We have three stops on the way to Kuwait. Canada, Iceland and Germany. Roughly 24 hours of traveling and I haven't finished stocking up on beef jerky. We also have a bunch of briefs today that could have been distributed evenly about our 2.5 weeks here, but for whatever reason they decided to pack it in today, the day we need to just relax and finish packing.
Yesterday we did our convoy ops. It was alright, people 'died' and we all learned. Someone got a pic of me driving one of the humvees so if I can get that, I'll post it.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sunday Again
Well, I have to say I am decidedly disappointed that Sunday night is here again. It means that Monday is coming and we have a full day tomorrow, in IBAs. I have begun to despise this place after two weeks. I'm ready to get over there and start my job.
One of the people I am working for at Camp Dubs has recently sent me an email outlining some of the job responsibilities and it is a LONG list. I believe she will be there splitting them with me or vice versa, so it shouldn't be too bad. The first month or two is the roughest while you get settled into your new job; always.
Mom, Bryan, thanks from coming to see me. Makes the weekend that much better. Lisa, it was so wonderful to get to spend one last day with you before I leave. I love you and I miss you already.
I'm headed to Kuwait later this week and while I'm ready to get started on my new job, I'm sad to leave you all. But then, that must be why they make this place so annoying...so you still want to go when they're done with you.
One of the people I am working for at Camp Dubs has recently sent me an email outlining some of the job responsibilities and it is a LONG list. I believe she will be there splitting them with me or vice versa, so it shouldn't be too bad. The first month or two is the roughest while you get settled into your new job; always.
Mom, Bryan, thanks from coming to see me. Makes the weekend that much better. Lisa, it was so wonderful to get to spend one last day with you before I leave. I love you and I miss you already.
I'm headed to Kuwait later this week and while I'm ready to get started on my new job, I'm sad to leave you all. But then, that must be why they make this place so annoying...so you still want to go when they're done with you.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Hooa....ugh....
Past few days have been pretty rough. I like to believe the best of our drill instructors. I like to believe that when they have us put our gear on, file onto the road, select a few people going to one final destination, then have the rest of us go back to our seating and ground our gear, it's because they want us to get used to donning it.
That's what I WANT to believe. Much like I want to believe that one day my abs will look like Brad Pitt's. Okay, enough moaning...
So yesterday we did our M16 quals (for real this time). Got a 33 out of 40, which I guess is a sharpshooter. I think I missed expert by 1 point. Today was pretty long. Up at 345 for low light 9mm qual that we ended up NOT doing because of lightning within 25 miles (25!). The military has a way of saving your life while sacrificing your sanity. It's what we do.
Then we got to (drum roll), fire .50 cal and SAWs. The .50 cal is like a small cannon and when it fires near you, it rattles your teeth. Firing that was the most fun I've had in a long time, especially here. The SAW is an automatic machine gun and is almost as much fun as launching shells from your crotchal region with the aforementioned cannon. I'm in the NARMY now!
I know I said I'd post pics, but I'm so freakin tired right now, it's gonna have to wait til I have the energy to do it.
That's what I WANT to believe. Much like I want to believe that one day my abs will look like Brad Pitt's. Okay, enough moaning...
So yesterday we did our M16 quals (for real this time). Got a 33 out of 40, which I guess is a sharpshooter. I think I missed expert by 1 point. Today was pretty long. Up at 345 for low light 9mm qual that we ended up NOT doing because of lightning within 25 miles (25!). The military has a way of saving your life while sacrificing your sanity. It's what we do.
Then we got to (drum roll), fire .50 cal and SAWs. The .50 cal is like a small cannon and when it fires near you, it rattles your teeth. Firing that was the most fun I've had in a long time, especially here. The SAW is an automatic machine gun and is almost as much fun as launching shells from your crotchal region with the aforementioned cannon. I'm in the NARMY now!
I know I said I'd post pics, but I'm so freakin tired right now, it's gonna have to wait til I have the energy to do it.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Have fun Noah!
So I got a 28 out of 40 on the qual range today. Much better than my first time. I've learned that once I readjust myself I tend to shoot really well if I wasn't shooting well to begin with.
Tomorrow is actual qual day, and then Thursday is some more range time. We almost lost our range time today due to the weather. Let's hope if it rains on Saturday during Land Nav, it starts after we've started our march, not before.
Noah's headed to boot camp tomorrow. Good luck man, love ya. If anyone reading this has his address or gets it soon, please send it to me so I can send him some good pics.
Tomorrow is actual qual day, and then Thursday is some more range time. We almost lost our range time today due to the weather. Let's hope if it rains on Saturday during Land Nav, it starts after we've started our march, not before.
Noah's headed to boot camp tomorrow. Good luck man, love ya. If anyone reading this has his address or gets it soon, please send it to me so I can send him some good pics.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Cleaning
my M16...again...this place is full of M16 cleaning nazis.
Anyway, we hit the range again tomorrow. Today was cake, just some first aid stuff.
I'll post pics tomorrow of myself in Battle Rattle. There's nothing exciting going on at the moment. Just had a nice weekend is all. Dad and girlfriend came to see me, always good to see peeps, even though I have to tear myself away from the raging nightlife that is Camp McCrady. I mean, the shoppette shuts down at 2000! CRAAAZZZY MAN!
Anyway, we hit the range again tomorrow. Today was cake, just some first aid stuff.
I'll post pics tomorrow of myself in Battle Rattle. There's nothing exciting going on at the moment. Just had a nice weekend is all. Dad and girlfriend came to see me, always good to see peeps, even though I have to tear myself away from the raging nightlife that is Camp McCrady. I mean, the shoppette shuts down at 2000! CRAAAZZZY MAN!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Sunday
First Sunday...ahhhhh... slept til 730, what a day. We had very little training yesterday (4 hours) and today is full liberty day. Friday we were at a pop up target range which I did pretty well on (the guy watching my targets kept saying "Center Mass!", so I must have done well).
If I can, I'm goin to go get a massage today...my shoulders don't feel normal unless they have 60lbs of weight on them. That ain't right.
If I can, I'm goin to go get a massage today...my shoulders don't feel normal unless they have 60lbs of weight on them. That ain't right.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Deadeye
Just got done cleaning my M16 and M9. Pretty good at dismantling them. We were at the range today and had to get our weapons sighted in. The army calls it "grouping and zeroing." Got a pretty tight center. As soon as I get a cable for my camera I'll upload the picture of how tight my groups were. All within about 4cm, center body mass.
It was mostly fun, but we were in our IBA (Interceptor Body Armor) all day long. And when we did our M9 quals we had to wear it. There's even a stress fire we do where we have to take shots, go prone, take shots, reload, get up, run to a 'window', fire, run to a barricade, fire....etc. Gets tough in that armor, but it was the most fun.
Tomorrow is another virtual firing range with a different scenario and pop up targets. It's like a video game, so I should ace it.....
It was mostly fun, but we were in our IBA (Interceptor Body Armor) all day long. And when we did our M9 quals we had to wear it. There's even a stress fire we do where we have to take shots, go prone, take shots, reload, get up, run to a 'window', fire, run to a barricade, fire....etc. Gets tough in that armor, but it was the most fun.
Tomorrow is another virtual firing range with a different scenario and pop up targets. It's like a video game, so I should ace it.....
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
3rd day of Training
It's been GLORIOUS here at sunny Camp McGrady, part of Ft. Jackson. I've been trying to pass out while in my body armor so I can make sick call and avoid another hour of wearing said armor, but it seems pretty tough to do without head trauma or dehydration. And I'm too much of a wuss to not drink water when I'm baking in my armor. It weighs around 60lbs, not counting the M16 and M9 I have to carry. The fun part is getting to occasionally hear someone fire off a blank by accident because they didn't clear their weapon correctly. The chaos brims me with euphoria. One guy with a red face in the middle of a platoon of startled people, a laughing drill seargent...it's like satellite but different.
Anyway, we start our range training tomorrow. Has been long days, but gonna be even longer starting tomorrow. We'll be wearing our "Battle Rattle" all day. I get this vision in my head of the seargents watching us sweat and taking bets on who passes out first. I'm also not convinced it's not an accurate account of their behaviour.
And an interesting thing about the Army is that everyone says "Hooah" all the time. I've heard it used as a question; "So don't point your weapon at someone else, hooah?" What does that mean? And when someone else says it, you're supposed to say it back. I can just imagine two army guys getting into a hooah loop where they both forgot who said it first and it never ends.
I may write more tomorrow, I may come back to squad bay and die. Not sure which yet, but I'm sure the army guys have already voted.
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