Upon return from BN HQ, my LT Glitz was already gone. I immediately took the reins of XO and--over the next two weeks--did a lot of work with RESET. In simple terms, RESET is the way the Army labels the slow turn-in of equipment.
Millions of dollars of equipment was turned in over the past month, and there is much to come in the next week when we ramp up for a new month. It doesn't involve a simple, "Here you go." Cleaning, inventories, paperwork, and monotony all characterize RESET as a drawn-out system.
Very glad to be done with the biggest of our turn-ins.
27 March 2011
23 March 2011
Stuck for Protests
Unbelievable. I simply cannot believe it's been so long since my last post. So busy!
Not really much has happened at all though, so no big deal. I mean there was moving to BN HQ and getting stuck there for a week for the Iraqi Day of Rage travel halt. There was returning to take the XO position at the cusp of turning in the good bulk of millions of dollars of comm equipment. There was the Egyptian revolution.
The very plates of the earth seem to be shifting underneath us: Oh wait, they actual are... Well the nuclear meltdown should help distract us from that!
And now I guess there's some sort of small irrelevant thing going on in Libya (can you smell the sarcasm yet?)
Anyway, I've spent time putting together detailed recaps of events before--and now may the most appropriate of times--but for my own sanity I will shoot a few posts from the hip highlight style. I'm so gangsta.
-Finalized those inventories at COB Far Away. The odd experience of IDF was behind me. The nightmare of getting home followed.
-Stuck in transit for weather/protest travel halt with the BN for a week... Even after the Iraq-wide travel halt ended, there were still three frustrating days of haze keeping me off the bird. Lucky I even got to BN HQ from COB Far Away, because I got get into a more comfortable groove with the gym, sleep, and time.
This stint at BN HQ I worked on my own time, as I learned it was unnecessary to mirror LT Bro's day. It made for a bit of a break that, in retrospect, was a lifesaver. With that said, I was ready to get the hell out of there. Can't stand being idle. Especially in Iraq.
-Fun side note. In the last month, I've finished all of 'Dexter', most of it during that stint at BN and finished out at night when I had no business being up so late. Very engaging and dark series. Yet another TV show that I will continue to follow once I get home.
Not really much has happened at all though, so no big deal. I mean there was moving to BN HQ and getting stuck there for a week for the Iraqi Day of Rage travel halt. There was returning to take the XO position at the cusp of turning in the good bulk of millions of dollars of comm equipment. There was the Egyptian revolution.
The very plates of the earth seem to be shifting underneath us: Oh wait, they actual are... Well the nuclear meltdown should help distract us from that!
And now I guess there's some sort of small irrelevant thing going on in Libya (can you smell the sarcasm yet?)
Anyway, I've spent time putting together detailed recaps of events before--and now may the most appropriate of times--but for my own sanity I will shoot a few posts from the hip highlight style. I'm so gangsta.
-Finalized those inventories at COB Far Away. The odd experience of IDF was behind me. The nightmare of getting home followed.
-Stuck in transit for weather/protest travel halt with the BN for a week... Even after the Iraq-wide travel halt ended, there were still three frustrating days of haze keeping me off the bird. Lucky I even got to BN HQ from COB Far Away, because I got get into a more comfortable groove with the gym, sleep, and time.
This stint at BN HQ I worked on my own time, as I learned it was unnecessary to mirror LT Bro's day. It made for a bit of a break that, in retrospect, was a lifesaver. With that said, I was ready to get the hell out of there. Can't stand being idle. Especially in Iraq.
-Fun side note. In the last month, I've finished all of 'Dexter', most of it during that stint at BN and finished out at night when I had no business being up so late. Very engaging and dark series. Yet another TV show that I will continue to follow once I get home.
20 February 2011
COB Far Away. Boom.
I woke from my three-hour nap in a cubby hole at Camp Connection groggy and fatigued. My travel alarm is a real pain in the ass.
With my flak vest as a pillow, and all of my belongings packed to my sides, I had fashioned a room for myself—safe from the bright fluorescent lights of the terminal. Scooping out my gear, I stood up as the many other transients shuffled to the end of the cabinet row to hear the roll call. We geared up and moved outside to the twilight.
An aside: It still amazes me how much the civilians can outnumber the military population out here.
Standing on the flight line, I was surprised to hear the whirling of Chinooks. There is another attitude to those machines. Their mammoth size and innards make them fit for heavy cargo and a higher passenger capacity than Blackhawks.
As we left on our early morning flight towards COB Far Away, the Chinook feature I enjoyed most was the view allowed by the aircraft’s back hatch. With the city lights illuminating the hazy landscape below, we could have been flying over any city in the states. That illusion felt good.
The two soldiers stationed at the back of the craft, after checking the fortitude of their lifelines multiple times, lowered the back hatch and moved far enough to the edge to dangle their feet below. They sat in contentment—scanning around with their night-vision goggles.
Their silhouettes played audience to the lights that grew in size and blur from the haze and distance. The tranquility of the view printed in my sleep-deprived mind a snap shot that I will never forget.
Eventually, the lights became less frequent. One could see the city cluster become an afterthought. Then the lights grew sparse, and save for the moonlight, darkness was plenty. I knew we were getting closer.
We descended on the COB. The cement barrier welcomed all, as is customary.
SSG Finder met me with one of the other-company soldiers at the hangar. As we quietly made our way in the team’s only civilian truck, SSG Finder welcomed me to COB Far Away with sarcastic excitement.
“It’s beautiful,” I responded with matching attitude, “like nothing I have ever seen.”
A few moments later, full of stale seriousness, SSG Finder said, “Oh yeah, just so you know, sir, we get IDF here.” IDF stands for indirect fire, i.e. mortar rounds.
Answering my follow-up before I could ask it, he went answered, “Just had one yesterday. It hit by the mayor cell.”
I had heard of indirect fire (IDF) happening around Iraq while I was at the BN HQ (a few hit some of the neighboring bases in our AO), but the reality of such a close attack on such a recent date was intimidating. I resisted asking a thousand questions about it, but found that no one had been hurt recently though attacks can be as often as weekly.
I tried not to think much of it; most of us use this method.
That was until, after getting about an hour into my much-needed rest before restarting the day for inventories, I was interrupted by a knock on the door. It was SSG Finder.
“Just getting accountability, sir,” he blurted as I stared at him like a zombie, “There was an IDF round a few minutes ago. It didn’t detonate.”
Oh. I see. Alright then. Not knowing how to react, and too tired to care, I resumed zombification.
Another hour later, I was interrupted again. This time it was the post loudspeaker.
“Incoming, incoming, incoming. Incoming, incoming, incoming.”
The pre-recorded announcement later continued with something to the effect of, “All clear. Emergency terminated. Resume operations or complete recovery. And don’t run around like Chicken Little doing the Macarena.”
Roger, Mr. Announcer Guy. The sky is falling, but I will chill out. I can just use my reflector belt as a force field. No worries.
Suddenly, COB Home did not seem so bad. Reflecting on it though, even COB Home used to see its share of IDF from what my soldiers tell me. The lower frequency of attacks is a luxury, not a certainty.
The mini, harmless barrage was a tough reminder that there are still people here who just plain want us dead.
But again, I slept. I had work to do later.
Chicken Little, out.
** ** **
The next afternoon.
A short time after writing the preceding words and getting through a few chapters of The Count of Monte Cristo, a book I began reading about a week ago, I finally tried to get to bed. I wanted to write more about SSG Finder and the inventories I conducted after waking up from those brief mortar naps, but was again too tired. The experiences with IDF seemed sufficient for a day’s writing anyway.
Shortly thereafter was a loud thud. It sounded like a one of the neighbors had slammed the door, but the accompanying rumble was out of the norm for such a thing.
“Incoming, incoming, incoming. Incoming, incoming, incoming.”
For a third time, the shells fell.
After a few minutes I checked outside, and then just sat there on the bed. The warm weather and the full moon’s light must be enough to encourage the attackers. That or I just have excellent luck.
I had felt the shake from this one, and it shook me a bit inside. In a moment of grave pessimism, I took out my Moleskine out and wrote, “I love my family.” I got back to sleep.
Today has been a lazy Sunday—a weekly treat I am glad to keep even in travel. With the inventories finished, getting into too much here would just be overstepping the other-company chain of command.
SSG Finder came by and we went by some of the local national shops (better known by the politically correct moniker: ‘Haji shops’). The selection of DVDs, electronics, and other trinkets still impress me. I still have not been able to find something good enough to warrant a trip to get cash for though.
I delighted in watching SSG Finder look for movies and shows his wife might like. It is always refreshing to see soldiers do things for their family, or to hear fond words for them. Even with the forced stoicism that our profession often dictates, one can often see the devotion that goes beyond the few glimpses of home that an individual may allow publicly.
Sitting here in my temporary dwelling, ready to continue traveling to finish these inventories, I think of my family with a smile.
With my flak vest as a pillow, and all of my belongings packed to my sides, I had fashioned a room for myself—safe from the bright fluorescent lights of the terminal. Scooping out my gear, I stood up as the many other transients shuffled to the end of the cabinet row to hear the roll call. We geared up and moved outside to the twilight.
An aside: It still amazes me how much the civilians can outnumber the military population out here.
Standing on the flight line, I was surprised to hear the whirling of Chinooks. There is another attitude to those machines. Their mammoth size and innards make them fit for heavy cargo and a higher passenger capacity than Blackhawks.
As we left on our early morning flight towards COB Far Away, the Chinook feature I enjoyed most was the view allowed by the aircraft’s back hatch. With the city lights illuminating the hazy landscape below, we could have been flying over any city in the states. That illusion felt good.
The two soldiers stationed at the back of the craft, after checking the fortitude of their lifelines multiple times, lowered the back hatch and moved far enough to the edge to dangle their feet below. They sat in contentment—scanning around with their night-vision goggles.
Their silhouettes played audience to the lights that grew in size and blur from the haze and distance. The tranquility of the view printed in my sleep-deprived mind a snap shot that I will never forget.
Eventually, the lights became less frequent. One could see the city cluster become an afterthought. Then the lights grew sparse, and save for the moonlight, darkness was plenty. I knew we were getting closer.
We descended on the COB. The cement barrier welcomed all, as is customary.
SSG Finder met me with one of the other-company soldiers at the hangar. As we quietly made our way in the team’s only civilian truck, SSG Finder welcomed me to COB Far Away with sarcastic excitement.
“It’s beautiful,” I responded with matching attitude, “like nothing I have ever seen.”
A few moments later, full of stale seriousness, SSG Finder said, “Oh yeah, just so you know, sir, we get IDF here.” IDF stands for indirect fire, i.e. mortar rounds.
Answering my follow-up before I could ask it, he went answered, “Just had one yesterday. It hit by the mayor cell.”
I had heard of indirect fire (IDF) happening around Iraq while I was at the BN HQ (a few hit some of the neighboring bases in our AO), but the reality of such a close attack on such a recent date was intimidating. I resisted asking a thousand questions about it, but found that no one had been hurt recently though attacks can be as often as weekly.
I tried not to think much of it; most of us use this method.
That was until, after getting about an hour into my much-needed rest before restarting the day for inventories, I was interrupted by a knock on the door. It was SSG Finder.
“Just getting accountability, sir,” he blurted as I stared at him like a zombie, “There was an IDF round a few minutes ago. It didn’t detonate.”
Oh. I see. Alright then. Not knowing how to react, and too tired to care, I resumed zombification.
Another hour later, I was interrupted again. This time it was the post loudspeaker.
“Incoming, incoming, incoming. Incoming, incoming, incoming.”
The pre-recorded announcement later continued with something to the effect of, “All clear. Emergency terminated. Resume operations or complete recovery. And don’t run around like Chicken Little doing the Macarena.”
Roger, Mr. Announcer Guy. The sky is falling, but I will chill out. I can just use my reflector belt as a force field. No worries.
Suddenly, COB Home did not seem so bad. Reflecting on it though, even COB Home used to see its share of IDF from what my soldiers tell me. The lower frequency of attacks is a luxury, not a certainty.
The mini, harmless barrage was a tough reminder that there are still people here who just plain want us dead.
But again, I slept. I had work to do later.
Chicken Little, out.
** ** **
The next afternoon.
A short time after writing the preceding words and getting through a few chapters of The Count of Monte Cristo, a book I began reading about a week ago, I finally tried to get to bed. I wanted to write more about SSG Finder and the inventories I conducted after waking up from those brief mortar naps, but was again too tired. The experiences with IDF seemed sufficient for a day’s writing anyway.
Shortly thereafter was a loud thud. It sounded like a one of the neighbors had slammed the door, but the accompanying rumble was out of the norm for such a thing.
“Incoming, incoming, incoming. Incoming, incoming, incoming.”
For a third time, the shells fell.
After a few minutes I checked outside, and then just sat there on the bed. The warm weather and the full moon’s light must be enough to encourage the attackers. That or I just have excellent luck.
I had felt the shake from this one, and it shook me a bit inside. In a moment of grave pessimism, I took out my Moleskine out and wrote, “I love my family.” I got back to sleep.
Today has been a lazy Sunday—a weekly treat I am glad to keep even in travel. With the inventories finished, getting into too much here would just be overstepping the other-company chain of command.
SSG Finder came by and we went by some of the local national shops (better known by the politically correct moniker: ‘Haji shops’). The selection of DVDs, electronics, and other trinkets still impress me. I still have not been able to find something good enough to warrant a trip to get cash for though.
I delighted in watching SSG Finder look for movies and shows his wife might like. It is always refreshing to see soldiers do things for their family, or to hear fond words for them. Even with the forced stoicism that our profession often dictates, one can often see the devotion that goes beyond the few glimpses of home that an individual may allow publicly.
Sitting here in my temporary dwelling, ready to continue traveling to finish these inventories, I think of my family with a smile.
Camp Connection
After a few long days of learning the true meaning of the placards reading “All flights are subject to change without notice”, I finally made it out of FOB Home to head to COB Far Away—the location of the only bit of my equipment not in my Company AO. Inventory travel has begun.
On the way here I was accompanied for most of the legs by SSG Phoenix and two other soldiers from my company HQ. Their presence was a great improvement from the past few days of lonely waiting. They were on the way to the battalion HQ, and I was lucky enough to catch the hop here about ten minutes after we landed; even got a nice seat up front with the two aircrew members.
The full-faced covers and humorous patches added to their helmets make them seem to be from a different Army. In many ways they are. I still do nothing but wish I could have been an aviator or scheme up ways to become one every time I fly. The signal side has a lot of positives, but you cannot fly around all hooah on an antenna dish. I digress in my jealousy.
Iraq from above.
The scenes and movement below is active, varied, and eye-opening. The countryside paints a deeper picture than ones own knee-jerk reaction to the word Iraq. There is color to it.
Yes, there are decrepit shantytowns, smoke, trash, and nothingness, but there are also children playing soccer, farmers tending the crops, countrymen herding sheep, and villagers getting followed by their dogs as they bike down their own familiar driveways.
Between the cities, crop circles mark and polka dot the sparse desert flatland. It seems that even with nothing, man makes something. The rivers are the only source of fertility anywhere, but the long-handed irrigation machines fill in green within their own own circular reach.
I now sit here in the Camp Connection PAX terminal after a good hearty lunch, a lone game of pool, and a shoulder workout. Other than the flying, it has been a ‘normal’ day so far. This base is smaller than COB Home, but with the smaller size, comes more convenient foot travel to the facilities. With all the time in the world to wait for my early morning connection, I have a moment for a healthy pause.
Thankfully, I stocked up on a few movies from one of my soldier’s share drives before I left. One must find distraction or sleep, because military terminals feel even more like purgatory than an airport terminal back home. At least at ATL, IAD, wherever, one can people watch as others move in between the heavens. Here is a sterile room, a TV, some rows of chairs, and the others service members waiting around with you. And it’s not a trip to see granny in Florida or attend a conference in Vegas. It’s a trip to Somewhere, Iraq.
____
On the way here I was accompanied for most of the legs by SSG Phoenix and two other soldiers from my company HQ. Their presence was a great improvement from the past few days of lonely waiting. They were on the way to the battalion HQ, and I was lucky enough to catch the hop here about ten minutes after we landed; even got a nice seat up front with the two aircrew members.
The full-faced covers and humorous patches added to their helmets make them seem to be from a different Army. In many ways they are. I still do nothing but wish I could have been an aviator or scheme up ways to become one every time I fly. The signal side has a lot of positives, but you cannot fly around all hooah on an antenna dish. I digress in my jealousy.
Iraq from above.
The scenes and movement below is active, varied, and eye-opening. The countryside paints a deeper picture than ones own knee-jerk reaction to the word Iraq. There is color to it.
Yes, there are decrepit shantytowns, smoke, trash, and nothingness, but there are also children playing soccer, farmers tending the crops, countrymen herding sheep, and villagers getting followed by their dogs as they bike down their own familiar driveways.
Between the cities, crop circles mark and polka dot the sparse desert flatland. It seems that even with nothing, man makes something. The rivers are the only source of fertility anywhere, but the long-handed irrigation machines fill in green within their own own circular reach.
I now sit here in the Camp Connection PAX terminal after a good hearty lunch, a lone game of pool, and a shoulder workout. Other than the flying, it has been a ‘normal’ day so far. This base is smaller than COB Home, but with the smaller size, comes more convenient foot travel to the facilities. With all the time in the world to wait for my early morning connection, I have a moment for a healthy pause.
Thankfully, I stocked up on a few movies from one of my soldier’s share drives before I left. One must find distraction or sleep, because military terminals feel even more like purgatory than an airport terminal back home. At least at ATL, IAD, wherever, one can people watch as others move in between the heavens. Here is a sterile room, a TV, some rows of chairs, and the others service members waiting around with you. And it’s not a trip to see granny in Florida or attend a conference in Vegas. It’s a trip to Somewhere, Iraq.
____
13 February 2011
Sunday Sports Break
With the soldiers running, passing, and catching the football like middle school kids--I get a few passes and start joining in.
"LT's got an arm! I want him on my team!" SPC Short said.
When they gather the teams, I hear some talk of "LT is one of the team captains."
Knowing I would just be following the will of the first person I pick anyway--I jokingly say, "One of you go, I don't want to be a captain, I'll be a Captain in two years anyway."
No need to be in charge all the time.
With every down, marching towards each glorious end zone marked by rocks and engineering tape, we play with effort and schoolyard frustration. Even with helicopters flying overhead and a myriad of mismatched PT gear that is only typical of unorganized events, we are somehow away from here.
Set. Hike.
The dust fills the lungs with the feeling of a tough swim. The deep inhale brings the endorphins out and the dry cake of sand layers the skin with toughness.
Run, get open, and make the catch.
Drop back, cover your man, rush the QB. Make jokes about each other. Congratulate a good throw, a good catch, a funny mistake.
“SFC Grump. All-American Class of 1865,” SGT Bucks shouts as my PSG gets set to drop back as QB on the opposing team. We collectively laugh even as the play begins. SFC Grump completes the pass and shouts back an insult at SGT Bucks.
My team gets a few points down. I make a few catches, a few touchdowns, and --feeling a flash of confidence--I ask to take QB from SGT Bucks. Down the dust field, he's open and I launch it right to Bucks. Touchdown.
An interception, a pass completion, a touchdown catch, a nice play by a teammate. The feeling of victory from these small triumphs far surpass the monotonous task completions of a SITREP, a Power Point presentation, or an inventory.
Taken together, the victories make a true break from the grind with my company’s soldiers. These are the moments a man stays in the Army for.
The sun sets on another Sunday in Iraq.
"LT's got an arm! I want him on my team!" SPC Short said.
When they gather the teams, I hear some talk of "LT is one of the team captains."
Knowing I would just be following the will of the first person I pick anyway--I jokingly say, "One of you go, I don't want to be a captain, I'll be a Captain in two years anyway."
No need to be in charge all the time.
With every down, marching towards each glorious end zone marked by rocks and engineering tape, we play with effort and schoolyard frustration. Even with helicopters flying overhead and a myriad of mismatched PT gear that is only typical of unorganized events, we are somehow away from here.
Set. Hike.
The dust fills the lungs with the feeling of a tough swim. The deep inhale brings the endorphins out and the dry cake of sand layers the skin with toughness.
Run, get open, and make the catch.
Drop back, cover your man, rush the QB. Make jokes about each other. Congratulate a good throw, a good catch, a funny mistake.
“SFC Grump. All-American Class of 1865,” SGT Bucks shouts as my PSG gets set to drop back as QB on the opposing team. We collectively laugh even as the play begins. SFC Grump completes the pass and shouts back an insult at SGT Bucks.
My team gets a few points down. I make a few catches, a few touchdowns, and --feeling a flash of confidence--I ask to take QB from SGT Bucks. Down the dust field, he's open and I launch it right to Bucks. Touchdown.
An interception, a pass completion, a touchdown catch, a nice play by a teammate. The feeling of victory from these small triumphs far surpass the monotonous task completions of a SITREP, a Power Point presentation, or an inventory.
Taken together, the victories make a true break from the grind with my company’s soldiers. These are the moments a man stays in the Army for.
The sun sets on another Sunday in Iraq.
12 February 2011
Music Talk at the DFAC
There was music in the chow hall tonight. The military band spread some tones of home our way. They had a full band up there... guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and a horns section. The music selection was nice and varied too. Included Santana, Cake, and all kinds of variety that I wouldn't normally expect from a cover band in a good way.
CPT DD, SFC Grump, and SGT Levelhead and I went up there and had a nice relaxing dinner--one of the five or so times I've actually spent at the DFAC since I got here. We talked music, movies, and normalcy for long after we had finished our food. My makeshift "Chipotle" bowl went just fine with it.
Turns out CPT DD is really into music and used to play tuba in college. I kept telling him we'd start a Company band when we get home. He even has a banjo... hope he knows how well tuba, banjo, and acoustic go together (no joke). In talking about various instruments I got a little peeved to think that I didn't bring my harmonicas along. Will have to get them sent to me and possibly a guitar too if i can't find one here.
I found out from SGT Levelhead, an obviously level-headed and amiable soldier from the motor pool, that some of the soldiers have guitars they don't use and some of the Air Force members in our LSA are due to leave soon. Hope I can knab a guitar to pass my off time! He also has a guitar here and I offered to give him some lessons.
CPT DD, SFC Grump, and SGT Levelhead and I went up there and had a nice relaxing dinner--one of the five or so times I've actually spent at the DFAC since I got here. We talked music, movies, and normalcy for long after we had finished our food. My makeshift "Chipotle" bowl went just fine with it.
Turns out CPT DD is really into music and used to play tuba in college. I kept telling him we'd start a Company band when we get home. He even has a banjo... hope he knows how well tuba, banjo, and acoustic go together (no joke). In talking about various instruments I got a little peeved to think that I didn't bring my harmonicas along. Will have to get them sent to me and possibly a guitar too if i can't find one here.
I found out from SGT Levelhead, an obviously level-headed and amiable soldier from the motor pool, that some of the soldiers have guitars they don't use and some of the Air Force members in our LSA are due to leave soon. Hope I can knab a guitar to pass my off time! He also has a guitar here and I offered to give him some lessons.
11 February 2011
First Sand Storm and Steps Forward
Today brought us the first sand storm since I arrived. Pretty wild stuff. One minute I was in my office, thinking it looked like it might rain, it was like a cinnamon fog.
My PSG was saying "This isn't the half of it! Last deployment you couldn't see your hand stretched out in front of you!"
After a DBPP (Death By Power Point) range safety class, I had to head down to inventory my SSS Shelter (a big truckback full of shiny computer things for you normal humans). Thankfully, I actually had a well written component listing so it went by in a short time.
More training slides, and standing in for XO duties kept me occupied the rest of the day. I thought to myself at one point, "God, this is better than not knowing what's going on."
At least by being busy time goes by faster in this strange setting.
Just now I was talking to my brother and told him how I can't wait to come home and be normal again.
"You become accustomed to it," I said, "so it's not really bad anymore. But it's not normal."
The tasks I knew I had to get done when I first got here are now on there way though, and the coming months should fly on by. Guess that means a step towards progress.
My PSG was saying "This isn't the half of it! Last deployment you couldn't see your hand stretched out in front of you!"
After a DBPP (Death By Power Point) range safety class, I had to head down to inventory my SSS Shelter (a big truckback full of shiny computer things for you normal humans). Thankfully, I actually had a well written component listing so it went by in a short time.
More training slides, and standing in for XO duties kept me occupied the rest of the day. I thought to myself at one point, "God, this is better than not knowing what's going on."
At least by being busy time goes by faster in this strange setting.
Just now I was talking to my brother and told him how I can't wait to come home and be normal again.
"You become accustomed to it," I said, "so it's not really bad anymore. But it's not normal."
The tasks I knew I had to get done when I first got here are now on there way though, and the coming months should fly on by. Guess that means a step towards progress.
08 February 2011
One Month Down
One month since my Kuwait stomp date.
The past month has dragged on in some ways, but a month in Iraq is behind me. Being away at war is an experience I can say I’ve felt in the past tense now. I still have a lot of time left, but future tense is going home now. This, my friends, is good news.
Much of this morning was spent with SFC Grump preparing some training and getting things done. In spending more time with him, I have a better impression. We actually seem to mesh well together. I believe it helps that I am eager to hear his point of view and talk out the issues. I even had him draw me certain explanations of our company on the marker board.
Tomorrow he and I will be doing an initial counseling meeting after our BUB (Battle Update Brief). It will be a helpful start for both of us, and I hope that it goes beyond just being an Army formality. After that we’ll be off to start my first inventories.
-
At lunch I started a new bench press routine that I read about in The 4-Hour Body. It is a program tailored to increasing the bench press max of an individual in four months—which should work well with the timing of my deployment. For the first module of it, I will be benching once a week with three grips—power, wide, and narrow—with two sets of each but power. Each week increases in percentage of related to overall body weight. Should be fun!
I’ll track fitness stuff here soon along with some results in my change in overall body weight (since the 193 I started at when landing in Kuwait and haven’t weighed myself since), body mass, body fat, etc. It’s easy to spend time getting in good shape out here! Feel free to ignore those posts, but I’ve read that by making your goals public, you make them harder to break.
-
Towards the end of the day today, CPT DD asked if I wanted to go to the DRMO yard (I still don’t know the acronym’s meaning. Google it for me, as I’m writing this post during a usual civilian internet outage). Basically this place is a dump with the value in the hundreds of thousands.
Instead of paying for shipment and repair, the units bring what equipment they can gladly remove from their property books and conscience. What is left is a ton of equipment that the Army no longer cares about, since it’s not being officially tracked. The equipment is officially wasted. Without logistical support, the junk is made junk.
I could not believe that yard. So much stuff! Included in the DRMO yard were piles of cable, refrigerators, monitors, military instruments, musical equipment, and even a fooseball table. CPT DD and I were equally appalled—and acted essentially like the guys on American Pickers for about thirty minutes. It was a cool moment, and a nice break from the norm. Hopefully we can salvage some cool stuff for our company eventually (especially the fooseball table).
The past month has dragged on in some ways, but a month in Iraq is behind me. Being away at war is an experience I can say I’ve felt in the past tense now. I still have a lot of time left, but future tense is going home now. This, my friends, is good news.
Much of this morning was spent with SFC Grump preparing some training and getting things done. In spending more time with him, I have a better impression. We actually seem to mesh well together. I believe it helps that I am eager to hear his point of view and talk out the issues. I even had him draw me certain explanations of our company on the marker board.
Tomorrow he and I will be doing an initial counseling meeting after our BUB (Battle Update Brief). It will be a helpful start for both of us, and I hope that it goes beyond just being an Army formality. After that we’ll be off to start my first inventories.
-
At lunch I started a new bench press routine that I read about in The 4-Hour Body. It is a program tailored to increasing the bench press max of an individual in four months—which should work well with the timing of my deployment. For the first module of it, I will be benching once a week with three grips—power, wide, and narrow—with two sets of each but power. Each week increases in percentage of related to overall body weight. Should be fun!
I’ll track fitness stuff here soon along with some results in my change in overall body weight (since the 193 I started at when landing in Kuwait and haven’t weighed myself since), body mass, body fat, etc. It’s easy to spend time getting in good shape out here! Feel free to ignore those posts, but I’ve read that by making your goals public, you make them harder to break.
-
Towards the end of the day today, CPT DD asked if I wanted to go to the DRMO yard (I still don’t know the acronym’s meaning. Google it for me, as I’m writing this post during a usual civilian internet outage). Basically this place is a dump with the value in the hundreds of thousands.
Instead of paying for shipment and repair, the units bring what equipment they can gladly remove from their property books and conscience. What is left is a ton of equipment that the Army no longer cares about, since it’s not being officially tracked. The equipment is officially wasted. Without logistical support, the junk is made junk.
I could not believe that yard. So much stuff! Included in the DRMO yard were piles of cable, refrigerators, monitors, military instruments, musical equipment, and even a fooseball table. CPT DD and I were equally appalled—and acted essentially like the guys on American Pickers for about thirty minutes. It was a cool moment, and a nice break from the norm. Hopefully we can salvage some cool stuff for our company eventually (especially the fooseball table).
06 February 2011
Super Bowl and Festivities from Iraqisthan
Up far too late watching the Super Bowl, I thought I’d write a post. I have time during the commercial breaks because I can’t enjoy the American commercials like everyone back home. Right now, in fact, I’m learning about “Comprehensive Soldier Fitness” via an always-corny AFN commercial. Apparently an airmen sling-shooting himself in the air and landing on the windshield of a jet has some relevancy to something? I digress.
So right now, it’s about halfway through the first quarter and I still cannot stop thinking about that National Anthem performance by Christina Aguilera. I feel embarrassed over it for some reason. I mean seriously!? I thought some rap artist was going to break in with the turntables scratching, yelling, “REMIX!” Maybe if she wasn’t spending so much time trying to sing it all different and original she’d remember that it’s the words that count!
So now for blog stuff. After getting into the battle rhythm a bit and getting an understanding of how I will spend the rest of the deployment, I can now breathe a bit easier throughout the day. All of the routines of work, gym, downtime, etc. are beginning to feel less forced and more natural. The rain finally ending helps.
Being more “part of the group” has helps too. On Friday, SSG Phoenix and 1LT Glitz shared their coincidental birthday and we celebrated by grilling some hamburgers and drinking some near-beers. It was nice to pretend to feel normal… We kept shouting, “Birthday Bash Oh-Leven” like some truly stoked college kids. We even wore some very masculine and in-no-way-goofy looking birthday hats while we sat around and watched some TV. We have a self-deprecating but happy attitude about letting loose in small ways when we can.
The same went for tonight when we were able to go up to the DFAC for a few ACTUAL beers. Stories of home flowed just like the beer from those two little cans. It was a privilege as much as it was a tease of normality. It reminds me of the scene from “The Shawshank Redemption” when the main character is able to get a few beers for his fellow inmates in exchange for doing some tax work. Except it’s not prison, it’s Iraq.
All the better though, it was fun. Some of our soldiers also played some football earlier today to unwind for the game. It’s great to see soldiers try to be normal Americans over here in the desert. We were going to watch the game over at SSG Phoenix’s but they tired out and I’m sure I will soon too—especially if Green Bay runs away from their 14-3 lead. Well, I suppose I have to watch the halftime show at least. (Update. Halftime show was a trainwreck and yippee the game is close at 21-17 packers. No sleep for me tonight.)
I got a package from home today. Highlights include a few Nintendo DS games (awesome) and a 4-pack of my beloved Sugar Free Rockstar. Just in case you are reading this and don’t understand, Sugar Free Rockstar is like crack to me. If you are reading this and have any means to send me some Sugar Free Rockstar, please do so. Smiley face. But in all seriousness, getting a package is a true boost to morale. It could’ve had toilet paper, pencil shavings, anything, and I would’ve loved it.
As for events coming up, I will be doing an inventory of my equipment here and at my platoon’s several out-sites. It should be a good start to working with my PSG, SFC Grump, who arrived on Thursday. We haven’t gotten to work together much yet, but I can tell he knows his stuff. He is a bit jaded, but I think we will work well as a team. My bright-eyed, idealistic notions of the Army are contrasted by his salty discontent with some of its ways. I think he can give me an idea of the realities of certain methods while I hope to wake him up to the realization that he’s not retired yet and should try not to be such a grump all the time! His humor reminds me of one my uncle’s and in that way I am able to relate to him (he’s married and has kids so there really isn’t too much to start with!) Apparently he’s a fan of my alma mater though. Good in my book! More on SFC Grump later.
For now stay tuned for a couple pictures of my settings here at COB Home.
Happy Super Day.
So right now, it’s about halfway through the first quarter and I still cannot stop thinking about that National Anthem performance by Christina Aguilera. I feel embarrassed over it for some reason. I mean seriously!? I thought some rap artist was going to break in with the turntables scratching, yelling, “REMIX!” Maybe if she wasn’t spending so much time trying to sing it all different and original she’d remember that it’s the words that count!
So now for blog stuff. After getting into the battle rhythm a bit and getting an understanding of how I will spend the rest of the deployment, I can now breathe a bit easier throughout the day. All of the routines of work, gym, downtime, etc. are beginning to feel less forced and more natural. The rain finally ending helps.
Being more “part of the group” has helps too. On Friday, SSG Phoenix and 1LT Glitz shared their coincidental birthday and we celebrated by grilling some hamburgers and drinking some near-beers. It was nice to pretend to feel normal… We kept shouting, “Birthday Bash Oh-Leven” like some truly stoked college kids. We even wore some very masculine and in-no-way-goofy looking birthday hats while we sat around and watched some TV. We have a self-deprecating but happy attitude about letting loose in small ways when we can.
The same went for tonight when we were able to go up to the DFAC for a few ACTUAL beers. Stories of home flowed just like the beer from those two little cans. It was a privilege as much as it was a tease of normality. It reminds me of the scene from “The Shawshank Redemption” when the main character is able to get a few beers for his fellow inmates in exchange for doing some tax work. Except it’s not prison, it’s Iraq.
All the better though, it was fun. Some of our soldiers also played some football earlier today to unwind for the game. It’s great to see soldiers try to be normal Americans over here in the desert. We were going to watch the game over at SSG Phoenix’s but they tired out and I’m sure I will soon too—especially if Green Bay runs away from their 14-3 lead. Well, I suppose I have to watch the halftime show at least. (Update. Halftime show was a trainwreck and yippee the game is close at 21-17 packers. No sleep for me tonight.)
I got a package from home today. Highlights include a few Nintendo DS games (awesome) and a 4-pack of my beloved Sugar Free Rockstar. Just in case you are reading this and don’t understand, Sugar Free Rockstar is like crack to me. If you are reading this and have any means to send me some Sugar Free Rockstar, please do so. Smiley face. But in all seriousness, getting a package is a true boost to morale. It could’ve had toilet paper, pencil shavings, anything, and I would’ve loved it.
As for events coming up, I will be doing an inventory of my equipment here and at my platoon’s several out-sites. It should be a good start to working with my PSG, SFC Grump, who arrived on Thursday. We haven’t gotten to work together much yet, but I can tell he knows his stuff. He is a bit jaded, but I think we will work well as a team. My bright-eyed, idealistic notions of the Army are contrasted by his salty discontent with some of its ways. I think he can give me an idea of the realities of certain methods while I hope to wake him up to the realization that he’s not retired yet and should try not to be such a grump all the time! His humor reminds me of one my uncle’s and in that way I am able to relate to him (he’s married and has kids so there really isn’t too much to start with!) Apparently he’s a fan of my alma mater though. Good in my book! More on SFC Grump later.
For now stay tuned for a couple pictures of my settings here at COB Home.
Happy Super Day.
01 February 2011
Settling in at COB Home
As I showed already in my last post, I was pretty reluctant to recap everything about getting here. Guess it will only get worse with time, so I'll lay out the basics. Rather than just recapping, soon I hope to do more anecdotal posts--telling a story, not a summary.
-Transit. To use some fanciful language, I will say the chopper flight here was freakin’ awesome. Despite the fact that we were packed in like sardines, it was a humbling experience flying over this country. The landscape was sand and dust. Grids and crop circles. As we touched down to drop off passengers and refuel, I was able to see another small part of our footprint here.
There was a moment that I will never know for sure was my imagination or not when there was a “tink-tink” on the back of the helicopter that I could’ve sworn were rounds. There was a reaction by the gunner, but he did not return fire. The civilian gentleman across from me looked as bug-eyed as I probably did at this sound, but in the shuffle of movement I never spoke to anyone about it before getting picked up to be taken to my new home.
-Settling in. Upon arrival, I was taken to our company HQ and my new room by LT Glitz and SSG Phoenix. After seeing the trailer-like CHU’s when I was down at HQ with LT Bro, it was definitely different seeing these wooden structures with plywood insides. Along with the long porches in the front and the desolate desert surroundings, it looks a lot like the old west.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining. I have my own room and after some scrounging, was able to put together a nice set up. A plywood desk, two closet-cabinets, a side table, a fridge, a TV, a bed, and of course my alma mater’s flag up on the wall is the near the entirety of my new home. The real plus is I can get on the internet right from my room and can Skype no problem with family and friends back home.
I arrived on the weekend and Sundays are very low op-tempo, so much of that first day was spent unraveling and unpacking all the crap the Army deemed worthy of lugging here.
-Grasping Company AO and PLT property and personnel. This will continue through my deployment I cannot divulge much detailed information here but let’s just say that my signal company is widespread. Command and control, even at the platoon level, is spread over hundreds of miles. It is a challenge to keep updates up remotely and lead remotely. All in the name of keeping our separate sites around Iraq connected. My location here at COB Home is just a small piece of my platoons AO (Area of Operation).
The real difficulty to come soon will be moving all the very expensive equipment back to be reset back to the states… that’s only after heading out to EVERY out-site in my company to inventory and sign for the equipment. Yippee.
The members of my PLT here are very efficient and I am glad to have fallen in on them. After some weariness at first, I am starting to settle in with the confidence to speak to individuals by name and like to think I’m beginning to get some respect for my willingness to learn. No need to reinvent the wheel yet with my platoon’s functions, so I’ll be continuing to evaluate for the next few weeks or so. I should be interesting when my PSG gets back from R&R too. By reputation, I already know that he will have a much different in demeanor than SSG Phoenix.
-Working out; running. PT with the unit has largely consisted of running and sprints and a lot of adherence to the new Army PT Program, “PRT”. Over lunch, I’ve been doing a lot of lifting with my XO and stand-in PSG . Today we even did an extra run over at the track. Scatterloot: the track arena, soccer field, and gym area here is awesomely dilapidated and dates back to Saddam’s rule. I hope to bring home a few pieces of the ruins for the ole’ bar wall..
-Briefs. The one thing I am glad to say I have been able to jump into without much problem is briefing. On our Adobe Breeze meetings (conducted online within our company and with battalion) I have had little trouble confidently briefing my PLT’s situation. Did I know what the hell I was talking about the first one I did last week? Hell no. But I trusted my soldiers to get me up to speed beforehand. After working out the locations and missions of my PLTs equipment and ops, I have been able to grasp the material and answer questions from the XO with no problem.
- Off time (outside of going to get food or working out). Since initial settling, when it comes to my own little personal hut, I have been watching a large amount of movies and television from one of my soldier’s shared hard drive—especially “Breaking Bad”. No joke, I already watched the entirety of the show’s three seasons. The show is very edgy, has great acting, and is just plain addictive! I couldn’t just watch one episode at a time.
Other time-eaters include “Black Swan”, “Easy A”, “True Grit”, and for some unknown reason “A Bug’s Life” (lolz). I haven’t gotten into a groove of being productive in my off time yet, but I hope to replace some mindlessness with some GRE prep, master’s classes, and some certifications. Or maybe I'll take up knitting.
-Transit. To use some fanciful language, I will say the chopper flight here was freakin’ awesome. Despite the fact that we were packed in like sardines, it was a humbling experience flying over this country. The landscape was sand and dust. Grids and crop circles. As we touched down to drop off passengers and refuel, I was able to see another small part of our footprint here.
There was a moment that I will never know for sure was my imagination or not when there was a “tink-tink” on the back of the helicopter that I could’ve sworn were rounds. There was a reaction by the gunner, but he did not return fire. The civilian gentleman across from me looked as bug-eyed as I probably did at this sound, but in the shuffle of movement I never spoke to anyone about it before getting picked up to be taken to my new home.
-Settling in. Upon arrival, I was taken to our company HQ and my new room by LT Glitz and SSG Phoenix. After seeing the trailer-like CHU’s when I was down at HQ with LT Bro, it was definitely different seeing these wooden structures with plywood insides. Along with the long porches in the front and the desolate desert surroundings, it looks a lot like the old west.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining. I have my own room and after some scrounging, was able to put together a nice set up. A plywood desk, two closet-cabinets, a side table, a fridge, a TV, a bed, and of course my alma mater’s flag up on the wall is the near the entirety of my new home. The real plus is I can get on the internet right from my room and can Skype no problem with family and friends back home.
I arrived on the weekend and Sundays are very low op-tempo, so much of that first day was spent unraveling and unpacking all the crap the Army deemed worthy of lugging here.
-Grasping Company AO and PLT property and personnel. This will continue through my deployment I cannot divulge much detailed information here but let’s just say that my signal company is widespread. Command and control, even at the platoon level, is spread over hundreds of miles. It is a challenge to keep updates up remotely and lead remotely. All in the name of keeping our separate sites around Iraq connected. My location here at COB Home is just a small piece of my platoons AO (Area of Operation).
The real difficulty to come soon will be moving all the very expensive equipment back to be reset back to the states… that’s only after heading out to EVERY out-site in my company to inventory and sign for the equipment. Yippee.
The members of my PLT here are very efficient and I am glad to have fallen in on them. After some weariness at first, I am starting to settle in with the confidence to speak to individuals by name and like to think I’m beginning to get some respect for my willingness to learn. No need to reinvent the wheel yet with my platoon’s functions, so I’ll be continuing to evaluate for the next few weeks or so. I should be interesting when my PSG gets back from R&R too. By reputation, I already know that he will have a much different in demeanor than SSG Phoenix.
-Working out; running. PT with the unit has largely consisted of running and sprints and a lot of adherence to the new Army PT Program, “PRT”. Over lunch, I’ve been doing a lot of lifting with my XO and stand-in PSG . Today we even did an extra run over at the track. Scatterloot: the track arena, soccer field, and gym area here is awesomely dilapidated and dates back to Saddam’s rule. I hope to bring home a few pieces of the ruins for the ole’ bar wall..
-Briefs. The one thing I am glad to say I have been able to jump into without much problem is briefing. On our Adobe Breeze meetings (conducted online within our company and with battalion) I have had little trouble confidently briefing my PLT’s situation. Did I know what the hell I was talking about the first one I did last week? Hell no. But I trusted my soldiers to get me up to speed beforehand. After working out the locations and missions of my PLTs equipment and ops, I have been able to grasp the material and answer questions from the XO with no problem.
- Off time (outside of going to get food or working out). Since initial settling, when it comes to my own little personal hut, I have been watching a large amount of movies and television from one of my soldier’s shared hard drive—especially “Breaking Bad”. No joke, I already watched the entirety of the show’s three seasons. The show is very edgy, has great acting, and is just plain addictive! I couldn’t just watch one episode at a time.
Other time-eaters include “Black Swan”, “Easy A”, “True Grit”, and for some unknown reason “A Bug’s Life” (lolz). I haven’t gotten into a groove of being productive in my off time yet, but I hope to replace some mindlessness with some GRE prep, master’s classes, and some certifications. Or maybe I'll take up knitting.
24 January 2011
Methodical Boredom…
24JAN10 – Mon
Here I sit in my plywood hut at COB Home drinking a St. Pauli N.A. and ready to make a rambling recap of the past ten days. The first week (15JAN-21JAN) was long but easy to sum up due to the daily monotony. The last three days are hard to even feel like explaining since I had little time for notes: my movement and settling into COB Home with my new platoon.
As shown in my previous post, "Notes and Quotes", I began to have a surplus of time sitting at the computer researching various things and trying to find information that could help me with my time as platoon leader. Other than a brief property management class that I took with the help of the S-4 shop and reading on the platoonleader.army.mil forums, there was very little I could do until getting to COB Home.
So along the way I became a master in the art of self-centered research.
This included checking out how my GI Bill entitlements will work, looking at different master's degree programs, drawing out the next 10 years of my life (no really, I did get this bored), and e-mailing my branch manager to see about the possibility of getting special schools when I get back from theater..
None of those things really got me anywhere, but when will I really have time for that kind of research for THAT many hours a day in the future?
Not often. So all is fine in the universe.
Anyway, I eventually got away from spending time at the BN HQ and got to going to the gym during the day. Basically, I just kept on a different schedule during the day than LT Bro just so I wouldn't have to sit in the office for hours. In doing so, I also was able to check out more of the base and take it in for what it is, and for what it will never be again.
The roads will no longer be called "Heidelberg St.", "Arizona Rd.", or "Victory Blvd.". There won't be reflective belts everywhere at night and soldiers jogging in PTs during the day. There won't be daily helicopter passes. There won't be tons of up-armored GMC, Ford, and Dodge Trucks driven by KBR contractors. There won't be loudspeaker announcements about controlled ordnance disposals, "There will be a controlled detonation in 15 minutes. I say again, there will be a controlled detonation in 15 minutes."
I digress.
I also feel this post has gotten long enough for now and pretty pictures should help make it better… so more on the movement here, arrival, and first impressions tomorrow. Or when I get to it. Maybe. Just kidding, I really will write about it eventually. Or not? The end.
14 January 2011
Notes and Quotes
Friday
In the BN Ops room again. Today is a day of random research. This includes, reading "The 4-Hour Body", various military websites, and training material. My written notes have much, much more crap.
4HB
First off, I really recommend this book. I first read Tim Ferriss's "The 4-Hour Workweek" while at SBOLC and loved it. This book makes points about health and exercise I never realized. His narrative style is also very informal, humorous, and interesting.
While I'm deployed I plan on getting in good shape, so this book was a good supplement to the professional reading (Army stuff) I do on a regular basis. More "me" reading.
What he has to say about eating is very insightful (i.e. showing how much more efficient your metabolism is if you eat within 30 minutes of waking) and other practices are just plain strange yet make sense (how taking cold exposure increases your standing body heat, therefore causing you to lose fat). Here's a little bit about exercise I found cool:
-Kettlebell swing - shown to be extremely effective in losing weight; gaining muscle. Do at least 75 reps. Note: I did this the next morning, and yes it is an ass-kicker.
-Two most effective ab exercises – 1) Myotatic Crunch. Stretches out and involves all of core. 2)Breathing exercise (Tim calls it the Cat Vomit). Involves important horizontal muscle in the abdomen otherwise generally neglected (the muscle that hurts when you laugh really hard).
-Principles of a good workout: One set-to-failure of each exercise. 5secsup/5secsdown cadence. Only 2-10 exercises per workout (at least one multi-joint, one pulling, one pressing, one leg).
Some cool quotes:
"Somewhere along the line, we seem to have confused comfort with happiness." – Dean Karnazes, ultra marathoner who did a marathon in each of the 50 states in 50 consecutive days
"Often the less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of." – Mark Twain
"It is vain to do with more what can be done with less." –William of Occam
"It is the lieutenant's privilege to live close to his men, to be their example in conduct, courage, and in devotion to duty. He is in position to learn them intimately, to help them when in trouble, often to keep them out of trouble. No matter how young he may be nor how old and hard and boild his men, he must become their counselor, their leader, their friend, their old man." –Dwight Eisenhower
Barriers to Situational Awareness:
These are from some of my training. Despite the fact that the context of these things were for POW's, I feel that they apply to soldiers who are deployed as well:
-Stress, Denial, Past Experience, Complacency, Insufficient Communication, Task Overload, Health, Haste, Group-think
I'm pretty sure one could point to one of these as the cause of any problem encountered in a unit.
http://www.fourhourbody.com/
13 January 2011
Passing Time: Recap to Iraq
Thursday
Written while passing time in the HQ upon initial arrival:
After a long trip yesterday, I am here in Iraq. I had to be up at 0315 for a 0430 show time at the Space-R (required) tent. Hours later I was in the air on the C-130 (somehow I was able to sleep for about half the flight even as I sat knee-to-knee and hip-to-hip with other passengers). Not really anything of note happened that morning until the flight… just a boring, limbo-like wait with all of the other transients.
When I touched ground, I got outside the terminal and waited for about an hour before taking it into my own hands to make contact for someone to pick me up. I felt like the kid whose parents forgot to come get him from school. It was a bit disheartening but it matched my prior "welcomes" in the Army—whether at BOLC or with my initial entry to the unit back in AZ. So I can't really say I was that surprised.
Eventually SGT R picked me up and brought me to LT Bro's CHU (Centralized Housing Unit) where I racked-out for a good 3 hours, post Taco Bell coma.
LT Bro came in from work at around 1700 and we talked about the unit and his experiences for about an hour or so and grabbed some chow, came back to the CHU, and got to bed nice and early. LT Bro is a good guy, expressive about his opinions, and helpful with getting me acclimated. It's nice to have a peer to help me settle in. Although I won't work with him much directly (he is the BMO, Battalion Maintenance Officer), it's good to know I have someone close in rank that I can relate to.
Spoke with the BN commander for a few minutes as will be shown in some of the notes to follow:
SFC I and CPT DD: Battalion Vets
LT Glitz XO and the other PL is LT Spurs (both WP grads, same year-group)
Key sites in C Co.
Advice:
-Inventories, meet troops (many young), learn system, understand signal flow. Stresses LTs are not operators. Be open, honest with soldiers. Listen to NCO's but ask questions.
-Embrace Additional Duties: Supply, OPS, Maint, even Voting
Past problems in C Co.
-Behavioral health: lost SGT H before leaving from suicide
-Spouses: some aren't taking good care, separated (still require BAH)
C Co is diverse and has all sig systems but JNN (SSS instead, described as JNN on steroids).
Young NCO's have a lot on their shoulders from being promoted early.
BN had 13 months dwell time before this deployment, after a 15 month deployment. Unit is "on tap" to redeploy back or to AFG a year from return.
COL Pet Peeve: "Last time"
First 3 mos. Back home
-honeymoon phase, eventually going to go down-hill a bit. Watch for domestic problems and DUI's
After asking my major, LTC mentions a program through the Pentagon allowing for an internship with the Joint Chiefs along with attending Georgetown. Post Command. Look into for later.
Don't take service from someone without justification.
Individuals to seek advice from: CW4 D, CPT T, CPT Hern and H. SGM.
When in doubt, ask self is it immoral, illegal, or fattening.
Anyway, it's been interesting settling in here at our HQ home. The meeting with LTC Dug was about thirty minutes long and it felt productive. He has a laid-back demeanor but seems very goal oriented. A good note for me was that he had nothing but good things to say about my company and its leadership.
Walking around and talking with LT Bro has been cool as well—I sat with him after chow and watch SPC Fisherman try his luck at one of the many man-made lakes here. Even got offered a nice cigar by SFC Laugh, one of the NCOs at LT Bro's shop.
On another random note, I tried a "Rip-It"—a cheaper-than-dirt energy drink this is common down range—and believe I have found my new "Sugar Free Rockstar", my crack of choice. That is until I can somehow get it sent to me!
Since the subject of randomness came up, I'll add a few strange or interesting sights and discussions of the past few days. Scatterloot.
-SGT Littleguy – Very cool and young SGT who has seen a lot of combat and only has use of one lung! Met him while we drew equipment back at Camp B. Had lunch with him afterwards and he seems to be one of those rare "good guy" (read not battle-hardened) experienced NCO's. He has a good life outlook and had nothing but good things to say about his wife back home. Also he was very, very respectful and that's a plus in a world where my rank is about as good as a Private's in the eyes of many.
-Movement back to Camp A – Camels, camels, everywhere. Even less than 10 meters from the road.
-The flight here – Strange to see more civilians than military on board. LT Bro tells me civilians outnumber military in Iraq 2-to-1.
-After landing at the AF terminal – What they call "Third-Country Nationals" wielding AK's as security guards. Many from Uganda/random African countries. They also guard the DFAC, PX, etc.
-"Hummingbird" – LT Bro and I witnessed some large bird that was actually flying in place to try to snatched prey from the water. I had no clue larger birds like that could do that.
-Huachuca-blimps – A common sight back in AZ is the AF weather balloon that can be seen all throughout town. There was also one at Camp A and here. Pretty cool seeing something that's become common to me in a foreign country.
-CHU's. Overall the places are small but have AC and internet access (if you buy it). Also indoor showers and latrines are right close. We'll see how COB Home CHU's compare. If I could get my own—without a roommate like LT Bro—I will be able to make the 10 x 12 space (or whatever it is) very comfortable. The huge cement walls surrounding these things would ease my mom's mind a bit.
-The Palace – The one thing that makes this all very imperial is seeing all this old Saddam-era architecture. I wonder often what the Iraqi's will do to this place when we hand it over. The palace—and even my unit's HQ—are in ornate buildings with marble, decorations, lakes, and palm trees. Note: LT Bro later brought me by the other side of the palace and the old bridge leading to it is still decimated from 2003 when we took it out. Very wicked looking.
-HQ – As I said, the building is very ornate, but it's hilarious to see the building juxtaposed with sterile looking office additions. The work stations are high-speed and they have a constant monitor of the networks within out BN AO. LT Bro says he's jealous I'll be further from the flagpole at COB Home, because the HQ is full of officers CPT and above.
-Training – The HEAT training back at Camp B was fun and thank God for it because I never would have been able to figure out my IOTV (tactical vest) on my own for the flight up here. One of the LTC's helped me get it squared away before we got spun around in an MRAP. When I got here the S2 shop also found out I wasn't properly handled back in AZ for finishing some training, so I've spent some time working on that since I got here.
Well that Scatterloot will do for now. Going to try to make calls back home and relax later today. For now I'm just going to hang out with LT Bro in the Ops room and learn a little.
10 January 2011
Conversations from the USO
1130 am Monday
Just spoke with my PSG from the USO here in Camp B. Contrasted with the hour-long conversation I had just had with a talkative and intellectual USO rep/Vietnam Vet named Malcom M, it felt like I was going 1,000 miles an hour with this guy. This was a good—and terrifying—feeling thing.
The above notes (not replicated for OPSEC) are the scribbles I was able to take while probing for some info. I was calling on a NIPR line, so there was only so much to be said. Although he sounds like a confident NCO it is a little unsettling and intimidating that our conversation was in such stride. This may be me wanting things to be more glamorous than they are in reality—probably due to conditioning from ROTC about first contact with your PSG being so important and vital. I'm sure when I meet in person with him it will be better, but unfortunately he goes on R & R tomorrow.
This detail also is an additional obstacle because I will not be getting to my unit without my commander (who is also on R &R) or my PSG. I will be left very much exposed as the rookie that I am in front of my soldiers. Note: I would find out later that my commander understood this risk and delayed my movement to my unit until the CO was soon to return.
SFC I mentioned I would be exposed to a high op-tempo and a lot of briefings and SLIDES. Oh, God how I dislike military measurement of product by slideshows. Should be a joy!
The one fortunate thing is I believe my entrance will be more gradual. I gotta go to lunch/back to finishing training… The IED training was depressing this morning so I hope getting rolled around in an MRAP will make my day.
marsonmg@yahoo.com : Email for Malcom M. Gave me the Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant. The book is in excellent condition and is leather-bound and all. He told me that I should read it and could pass it on as he did. Guess I have my first little story-relic from my deployment. After our long conversation about the Civil War, Vietnam, Iraq, and each other's backgrounds (his being more interesting than mine), I was humbled by his departing comment, "You carry yourself very well, lieutenant."
09 January 2011
Transient in Kuwait
I knew it would be difficult to write here while on my tripe, but the lack of sleep I gave myself beforehand cemented my inability. Most of yesterday was a surreal dream. After over 24 hours of travel, I made it here to camp in Kuwait. I write from my cot.
The night of the 6th I made my frantic final preparations and—thanks to being anxious and a 3 am start time—got no sleep before drawing my weapon and getting driven to Tuscon. Who heard of a 6:30 flight!?
Anyway, it was almost all for the better because over the course of the trip I was able to sleep easily (especially from TUS to LAX and LAX to IAD). Zzzz.
When I got off the plane in VA, I was surprised to be hugged by V and greeted by Mom/Sis. We had arranged to meet but I wouldn't be certain if they could make it beyond security until after I had made it off the plane. What seemed at first like a fortunate amount of time flew by like it was only a few moments. In the two and a half hours I got to spend time with them, we did a little walking around the airport and had a nice lunch at Moe's. I regret not having my "last beer" then. Of course, there is always O'Doul's! Yum.
I had not seen V since she came to AZ with me and was so glad to have one final reminder of just how happy we are together before I left on this deployment. Everything about her makes me myself, and we're goofy for each other. I know she'll keep me cheery over the next through months as I try and conquer the monotony of deployment. Even on this transient base here in Kuwait where the comforts of fast-food, a PX, gyms, and a USO it seems somehow contricting and I know this will be the case when I touch ground in Iraq.
It was tough saying goodbye to the three girls and my mom started the waterworks on cue after she and I took a picture together. It was somewhat humorous for me and making humor out of it was the best I could do. I told them, "I'm such a celebrity. Everyone cries when I leave."
After creeping back as far back in the line as I could to delay the inevitable, I made my way towards the gate. V came to give me one last kiss and I was off. Twelve hours of airtime followed, during which time I mostly slept (see, Tried to Sleep) save for watching The Social Network.
I had made long trans-Atlantic flights several times while the family was stationed in Heidelberg, but somehow twelve hours feels much longer than the eight of so it takes to get to Germany. Guess the reasoning behind my travel also played a part in that. Luckily, I had an aisle seat and could move around a bit if I wanted.
The flight passengers on that IAD to Kuwait flight were unlike any demographic I've seen—soldiers returning from leave and tons of contractors. That sight didn't weird me out. The terminal in Kuwait City did.
After getting through security all the eye could see was Muslim garb. Even this didn't get to me until the civilian-clothed DoD rep told me to take off the patches on my uniform. I wished immediately I had flown in civies and cursed that I should have been directed to do so way back in AZ.
I got my gear and weapon and was escorted to the shadiest security guys ever. They cleared the weapon and made it to the van. The amount of security for me was near zero at this point and over the course of the thirty minutes I was about at that the whole time I was at the airport. It was a very odd way to get in to theater. I was happy to make it to the first AFB where I awaited a shuttle and slept underneath the terminal seats like a baby.
When I got here to Camp A, I finally saw a glimpse of what "down-range" looks like and as I sit here in my tent in "Tent City" I actually must go for now. I need to go meet my unit rep (LNO) to find out what I will be doing next. As usual I'm in a fog. All I know is that I'll start training at another camp in KUW.
Later a description of my first night at Tent City is due.
MON TRNG CAMP B
TUE Pick Up/Move Back to CAMP A
After Training/Equipment done, Move to Iraq
About to be driven to CAMP B for training that is to start in the morning. SGT G Aviator (named so because he told me he is going to get out of the Army, do ROTC and become an aviator) is getting the truck now. SFC G Done was able to square me away on the tentative schedule above.
After arriving at Camp B, getting a tour, and being dropped off to do my own thing for the day I took the following notes:
-0600 – 1100 Mando IED trng
-1300-1600 MET
-1600-1700 HEAT
LT GLITZ Acting C Co CMD
From the Camp B USO: Just spoke with CPT Walk for the first time since thinking I'd be assigned to Alpha. That's right since thinking I'd be assigned to Alpha. Guess I will be going to C Co now! The changes never end. Time to sign up for a computer to check out where I might be on the BN newsletter (my lone source of intel half the time).
I got to talk to V for a whole hour on the phone prior to hearing this news so I am in much better spirits. Also, I'm staying in an entire barracks-sized tent by myself tonight. Should be nice to enjoy a little privacy and get some good sleep before training tomorrow.
Quick Note: Cool USO volunteer spoke with me about Ulysses memoir. He offered to give me the book tomorrow. Meet around 1100.
Charlie Co. Heavy Signal Company.
-CMD CPT DD
-XO LT Glitz
-1SG Stt
-LOC: COB Speicher. Named after Navy Pilot who was killed in action in '91 Gulf War. Formerly Al Sahra Airfield. 170 km N of Baghdad. 11 km west of river Tigris. Two large one runways, one small. Fast food amenities, soccer stadium, PX's, shops, gym. CHU's, daily mail, etc.
-Speicher is HQ with locations spread out (in the North)
04 January 2011
Long Trip Home, Now to Business.
Just going to post a few point from a really good post from the platoon leader forum:
Point #1: You and Your Platoon Sergeant
Point #2: You and Your Platoon
Point #3: Counseling
Point #4: Playing Well With Others
Point #5: Being With Your Soldiers
Point #6: Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Point #7: OER Support Forms
Point #8: Layouts and Property Accountability
Point #9: Systems Improvement
Point #10: You and Your Ego
Tomorrow I'll recap all of Vegas and all of the the CRAP I need to get done before I head out...
Point #1: You and Your Platoon Sergeant
Point #2: You and Your Platoon
Point #3: Counseling
Point #4: Playing Well With Others
Point #5: Being With Your Soldiers
Point #6: Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Point #7: OER Support Forms
Point #8: Layouts and Property Accountability
Point #9: Systems Improvement
Point #10: You and Your Ego
Tomorrow I'll recap all of Vegas and all of the the CRAP I need to get done before I head out...
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