Grand Old Party

Let's face it, I lean to the republican side of the force. Maybe it is because I am a cheesehead and I actually know where Ripon is (good cookies). And maybe I know where the party was born. Or maybe I just like to party.

I once voted for a democrat, he was the only one on the ticket. I could have abstained but he was the best candidate for the job.

I just have a hard time voting for a party that believes in adultery. It might be to my past experiences for that. And what is wrong with the Marines? Why does it seem that every democratic president or controlled congress wants to abolish the Marine Corps? We are different, but that is a good thing. I could list hundreds of reasons why, but I will leave that for another post.

I still tend to consider myself independent. I think this way because I am free.

The 10 Percent Rule

Over the years of being in the military I have "lost" many things. Somewhere along the line I discovered it was surprisingly enough to be about 10% of my belongings. There was a year or two in there where it wasn't a material thing, it was social or emotional. ( Heart rippings)

One year it was like 40 CDs out of my 400 CD collection. Another was about 50 DVDs out my 500 DVD collection. Just so you can get an idea.

The material things tend to wind up in someone else's possession because they think they bought it. An example would be "LA Story" one of my favorites movies. I have bought it seven times. I don't know anyone who has bought this movie.

So now, being in this deployment, I was wondering what was going to be lost. It may end up being a combo. Heart rippings, CDs, my truck jack and the tire iron, that is about 10 or so.

Rational Thoughts

I paid another Marine 5 dollars for the grape kool-aid singles box that he had. I have no idea what this sort of thing actually costs to buy in a store and send to Iraq, but it was worth five dollars. The silly part is I probably would have paid more for it.

I have had the same twenty five dollars and sixty-two cents in my pocket since I came back from leave in June. For me really to spend it, I would have to get up two to three hours early or stay awake for four to five hours extra. Then I could go in the "exchange" for the item needed, problem is there is nothing in there I want or need. The items I need are always gone, because there a shitload of other people that need the same thing. As I stated earlier I would need to stay up or get up early, to find out the items I need are not there. Kind of seems like mindless banter, doesn't it?

I noticed since summer has pretty much come and is going, the number of care packages has gone down significantly. I am not complaining, just an observation.

Times when we can't call or visit the Internet, tend to blur together. The only one I have called is my Mom, since being back in country. I was thinking of calling a few others but I have been making excuses on why I should not.

My roommates and I have finally come to some sort of agreement on the temperature of the room. I think they are leaving soon, so they probably don't care as much.

What is wrong with orange, grape and cherry flavors? Why can't we get normal flavors? I mean the kiwi-banana-avocado is interesting but it doesn't taste very good.

Dragonflys, Part II

An Iraqi Dragon Fly.

I figure this one has a wingspan of about six inches. Could be hell itself, right there staring at me with those compound eyes. Then again, maybe not.

Deployment, Part II

The next wave of divorces are starting again.
There are many "Dear John" letters and "Oh by the way" conversations in the last few days. That is the way it goes, it comes in waves. Some couples were seen by others as "rocky" and it was expected, some were "perfect for each other" and no one saw it coming.

A Marine or two have come to me for advice. I figure it is for one of two reasons or both. One I am a senior enlisted and two I have been through before. Probably the latter. It is always hard but you plan for the worse and hope for the best.

Dragonflys

I have written a few letters back today and yesterday. I must really admit that I have nothing to say. Nothing much changes from day to day.

There is a dragonfly about the size of your average Frisbee that hangs around at night. I can't figure out why the bats haven't eaten him yet.

There are a few mice that I think have been attracting the snakes closer to our work areas. Haven't seen too many evil snakes, just the bad ones. Like if they bite you you will get sick but not die right away.

Yesterday, I saw what looked like a coyote, but I didn't go closer to verify. I think it may have been the first 4 legged creature that I have seen out here.

Reality on an August Afternoon

Today, while the sun was passing over the horizon and the blast furnace seemed to go down a notch, I realized "I really hate this place."

I know 'hate' is a strong word, but the only real benny out here is the tax free part.

I can see me now, (dreamland) sitting on my back porch on my rocker with a plush pillow seat, rocking to the beat of Hair of the Dog, drinking a frothy beverage in an iced mug, on cool afternoon talking with some friends with some 2 string, one string, no string guitars.

Then suddenly, it all comes back to me, with the dust cloud surrounding the base, I am still in Iraq and I can not give blood today since I gave last week. So I look at it in sorrow that I cannot help that soldier or Marine today.

My Off Time

I had just finished another book (Gates of Fire) today and started reading Broken Prey. So far so good, it seems to be a murder mystery type book.

I have been increasing my PT and have been riding the bike for about 45 minutes extra every other day. It probably wouldn't be difficult but I have a 100 pound pack just for riding on my bike during this time. The bike ride isn't as bad for my knees and feet, and i still get the workout.

I have been watching Oprah on AFN (Armed Forces Network) for about twenty minutes prior to going to work. Today had Jon Stewart was a guest, which was the highlight of my day. I am not saying that I enjoy Oprah and I am not saying I like to watch Jon Stewart. I am saying it was the highlight of my day.

Lovable Furry Old Grover

I miss it.

Having fun.

The laughs and jeers.

The Search for Mae West

(Truly, you would have to know all angles of me to understand the title.)

The woman of my dreams would be:
Lady like
Aggressive
Tactful
Athletic
Intelligent
Refined

(B cup breasts or larger are definitely a plus.)

My Given Name

My first name is not Staff Sergeant, it is my rank.

Couldn't tell though. I have been answering to that now everyday for the last 200 or so days in a row. I miss my name being called.

I am not talking about just my last name either. Most (about 99.9999%) get my last name wrong. Switching letters around, adding letters, just complete butchery. Every once in a blue moon someone will get it right, but that is neither here nor there.

It is the little things, you know?

Female Friends, and Friends of Friends

(While this post might have been better for another blog or maybe even personal thoughts amongst closer friends, I have decide to go public with this one.)

My ex wives and close female friends whether they be girlfriends, lovers, or just friends may have had PCOS(Poly cystic ovary syndrome). It makes sense. It would explain a lot. This is just a SWAG (scientific wild ass guess) so if I am wrong so be it, but if I am right. Then, this would be a larger breakthrough.

I learned of this from a political web blog Blonde Sagacity.

Maybe this is it, then reason. The thing I couldn't figure out. then maybe I am pulling straws.

Poly- Tick- ing

Being in the military it is very hard to get away from politics, since the sole purpose of the military is to be an arm of politicians and the government. I was looking at the use of the left and right terms and how they translate into what I do, and unfortunately, that would take away too much space on the Internet and is really not worth it.

The part that really gets me is these terms come from the French then in the 1800 the Spanish used the terms in their Constitution. I figure,HG Wells, can be blamed. He was one of the first to openly use left and right.

I am ambidextrous.

Saving the World

It seems like everyday there is some "crisis," which we then save the world from unknown destruction. How many times can we do it and who is counting?


While I know there are "bad people" constantly doing bad and unmoral acts everyday, there is also a high number of Marines doing what is right and moral every minute.

A Happy Fourth

For the most part everyone here had a happy Fourth of July. Some shops, if work load permitted, "cooked out" with the best that could be found. The line for the phones is almost ungodly, but manageable non the less. Some watched patriotic movies and some even decorated a little. I saw some flares and tracer rounds which is almost like fireworks.

Comments

2000
I am aware of the problem. I am working on fixing it.
2100
I lost Haloscan commenting, so you will have to bear with the default. Hopefully, I can get it restored and have done seamlessly.

0145 July 5th
Fixed.

My 2 Hour Window

Everyday I have a two hour break when nothing happens. It is not exactly the same time everyday but it happens everyday. This time I generally use to walk about the work areas or talk to some Marines about home. The last few days I have been using it for my blog and read other blogs of interest for me. (All are morally safe.)

This one group of blogs that I have been following are by a group of pastors(one term for all types, for simplicity) for churches all over the US. The one that caught my interest first was "Cheesehead in Paradise" , for obvious reasons.

One thing, of these blogs, is most of these pastors seem to like Monty Python's Holy Grail. I always thought this movie was exactly the opposite of what your spiritual leader was supposed to like. Maybe I have been wrong all these years.

What I should be doing in my 2 hour window is write some letters back home. So I decided that I will do one a night instead of writing all of them at once.

Peanut Butter Cookies

My Mom is definitely a veteran cookie packager and it shows. I can't remember when I received cookies that didn't make the journey to me.

I have been eating about 2 a day since the package arrived, so that the cookies will last longer. I can't eat chocolate, so most people get so confused and dumbfounded that I don't receive that many packages with cookies in them.

Not much beats a good peanut butter cookie and some flavored water after a twenty minute sandstorm trek.

Okay, there are a lot of things that do.

For here and now, that cookie is the best part of my day.

June Full Moon

This evening as I was starting my shift I noticed the moon. It is a rare to find the moon so large near one of our working spaces. I thought what an excellent photo op. Unfortunately, my camera doesn't see like my eyes do.

Hope you all enjoy!

Behind on Letter Writing

I really need to apologize. I am really far behind on my letter writing. Normally, pre-Iraq, I would never write a letter. Now, I have been writing a letter a bout once a month to several people and couples. Most are probably our(shop or work center) biggest benefactors, with supplies that tend to be essential. Hopefully in the next few days, I will a have a letter in the mail for these people:

Mom
My Brother and his wife
Julie Boutwell
Lori and Ron
Rena J's
Mark and Dorothy West
Judy Schleicher
Ken and Dorothy Fackina
Sheila Faul
Lauri Hansen
and
Faith Lutheran Church

Reading

I have been reading 3 books lately. Some of the Marines I run into ask how I keep them apart. I think of it like this:

Semper Fi in the Sky : is like the History channel, but better.
Gates of Fire : is like the SciFi channel meets discovery channel.
and Whispers : is like late night Cinemax slash Oxygen slash Spike wrapped into one.

Unfortunately, I am almost finished with all 3 of them so I will have to find a new channel soon.

Hallucinations of a Sane Man

I was reading this article in GQ (yes I am a subscriber) about how when you become a dad that are suddenly attracted to moms. I am not a dad and I am attracted to moms. The way the article reads is a prerequisite to finding moms hot is you have to be a dad. I say it is not so.

Granted, if you all haven't noticed, I am in the middle of the Iraqi desert. I think about a lot different types of women. Fantasy, sci-fi, erotic, pretty much every variety including the innocent type with long eyelashes,pony tails, and that type of southern draw that lends to a thought of purity.

Did I mention that July 15th is my half way point?

Donations and Self Donations

While I was on leave I sent 12 packages to myself for Iraq. Four of which were filled with underwear and socks. Those items I felt are a little too personal as far as asking for donations. Three other boxes were filled with stuff for my bicycle that I put together from broken bikes that were scattered around. The rest were filled with magazines, old mail, and a feather pillow. I have always enjoyed a good feather pillow to sleep on.

When I got back in country, there were several packages from all sorts of people and I distributed most or all of the items to my Marines. I one package, however, was a package of dried fruit and nuts. This particular item was well received by all.

I do have some personnel requests: Outside Thermometer, "Dried Fruit" such as banana chips, and "green tea by Lipton".
Requests from the Marines include : LED lights, Baby wipes, powdered drink mixes, Scotch tape, dried fruit and nuts, and chocolate

Chocolate bars will not make it to Iraq, many have tried and many have been received as a soupy mess.

Companionship

Morally speaking, I have always been more happy, in the long term sense of the word, while being deployed than when I have been in the states in garrison. I am mean let's face it, my personal life is generally fucked up most of time. I may have a few fleeting glimpses of happiness or "lustfullness", but really the longest time that I have been happy, my other half hated me, so that means I wasn't happy.

(Don't start calling the Chaplin, I am far from that. I like me. A lot.)

The companionship that I have never achieved as a married man, I obtain from being with my brother in arms.

I am a social animal that enjoys a good conversation with just about anyone.

(Don't worry I am straight, I like women.)

This might be why I have been thinking about going to Japan after this duty. We were stuck on an island and we made the best of it.

Something is definitely missing when I spend time in the states, I am just not sure what it is.

Email my Posts

I am trying to set up a email to blog, so that I can post more frequently here in Iraq. Hopefully, in the next few days a post or two will just pop up here.

I will give it till Friday, then I will do it manually. Not a big deal just trying to make it easier on myself.

Vacations and Updates

I have decided that when I get back to the US after this deployment I am going to go on one of those things called "vacations." I have never spent time in DC, I think I may try to stay up there for a week and see the sights. Then I think I may go on one those cruise ship things, you know the boat that has windows and even a pool on it. I have never really done that before and why not go.

In case you are wondering, I am back in Iraq.

I gave the gouge to my Marines on the do's and don'ts for leave. The stuff "they" don't tell you and would be helpful to know.

I still have not smoked a cigarette since the first week in February.

I have paid off almost all of my revolving credit.

And I slapped myself in the face after not finding the holy grail of happiness. It wasn't spiritual but it didn't need to be.

Leave in NC

Well, I finished my list and it still hasn't made me any more happy. As the leave has transpired, I have been more depressed and pissed off than I was when I was in "danger".

The deployment is just like all my other deployments, routine. You are never supposed to do a routine but it is inevitable. In my routine, I had more happy thoughts than I do here. Then again most of those happy thoughts included someone. Oops, what was I thinking. I am a veteran of this deployment thing, and I still fucked up somehow. I even did everything different and it still turned out the same.

There are some good points, I am staying at my Friend's home which she could have said ' sorry but you will have to find another place to sleep.' She did make me a meal which was very good. Her kids have been about the same, but I rarely have had any problems with kids other than my niece who won't look at me, let alone even tell me how her day was at school. My bother says I intimidate her, I don't understand her brother doesn't have that problem.

I am started to go way off subject here. In short, I am not a happy camper and everytime I try to make me happy, I lose. I just don't know what to do anymore.

R & R

I am currently on R and R. Which is supposed to be Rest and Relaxation. I am on day 4 and it has been nothing but. Someone had said to me that they needed to figure out what made them happy. (I am not that person.) I guess I need to do the same.

The standard things that I do to relax myself are:

1) Body Massage - not one with a happy ending but if they are giving it a away why fight it.

2) Pedicure - I wear boots for 14 plus hours a day, I am sure the ladies would agree this is a must.

3) Beer - what can I say I like the taste, I also like the taste of Captian Morgan with some coke, but not drinking for a 140 days makes that he last drink of the day.

I have found that you truly rest the best after sex. Unfortunately, sex is not on trees and Walmart doesn't carry it.

Going back to the original question, What make me happy? I don't know anymore, I think I fill my days with so much stuff that I don't have time to be happy.

I am content, to be back the states for 2 weeks. I rushed my ass off to get here, slept in all sorts of funky places to get on the next flight or bus, now I look back and wonder why I hurried.

Time

My mind is the same.

I believe my mind is the same. I have not changed. I am the same man I was 5 months ago.

This "evil" people seek is not encompassing the force.

The niceties of human nature are not present though most welcome the gesture at any given moment.

A welcomed hand is all that is needed.

The fray endures, as the beast is caged for what it seems to be eternity.

Self Refelection

The last few hours of my day and the first few of yesterday I have been self reflecting.
Probably long over due, and it was sparked by someone I care about letting me know I have been a jackass lately.

Some of my excuses why, I have been a jerk are kust that excuses. One for example is "everyone" hates the division I work in, the other division mike their priorities from us and we control their work flow. The last few years I have grown to hate this division, but now since I have been put into this billet I can understand the broader and bigger picture. There is no nice things said between divisions or supervisors.
The routine. The routine is the same every day nothing changes.

Well, I am starting to change some of those things and maybe I wont be such a jackass anymore. Tonight at my meeting, I did not say one bad thing about any division and kept it to under 2 minutes. Tomorrow after work myself and another Marine are going to chow. Then last few weeks I have been skipping this meal and so has he. Plus, we "vent" out our days on our way to chow, which might be a factor.

The big thing for me is be postive to the ones I love and appreciate what I have have and what they have given me. I cannot take for granted that they will be there and I must not push them away.

The 2 -D World

Have you seen the old Warner Brother cartoons with Bugs Bunny and the gang?

I was thinking of one in particular this morning on my way back to my barracks. The one where the sheep dogs greet the wolves back and forth between shifts for day and night. They clock in and out carrying lunchboxes. I remember this cartoon so well because that is how it is here.

Every morning and every evening I greet the same people going in or coming back from work. I feel I may be stuck in that cartoon.

The major difference would be I don't get my own sound effects. And my name is not Ralph.

Packages from Faith Lutheran

I received 3 packages from Faith Lutheran of Valders this past weekend. The boxes were adressed to me, but I gave away most of what was in it to my corporal and lance corporal.

I appreciate the care packages and my Marines appreciate it as well.

Toiletries and any other "consumable" are always in high demand. With summer rapidly approaching, the need for items such as: to dispel insects, sunscreen, lip balm, and lotions will go in high demand.

Again, I thank all that support us out here.

News Junkie

I am a news junkie; I have been for some time. If fact, I spend a good portion of my day reading the headlines and sub-headlines of many different newspapers. I also include the editorials.



Why editorials do, you ask. Simple. When anyone writes an article, the views of the writer are included and show the direction in which he or she wants you to view that subject as well.



That may be part of the reason I read several sources of news. I like BBC, Fox News, CNN, and Discovery. Sometimes I will read something by a "no namer" but for most of the time it is one the few I listed.



The news as it pertains to the good ol' US of A, I feel, is real important and directly affects my life, so I pay attention to Congress, the President and one occasion the Supreme Court.



Now that I have explained myself, I wish to talk (or criticize) about the majority of the minority who knows everything about military issues and what is best in America. To me, this category of people is: individuals who speak for others whether they agree with them or not. Did that make sense?



This group in my opinion are actors, singers, activists, lobbyists, et cetera who are popular because they lie well, are lustful, or some "evil" act that is popularized by American society.



What degree or journeyman did these people receive to lead everyone else in a fight that they have no experience with? I know it is not common sense and I know they didn't buy it at Wal-Mart.



I could easily write about this subject all day, but I have a job to do.



The flip side is I stood in line for a half in hour so I could either use the telephone or the computer for about 25 minutes but not both. ( Had this been 10 years ago I would have wrote this down on a napkin and stuck it my scrap book I have carrying round for the last 12 years or so and my grandkids would be the only ones reading it. )



My point for this was actually done in about three sentences, but I felt you all needed the background and the 'cause and effect' before getting there. I apologize for you.

The 2 Month Barrier

We have just entered crunch time. You know what I mean if you have deployed before. It is the time when everyone becomes what they truly are. If they are assholes in "real" life then they are assholes now. Let me explain it differently.

Some people will act extra nice to one another in the first few weeks thinking that this behavior will give them something, i.e. friends, bennies, what ever. After this endures for awhile, natural human behavior kicks in and whatever "type" of person they are normally, will be the person everyone sees.

Let's look at it like this:

Nice person + 2 months = Hateful to peers and unsatisfied person who still has 10 months to go on deployment

Spring is in the Air

I haven't updated this in such a while that I could easily write a small novel.

I won't though.

The 2 days of spring came and went, it was exciting. In celebration of a long spring I had a "near" beer. It was a Beck, but tasted like a Pabst Blue Ribbon with no kick. In case you are wondering it is 83 cents a can. Most of it tastes as if it was skunked which according to chemistry shouldn't be possible.

March Madness

It has been so long since I posted there almost nothing to say and everything to say at the same time. (Confusing isn't it?)

Here's some updates:

The weather is horrible, it is cold today and will be not tomorrow, then out of no where a sandstorm appears. I get so excited, I can't wait until summer.

I am paying Sam's Club, but not the way I wanted. I am still having problems with my web account.

For some darn reason there was no mail call yesterday.

I have visited the post office enough times now to say the average wait is 2 hours and 37 minutes to mail a package the size of a VCR tape and it takes an average of 4 hours and 22 minutes to mail a package the size of a footlocker, from Iraq.

I now know the true meaning to "smurf butt" and I don't like it.

I have day dreams of clearing my M9 and then losing my reflective belt.

The only way I know there is a change in day, is post office opens later on Sundays.

Don't Forget Your Statement When Paying Bills

I have been trying to pay for a bill from Sam's Club since arriving in Iraq and been have difficulty due to me not remembering the statement and not bring the card that was issued to me. I started with what I thought was a simple line of questioning at the Sam's Club website to an email game of tag. I am including it for your viewing pleasure:

From: ssgt
Sent On: 2007-01-24 21:30:04.0
To: Membership.Services@samsclub.com
Subject: Contact Sam's Club
Customer First Name : T Customer Last Name : W
Customer Membership# :
Customer Phone # :
Customer Message : I wish to access my account but do not have my card with me and do not remember my login information.
I wish to make payments via the web fore I am deployed.
My address for the deployment is:
BLAH (I took out some stuff for this post.)
I have listed my email address above.
Thank you in this matter.

The reply:

-----Original Message-----
From: Membership.Services@samsclub.com[mailto:Membership.Services@samsclub.com]Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 2:12 AM
To: Ssgt
Subject: <>Contact Sam's Club
To help us provide the best service possible to you, please do not change the subject of, or any replies to, this email.
Dear T,
Thank you for contacting Sam's Club. In order for us to access your online account and look up you login information, we will need a phone number, zip code, or membership number. We apologize for any inconvenience.
For any further questions or concerns please continue to email us or contact us at 888-746-7726.

Respectfully,
Sam's Club
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:SSgt
Sent On: 2007-01-25 21:41:39.0
To: mserve@samsclub.com
Subject: RE: <>Contact Sam's Club
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
I don't remember my membership #, its on the card. My address listed for the account should be BLAH, and the phone listed should be BLAH. If I had the my membership number
I wouldn't be asking in this way.

SSgt
Al Asad

-----------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: mserve@samsclub.com [mailto:mserve@samsclub.com]
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 7:16 PM
To: Ssgt
Subject: <>RE: Contact Sam's Club
To help us provide the best service possible to you, please do not change the subject of, or any replies to, this email.
Thank you for contacting Sam's Club,
Your membership number is (some number).
Your user id is your email address.
If you have any further questions don't hesitate to contact us.
Respectfully,
Jessica
------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: SSGT
Sent On: 2007-02-07 01:01:40.0
To: Membership.Services@samsclub.com
Subject: RE: <>RE: Contact Sam's Club
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
That number does not work on the site as a valid account number. Also,which email address is my login. I have tried all that I remember and none are on file.

SSgt
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Membership.Services@samsclub.com[mailto:Membership.Services@samsclub.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 7:46 PM
To: Ssgt
Subject: <>RE: RE: Contact Sam's Club
To help us provide the best service possible to you, please do not change the subject of, or any replies to, this email.
Dear Sam's member,
Thank you for contacting Sam's club.Please contact us at Sam's club customer service at (888)746-7726.
We will be able to get you the login for the online system.
Sincerely,
Tina
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: SSGT
Sent On: 2007-02-14 11:03:13.0
To: mserve@samsclub.com
Subject: RE: <>RE: RE: Contact Sam's Club
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

I am in Iraq. I cannot call you. I need better assistance.

SSgt
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: mserve@samsclub.com [mailto:mserve@samsclub.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 10:38 PM
To: Ssgt
Subject: <>RE: RE: RE: Contact Sam's Club
To help us provide the best service possible to you, please do not change the subject of, or any replies to, this email.
SSgt ,
Thank you for contacting Sam's Club. I have registered you on the website. Your login is the email address on that you sent this email from. The password is 123456. If you need further assistance please let us know. You can change the password by clicking on Forgot Password. This will email a link to you to reset it. Thank you and have a nice day.

Respectfully,
Mary S
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: SSGT
Sent On: 2007-02-24 11:03:13.0
To: mserve@samsclub.com
Subject: RE:<>RE: RE: RE: Contact Sam's Club
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
The account is a new one, not the original account in which I need to give you money. Help me, Help you.

SSgt
----------------------------------------------------------
As you can see, I have not gotten anywhere. Really. I will keep you all posted. This is one of my highlights in my Microsoft Outlook portion of the day.

I kidding, you know that. Right?

Gray Hair

I know why military retirees have gray hair. This place and similar situations cause it.

While performing my job, there is a "crisis" everyday. Everything else must stop, so that we (myself and maintainers) can fix the "problem" and the aircraft can fly for whatever mission that is commencing or about to commence in next few hours.

And to think, I just re-enlisted for another 4 years of this crap. (I think I am just looking at the possibility of ending a military career before I hit 40.)

I also put in for warrant officer again, which would string out my time a few more years and my hair would definitely be gray at the end of it.

The good part is most of it is coming in at the sides just above my ears. I can have that trimmed off when I get my haircut.

Night Crew

I am currently working nights, which in turn would mean I am working a shift similar to one in the States that would be a day shift.

I go to work when it is daylight and I leave work when it is daylight, but during work it is dark outside unless the moon is out.

To me it seems I get less accomplished on night crew, but the stress is lower. Our power goes out regularly, which in turn means not a lot of maintenance gets done in the dark. Unfortunately, the timing is not regular.

I do get to reflect on my day more, but time to stand in line for the phone seems futile since we need power, and the only time I have that is free is when we don't have power.

Gotta love it.

Really the best part of the day for everyone is "mail call." Everyone loves it when they get a letter. Not everyone does, so I share. (Goes back to that "Any Marine" program.)

I have sent out several replies in the last few days, I hope it doesn't take too long.

The WO package, nicotine, & stuff a church group could send.

For the sixth year now, I have put in for warrant officer. The process is pretty much the same year after year, the only real change this year is I am in a combat zone. So my picture was done in the desert MARPAT uniform and not all of my medical precommissioning checklist can be completed here. For the most part the rest is the same, still have a fairly large document of stuff about me in terms that most military people can only read, have an interview with officers that were once enlisted(mostly objective questions), and there is always extra red tape and a few hoops you need to jump through. In a way, it seems the officers try to make the process as hard as possible so you can not be one of them, you know, crossing into the "dark side". I received a good recommendation and today it has been forwarded to "group" where they will endorse it, send it to wing they endorse it and then it arrives at Headquarters Marine Corps. The board convenes in June the results are posted in late July. Yea! I figure the worst thing "they" could do is appoint me.

I stopped taking or you could say I stopped putting the patch on my arm. I have been still taking Zyban, but sleeping hasn't been that great. One the most common side effects is lack of sleep (another is lack in sexual desire). All in all, I think I am doing pretty good with that.

Q-tips, snack food such as breakfast bars, popcorn, beef jerky, magazines, blankets, paper filter masks (paint face masks), just about anything you could think about you might need in a desert that is high use or disposable are items myself and others need or want. The basic stuff like razors and soap, along with anti-bacterial wipes, cleaner, hand soap are used everyday and is needed. If you have ever been to Yuma, Arizona, think about what you needed there and then subtract about 10 degrees for the winter (30-40s) and add about 30 degrees for summer (130-150s) , that may help in figuring out what we need or want. There is no Wal-mart, no Fleet Farm, and no Applebee's. At the base I am am at, there is a Pizza Hut and a Burger King, but I am not eating in a place that has no food inspector and the closest cattle is in India where they are sacred.

I am listed in http://anysoldier.com/WhereToSend/ you can look up by last name, country, or many other unique ways. I am supporting about 20 Marines.

Navy Showers

We are supposed to take "navy showers".

Here's the definition:
Wet body,
Lather body with soap,
Rinse body,
and you're done!

The idea is to have plenty of hot water for everyone and to conserve on water.

Well, the water (for showers and sinks) is "made" and is disinfected water and in turn is not potable.

All I want is five minutes of hot water, I don't think this is too much to ask for. Is it? If you give five minutes, of straight, hot water, then I will take those navy showers my superiors tell us to take.

The typical shower I get at 0400 (morning) is excruciating hot water for one minute, then sub zero cold water for 30 seconds, then warm water for 5 seconds. This cycle will then repeat and the times for each temperature are not the same, it varies.

The rumor is the best time to take a shower is mid-day. When some of the offenders of not taking the five minute showers are taking longer, in theory. But who cares, its day time and it is warm outside. I am not afforded the opportunity to take showers during the day, for I have a job. Hell, I seldom eat lunch, much less, even thinking of taking my clothes off to get clean. I mean really, why would I want to bathe.

Quit Smoking: Day 9

I had duty on Saturday, and that was the true test. 24 plus hours of mostly boredom. I made it through. Yesterday, I pretty much slept all day.

The nicotine patch I am wearing is a 7 mg, and I can't tell the difference. I only have 4 more patches, so day 14 will be the last test per se'.

My boss said if he sees anyone giving me a smoke or if I am smoking, the culprit will owe the division a night out in town.( I don't know if he has noticed but we're in Iraq.)

Quit Smoking: Day 5

The urge to pick up a cigarette has pretty much gone away, but ( there always seems to be one) the nicotine urge hasn't. I had forgotten my patch yesterday and by 0800 I was hurting. By 0930, I had a new one on. On Sunday, I am stepping down to a lower patch and then the week after its bye-bye nicotine. Mid-February I should be completely nicotine free.

Just think, 18 years of smoking and all I got out of it....hold on...I got a bunch of shit because I was a smoker. I networked like it was going out of style. I received a bunch of stuff from good ol' Phillip. Phil even gave me birthday presents, hell, he remembered better than my friends.

Okay, I know what you are thinking, smoking is bad. Then again, so is getting your head chopped off by a rotating rotor of a 53 because you didn't listen to the crew chief for she was a couple of ranks lower than you and what could she know and you didn't wear your hearing protection 'cause you think that is for sissies so now you can't hear when she said don't go that way 'cause you'll get your head chopped off, is also.

I don't know maybe you should make the call.

Quit Smoking: Day 3

I am sitting on about 62 and half hours now, and I am only having problems when I drink coffee or I walk past a smoke pit. Unfortunately, there are many smoke pits. (Hard to avoid.)

Been having a little hard time sleeping. I think, when it gets warmer I may use my sleeping bag as my snuggle buddy.

My Corporal wants me to start smoking again. I have been keeping him busy since I have been keeping busy. Not that my job is hard to keep busy with, I have just added a few extra jobs that don't hurt to get done. ( My Sergeant thinks I am developing OCD.)

Next week, I will be lowering my patch to 7 mg. We shall see, what may come.

Quit Smoking: Day 2

So it's been about 33 hours since my last cigarette and all I think about is smoking a cigarette. In fact last night, I had a dream about smoking.

I admit I have been looking for a reason to have just a drag off someone else's cigarette, but since I warned everyone early they haven't indulged. I better off, right?

Quit Smoking: Day 1

Since I am in Iraq, and I can't drink alcohol, plus I hate spending the money on it, I figured it may be time to quit smoking. The whole last week I was taking a Zyban, a drug originally for anti-depression, to build up in my system. Today I am on the patch with the drug. The theory is since I have tried to quit using the pill and failed, and I have tried using the patch and failed. I should be able to quit with both of them.

Its the two negatives make a positive theory.

I am only about an hour into it, so I can't say whether I feel any discomfort by not smoking yet. Just so you all know, I am considered a 2 pack a day smoker. That's 40 cigarettes a day or about two thousand one hundred and ninety dollars a year for my smoking habit. Would make a nice house payment or a great gift for my girlfriend.

First Impressions

So I have been in Iraq for a about a week or so and it reminds me of the movie "Groundhog's Day" with Bill Murray.

I have read stories of many other military personnel with regards to their experiences in Iraq or Afghanistan and it seems they are all grunts, if you pardon the phrase. I am not. A grunt that is. I guess you would call me a "pogue", I like to think of me as a winger.

I work in an environment that is a cross between a very large CAX, part Futenma, and something about "Behind Enemy the Lines." I will explain:

CAX:
A quarterly exercise that happens in a desert. So if you looked at the map of the US it would be the center of the "O" in Mojave Desert. The airwing does the same job day in day out for 12 to 15 hours a day.

Futenma:
An airbase in Japan where there really no real entertainment and you need a vehicle to get to anywhere because of the vast stretches between one place to the other.

"Behind Enemy the Lines":
I picked this movie for the "hero" is wearing a flight suit, carrying a pistol, and is being shot at through the whole thing.

So I think that sums it up quite nicely.
I work 12 to 15 hours a day = long day(in fact I have no concept of what day it really is)
I have no vehicle = walk everywhere
On the base there is a gym = I don't need the gym because I have no vehicle
I wear something like a flight suit = a winger
I carry a pistol = Flak, plates, pistol, ammo, more ammo
Being shot = (I personally have not) Medivacs constantly, which in turn = give blood

Seeing Your Military Passengers

The TSA has put out a security directive pertaining to Military Passengers. According to Security Directive 1544-01-10w Access to Sterile concourse for non-traveling individuals.

"Military Passenger" Family Members may be given a pass
1. To escort the military passenger to the gate
2. To meet a military passenger's inbound arrival at the gate.

After talking to TSA for clarification the family member can go to the airline that the military member is flying on and receive a pass to go to the gate. You will be required to have a pass and a photo ID to get pass the security checkpoint.

This is especially a wonderful change for the military personnel who are on leave from Afghanistan or Iraq. It will be a better Welcome Home for you to get off the airplane and see your family at the gate and being able to stay with the family longer before having to leave.

Always check for a USO at the airport for a comfortable place to wait for your flight.

To Fly or Not to Fly

I volunteered to be "late" party to Iraq. No brainer there, huh? What seemed like a extra week in the states has turned into 2 weeks. Yea! I have come to realize is that there only so much prep one can do before leaving and the rest of the time is spent fucking off. Unfortunately, today I have spent most of it fucking off on the toilet, which plain sucks. The good thing is my bowels will be clean by the time I arrive.

I will try to enjoy my weekend fore I will be leaving via "birds" early next week. I will keep you all posted on my enema next time.