Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everybody!!!  I hope everybody got everything they wanted and then some.  Due to some poor flying weather that caused a huge backlog of mail, my presents are still trickling in from everybody.  I did, however, get a couple bags of Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks coffee.  The DD coffee made for as great a start to the day as I could've asked for.  And with the gift card received from the Martinez family, I think there will be more coffee on the way shortly. 

Mom was on the ball this year with the pictures and already received quite few Christmas pictures.  Quite a few adorable pictures of Jack in there.  And Mom looks like Aunt Susie's twin in one of them.  It almost looks like they're related or something...

I made the fatal error of buying something on my Christmas list that I didn't think anyone was going to get for me.  So I now have two copies of Mad Men Season 1.  I think I'll send the one I bought back for the second season.

Getting kicked off the computer.  Seems like I get less and less time every time I'm in here.

Later.

Happy Holidays

Want to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Camp Leatherneck Afghanistan.  Everything has been going really well lately and it's been keeping me really busy over the last couple weeks.

Since early November we've been able to push out over 30 convoys, driven over 100,000 miles, and delivered 20,000 tons of equipment to the warfighters.  It's a pretty impressive total for just two months and the pace isn't going to slow down at all.

The mail system has been crazy busy lately over the holidays.  Pile poor weather on top of it and you get a huge backlog of mail at all the main post offices in theater (including here).  I've been able to get a couple presents so far.  Don't worry, I've refused the temptations open them.  Hopefully there's some good stuff in there.

Not much else going on around here.  I work out, work, sleep, and repeat.  We were able to finally get our TV hooked up to AFN so I can get a little bit of America in my room now.  Now if my PlayStation 3 would arrive, it would make the TV a little more fun.

All I got for now.  Look for a new post on Christmas.

Later.

Missing Thanksgiving

Happy late Thanksgiving everybody.  This year I doubly missed Thanksgiving.  First, and most obvious, I was in Afghanistan for it.  Second, I was a convoy that left early early early Thanksgiving morning.  So I spent all of Thanksgiving traveling the open deserts of Afghanistan.  It was a seven day mission were we only went 120 miles round trip but you can only go about 5 kph through the desert.  But I think it's good for the staff officers to get out with the troops, especially if they're going to be out over the holidays.  It shows everybody that the staffers are willing to get down and dirty like everybody else.  So for Thanksgiving I ate a Chili Mac MRE.  But I still have all my digits and appendeges so all is well.

I sent my Christmas list out today.  If you didn't get it, please get with Mom as she has it.  Everybody still needs to me send me yours, preferably not in Powerpoint form.  (Thanks Zach.  Your a future Army Officer in the making)

Pictures from the mission to follow later.  I'm getting kicked off the computer now.

Later.

Outback/Carrabas Meal

Just wanted to a quick thanks to two outstanding organizations: Outback Steakhouse and Carrabas Italian Grill.  Both restaurants decided to support the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan by shipping all kinds of food to both countries and cooking it too.  I just chowed down on some strip steak, pasta, vegetable ravioli, calamari, bloomin onion, and some cheesecake.  I think all the weight I've lost so far just got put back on in the last 45 minutes.  It was a great meal even though the steak was cooked until it was charcoal.  But, seeming as I'm in Afghanistan and getting such a great meal, I can't complain. 

Mom sent me great care package today.  Cashews, twizzlers, granola bars, beef jerky, and jolly ranchers.  Always a good combination.  The only thing that could've made it better would be some cherry/white chocolate/machadamia nut cookies.  Christmas is just around the corner though so I'm sure those will be in works soon. 

In other news, I've been taking advantage of the sweet deployment pay and have paid off my student loans and my TV I bought during the summer.  It's about the only thing I enjoy about deploying is paying off all my bills.  Hopefully now I can focus on my house payments and cut a couple years and a couple thousand dollars in interest out of the tail end of it.

Time to go let my food digest.  Later.

Veteran's Day

So this post is a day late, but it's still appropriate.  November 11th is Veteran's Day.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the day off as much as everybody else, but I think it's often forgotten what the holiday is for.

Veteran's Day was originally called Armistice Day until World War II ended.  It was then changed to what is currently called Veteran's Day.  I have people all the time thanking me for my service to the country and thanking me for what I do for the country.  A man approached me at Starbucks a couple months ago when I was on my way to work so I was in uniform.  He came up to me, thanked me for my service, and then went on tell me how his family had served in WWII.  I had to confess to him that it's the Americans that served in WWI and WWII that are the real heroes.  They served, some of them, for four straight years in either the Pacific, European, or African theaters.  They are the one's that destroyed an 'empire' that was literally seeking to take over the world and create a master race.  And for that, I have to say a very special thank you to all the veterans of World Wars I and II.  (I mixed the two wars together a little bit, but you get the point)

For the current conflicts, it's the Soliders, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines getting shot at everyday who really deserve this attention.  Everybody who deploys is missing 6-12 months with their family, wife, husband, pets, house. tv, and almost everything else they care about.  But I'm only here to support the people who are taking it to the enemy on a daily basis.  I make sure they have, without asking, everything they need to engage and destroy the enemies of the United States of America.  But they are in danger's way almost everyday.  And for that, a very special thank you to the men and women at the tip of the spear today in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I was sitting in the dining facility a couple days ago and me and two of my fellow officers were complaining about doing PowerPoints and Excel spreadsheets all day everyday.  I looked at the Marines sitting across from me and made a mention to my friends about how big of dummies they must think we are for complaining about it.  I intentionally said it loud enough for them to hear.  They just kinda shook their heads at the comment.  Come to find out, that all three are dog handlers and the only reason they're on Camp Leatherneck instead of looking for drugs and explosives is because one of them was hurt, one of their dogs was involved in an explosion and got slightly injured, and the third was their squad leader.  I talked them a little longer and as we were leaving thanked them all for their service.  That is what Veteran's Day is all about.

Later.

Taking Over

So last week we official took over all the responsibilities for Army logistics in SW Afghanistan.  It's a pretty monumental task.  Luckily, we have a really good team of officers, non-commissioned officers, and Soldiers on staff.  All the senior leaders have an extraordinary amount of knowledge that I try to tap daily to make my self a better Soldier, transporter, and leader. 

My section is probably the most heavily tasked section because we are the planners of all the convoys the companies conduct.  It doesn't help that we are an exception to the rule and really have 2 or 3 higher commands as opposed to the usual one in a normal command structure.  Plus the customers and requirements are so diverse that it really keeps you on your toes and trying to plan two-four weeks out.  So far we've been doing alright, and there's been rough spots but I think that's natural.  It doesn't help that the unit you are replacing wants to leave as soon as possible, and you as the new team don't really want to be there.

Speaking of diverse customers, I've been dealing with many civilian organizations out here and many foreign militaries.  I've worked with the UK a couple times and whenever I call them, they have to repeat almost everything twice so I can make sure I'm catching everything.  The English are pretty easy, but the Scottish are a challenge.

Not a lot to do in my off time.  Usually I wake up at 0530 to do PT, get to work about 0900, and then work till 2000ish.  So by the time I get home, I'm beat and fall right asleep.  Today is probably the earliest I left since I've been here and that wasn't until 1900.  The USO made a very generous donation of about 15 computers and 6 phones that can call back to the States for free.  It's usually the place to be when you have some free time.  Otherwise, you have better brought some movies on your computer or some books cause you're going to be real bored sitting in your room during all your free time (if you get some).

Oh yeah!  Outback Steakhouse is flying out here to cook some "morale meals" all around Afghanistan.  Very much looking forward to this.  We also have the Thanksgiving meal coming up and usually the DFACs throw down quite a spread for it. 

If you got anything specific you want me to blog about, let me know.  And I'm still looking for my camera cord.  I'm working alternate ways to get some pictures on here if I didn't bring it.

That's it for now. Later.

Made It

Sorry for the long delay, but we've been really busy trying to get trained up for this mission.  We ended up taking off at about 0130 on the Oct 19 and landed in Manas at about noon Manas time on Wednesday (about 0100 CDT).  Long flight with stops in Baltimore, Iceland, and Germany.  Germany was particularly bad because we were there for 4 or 5 hours.  We spent a couple days in Manas trying to reset our mental clocks and arrived in Camp Leatherneck last Friday. 

Living conditions are bad and and the food is alright.  I'm living in a room with 7 other officers and two interpreters.  One of the interpreters in Pakastani and has American citizenship and I'm not sure about the other one.  Their names are Jay and Nadim.  Jay's good  but Nadim doesn't talk much.

Gotta run for now.  More to follow.

Later

Southern Vacation

Mom, Dad, and Hilary came down to Clarksville to see me last week.  The original plan, was for them to stay and see me off but my flight got moved to Tuesday.  So due to the late notice, work schedules, and school, they had to stick to their original plans and left Saturday morning.  Too bad I had to work every morning because I would've liked to spend some more time with them.

Wednesday was light due to the travel, so it was Old Chicago for pizza and beer and then DQ on the way back to the hotel.

On Thursday, we took a tour of the Grand Ole Opry House.  That place is a land mark in the South and had just reopened the week prior after being totally refurbished after the May floods.  It is also pretty cool to walk through the same places that so many country music legends have walked.  Afterward, we moved to downtown Nashville for a quick walking tour lead by yours truly.  It is always a great atmosphere there because live music is always being played somewhere.  We closed the day out with some awesome BBQ from Rippy's in downtown Nashville.  I think their ribs give Famous Dave's a run for their money but everybody else disagreed with me.

For Friday, we went to the Donald Pratt Museum on Ft. Campbell.  Even Hilary seemed to enjoy herself there.  The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) has a  very heralded history and the museum is well put together.  I like to read about military history, so every once in a while it's nice to be able to get a visual story rather then a written written.  After a stop in the gift shop for souvenirs, we moved to the Post Exchange (AKA - a department store) for some more souvenirs.  Hilary finally got the new coffee mug that she's been bothering me about since February when her old one "accidentally" (sure it was...) broke.

Here are a few of the pictures we took.  There are more, but I need to find out who's cell phone they're on so I can add them if they are of good quality.  

Mom and myself in front of one of the gigantic guitars at the Grand Old Opry House

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Sister Hilary and myself in front of the same guitar.

Mom, Dad, and I on the Grand Ole Opry stage.  The circle on the stage is part of the original stage from the Ryman Auditorium (the first home of the Grand Ole Opry)

This will be the last blog from the States.  The next post will be made from Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.

LATER.

Just the Beginning...

So I have decided to join the 21st century and blog about my upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.  My goal is a weekly update, which is dependent on the Internet connection.  Here's hoping I can keep it entertaining for everybody...This will also be motivation for me to take pictures this time.  Last deployment my camera sat in my bag the entire time.

Quick refresher about what I'll be doing in Afghanistan over the next 12 months.  I am the transportation officer for a logistics battalion that is going the Camp Leatherneck in southern Afghanistan.  My section will be responsible for all Army transportation in our area.  This includes planning, managing, and tracking convoys.  It is pretty safe mission for my section and myself but since it is a combat zone, potentially dangerous for those that we put out on the roads.  Please keep these Soldiers in your thoughts and prayers, as they are the ones where the rubber meets the road, literally. 

Camp Leatherneck is kind of unique to Afghanistan.  It's in the middle of the desert, with no mountains to be seen for about 100 miles in every direction.  It's kind of a blessing and a curse.  First the blessing - the mountains are really difficult for military vehicles to maneuver through.  So we will have relatively open terrain to move through.  The curse - IT'S HOT!  Highs during the middle of the summer are usually 120-130 degrees.  On the bright side, there’s no snow to deal with.

So what's next for me?  I'm trying to get the house real clean because I will be renting it out once I'm gone. Shouldn't be that hard since I keep it pretty clean but once all my household goods get picked up on Tuesday, it will be easier to give it an all over cleaning.  Not a lot else on the agenda for the week.  We're supposed to go in to work out in the mornings and then be done for the day.  We'll see if that actually happens.  Mom, Dad, and Hilary are coming down to see me off.  Hopefully I will find out our fly date soon so they can make the appropriate plans.

Sorry for the long post.  I doubt they will be this long in the future.  Feel free to send the blog link to anybody you want to.  Next post will likely be from Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.  Mom and Dad have the mailing address if you find yourself longing to send something.