There and back again

So I'm back in Afghanistan. This time as a contractor. Not sure yet which is the better gig. It's funny, because when you're a soldier, you just assume that it's better as a contractor. You get paid more, work out at the gym all day, and just chill. Turns out that's not quite true.

So far, I've had half the sleep I did last deployment and haven't had the time to do much of anything. Additionally, you're completely responsible for yourself as a contractor. When you're in the military, someone takes care of your logistics of getting to country, helps you get to the right place at the right time, and makes sure you have everything you need when you need it. As a contractor, you're on your own. You have to work you beg and plead to find out which aircraft departing when from where gets you to your FOB, then you wait and pray that there's room on it for you. Warfighters (rightly so) get precedence on everything from flights to billeting to food. Contractors are at the very bottom of the food-chain. And did I mention that I'm unarmed in a war-zone. Awesome.

Anyway, besides being the redheaded stepchild of the military, things have actually gone pretty well. I'm where I need to be. I've got a bed, and I have food and internet. What else could anyone ask for.

Interesting things that have happened in the last week:

1 - We went for a joyride to the wrong FOB. When we arrived, we had mixed messages about our location. We were told that our FOB was located at a one base, and when we finally got there, we found out that we were misinformed. Turns out our FOB was somewhere else. Close, but not quite. We ended up staying at the incorrect FOB for a few days until we could catch a chopper to the right one. Funny thing is, we rode that chopper back to the airbase we had visited prior to coming to the wrong FOB, then went to the right one from there. No complaints, though. The food there was great (that's always the case on a joint forces base), and my guys got to ride in a chopper (something that they hadn't done yet, yawn.)

2 - Chili's in Kuwait is worse than Chili's in America. Go figure. My turkey bacon had Oscar Meyer turkey and turkey bacon (regular bacon is haram) on a couple slices of cheap bread. Nothing else. It was like something a 10 year old brings to school as a sacked lunch. Except mine cost $20.

3 - Ramadan applies to you whether or not your Muslim. Soldiers on a military installation have to observe (to an extent) sharia law. During Ramadan, we're forbidden from eating or drinking outdoors, can't play music or be loud. Not to difficult to observe, but a bit inconvenient when it's 120+ degrees outside.

4 - Some people are spoiled little girls. Conditions at our FOB are pretty austere. Basic necessities are taken care of, but there aren't any luxuries of larger bases (nice beds, buildings for beds instead of tents, restaurants, coffee shops, high-speed wireless internet everywhere, massage parlors, fridges stocked with ice-cold, tasty beverages, etc). A few of my guys are whining like someone took their lunch money away. I find it humorous, because last deployment my living conditions were much worse than this, plus I was wearing 70 lbs of gear, going on convoys, and basically had a target on my back due to the nature of my previous job. I feel like I'm being spoiled and these guys feel like their world has fallen apart.

5 - I discovered that I can remain relatively coherent and get my job done on no sleep for over 48 hours. Redbulls and monsters helped, though.

26 January 09 - Light at the end of the tunnel

Well, the end is nigh. I've just been told (yesterday actually) that I'll be home tomorrow.

That's right, TOMORROW!

It's been a great deployment, but I'm uber-excited for it to be over. My parents and Nikki and Keely are going to meet me at the Air Base and bring me back home. Granted, I'll have a bit more outprocessing to do after I get back home, but I'll be able to sleep in my own bed in my own house and be with my wife and baby girl.

I must admit, I'm a bit anxious about resuming life as a "civilian". I'm not excited about the job hunt that is about to ensue. I don't think my timing could have been much worse coming home unemployed with our recession and all, but I'm confident that I'll be able to find something. (If anybody has any suggestions on decent employment within 50 or so miles of Nephi, let me know)

Anxieties aside, I can't even begin to describe the relief that I feel to know that it's finally over with. I can't begin to describe how good that sounds to me about now.

I'll see you all soon.

13 January 09 - Keely Jayde

Our little piece of heaven has arrived. Her name's Keely Jayde. Nikki called me on the 7th and told me that she was in the hospital. She was having strong enough contractions that the doctor thought she'd go into labor any minute.



Two days later, on the 9th, Nikki started labor, and on the 10th, after over 20 hours of labor, she had a c-section. Keely was in the wrong position for birthing and try as he might, the doctor couldn't get her to turn the right way.

Both Nikki and Keely are doing great. Keely has jaundice, so she's under a lamp getting some sun right now. The doctor thinks that she'll get better within a day or two.

Also, I got to come home for a couple of days to be with my girls. I'll have to go back to fort Lewis for another three weeks or so, then I'll be home for good.

Sorry that this posting is coming so late, but we've been pretty busy for the past few days, as you might imagine.

31 December 08 - New Beginnings

So I'm ending this year in a pretty unique way. I'm sitting in a little sandbox called Kuwait. It's not exactly the most appealing place to spend new years eve, but being here has great implications.....I'M DONE!!!!

That's right. I'm on my way back to the states. I've left Afghanistan for what I hope to be the last time. I still have a few weeks at Ft. Lewis before I'll actually go home, but I'm one step closer.

I've had an interesting year, and will probably have an even more interesting year to come. I have a wife to get reacquainted with, a baby girl to meet and raise, a career to find, and a million other things. It'll be just as challenging as the last year was (and even more rewarding).

22 December 08 - Anniversary

Today's Nikki's and my anniversary. I really wish that I could be home for it.

Luckily for Nikki and me, my parents are going to take Nikki out for dinner (if the snow lets up). If they do that, then at least she won't have to be alone for the day. I owe my family a humongous thank you for all the help that they've given us. They've fixed things, painted, visited, and just been there for us during this whole deployment. It has been immensely easier to get through this time with their help.

Nikki has been such a trooper, too. She's maintained a positive attitude for the whole deployment. I don't know how she's able to handle being all by herself with a baby on the way, but somehow she does. Not only does she manage by herself, but she's been a constant support for me, too. It's so nice to be able to call home after a frustrating day and have at least one positive conversation.

I love you and miss you so much, Nikki. I can't wait to be home with you again. Happy anniversary.

08 December 08 - AFHRP

I have become one of select few members of the army who have been selected for AFHRP (Army Facial Hair Replacement Program). The results are outstanding.

Before


After

You too can participate in AFHRP and enjoy results similar to those I enjoy.

Please send 6-8 years of your life to:

Uncle Sam
200 Boot Camp Ave.
Camp Nowhere, USA

Our customer service representatives are eager to assist you.

29 October 08 - Picture tags quesionnaire

I google image searched some facts about me. Interesting results:

First Name

Middle Name

Nickname

Age

(TV series 24)

Occupation

(I wish I could explain that)

Birthplace

Current Place of Residence

Former Residence

Best Friend

(If only this Nikki was as good looking as my Nikki)

29 October 08 - Promotions and Awards

Today I got a promotion and an award. The award was actually "awarded" about a month ago, but it just took a while for the certificate to find me. It was for my "tenacious decisiveness" that "led to the capture" of a high value target. Really it was for being in the right place at the right time. It's strange that I see other things that I have done as more deserving of recognition and see that particular moment as mere coincidence. Honestly, I see others who have done much more than me who go completely unrecognized. Strange. I guess that's how life is sometimes. We work hard and nobody notices. Yet when we get lucky everybody seems to notice. Unfortunately, oftentimes the attention lucky people get isn't always positive.

I was also promoted. Well, the promotion was offered to me. I declined. Just kidding. Of course I accepted. I'll get a bit more pay and a lot more responsibility - that's how it works, right?

All in all I'd say today was a very benificial day toward the career that I have vowed to end when I get home.

24 October 08 - Random Pic

I decided to follow the random picture tag trend. This is the fourth picture of my fourth picture folder.















This is a random marketplace or bazaar. It's empty because we'd just conducted a raid on a bad guy's house. Usually they're bustling with people.

23 October 08 - 3 Things about me

The original is "8 Things About Me," but honestly, I don't think I even watch 8 TV shows EVER, so we're going with 3.

3 Favorite TV Shows:
The Office
Survivor Man (Man vs Wild isn't hardcore enough, it's all staged)
Mythbusters

3 Things I did yesterday:
Cleaned my rifle
Moved - for the fourth time in a week
Planned a foot patrol mission

3 Things I look forward to:
Going home (it's been almost a year)
My baby (I can't wait)
Calling my wife

3 Favorite Restaurants:
Black Angus
Brick oven pizza
Wendy's

3 Things on my wish list:
A complete house renovation
A holster for my gun
A better choice for president

16 October 08-Thankful Thursday

So now that I've had a WHY-ny Wednesday, it's time for a Thankful Thursday.

• The internet-Man it's nice to be able to keep up with my friends and family back home. I don't know how soldiers did it with a letter a month or two months. I've also started online classes so I can finish my Bachelors. Without the internet here, I'd be pretty stretched for ways to continue my education
• Sleep-If you've red my last post, you've seen that I haven't had much of it in the last few days. It was so nice to finally get a full nights sleep.
• Gratitude-I was told thank you today. I don't get that often here, so it felt real nice. I think I'll make it a point to be more grateful, because if I don't see it, it's likely that others don't either.
  

15 October 08 - Whiny Wednesday

I've been trying to be really positive in my blogs lately, but I feel like I could use a little venting. So, without further ado, I give you WHY-NY WEDNESDAY:

• WHY do things always get really really busy as soon as you're put in charge? I've been second in command of my unit for some time. The man in charge just went home on leave, so I'm in charge now. It seems that as soon as he left, things got crazy. I've been incredibly busy for the last few days and I'm not sure what's so different. Some of the absolute strangest things have been happening. I wish I could give examples, but if I told you I'd have to kill you.
• WHY do people who are supposed to "support" you always back out when it's convenient for them? My three man team got stuck pulling guard duty for a detainee for 20 hours while the hundred man unit that is supposed to provide "needed support" said they were too busy to help. Now I understand that they have obligations, but when I've had four hours of sleep in two days and am still pulling guard duty while I can see a dozen guys with nothing to do sitting around a fire thirty feet from me smoking and joking, I get kind of aggravated. It took me another day and a half to catch up on all the work that I missed while I was pulling guard. Hopefully tonight I can catch up on the missed sleep.
• WHY do people who have no idea what they're talking about insist that you're doing your job wrong? I'm the expert in my field, not you. Let me do my job. I don't tell the cook how to make spaghetti, why should he tell me how to run my operations?

Please, don't get me wrong. I love my job and feel a lot of gratification from it. I just have a limited audience to vent to here, so I'll vent into cyberspace.

08 October 08 - Thankful Thursday (on wednesday)

Today is a special thankful Thursday. I'm grateful for:

• My best friend - Your support has been constant. It's been a mainstay for this entire deployment.
• My confidant- When nobody else will listen, I can talk to you
• My hero - Your strength in times of difficulty has been an example for me.
• My inspiration - Even at your weakest you exceed my strengths. I can only hope to be half the person you are.
• My wife - You are all of the above. Happy Birthday.

02 October 08 - Thankful Thursday

It's thursday again:

• Midday naps. I don't get them often, but man it's nice to relax and have a little nap.

• Weight rooms. Good exercise is a great stress relief. There's a great weight room here, so I get to release a lot of stress.

• Honest people. The army has a tendency to attract liars. It seems like every local I encounter tells me what he thinks I want to hear rather than the truth. It's like a breath of fresh air when I talk to somebody and they tell things how they are.

• Good interpreters. They're hard to come by, believe me.
  

25 September 08 - Thankful Thursday

Check it out. Two in a row. So what am I thankful for this week...

• Salad - I will never grow tired of a good salad. Army food is never very appealing, so a good salad is just about the highlight of a meal. We only have good veggies once in a while, so it's a rare treat.
  

• V8 - Besides salad, the army's veggies are always so cooked it's just about impossible to get any nutritional value out of them. V8 is a huge help.

• IPOD - Army life can be summed up as energetic outbursts of activity surrounded by what seems like endless waiting. Having an IPOD helps that time go by.

• Care Packages - Hint, Hint.
  

18 September 2008 - Thankful Thursday

So everybody these days seems to do this thankful Thursday thing. I've been hesitant to join the craze. However, I've noticed (and some of you have pointed out) that I've been venting a bit in my blog. So I figured that some expressions of gratitude couldn't hurt. Here goes:

• My job: There are over 200 MOS's (jobs) in the military that I could have picked from when I joined. I'm incredibly grateful that at 17 years old, I at least possessed the intellect to choose mine. I've had incredible experiences and have done things that I'll never forget. Not every soldier is able to say that he likes what he does. I'm glad that I have that privilege. There's nothing better than seeing the results of your work.

• Blackwater: These guys often get a bad wrap. Yes, some of them have done some stupid things, but so have members of every community/corporation. The ones that I've worked with have been incredible. Their professionalism, respect, and hard work have contributed greatly to this area.

• Care packages: It's just great when you get a little reminder in the mail that your family and friends haven't forgotten you. (No, this is not a plea...but it wouldn't hurt)

That'll do it for this time. Wouldn't want to list everything that I'm thankful for all at once.

15 September 08 - Control Freaks

Everybody, I'm sure, knows a control freak; they're everywhere. The army is no exception. In fact, if I dare say so, the army has more. It breeds control freaks.

Here's my tribute to the three major control freaks that I most recently encountered:

To the cook who won't let me eat dinner until exactly 5:00 - The foods sitting out in self-serve bins, silly! You'll do less work by letting me serve myself some food than by standing there trying to act like your important enough to tell me I can't eat yet.

To the man who refuses to pass on my request for air support for soldiers taking fire because my request has spelling errors in it - Get your act priorities together man! Your obsession over having absolute control over every report that goes up could cost people their lives.

To the man who won't let me step outside the base gate to help people who just got in a car wreck - They're hurt and they need my help...yours too. Don't try to interdict and stop me from doing my job and my responsibility as a human being just because your afraid of the boogie man.


Sorry about venting. I'm just getting tired of people trying absurdly hard to exert control over me when they have no logical reason to do it.

13 September 08 - It's a girl!

No this is not a repeat of my previous blog entry. My sister recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The two chose not to find out what the baby was before it was born, but they had a sneaking suspicion that it would be a girl.

Congratulations!

03 September 08 - It's a girl!

Nikki had her ultrasound yesterday. We found out that we're having a girl. I was pretty convinced that we'd have a boy, but I'm just excited that we have a healthy baby. I'm not sure how the doctor could tell it's a girl. It still looks like a little alien to me.


Nikki and I are both really excited for the baby. We're hoping that the army will be gracious enough to let me go home for the birth, but we'll just have to wait and see.

30 August 08 - MasCas

We had a Mass Casualty Exercise yesterday (mascas for short). Though the exercise itself is useful, it's a pain in the neck. I knew that there would be one during the day, but the specific time was withheld for suprise's sake. And, of course, I forgot it was going to occur.

I was in the middle of writing an important report when things started "exploding" outside. I knew that it wasn't actually mortars or rockets because the explosions were too small, but I was just concerned enough to remember to go to my post. I threw on my "battlrattle" (helmet, armor, rifle, pistol) and went to my fighting position. As I sat there, I remembered that we were having the exercise, so I relaxed and settled in (they always take a while).

An hour and a half later the all-clear was given and I went back to my report. I'd just showered and put on clean clothes right before starting my report, and I returned to it filthy from having laid in the dirt for over an hour. Of course, just to make the exercise a little more inconvenient, the power had gone out for a moment in the exercise, shutting down the computer I was working on and losing all my work.

Moral of the story - save often.