When I got back from Iraq I spent a couple of days just veg-ing out, then doing some stuff around the house that needed to get done, then went back to work. We took some leave and visited my folks up in CO, and have generally gotten on with life. I kept meaning to get back to blogging, but with the changes in circumstance it was always easier to do somethig else, like
Hey Dr Guy, thanks for giving that Marine some space in your blog. I just got back from over there, and there were many times that I wanted to invite all the people who were talking about what we were doing wrong to join me for a day so I could show them what was up. These protesters are just a few among many who talk about a situation they know nothing about, and they could use a real education. Your guest Marine said it better than I could have.</fon
Hey Reiki, how you doin'? Got a question for you. How many times have you been outside the wire in Iraq? What do you know about it? Once again it looks like you're holding forth on a topic you know nothing about. US soldiers are in the streets of Baghdad every day, meeting with the locals and bad guys alike. Every time the ING (Iraqi National Guard) or IP (Iraqi Police) conducts one of these raids against insurgents and terrorists, US forces are with t
Hang in there Dharma. I wish I could tell you it'll go by quickly, but you and I both know that's mostly crap. It will go by one day at a time...
Army and Air Force regs concerning uniform and appearance have their differences, but they are similar. For the edification of those in the audience who aren't familiar with this, maybe I can help. The reason the uniform and appearance regs exist is to let the members of the military stand our from their civilian counterparts, to show that because they have taken up the mantle of military service, they are held to a higher standard. To folks who think
I like the really big ones. Have you had any really big ones yet? It's like Disneyland, only the ride sucks.
In previous episodes of the Retail Blues, I talked about my job at the soulless software company, and how I eventually gave it up. This article is just here to let you know what happened after. I was newly unemployed, and went about finding a job in the usual way, sending out resumes, applying at various locations, and calling contacts to see if they
Earlier today I posted that last piece about the emptiness of the Kuwaiti desert. I wrote it straight off the cuff sitting in a crowded trailer back to back with a couple dozen other guys. It wasn't my best work. I appreciate the comments and replies from the folks who have, but it came out not nearly as well as I wanted. Part of the problem is the environment.
It is I, Wanderer of Arabia! I have travelled the trackless wastes, I have trod the burning sands beneath my worn out boots. Though the sciroccos of the north have blown against me, I have come from the heart of the desert storm to bring you this tale of my fantastic journies... Greetings from Camp Nowhere, Kuwait. This camp is located in the middle of the
I've read that post, ParaTed. You captured the sensation of "the wait" perfectly.
wow, Grey, you've been prolific while I've been travelling. You get a big thumbs up from me, because not just anybody can use "ubiquitousness" in casual conversation.
Waiting is an integral part of being a soldier. Did I already mention the quote about combat being hours and hours of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror? The hours and hours are the parts most of us have a problem with.
also, Reiki, have you been to Iraq? How about Korea? I have, and so I find the things you say difficult to understand. Tell us about your experinces in either place, and we'll see who knows what.
This is a reply to Boggin' Airman, and my take on the situation. There are plenty of people out there in america more than able to meet the standards set by the military for entry and retention in the armed services. The problem is with compensation and public perception. I don't want to hijack Grey's thread, but I talked about this a few articles ago on my blog. When people see what is required of the military versus what they get in return in the way
Any time you travel in the army, you spend more time waiting than you actually do traveling. Recently my company departed their area of operations for relocation to a new staging site, and we got a little help from an airlift unit. The operation took all day, we had to move our equipment to the landing site, get organized in "chalks", numbered groups for each flight,
A quick update to this story: when the advon party for the replacing unit came through to see our facilities, they asked about the mini-barracks we'd built for ourselves on the 4th floor. MAJ Killjoy took the credit for having it constructed, said he did it to help ease our transition. You could hear the jaws of our platoon SGT and platoon leader hit the floor in shock. I was on duty when this conversation happened, so I didn't hear it first-hand, but
I did know some of this, just not all the statistical numbers. What I know from first-hand experience is that the citizens of Baghdad, particularly since the elections, have been generally very supportive of the US forces here. The locals that I have come into contact with are friendly and helpful, and relationships between the soldiers and the civilians have been growing steadily more poisitive over the last year. Once the new government feels secure
thanks for the link this sickens me more than I can explain I busted my ass to make 5, and I'm working like the devil to make 6, and the points for my MOS are just sky high. Now they're gonna hand it out to any jerk who can hold onto a specialist tab for the required length of time.
to this, I can only say: Testify, Brother!
to this, I can only say: Tesity, Brother!
A quick note: this article was written a few weeks ago, right before I posted the update on powered exoskeletons for a modern military. The circumstances in this article are no longer current, but I figured what the heck, the sentiment is still valid. Also, you should know that the names have been changed to protect me from the guilty. Let's get started: Th
I know KBR is getting flack for their business practices, and their construction schedules leave much to be desired, but they can throw a great spread at a DFAC. as for the complaining, like I said, I would rather have WORSE conditions, so long as I didn't have to put up with the bullshit from the new guys. Kingbee, these guys guys are mostly the type of mouth-breathing knuckle-draggers that would answer 'C'
When I first got here, the palace was deserted except for the dozen or so of us that lived up here on the top floor. The rest of the palace was filled with debris from having been bombed; there was no plumbing, we used porta-johns and a home-made shower stall for our hygienic needs. We had to build up our own rooms, install our own power and AC, and bring our food up
sorry it's come to this, Dharma. Any chance I could get you to change your mind?
not too long now. unfortunaetly, still SGT, but I'm already living at a transitory place while waiting to come home, so we don't see ol AWOL anymore. just a little while longer
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