Another Year gone - Another One here.

For the last several years, I have used the last day of the year to write about the year that passed and a little bit about the year to come.  On December 31st 2006 I spoke about the previous New Year Eve and about how I was optimistic about rejoing the military and doing something really big---like volunteering to go to Iraq.  Six years ago I was in Iraq as the ball dropped, and was looking forward to 2007 and continuing my military career.  On New Years Eve 2007 I reflected on the year that passed and wrote about how was feeling sentimental and missing my soldiers.  I didn't write any blogs in 2008 or 2009 on New Years Eve, but my one and only post in 2010 was on New Years Eve.  In that post I kind of updated everyone about what was going on in my life.  Last New Years I wrote about my pending deployment and little about what I was thinking about for 2012.  My standard resolution every year is to lose weight.  And I am happy to say that I have lost weight since last New Years.  The year has flown by as they all seem to do as you get older.  There have been a few tough times --- my family has been broken up.  I lost Elvis and T and Eddie and the sugar gliders.  So it's just me and Willow now.  It was a long but not too tough deployment.  And in additional to getting physically fitter I reached my goal of getting promoted which was the highlight of the year. I missed my veterans but I have returned to my job at the Albany Housing Coalition and look forward to an exciting year ahead.  I have met so many new friends from this recent deployment and I look forward to connecting with them again in the coming months.  In addition to my new military friends, I have reconnected with old friends and have become closer with friends from work who have worked hard on my behalf taking care of issues at my house while I was in Kuwait.  In the past I worried a lot about the future, but as this new year dawns, I am pretty calm and confident that this coming year will bring great things.  I am currently writing this in California, at the home of my two best friends Eric and Wanda.  I have had the chance to do many fun things with them over the years and tonight we are celebrating that friendship and the end of a long, difficult but productive year.  I really feel blessed to have so many good friends and such a great job.  2012 is gone and 2013 begins.  I hope to be around next year to write again on New Years Eve.  But in the meantime, I have these resolutions:

1.  World Peace
2.  Lose more weight
3.  Be kinder in 2013 than I was in 2012.

Happy New Years kids! 

The End is Near

Not that "end"....as in the end of the mayan calendar.  The end I mean is the end of this deployment.  Sometime in the next 24 hours, I will be leaving Kuwait and returning to the US again.  Although it has only been 8 months or so, this deployment seems to have been so much longer.  Including mobilization time and end of tour leave it will be about a year.  So much has happened the last year.  I have lost a relationship and my beloved dog Elvis.  But many good things have happened as well.  I lost a lot of weight, got promoted, and met so many very good friends along the way.  I am excited about going home.  My good friends at home have gone out of their way to make sure my return is easier this time than last time.  They have cleaned up the old house and bought me a car (well with my money...lol).  Another friend has taken care of Willow, who I hope still remembers me.  It is odd going home single, but I guess the hunt to meet the "one" goes on for now.  My job as director of veterans services at the Albany Housing Coalition will resume shortly.  I have been told I have been missed there.  There was a lot of uncertainty when I got back from Iraq.  And even now there is a little fear and a good share of anxiety about how I will adjust.  But I do know that I am excited about getting back there.  I have much work to do and I hope I get a chance to do it for a long time.  There is meaning and purpose in my life.  There is a lot of love in my life.  I have never felt better than I do right now about the direction of my life.  God willing, I am going home in a few hours.  I have missed you America.  See you soon.

Winding Down

The month of November is over half way over, and my count clock or "donut of misery" shows that I have a mere 12 and a half days left....Just under two weeks...wow am I short.  I am so short I can play handball against a curb.  Ha ha.  But now I am still working full days and preparing to close out this deployment.  Last week I began out processing.  I have a few more days of that.  I have been busy reconnecting with home as well.  I am so lucky to have a great job to go back to and I know my boss is looking forward to my return.  My friend/co-worker Rich and his lovely wife Cheri have been tremendous helping me find a car.  I am the owner of a 2010 Jeep Liberty Limited with all the bells and whistles for a great price thanks to them.  Also waiting for me at home is my little dog Willow.  Gosh I miss her and I am real excited about re-bonding with her.  My friends Justin and Rebecca have helped take care of her while I was away.  I think that this next couple of weeks will be emotional.  Saying goodbye to my team here--all the great soldiers I have worked with and those who have be come my friends--it will be sad to leave them here.  But I have meaning and purpose in my life--perhaps more than anytime in my life.  I look forward to going home but there is a little bit of anxiety about it as well.  I remember my return from Iraq.  Everything seemed great at first but then things got rough.  Thankfully I recovered from that experience and now I know what to expect when I go home.  I am going home to work with veterans.  They need help.  The war at home will rage long after the wars end over here.  I will continue to serve as long as I can.  Just 12 days to go.  See you all soon!

SFC Read at Long Last

Today is the last day of October.  What a good month its been overall.  On October 17th, I was promoted to Sergeant First Class after having been an E-6 nearly 21 years.  It has been a long struggle but I finally pinned on the new rank at a ceremony held in the Court Room in the building I work at on Camp Arifjan.  I have to say it was oe of the most emotional few days I've had.  I was able to get several of my close army buddies to come to the ceremony and it was without a doubt one of the best days I've had here in Kuwait.  The month has moved on pretty quickly and tonight was Halloween and I participated in a 5K fun run that included some soldiers who were all dressed up in interesting costumes.  Today being Halloween means tomorrow is November 1st.  Which means that in a few hours  I can say that I am going home next month!  Not exactly sure when in December, but pretty sure that it will be before Christmas.  The dark days of Camp Shelby are a distance memory now.  October has always been one of my favorite months.  I am getting really excited about the countdown to the end of this deployment.  This year has dragged on forever.  But, as I said a month ago, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.   Halloween is over and around the corner is Thanksgiving.  The its home for Christmas.  And I hope its a white one.  Goodbye October, Hello November!

Three Quarters Down

My latest Army adventure (deployment) began on a cold January day in Syracuse when I was dropped off at the 27th Brigade Armory for a uncertain mission that I had no ideal would last as long as it has.  If you asked me what I thought back then ---about the length of the mission---I would have told you I would be back by Valentine's Day.  Well Valentines passed, along with Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, my birthday, and Labor Day.  What began in winter, will most likely end in winter.  Although for a time I though I would be home for Halloween, now looks like Christmas.  Like all years, there have been many ups and downs.  So far I have lost a relationship, a dog, and two sugar gliders.  But I have also lost 46 pounds.  This deployment is now in the last quarter.  Roughly 77 days or 11 weeks.  I will miss a couple more holidays, Columbus Day (well its a minor holiday -- but I count it cause it's a day off back home), Halloween, and Thanksgiving.  But for now, I'm dreaming of what that day will feel like when I finally do get home.  It still seems so far away, but when October hits I will be able to say I'm going home month after next.  The long mile around the deployment track will have one more lap to go.  I hope it will be a sprint to the finish and not a Sunday stroll.  Good Bye Summer, Hello Fall.  Way down younder, there's a Christmas candle!

Dog Days of August

So, here we are in the last day of August and a month has gone by since my last post.  I am sorry about not writing more often, but I have been very busy this last month.  August is always a pretty good month for me...besides being born on August 25th.  August 2 (1950) was the wedding anniversary for my parents, August 10 (1955)  was my brother Bob's birthday, August 11 (1983) is the anniversary of my first day in the military, August 9th was my first game at Yankee Stadium (1978), my hero, Elvis died on August 16 (1977), August 22 was the first day I spent in the combat zone (2006).  August was just my month.  One year ago today, I flew to Greece to attend my friends wedding and had a tremendous week exploring one of the most beautiful parts of the world.  I don't know when I am going to die, but I hope it's in August (but not this August!).  That would complete the circle.  So this month has flown by and I got a chance to leave Kuwait and fly in a Black Hawk to Bahrain for a few days.  Bahrain was the place I was suppose to go to before I got diverted to Camp Cupcake.  It's beautiful down there.  It was good to see all the kids I trained with at Camp Shelby down there.  They all complimented me on my weight loss over the summer saying I looked great.  Since coming to Kuwait I have lost 38 pounds and counting!  On my birthday, my new friends, Chris and Ricky took me out for pizza and ice cream and it was nice.  Overall, I am feeling good about where I am.  The deployment has been physically healthy for me but the mental stress of dealing with soldiers problems as well as issues at home have made this deployment emotionally more challenging then the last time.  As far as coming home, it is looking more and more likely that I will be rejoining my unit in Bahrain at the end of next month and then perhaps home sometime in the early fall.  But you know the Army, nothing is solid right now.  I tell my fellow soldiers I want to dress up this Halloween...but I don't want to be a soldier for Halloween.  Ha ha.  So keep your fingers crossed my friends.  I miss Albany and America.  I miss my life before the Army.  I miss my job and my veterans.  Happy August...my month!

Who needs a Sauna when you have Kuwait?

It won't be long before July will be gone and August will arrive.  I think I have fully acclimated to the heat.  It has been very hot but the last week it has not been a dry heat.  The humidity, which is usually very low this time of year in Kuwait has been over 40 to 50 percent on some days.  Which means that if you walk outdoors you will be getting wet.  But nonetheless, I have been very good at making sure I get my workouts in everyday and night.  Since I have come to Kuwait I have been losing weight and getting fitter.  I have struggled with my weight over the years.  In April 2011 I weighed my heaviest ever.  But since that time I have slowly but surely lost 47 pounds.  Just since I arrived on Camp Cupcake I have lost 29 pounds.  My goal is to lose another 20 to 30 pounds, meet height weight standards and finally at long last...get promoted.  My birthday is a month a way, and I hope to lose another 8 pounds before than.  Last December, my friend Eric told me I really need to get back in shape.  He was worried about me getting older and all the stuff that comes with age.  When I come home he wants to see some real improvement.  He has already developed a program for me when I come visit him and Wanda (his beautiful wife) in San Diego after the deployment.  Well I have a good start.  Now I got to keep it up.  Today I had pizza for lunch...ha ha.  So, I hope its hot and humid tonight when I go out and sweat to the oldies.  Back home, a lot of changes.  I am single again.  Deployments are tough on relationships.  But I hold no malice in my heart.  I wish T only the best.  I will miss Eddie though.  It will be weird going back to that big house but it such is life.  Sooooo....depending on who you believe, I am either going home in October or December.  I hope it is October but I won't get my hopes built up.  The effin army likes to piss on our hopes and dreams.  So I'll plan on December and be happy if its earlier.  Well, its almost time for me to work off that pizza so I better get moving along.  Stay strong peeps!

Yes I am Alive

I know it has been just over a month since last I wrote.  I am sorry I have been so lax in updating everyone on how I have been doing.  The last month, since last I wrote I have been back home for TDY and then had a few days back home in Albany.  It was a strange feeling to be home -- not seeing Elvis run up to me -- and I barely saw T who had other plans while I was there.  Our relationship has changed -- this deployment has had a heavy burden on us both.  I did see Eddie and Willow, my two other dogs and once they figured out who I was, they quickly adjusted to me being home.  While I was home, I took care of some business--had lunch with my boss, visited with my friends Lou and Tony and went to fireworks with my good friends Justin and Rebecca.  On Monday Night I had dinner and than visited with veterans from the Veterans House which really was positive and affirming.  It reminded me of how important it was for me to get  back home as soon as I can.  At the moment it looks like I could be back for good between October and December.  There is no definite at the moment though.  I hope it is October but If I get back in December before Christmas that would be fine too.  Overall my spirits are pretty good.  Leaving here for 12 days did me well.  I was worried I was going to gain weight but lost 2 pounds while I was away.  So far I have lost 24 pounds since I arrived in Kuwait.  I want to lose even more than that before I leave of course.  I fully intend on being an E-7 before I leave this place.  The next few weeks may see me traveling to exotic places--maybe even Afghanistan.  How ironic.  That was my goal over a year ago....maybe I just might make it there for a week or so.  In the meantime, I am not enjoying the 120 degree heat but I am keeping busy.  So the time goes by and everyday that passes is one day off the calendar.  I promise to write more often kids.

Dryer than Usual

This morning the well went dry.  Well not the "well", but I was awakened today to the "BIG VOICE" that can be heard all over camp which tells you if anything exciting is going down.  Back in Iraq days the "BIG VOICE" would attempt to warn us about incoming mortars and such, but the "BIG VOICE" here in Kuwait warns us about high winds and dust storms and the like instead of any thing human-made disasters.  But today the "BIG VOICE" simple said that there would be no running water for anyone on Camp for most if not all the rest of the day.  That meant, for most of us here on Arifjan, no shower and limited use of the latrines.  Apparently, number 1 is ok but number 2 is out of the question.  Ugg.  It is days like this I really miss the US.  We usually don't run out of water back home, but when we do we usually have some idea when the problem will be fixed.  We really don't know when we will have running water again.  So it is hot and we are all sweaty and a bit stinky, but hey could be worse.  We have plenty of drinking water and the DFACs are all open, so I guess I shouldn't complain.  In the meantime, did I mention it is hot here?...Oh yeah, it is.  I think today it might hit 120 today.  When I walked to the DFAC today the wind blew hot air in may face.  It felt like someone had a hair dryer pointed at my face for 20 minutes.  Thankfully, the AC works in most places so again, I shouldn't complain.  I see it was only 57 degrees in Albany this morning.  Wow.  What a difference.  The good news is that I am going TDY back to the States in a little over a week.  So I will get a chance to go to Virginia for a week and then to Albany.  So that's exciting.  10 days out of here?  I'll take it.  Hopefully, I will get a chance to shower before I go.  Enjoy your fancy smancy indoor plumbing and running water America!!!  I gotta find a nice quiet port-a-potty somewhere.  Peace!

The Best Job I Have Ever Had

I have held many jobs over the years.  My first job was as a stock boy for True Value Hardware when I was 17.  I then worked as a store detective for Jamesway Department Store before I join the Army in 1983.  Active Duty was next for two years and than I went to college for a couple of years and then worked for a video store after that.  In 1986, I founded a Big Brother/Big Sister program in Watertown, NY and worked there as the Executive Director for three years before I came to Albany to continue my education.  I enjoyed working with kids and continued to work in the social services/public service field for my of the 90s.  I also worked for a singing telegram company as an Elvis impersonator for many years and had a lot of fun with that job.  In 1999, I began working working as the director of a community center for persons living with AIDS.  That job was a tough one but was very rewarding and it taught me a lot about dealing with tough issues like illness and death and sorrow and loss.  Than I came back into the Army after a ten+ year break.  When I volunteered to go to Iraq I became the Non-commissioned officer for the Brigade Legal Office and that job was at that point, the best job I ever had.  In that role I was able to train and supervise eight paralegals who knew very little about military justice when the deployment began but grew into experts by the time we left Iraq.  I never thought it was possible that I would ever find a job that was as rewarding or as important than being a soldier, leading soldiers in the war zone.  But after I returned from Iraq, it took me a little while to find my next job.  For awhile I was doing the real estate thing...something that would have been financially rewarding but it just wasn't my thing I guess.  But then sometime in mid-December of 2007, I made contact with a program in Ballston Spa, NY to see about volunteer opportunties working with veterans.  I was referred to the Albany Housing Coalition, which was looking for a Director of Veterans Services to manage their vet service program.  I sent my resume in and was shocked to get a call almost immediately from the Coalition to see if I was interested in an interview.  Right before Christmas, I went to that interview with Mr. Joe Sluszka and Tyrone Alexander.  The interview went well.  Very well.  And I was asked to come back after the holidays for a second interview.  Needless to say, I got the job, and here were my thoughts in this blog right before I started:

New Year - New Job! (January 3, 2008)

Today I was offered and I accepted a position with the Albany Housing Coalition, as the Director of Veteran Services. In that position, I will lead a program that will assist homeless veterans who live in our area. I am very excited about this opportunity. I have an opportunity to use my years of experience in the non-profit management field and my military experience to help those who desperately need our help. I start on Monday. This weekend, I will be performing my military function (drill weekend) and then early monday morning I will report to my new job. I will need to get some new civvies and get my mind around this new opportunity. It will be challenging but I am confident I am up to the task. I have already met most of my staff and they seem like great folks. Very dedicated. I am a lucky man. Wish me luck!

Well this was my toughest job by far.  The first couple of months I asked almost daily, "What have I gotten myself into?"  I joked that everyday I had to deal with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bi-polar personalities --and that was just the staff --and I didn't feel like I was doing a very good job.  I plotted ways to get out of this job.  It took me a long time to feel comfortable about dealing with veterans with problems especially when I hadn't dealt with my own issues very well.  But eventually, I got the hang of it.  My boss Joe always showed confidence in me and gave me every opportunity to succeed.  The other staff were very supportive as well and eventually I went to the VA to get the help I needed and this made my advocacy for other veterans more effective. 

I remember saying to Joe and to Larry Turner one time that the job at the coalition would always be the 2nd best job I ever had.  My job as a soldier would always be number one.  I am confident that I meant it back then.  But now, four years later and having worked with hundreds of veterans over those years, I have to admit that I feel much different today.  Today, I know how important the work I did was.  I have seen veterans from all era's come to the Coalition for help.  One day I remember putting a homeless WWII vet and an homeless Iraqi war vet into our housing on the same day.  Wow.  Two warriors, served decades apart, yet came to us on the same day for the same reason.  I will never forget that day.  I have so many stories -- so many memories of the last four years.  Our agency is about 2nd chances.  (and sometimes 3rd and 4th chances!)  But we have transformed lives.  I am proud of what we have done and my little part in that.  Someday I may find a better paying job with better benefits and all that, but that job won't be better than the one I have now (or at least when I get back).  The job I started in 2008, that god willing I will return to, is by far, the BEST JOB I HAVE EVER HAD. 

June is Busting out All Over

Well here we are on the 2nd of June and another 30 days have ticked off the clock.  Not that I'm counting or anything (yeah right), but it is getting warmer and summer has begun.  Well technically it will not be here until the 21st or something, but it sure feels like summer, especially in Kuwait.  The last few days we have been reaching 110 to 115 degrees.  Hot.  Today we are experiencing a nice old sand storm and the sand has gotten into every crack and crevice I own.  I know that a year from now I will still be digging sand out of my ears, nose, and other places on my body which I care not to discuss.  It kinda sucks actually.  Sandstorms are not fun.  When you go outside it has a bit of a feel of a snow storm, except the snow melts.  Sand just kinda finds a place to hide.  Ahhhh, but it is June.  I like June.  30 years ago, (god) I graduated from Watertown High School.  At home, many of my former class mates are preparing for the reunion.  I really wish I could make this one, but Uncle Sam has other plans.  But maybe I'll make the next one.  This month should bring some interesting activities.  Tomorrow I am suppose to go on a MWR trip off post to see the Kuwait War Museum and a then a nice dinner somewhere.  It is nice to get out and about.  Later this month, I am being sent back TDY for a school in Charlottesville VA for a week or so.  Woo Hoo.  America here I come! Sadly, I will be coming right back to Kuwait, but it will be a nice week away from here nonetheless.  So the month of June should go by quickly for me.  Everyday is another day closer to getting back to my pre-deployment life.  At home, I know there have already been some warm days.  The Spring came early, and apparently the Summer too.  Drink water people.  It's only getting hotter. 

1,343,812+

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Memorial Day Weekend has arrived again.  Those of us overseas won't be sharing in the festivities back home but we do hope everyone has a safe and relaxing day on Monday.  I am not sure if anyone knows what the true meaning of the day is anymore.  But it means more than back yard bar-b-ques, a long weekend, or a day to get great bargains at the mall.  Memorial Day, is about honoring the men and women who have lost their lives fighting the countries wars.   That number is over 1, 343, 812.  I say over because the country is still at war, and so that number changes almost daily.  The tradition of remembering the war dead goes back centuries -- but in the United States--the modern tradition dates to the Civil War.  That war was responsible for nearly half of the war deaths in our history.  Those killed in battle during the Civil War made up nearly 2% of the population of the country at that time.  If 2% of the country today died in a war there would be over 3 million dead.  Wow.  Over the years, the meaning of the day has gradually changed from a day to honor the war dead to just another three day weekend, a reason to party, a day to shop, or a day to celebate the "beginning of summer."  It has also become a day to remember all deaths...whether in war or not.  I have to admit, I was often under the belief that Memorial Day was a day to remember all loved one--not just military--mainly because I remember visiting graves of family members on that weekend--many who never served.  And it doesn't bother me at all if people choose Memorial Day to do that.  It is important to remember all those who have died--because everyone who is born and who walks on the earth--deserves to be remembered when they are gone.  What kills me is that so many people know nothing about the origin or history of the day.  It is just another long weekend on the calendar every May.  The start of summer.  Woo Hoo.  When Congress decided in 1967 to make Memorial Day fall on a Monday instead of on the traditional May 30th date, it had unintended consequences.  Over the years, the true meaning has been largely lost on the American people.  That is too bad.  But it is not too late for us to move back to that original meaning.  On Monday, light a candle, say a prayer, go to a parade or to a Memorial Day service, serve a meal to a homeless veteran.  You don't have to do everything on this list, but do something.  Then help yourself to some fried chicken, a burger, a dog or two and some a few cool beverages.  Enjoy yourself but be safe my friends.

Rest in Peace Friend Elvis Sebastian 2000-2012

Nearly ten years ago I lost my dog Honey who I had for 13 years. That was tough.  I was in the room when the vet put her down and I cried uncontrollably for days.  I had just moved into my present house and was suppose to have a birthday party/house warming party on the day before my actual birthday which fell on Sunday.  But with Honey's death, I just was not in a party mood and decided to postpone it until a few weeks later.  On Sunday, my actual birthday, I was feeling very down and sad.  My good friend Jason called me up to wish me a happy birthday and asked me what I wanted to do.  I told him I needed to get out of the house and we decided to go out to the Guilderland Animal Shelter.  Here is how I told the story back in 2006:

I told Jason that he had to be the voice of reason....and not to let me adopt 3 dogs. So he agreed to go and we got to the shelter and went in. There were only of few dogs there...one of them was this big goofy yellow lab with an enormous head. He was barking and carrying on, so I just passed him by and saw this small female dog that I asked to see. Well myself and Jason and this dog went out to walk...but after a few minutes I realized that there was no love connection there. So one of the volunteers asked me if I wanted to walk the lab. I said hell no. "That dog is crazy and goofy and too big for me to take." She then said to me that I should just walk him because he needed a walk and there was noone else to do it. So I did. Well needless to say, I was suckered and I ended up leaving that shelter with a big goofy dog with an enormous head. Our first stop was at the Petco on the way home where I paid about $100 dollars for this state of the art doggie bed. So we got home and we played a little and I felt happy that I had a dog again even if he was a little goofy. Well that night we went to the bedroom and I laid out the doggie bed and then looked up and noticed that he was laying in my bed! Well I rationalized that I would let him sleep there that night because it was our first night and he was a little nervous and needed to be near me. He will sleep in his own bed the next night. YEAH. RIGHT. For almost 4 years that dog slept next to me every night. He never slept in that doggie bed. Not even once. We bonded from the very beginning. And it was so hard to say good bye when I dropped him off 2 weeks ago. Tonight the Tarantelli's (his adoptive family) sent me some pictures of him. I saw the pics and remembered how much I love him. How much I miss him. What hurts so much, is the feeling I have when I think about what is going through his mind. Does he think I abandoned him? That this guy he has lived with for almost four years just disappeared? I know it sounds stupid but I really feel sad about this right now. I wish he understood what I was doing and where I was. And that I would be back. But dogs...who knows what they know or understand. I just know that my best friend hasn't slept with me these past 2 weeks, hasn't been there when I wake up, and hasn't layed on my chest and fallen sleep like he use to. I love you buddy. I'll be back.

And I did come back.  And I was priviledged to get nearly five more years with that big lug.  He was my best friend but was loved by many.  He had a little brother (Eddie) and a little sister (Willow) and lots of aunts and uncles.  He really loved Eric and Wanda who use to give him full body massages. And he had another dad, who hated all the hair he shedded everyday but loved him as much as I did.  Yesterday, Todd had to go through the same grief I went through when I took Honey to be put down.  With help with his parents, he took him to vet and and was there when  he breathed his last breath.  I am sorry I was not there, but was glad he was there.  Elvis deserved to see a loving face before he died. 

Today I am heartbroken.  But I have T and two healthy dogs and two sugar gliders at home.  Elvis is not suffering anymore and somewhere, in doggie heaven, he is having a grand time chasing squirrels and humping legs. (ha ha).  Thank you Elvis, my loyal companion.  You were a good dog but a better friend.  Rest in Peace.

One Month in the (clears throat)..."combat zone"

Things are going pretty well here at Camp Cupcake.  Yesterday markes one month in the "zone".  The job is going well and the quality of life (compared to Iraq and even Camp Shelby) is pretty good.  I get a whole day and a half off per week and there is a lot to do to keep ourselves entertained.  I really can't complain about the situation.  I am grateful for the opportunity to be hear but I still would trade it all for Afghanistan.  But that was not in the cards, so here I sit.  When I was in Iraq I went outside the "wire" a few times by Black Hawk, but never on four wheels.  It was dangerous business traveling in convoys back then.  Lots of IEDs, snipers, etc.  Well I have been on several trips off the post since I got here.  Mostly to pick up and drop off military judges at various locations across the country.  These trips have been interesting and a little scary at times.  Not that anyone is shooting at us or anything, but rather because Kuwaitees drive worse than NYC cab drivers.  They speed like crazy and do not believe in signaling.  And they stop---well where ever they want to.  Sometimes right in the middle of the road.  The road signs are in Arabic mostly and you never know what direction you are going in.  The other day myself and one of my soldiers were coming back from dropping off the judge and we got lost.  We ended up in downtown Kuwait City with bumper to bumper traffic.  We were in the middle lane when we watched a local speed past us in the breakdown lane...must have been doing 70.  When we finally did get on the highway again we ended up driving past Arifjan and ended up at the Saudia Arabia border.  Not wanting to cause a international incident, we simply turned around and headed back the other way.  Thanks to some directions from the Kuwaitee Army we found our way back to Camp Arifjan.  Yesterday I went out again--without much drama.  I will be doing this often I think.  The judge has even told me he will bring me to Afghanistan for a short trip with him.  I said that it was my dream to get there, one way or the other, so I intend to take him up on his offer.  AFGHANISTAN OR BUST!!., even if it's just for a day or so.  I hope everyone sends their mom flowers on Sunday.  Happy Mothers Day for all u muthers out there!!

Saturday and a Day Off

Well believe it or not...on occasion we get a day off here in the war zone (ok..so it's only marginally a war zone...but I came where I was told...ha ha).  The pace of the days are starting to pick up a bit here but the work is managable.  This last week I was busy with various military justice issues and adjusting to my life as the NCOIC of ASG-KU.  The person I replaced was not the most ambitious individual, so my boss is impressed when I take even a little initiative.  I have some young soldiers to mentor and they need a little work but they are good kids and I enjoy that part of the job.  Yesterday I had to go off post (outside the wire) to pick up a military judge up at Ali As salem...which is the major in/out center for soldiers and civilians coming and out of the war zone.  It was a little scary...but mostly because the effin Kuwaitees drive worse than NYC cab drivers.  If I die in Kuwait it will because some jackass cuts me off on some lonely desert road and leaves me in a sand pit to rot.  But it is weird to be driving in a strange place like Kuwait.  I have to pitch myself to make sure I am not dreaming.  If you break down here there is no triple AAA.  All along the road to Ali yesterday I saw broken down and wreaked cars.  Just sitting there.  In the wreaked cars I tried to see if there were any bodies in them but they appeared to be empty.  But really it wouldn't surprise me if there were some found.  Well it is officially May, so happy May everyone.  I know it is almost Tulip Festival time and that the Tulips were almost in full bloom in Albany, but I hope a few survived for next weekend.  It is like summer here...hitting 100 everyday now.  I miss the Spring in NY.  Hopefully next year this time.  Enjoy your weekend peeps.

Camp Cupcake

As I have said previously in this blog, I originally volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan with the 27th Infantry Brigade back in September.  I was excited about the chance to go there and experience another war...just like my dad who served in the Pacific in WWII and Korean during the Korean War.  But "big Army" decided that the 27th wasn't needed in Afghanistan this time around and we were off ramped from there to Kuwait instead.  Then two week before we were to deploy to Kuwait as a Brigade, we were told that the Brigade would not deploy as a Brigade but would be broken up in to small pieces and sent in all directions.  As of last week, I was suppose to deploy with C Company, 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion which was headed for Bahrain.  That changed on Monday, when the Army told me that I was not going to Bahrain but was staying in Kuwait and heading down to Camp Arifijan, the home of Patton's own, the 3rd ID.  The 3rd Infantry Division is Headquartered at Arifijan and I am now assigned to ASG-KU, which stands for Area Support Group-Kuwait.  I am working in the JAG office as the NCOIC of the section, working primarily in military justice.  Fun job.  And although we get combat pay here, this place couldn't be more different then what I experienced in Iraq or what I would have experienced in Afghanistan.  For one thing, we handed our weapons in as soon as we got here.  No walking and sleeping and showering with your m-16 or m-4.  Kiss that baby good bye for at least 6 months.  Next, we can wear civilian clothes around here and that's something we could never do in Iraq...hell we couldn't even do that at Camp Shelby.  Third, we get to go off post on our days off to places like Kuwait City where there are malls and special attractions like we have back home.  There is a movie theater, lots of American fast food, a swimming pool, apartment-like barracks, and lots of other amenities.  This place looks like a military post back home.  For those of us who have deployed before, this place is nothing like what we experienced in Iraq or Afghanistan.  On the map, it says we are serving on Camp Arifijan...but to most of us we know it by another name...Camp Cupcake.  I'll try to endure.  Ha ha. 

Cheney Gets a Heart But He's the Same Old Dick

I am sitting in the desert today largely because of the former vice president/Darth Vader like human named Dick Cheney who in my estimation is a cowardly douche bag who escaped time and again his chance to be a real war hero in Vietnam using every imaginable excuse to justify his draft dodging.  He is a first class a-hole and he...along with others under the Bush administration lied us into starting a war in Iraq that killed nearly 4500 soldiers and injured another 33,000 or more.  That tally still keeps going up, even though we have for all intents and purposes left Iraq.  Recently, Dick was quoted as saying about Obama:  "He has been an unmitigated disaster to the country."  Times are tough I realize for Dick...no one really give a shit about him anymore and he knows he has to say something provocative to get attention but damn is that all you got Dick?  Let look at your Iraq record.  According to the Brookings Institute, since the beginning of the war in 2003 there were 4487 soldier fatalities and 32235 injuries (as of January 2012), though neither of these figures account for the thousands of service members who later get treated at the VA for physical injuries, PTSD or some other mental health issues as a result of their military service.  The human toll is bad enough of course, but the Iraq War cost us treasure as well as blood.  Consider these statistics, from the Brookings Report and other sources:

Spent & Approved War-Spending - About $1 trillion of US taxpayers' funds spent or approved for spending through 2011.

Lost & Unaccounted for in Iraq - $9 billion of US taxpayers' money and $549.7 million in spare parts shipped in 2004 to US contractors. Also, per ABC News, 190,000 guns, including 110,000 AK-47 rifles.

Lost and Reported Stolen - $6.6 billion of U.S. taxpayers' money earmarked for Iraq reconstruction, reported on June 14, 2011 by Special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction Stuart Bowen who called it "the largest theft of funds in national history." (Source - CBS News) Last known holder of the $6.6 billion lost: the U.S. government.

Missing - $1 billion in tractor trailers, tank recovery vehicles, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and other equipment and services provided to the Iraqi security forces. (Per CBS News on Dec 6, 2007.)

Mismanaged & Wasted in Iraq - $10 billion, per Feb 2007 Congressional hearings
Halliburton Overcharges Classified by the Pentagon as Unreasonable and Unsupported - $1.4 billion
Amount paid to KBR, a former Halliburton division, to supply U.S. military in Iraq with food, fuel, housing and other items - $20 billion

Portion of the $20 billion paid to KBR that Pentagon auditors deem "questionable or supportable" - $3.2 billion

U.S. Annual Air-Conditioning Cost in Iraq and Afghanistan - $20.2 billion (Source - NPR, June 25, 2011)

U.S. 2009 Monthly Spending in Iraq - $7.3 billion as of Oct 2009

U.S. 2008 Monthly Spending in Iraq - $12 billion

U.S. Spending per Second - $5,000 in 2008 (per Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on May 5, 2008)
Cost of deploying one U.S. soldier for one year in Iraq - $390,000

Now although the war ended in Iraq, thousands of  soldiers who left Iraq in December, are still in Kuwait...so the "peace dividend" has really kicked in yet.  It cost money to keep us here as well.  I won't go into Afghanistan -- that's for another post.  But if Obama is an "unmitigated disaster" to the country, what was the Bush-Cheney eight years?  Besides the war, that administration drove us from surplus to deficit by borrowing money to fight two wars, pay for a prescription drug plan that would be called "socialized medicine" if Obama did it, and gave a hugh tax cut to the rich.  Then they drove the country in to the greatest economic calamity since the Great Depression.  And Dick says Obama is a disaster.  But truth be told, if you take the great disasters of our time ---say the Titanic merged with the Hindenburg coupled with the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and Katrina...and you mixed them up in a big "disaster bowl"...well that would be the Bush-Cheney years.  An UN-mitigated "Super disaster" that rivals the great flood, the sinking of Atlantis, the destruction of Pompeii, etc, etc, etc.  Dick, you are the disaster love child of every disaster known to humankind.  You have a whole new heart, but it's just as cold as the one you had before.  Cold and calculating.  It's a shame another human being had to die to let you live.  But I wish no ill on you.  I hope you live another 20 years and you are constantly reminded each day of the disaster you inflicted upon this country for eight long years.  History will never vindicate you Dick.  And it will not be kind to you.   You will grow in irrelevancy as the days and years go by, but I will never forget what a true "dick" you were.  Live long...but not well. 

A Week in Kuwait - Rolling Over in the Desert

My Unit and I have been at Camp Beuring, Kuwait now for almost a week.  It has been a pretty easy time so far.  Just trying to get use to the conditions here.  Unlike back in 2006, the weather has been quite mild with some cool breezes after the sun goes down.  Back in August 2006 we experienced 140 degree heat in our stay here but so far we have not even come close to that.  Sleeping seems to be more of a problem this time around for me, but I did get a good night sleep last night.  Today we did some training on how to survive a vehicle rollover.  For the young soldiers this training was a little like going to Six Flags.  After a hour long power point presentation we performed a practical exercise involving a training simulator designed to look like a MRAP military vehicle.  The MRAP stands for "mine resistant, ambush protected".  It is a very heavy vehicle that was developed to protect soldiers from IED and sniper fire and it has done a great job of decreasing deaths and injuries since the Army began using it in 2007.    However, the excess weight and top-heavy design has made it a "roll-over" risk, and a number of accidents with MRAPs have taken the lives of soldiers.  As a result, the Army makes soldiers take "roll-over survival" training and that's what we did today.  For the exercise, 9 of us climbed into the simulator and buckled down.  Soon later, the exercise began with the simulator being rotated 90 and 180 degrees and than a full 360.  The purpose of the exercise is to successfully evacuate the vehicle after the rollover is over.  Of course for the training, the vehicle ends up at a 180 degree angle and we than had climb out the gunner's hatch.  In that position half of us were suspended upside down looking down on the other half of us that were right pinned against the side of the vehicle.  Meanwhile the rollover causes everything in the vehicle to go airborne including everyone's weapons and just about everything else.  Once the shock of rolling over wears off you have to figure out how to get unstrapped and oriented toward the one exit available for escape.  I was in the seat closest to the hatch but couldn't get unstrapped so I was "plugging the hole" and no one could escape before I got out.  I started to feel panic and could only imagine what it must feel like to go through this for real...in real time...in the dark...or in water.  Not a pleasant feeling my friends.  After what seemed like forever, one of my fellow soldiers got me unstrapped and a crawled out followed by my fellow soldiers.  God that sucked.  I hope never to ride in one of these vehicles and God help me if the effin thing flips.  But today, I survived the training and will continue training the next couple days.  Tomorrow is counter IED training and the next day we go to the range to shoot our weapons.  Right now, it looks like I will be here at Camp Beuring for another week or so.  The Army has thrown yet another curveball at me, so I may not be going to Bahrain after all.  It's not official yet, but I'll keep you all posted.  Until next time, slow down in your SUV and if you rollover make sure the fat boy you're riding with don't plug the escape hole.  Ha ha. 

Long Day's Journey into Tomorrow

Wow what a trip.  I am officially in Kuwait, a trip that started on Tuesday morning and didn't end until late the next day.  To recap, I was up at 0530 on Tuesday the 10th and dragged my bags to the bag dropping sight across the street from my barracks.  My ruck sack was as heavy as shit...and contained most of my combat gear (helmet, body armor, gas mask, etc.).  My rolling duffle bag was stuffed with everything else including uniforms etc.  My essential electronics went in my assault bag.  Then it was time to manifest for the flight and take busses out of Camp Shelby (yahoo!).  We then went to Gulfport and waited for a short time to load the big-ass plane that took us first to Maine, then to Germany, then to Kuwait.  Just like in 2006, the plane stopped in Bangor, Maine for a short time where we were greeted by several dozen USO volunteers who applauded and shook our hands as we entered the terminal.  Very heart warming actually.  It's nice to know that some people out there realize there is haven't forgot us and the fact that there is still a war going on out there.  A lot of these folks were veterans from nearly every era.  I was moved by their expression of support.  I get mushy easy I guess these days.  One lady went around handing out home made pillows and a variety of other snacks, etc.  After an hour or so we boarded the plane for the big trip across the pond.  We landed in Germany 6 or 7 hours later and went inside the terminal and were greeted by.....well no one.  I purchased a fried chicken thing and some guys had bad hamburgers.  The Air Force soon came in (they were heading home) and all of us Army guys were pissed when they went in to the gift shop and purchased some german beer (which of course is off limits to us) and sat down right next to us and guzzled them down.  Now to be truthful, I really didn't want any beer but it pissed me off that they could drink it and we couldn't.  F**king air force ass*****! Well after a short time we headed off to reboard and then took another 5 hour flight to Kuwait City.  Late in the day we arrived in Kuwait City and then bussed to two various sights which got us to our destination just in time for midnight chow!!  Yesterday I slept pretty late and played dodgeball in the evening.  It is not real hot here now but it is real dusty.  Today was a work day, although there really isn't much to do until next week when we go to the range and do other training.  I is hard to believe that I am in Kuwait right now, but this will become the new normal.  How long the new normal will be is anyone's guess.  I am owned by the Army right now and the Army does whatever they want with me.  Talk to you all soon.

Leaving on a Jet Plane....2012 Edition

Well as I said in this blog just yesterday, the time is near when I will be leaving America for a second overseas deployment.  When you read this, I am well be on my way overseas.  This sounds very strange, but I really never thought I was going anywhere.  I have let very few people know that I was going and just today I told my sister and brother what was going on.  They were surprised ...in fact my sister asked why they were sending an old guy like me over there.  Of course she is a few hours older than me...but she thinjs I am an old man and she hasn't aged a bit.  My brother John knew I was going, and he is probably the most loyal reader of this blog.  At anyrate, I guess I am ready to do this.  I am all packed and ready for the call.  Actual times are secret, but I will let you know when I land in Kuwait.  I hear it is warm there now...90s at least.  But it is a dry heat as they say.  I expect it to get hotter as the spring turns to summer.  At some point, we will be heading to Bahrain...though we don't know for sure when.  My goals were lofty back in 06....supporting my soldiers and making peace with the Iraqi people...but this time around it's just do my duty and come back safe and I hope...a lot thinner.  Pray for our safe journey and I look forward to seeing you all again soon.  Peace out.

Easter at Shelby and Packing the Bags

Happy Easter/Passover all.  This has been a very quiet week as we prepare to head overseas.  Mostly just packing and getting ready for that long flight.  I can not reveal details of my departure but I can say that next sunday will most likely arrive 7 hours earlier for me than this sunday.  Which means I'll will be much farther east this time next week.  Hint hint.  When I do leave, I'll let you all know and when I get in country I will holla at ya.  This mobilization and predeployment has been much different than 2006.  I am older, wiser and maybe a little more cranky than back then.  When I read my blog from those days I am struck with both how positive and how naive I was.  I seemed almost joyful at the training I went through and the long mob up at Fort Hood.  But this time around, well I guess I have been less enthusiastic.  I have been in denial about the whole process.  I have gone through two solid months of waking up at 0 dark 00 and dragging 75 pounds of gear all over Shelby.  There has been many good moments but I would be lying if I said that this last two months has been easy.  It has not.  I I miss T and the dogs and my friends and my co-workers...everyone.  I miss being a civilian.  I miss my work with my veterans.  In a few days...I'll miss America.  I have to remind myself that this is my duty...this is my chance to make a difference in the lives of my fellow soldiers.  I am the leader of Headquarters platoon...with four soldiers to lead and a commander and first sergeant who need my help.  That's the only thing I need to remember is that I am doing my duty.  I would like to be home, but that is not possible right now.  I hope everyone has a great day today.  I look forward to spending next easter with you.  Until than I will do my duty.  But I gotta finish packing first.  Ha ha. 

Albany on Leave

The month of March is over, and I have now been on active duty for two months. No more than 10 months to go, although it may well be over sooner. The last week I have spent at my own home in Albany with T and the dogs. It was nice to see them, and the my fear that the dogs would forget who I was unfounded. Ha ha. They went ape shit when they saw me come through the door. I left Camp Shelby at 0400 on Monday and made it to Albany by 1430 (2:30pm) and T and I went to get him a new Iphone. The it was home for a nice nap and dinner in. On Tuesday I visited my office for the first time since I left and got a chance to touch basis with my co-workers. I participated in the staff meeting (which felt odd) and then we had pizza. Later that night, we had dinner with T's mom and dad and sister at the Brew Pub. The rest of the week was pretty laid back, waking up late and doing odd jobs around the house. We ate out quite a bit, and it was felt good just doing hanging out with little to do. Unlike when I came home on leave back in 2006, I did over pack my schedule. It was low key, I got to spend time with those I love and to rest. This next week will (I hope) be my final pre-deployment week at Shelby. I will be glad to see it go. Nothing against Mississippi mind you, just Camp Shelby. This time next week -- who knows -- maybe Kuwait or maybe just another week in limbo. I hope to board that big bird and head east...way east...as in middle east. I will keep you all posted.

Back from ole Virginnie

I am back at Camp Shelby from my TDY trip to the commonwealth of Virginia.  I was suppose to write from there but I was just too busy going to class and eating at really nice restarants and enjoying a little freedom...sorry about that.  But the week flew by...I left on Sunday at the god awful hour of 0300 (meaning I was up at 0200).  My self and SFC Bailey took the post shuttle down to Gulf Port where we caught flights up north.  It was really nice to leave Camp Shelby for the week.  We arrived in Richmond and then drove down to Charlotteville, VA to the JAG school where the course "Law for Paralegals" was held.  Very interesting stuff.  Class ran from 8 to 430 each day, so it was a pretty easy week.  Instead of mystery meat at the mess hall it was Pizza and Chipotle for lunch and Indian and Greek food for dinner.  Very nice indeed.  We left Charlotteville this morning and got back here just in time for salsbury steak at the DFAC.  Not the same.  I miss Charlottesville already.  Tomorrow will be an easy day and then really early on Monday...its home on leave!!!....I miss T and the dogs terribly.  I look forward to 7 days of rest and relaxtion in Albany.  Less than two weeks until we head east...to the middle east.  We came here in winter...we leave in spring.  Maybe home by Christmas?...I can hope can't I?

Validation

I am now six weeks in on this deployment and what a six weeks it has been.  When I last posted we had just finished our Base Defense exercise and were heading in to Gunnery and then our FTX.  Gunnery is where you fire crew served weapons from moving vehicles along a convoy route.  There were four days of that, and I partipated in the final two days.  I was assigned to be the gunner (the guy who fires the big gun from the hatch) in vehicle 6.  Although normally the gunner fires a big gun, the last vehicle did not have to fire on the targets that were popping up along the route.  That's good, because I didn't know nothing about firing anything other than an M4 or M16.  At anyrate, we left very early each day and did a day fire and than a night fire.  Long effin days, let me tell ya.  Night fire was fun...pitch black and trying to fire on targets you'd couldn't see without using your NVGs.  (night vision glasses)  We did very well though.  The next four days we headed out to the field again and slept in tents and did a little ECP (entry control point) training.  Mostly we just slept though.  On Thursday and Friday I attended COR training.  COR stands for Contract Officer Representative, which means that I will be checking on any contractors who are assigned to our unit in Bahrain to ensure they are compliant with any contract they have with the Army.  Today, I am just resting a bit and doing some laundry before I head out bright and early tommorow to attend a one week course called Law for Paralegals in Charlottesville, VA.  That course should be interesting because it relates directly to my MOS.  Then it is back to Shelby for a day before I head back to Albany for leave.  Wow, time is really starting to move.  Back when I went to Iraq, once we accomplished all of our pre-deployment training we were declared "Fit to Fight".  My unit has now officially qualified (or been validated) to go overseas.  Fit to Fight?  Well sure... I guess.  Though we will be getting combat pay, not sure who we will be fighting in Bahrain.  But anyhoo, we don't always have to kill people to make a difference in the world, so I accept base defense in Bahrain (aka, the Vegas of the middle east) as the cross I will bear the next few months.  If everything goes as plan, I should be in Kuwait a month (more or less) from today.  I still have my doubts about this deployment...but it seems to be more certain than it was a month ago.  I'll write again from Virginia.

Checking more Boxes -- FOB Defense and other Fun stuff

Another week down here at Shelby.  I have been training my ass of doing all kinds of interesting and fun things.  But just like a few years ago, I am not sure I will ever really use any of the stuff in real life...but it better than just sitting around and doing nothing all day.  Last Saturday we went to a secret briefing on how to survive being held captive as a pow...scary shit but it's all secret so don't ask me what I learned in that meeting.  The next day, we did our two day FOB (Forward Operating Base) defense exercise.  I was with 4 other guys in a hummer as the rear rifleman dismount in the QRF (quick response force).  Sound important, but really I just hung out with the other guys waiting for higher headquarters to call us up to respond to some crisis.  The first day was kind of quite...just hung in the truck and waited.  The next day was busier and we had to go to the ECP (entry control point) to quell some disturbances between our guys who were working the ECP and third country nationals who marched on our location shouting "death to America" and telling us we shouldn't haven't burned their korans.  All of a sudden one of the Afghans pulled out a pistol and shot and killed three of our soldiers and all hell broke loose as the mortars starting coming in.  I ran from barrier to barrier, ducking and cover the whole time and then ran up to the ECP to try to calm people down.  Our surviving guys were trying to keep the civilians back while our medics were tending to the wounded.  The civilians were not moving back.  One Sergeant was trying to be good cop and be all nice and shit.  It was not working.  I raised my weapon eye level to one of the civilians and took my hand and forcefully pushed him back and told him that if he didn't sit the hell down and shut the eff up I was gonna shoot his ass.  That worked.  For a moment.  Than the mortars came again and we all had to find cover.  The mortars scared the civilians and they all ran back to their village.  With order restored, we mounted up in our vehicle and headed back to the safety of the FOB.  Or that's what we thought.  But soon mortars starting popping into the FOB and our vehicle was hit on the passenger side, killing our TC (truck commander) and the rear passenger side dismount.  I was on the other side and survived but our vehicle was trashed and that was that.  Like magic though, the powers to be brought to life all our dead and our vehicle was fixed and the game began again.  Fun stuff really.  Playing war games and shooting guns and blowing shit up.  Now who needs video games when you get to do what we are doing?  America...thank you for letting us play soldier down here on your dime.  Hopefully none of us ever have to use this training for real anytime soon.  SSG Read, over and out.

One Month Down---11 to follow?

It is hard to believe that we are through February and I have been on active duty just over one month.  I wish I could say the time flew....but to tell you the truth, I feel like I have been at Camp Shelby forever.  The past week or more since I last wrote has been productive as we move toward validation (which we need before we head overseas.) Last weekend my company conducted a two day  counter-IED (improvised explosive device) training.  Day one we learned about different kinds of IEDs and what to look for and ways to avoid them and the next day we actual went through a practical exercise where we got in a convoy and went out in the woods to find IEDs and avoid getting blown up.  At one point we went to a "village" (which consisted of civilians dressed up as Afghans) and negotiated with the village elder to allow us to convoy through his village.  He stated that somewhere on the road we were taking there were hidden IEDs and that if we found and safely destroyed them we could use the road through the village.  So we set out on foot carefully scanning for danger.  I saw an IED hidden under of a culvert and notified my commander.  Unfortunately as I was heading back to the convoy a suicide bomber came up close to me and blew himself and me up.  I was dead.  But later I claimed it was just a flesh wound and got up and continued the mission.  Overall it was a good day although it rained the whole day.  The next day, I went out to the M4 Range and qualified with my weapon.  (by the skin of my teeth---I ain't gonna win any marksmen awards.)  Next week we have Base Operations training and then a five day field training exercise the following week.  So things are busy here at Camp Shelby and will be for the next month.  On March 26 I will be returning to Albany for a week of leave.  I look forward to that.  Until then I will keep on dealing with the training and the Mississippi mud.

Enjoying A Long Weekend --- Of Army Training

Well I hope you all are enjoying your long weekend.  Today is the end of a very long weekend down here at Camp Shelby.  It started Saturday morning with a 0430 wake-up call and a 0530 formation for a trip to the M4 Range for weapons qualification.  It started raining the minute we left and kept raining the whole day.  Once we got to the range we all huddled under a small tent and waiting to fire.  I got up to the line in pouring rain and fired off 9 shots.  Then the lighting started and that's all we shot that day.  They pulled us off the line and we huddled again under the leaky tent while the monsoon flooded us out.  For over an hour we waited while those in charge figured out what we were going to do.  Finally, we were told the day was canceled and we were going back home and would have to fire the next day.  The buses took their sweet ass time getting us though and so we huddled and got wetter and colder.  We got home about 1400 but the day was lost.  The next day, Sunday, it started all over again.  0430 wake up, 0530 formation head to the range.  It was relatively dry but much cooler.  We stayed at the range from 0630 until 2000 hours.  We zeroed our weapons and then fired with our gas masks and fired for record.  It was the first time I have fired with the M4, and I did not do well.  I need practice.  I will get another chance to qualify soon.  But for now, it is safe to say that I would have a better chance of clubbing someone with my weapon than shooting them.  Ha ha.  Today it felt good to walk around with out my body armor but my joints and back are hurting me.  This Army shit is tough.  Meanwhile at this moment, I think it is more likely than not that I will be deploying somewhere in about six weeks.  I have an idea, but nothing for sure.  I also will be coming home before I deploy, likely late next month.  So today, President's Day weekend will end, and most of you will be going back to work.  For me...just another day of training.  I miss ya all. 

Army Training for God knows what

I am starting to adjust down here in Mississippi.  In my last post, my big bro John told me that I should stop complaining about Mississippi....he is right of course.  But the problem is not with Mississippi -- but rather with the fact that we are stuck here on Camp Shelby without any chance to see what the real Mississippi is all about.  I am sure it is a beautiful place, but so far we are stuck marching in red mud and dealing with the lack of amenities here.  The people here are great though.  Nevertheless, we are several thousand strong ready to do big things in Afghanistan, Kuwait, or Bahrain.  Where I will end up is anyone's guess.  Since I have been here though I have done a little training.  Lot's of power point briefs, went through the land navigation course, and this Saturday I will go to the range to qualify with my M-4.  Advance weather is not good.  Severe thunderstorms I hear.  The next week is going to be quite interesting.  There are 2000 soldiers down here who have put their lives on hold in anticipation of a mission--and twice we have had that mission changed.  In a week or so, we will find out if we get a new mission or if we get sent home.  There have been National Guard units who have been in this situation before.  They were mobilized and sent to Camp Shelby for mobilization training only to be told that the "Big Army" did not really need them after all.  "Thanks for your service now go home!"  Welcome home soldier...to unemployment.  I feel bad for the people who are counting on this deployment.  In this economy having a well payed job in a true gift.  For 20 somethings who have children and no education, the Army is the best bet.  I am blessed--to have a good job I love --waiting for me when I get home.  But for many of my fellow soldiers who are waiting in limbo down hear, the thought that this whole mission could get completely scrubbed is almost too horrible to comprehend.  Six years ago, I volunteered to deploy when few people wanted that mission.  Now people are desperate to deploy.  As much as I would love to go to Afghanistan or wherever, I don't want to take another soldier's job.  So if they need volunteers willing to off ramp, I need to consider doing that too.  Interesting times. 

Saturday Morning at Camp Shelby

Good Morning America!  It's Saturday and most of America is still sleeping, but I am up and ready to defend your way of life.  Blah.  I would love to be in Albany right now in my own bed with T and all the dogs.  Easing in to the morning.  Saturday mornings have always been something I have looked forward to.  Unless of course it was a Saturday in the Army.  Saturdays are full work days in the Army.  Last Saturday was Land Navigation all day, today will be more soldier related training such as calling for a medivac, cleaning a gas mask, other shit.  It's cool and damp down here.  It's cold in Albany, but there is no snow.  It has been a strange winter.  If I was home right now I would have three excited dogs leaning and hopping on me ready for me to take them down so they can pee and get their snick-snacks.  Then T and I would figure out what to do the rest of the day...a trip to BJ's, or to see a movie or whatever.  But down here, I am just sitting here waiting to go down to our first formation of the day...0800.  Then it's off to training.  Saturday night use to be something to look forward to back home...but no more.  No going out to dinner or hanging out with friends, or anything neat like that.  Camp Shelby food is edible...but that's about it...and it's no real treat.  Saturday night here means getting to bed by 10pm and falling asleep with 40 or 50 of my army buddies snoring and farting away.  Exciting.  I am now entering the 3rd week of a what could be a year long endeavor.  Still a little unsure how long it will be before I can have a Saturday like I use to have.  Saturday in Mississippi is almost as bad as Sunday in Mississippi, or Monday, and Tuesday, etc..  Enjoy your Saturday you damn civilians, cause SSG Read is on the job!

Another day, Another Rumor

I have, at different points in the last few weeks been told many different things about where I will be go going.  First it was Kuwait, than it was Afghanistan, then it was back to Kuwait and maybe all the way back to Albany.  Yesterday I was told I was on the list to go to....BAHRAIN.  For those of you who do not know where the eff that is...don't feel bad.  Until yesterday, I never heard of it and couldn't find it on a map.  But it is a little country in the middle east that is modern and considered to be fairly progressive (well at least by middle east standards).  It is also home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet.  Which is good news, cause the Navy has first class accomodations compared to the Army.  I don't know if this will actually happen, but I have been told that if that mission happens, then I will be on it.  Though I have only been gone two weeks, it seems like months.  I am slowly adjusting to military life, and doing my best to stay positive.  If I do go away on this deployment, I will first come home to Albany for a few days.  It will be one more chance to see T, the dogs and all my friends and co-workers before I leave the country.  More training in the days and weeks ahead in the meantime.  Or, as I almost expect...it could all be scrapped and I will be home before spring.  I am not counting on anything at this point...it is out of my hands. 

Muddy, Mucky, Merky

It has been raining nearly all day, every day here in Mississippi.  It is quite a muddy mess.  Granted it is not cold--actually it's quite warm--but the rain comes and goes and makes getting around a lot of fun.  Slipping and sliding and tracking mud everywhere.  It's one big muck.  That's how I kinda feel in general about my current situation.  Mucky.  Merky.  Right now I do not have an assignment for the deployment.  Back in November I was told I was going to Afghanistan.  Then the mission changed to Kuwait.  Now that mission is changing yet again.  Where I fit into that mission is still up in the air and I am not the only one.  Most of those in my company are still in the same boat.  I am working long hours and doing my best to stay positive.  But I won't lie.  It has been hard to stay positive with all the uncertainty.  But I have made a few really good friends down here.  The last deployment--to Iraq--seemed to be easier for me.  Back then I was extremely excited about this whole military thing---but I have lost some of my enthusiasm.  But I am still very much willing to do what they want me to do.  I will go to wherever I am needed.  If they need me to go to Afghanistan--I'm there....or Kuwait...or wherever.  But please, BIG ARMY, send me somewhere...even if that somewhere is Albany, NY.  Mississippi ain't exactly hell--but it's not where I want to be the next year.  Good night my friends.

Thrill a Minute at Camp Shelby

I have been a full time soldier for the last 5 days...and let me tell you it has been a thrill a minute.  My unit left Syracuse early Tuesday morning and flew down to Mississippi.  The day started on Monday at 1400 hours and then we began to manifest for the flight at 0130 hours.  I was one of the lucky ones who got to be on baggage detail.  That was fun.  The actual flight did not leave until close to 0500 hours.  It was--a very long day.  Since then we have been adjusting to full time Army life.  Lot's of mandatory briefs, etc..  I also had to go through another medical screening---where I was found again to be fit to fight.  The barracks is loaded with lots of snoring soldiers....including me...sleeping is hard.  My morale has gone up and down.  Right now, I still do not know what the future holds.  That's the same with everyone in my unit and my section.  We are all struggling with being separated from our families and our civilian life, with no idea when or if we are doing anything for the next year.  At times I feel like I just want to get the eff out of here and other times when I feel like I want to do something exciting like go to Afghanistan or something crazy.  Today, I finally was able to set up our office---although I am not sure how busy we will be or for how long, but I guess I just gotta take it one day at a time.

Active Duty----Mission TBD

So hear I am, on active duty once again.  It is my first tour of duty I've been on under the provisions of Title 10, U.S. Code, since 2008.  Officially my Commander in Chief is President Obama now.  It was George Bush the last time.  You can guess who I am happier to serve.  Now about the mission I'm on.  There are a lot of unanswered questions at the moment.  There is a serious question about what I will be doing and where I will be going and how long I will be gone.  I just got back from a deployment ceremony but that could be just for show for most of us.  Right now I know only one thing for sure.  I am in Syracuse NY.  Day after tomorrow, I should be on a plane  bound for Camp Shelby, Missisppi.  After that?  Who the f--k knows.  Kuwait, Afghanistan, Bunfuck Egypt, or back to Albany.  I am ready and willing to do whatever they need me to do.  I will try to keep you posted...but for now, I am just doing this crazy Army thing.  You all should sleep better knowing that I am on my post.

Last week of Civilian Life

Well it looks like this thing is happening.  Although there is still a lot of uncertainty.  But I am use to uncertainty when it comes to the Army.  As of this moment, I will be reporting to Syracuse one week from today, be there for a few days and then fly to Mississippi (wow, I can spell that) and then start my training for (insert secret location here).  Or I could get there and they say...thank you for coming now go home soldier.  You see, in case you haven't heard peace is breaking out all over!!!!  Troops have left Iraq, some are leaving Afghanistan soon, and Kuwait is getting over-crowded.  So, there is a possibility that this trip won't pan out the way the other one did.  But if it does, well then I am ok with it.  I have a nice life and a tremendous job.  So if Uncle Sam says they don't need me I will go back to being a veteran again and wait for the next war to come around.  Ha ha.  I was being sarcastic earlier, peace is not breaking out all over.  No actually, the problem is that we can't afford war anymore.  A trillion here, a trillion there...before you know it you're  talking about real money.  And we don't have it anymore unless we borrow it from the Chinese.  On another note, I was excited to see that someone was reading my blog besides me.  My big bro, John.  Thanks John for giving me more reasons to write.  I want to plan a trip to Florida when I get back, so hang in there, I'll need a place to stay.  So this week I have a lot to do of course, including packing and making final arrangements at work.  Work will be busy.  I plan on working until Wednesday and than taking the next two days to finish getting ready.  Have a great day everyone.

Short timer blues: Pre-deployment Thoughts

Two weeks from now I'll be in Syracuse NY with my new unit waiting to fly down to Camp Shelby, Miss., for the beginning of deployment training prior to heading to the sand box some time in early spring.  I feel really strange.  At work, everyone is acting as if I am already gone.  Ha ha.  I think my boss is worried but I keep trying to reassure him that everything will work out.  I have about 7 working days until I go, so there is a lot of wrapping up to do.  I will miss my co-workers a lot.  They are a crazy but very dedicated bunch.  It has been an honor to work with each and everyone of them.  I have  not told my family that I am going yet.   The last couple of days I have been getting in touch with my friends and slowly spreading the word.  Back in 2006, I let everyone know as soon as I first was alerted, but if you read my blog from back then you will see that I had several going away parties because the Army kept delaying my departure to Fort Hood.  Ha ha.  Unlike then though, I actually have mobilization orders so my departure is more of a sure thing.  I guess I need to do give my family a call soon.  I don't want them to be surprised to find out I left the country without telling them.  My life seems to be in limbo again.  I hate the way that makes me feel.  My friends who I have told can't believe I'm going.  My old friend Lou kept saying to me "You're  old!...why are they taking you?"  He didn't mean anything about it, but like most of my friends he couldn't imagine do anything this crazy.  I will not be a civilian 12 days from now.  I will be a active duty soldier again.  For me, the fourth time in my life that has happened.  But for the next 11 days, I will try hard to be a good civilian.  T and the dogs are getting ready to send me off.  For us all, it will be a long year.  But, hopefully it will go fast.  Next year this time, I hope to be back here getting ready to go on a vacation.  Good night my peeps.

How you feeling Soldier? Good enough!

Almost six years ago I took my then 41 year old body down to the Federal Office Building in downtown Albany and took a physical in order to qualify for the Army.  I was with of group of about 30, 18 to 24 year olds who were trying to do the same thing.  First was the blood pressure---which came back a bit high--but the guy gave it a second time and it was better.  Next came my height weight.  My max weight allowance that day was 177 pounds...and I had starved and exercise myself nearly to death just to get down to that weight.  I stepped on the scale and the scale read....177!  There was a vision and a hearing test and those all went well then came the ultimate physical test for me...the infamous duck walk test.  There I was --in my underware--with 30 young bodies--trying in vain to do this damn duck walk.  The kids--they did just fine.  But me, I couldn't figure the thing out.  The guy running the show asked me to do it over and over.  "You are not making it if you can't do the duck walk!", he shouted.  All eyes were on me as I was doing it...or trying to do it.  Very humbling and embarrassing.  "God," I thought, "I lost all this weight and worked so hard just to get here and fail because of some stupid fucking DUCK WALK!!!"  Finally, I did a very half assed attempt and the guy got frustrated and said he hoped I wasn't going infantry and he let me through.  Whew!  After that some 90 year old doctor stuck a cold finger up my butt to cap the day off--which somehow seemed less uncomfortably and embarrassing than the duck walk incident.  Fast forward to today.  Today was my final SRP--soldier readiness processing--before my deployment later this month.  I always hate getting physicals or going to the doctor.  I always think their gonna find a tumor or something.  But today--it was easy.  Blood pressure good...vision good...hearing good...overweight yes but all and all...fully deployable.  So now, there is nothing holding me back.  I have less than three weeks of civilian life left.  Then its goodbye Albany and hello Camp Shelby Mississippi.  Than it's on to the Sandbox!