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.