Monday, February 20, 2012

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. 

Thursday, February 16, 2012

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, February 11, 2012

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!

Thursday, February 09, 2012

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. 

Saturday, February 04, 2012

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.

Thursday, February 02, 2012

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.