A CONCERT FOR THE SOLDIERS

The Military has a great program through the MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) that brings various bands and other entertainers to Military bases overseas to entertain and lift the troops.  A month ago I had the chance to meet and train with Coach J. Robinson, the former head coach of the University of Minnesota wrestling team.  He won many NCAA championships, was an Army Ranger during Vietnam and helped develop the Army Combatives program that I am now deeply involved with. 

For the past week there have been posters up around base telling us that the country band Lonestar would be coming for a concert.  I have to admit....I thought that was cool but with everything going on here and with all the changes I didn't pay it much more attention.  Yesterday evening at dinner the band came in and ate with the Soldiers.  It was pretty cool to see.  So I did go to the concert and it as AWESOME.  They were so gracious and seemed genuinly excited to be there to entertain the troops.  They played a lot of the songs that have made them famous as well as some new ones.  They also covered a few songs from other bands that were fun to hear.  Thousands of Soldiers turned out for the concert and they played for almost 2 hours.  After they played, we got to meet them individually and get a picture with them.  It was a great night.

Here are some pictures and video clips of the event. 

 They are wearing reflective belts as all Soldiers have to wear them around base during the evening to be safe.  It was cool that they were willing to wear them instead of seeing them as below them....

RUMORS ABOUT US COMING HOME AND SUCH.........

First off, it has been a while since I have posted an entry to this blog.  It was my intention to post a bunch more but we have been working more than usual.  So, part of why we have been working more than usual is based on the President’s speech and partly due to the regular flow of the Army plans and operations. 

When the President announced that the troops would be home for the Holidays from Iraq it was a large generalization and though there is some truth to it, there is also a lot of ambiguity to it.  As he is my Commander-In-Chief I will not express my full opinions, although I will explain a little more about the Army “way” and what that means for my unit. 

The regular mission in Iraq changed in 2010 from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn.  The original mission was a combat based mission where the primary focus was rooting out the loyalists to Saddam Hussein, eliminating threats to our country and others and clearing the way for a free country.  Free from oppression of religion, education, expression, opinion, political view, etc.  Operation New Dawn changed everything in that the US took an “official” back seat and the combat troops moved out and support troops moved in.  For example, the famed 101^st Airborne out of Fort Campbell, KY has widely been known for their combat operations in WWII and during the Iraq war.  They have huge support troops that provide other functions in the way of training, hospital/casualty operations, human resources, finance, postal operations, planning and operations support, and much more.  The same is true for a ton of other Brigades across the country.  We have been here in a support roll acting as a Headquarters Company to support a bunch of these smaller support units.  They goal from a while back was to be nearly complete with the support and training of Iraqi troops, police and government so that by Dec 31, 2011 we could leave the country.  Now, when I say leave I mean leave in the way we left Germany, Vietnam, Philippines, Japan, Italy, Korea, etc.  Get the idea……we are likely to have “support” or “consulting” personnel her for the long haul.  Especially when Iraq sits in the middle of a mess of countries imploding with their own demonstrations, revolts and threats of nuclear weapons and attacks on Israel. 

It is this date of Dec 31, 2011 that most have focused but have forgotten that there are still tens of thousands of troops sitting in Kuwait as the process towards Afghanistan, in and out of Iraq, stay in Kuwait for continued support operations, etc.  When the Army moves troops it is very expensive so they like to maximize their resources.  If they can turn troops around at Fort Dix, NJ before they even fly over here they do, and did when we were there.  If they have troops that have recently been sent to the desert and they can use them elsewhere then it is likely they will do so.  Our mission was based on the mission of our down-trace units and their requirements as they worked at post offices, hospitals and many other places.  It so happens that many of their individual missions are ending very soon and they are working their way back to their home stations.  Now, some of the missions were based on certain bases being open and those openings were based on the renewed contract that the US government was planning to sign with Iraq but it did not happen.  Therefore much of the natural flow of the operation ran its course and troops were coming home close to when it was planned. 

For my unit there had been talks, these talks go much higher than our level, about using us in other capacities for other units that remain in Kuwait to support their needs.  A lot of things are still up in the air but likely our mission will end sooner than we originally had planned.  This does not mean ALL troops will be home for Christmas, New Years or even Valentine’s Day…..or even St. Patrick’s Day.  A lot of other “things” are at play that will dictate our plans. 

Please bear in mind that there are many generalizations in here and I have to keep these words as my opinion and views, nothing official.  But, I will say that gets you much closer to what is going on than often you may receive.    

It is an interesting time to be here in the sand.  Each day is really busy.  There is still so much to learn.  I will post more thought, happenings and pictures shortly. 

Thank you for your support and next time you see someone in uniform thank them for their sacrifice and thank them more importantly for their family’s sacrifice!!!   

GUM!!!

So this will be a fun post.  One of the joys of being deployed is the abundance of certain little things that make life just a little easier, like girl scout cookies at nearly every office from May until August.  As many poptarts as you can stuff in your pockets at the dining facilities as well as packs of gatorade powder.  BUT above all these is the coveted packs of gum.  The particular packs at the Balad dining facility are the Icebreakers cubes.  They come 10 to a box and at each meal I would "collect" 2 to 4 packs.  I love gum, who doesn't and when it is hot and dry gum keeps your mouth from feeling dry.  I had been collecting gum for weeks and have to date amassed quite a collection.  They have three flavors, winterfrost (or something like that), mint and watermelon.  Well, one day our First Sergeant told us about the previous time he was deployed. He explained that the record for pieces of gum in a Soldiers mouth was 58.  We decided that since we have and ample supply, what would it hurt. 
So thus began an ordeal that to this day makes me cringe and get ill at the sight of watermelon gum!!!  The pictures will speak for themselves but as a little background......we were all sitting in the same office and would each put a box of gum in our mouthes at a time.  All 10 at once and then chew them so we could fit another box.  Well, let's just say that once you have 30 pieces of gum in your mouth and then go for 40 the amount of juice a saliva that is produced could fill......well let's just say we started spitting out our saliva as we were on the verge of heaving already and the idea of swallowing all that super sweet juice was enough to.....well.......I will just leave it at that.  Specialist Marbery was the winnerand set a new record with 59 pieces of gum.  After 40 pieces I was getting so sick.  Staff Sergeant Petersen and Staff Sergeant Hayward also put 40 into their mouthes.  Even now as I type this I am starting to feel funny.  We were all sick for a couple days after this but when I ask myself if it was worth it........sure......why not.  We had the gum and how many pieces can you put in your mouth at once???  Enjoy the pics:

SEPTEMBER 11, 2011

This was surely a unique day.  The ten year anniversary of the day that changed not only the world as we knew it but the day that inspired so many to be here in Iraq, fighting for freedom, the safety of America and the safety of those that are oppressed.  There are certainly controversial ideas and thoughts surrounding Iraq and Afghanistan but one thing is clear.....when you talk to the locals, when you learn of their lives before we came in, under a ruthless dictator, under a rule that killed their family members for having an "opinion" that wasn't in line with the regime or killing their children (in the case of a 7 year old) for kicking a soccer ball during a street game, that happens to bounce and hit a poster of Saddam Hussien.  These people are now free to vote and they are proud of that.  There is a daily flight from Baghdad International Airport to Paris.  Other nations are in here working and enjoying the benefits of trade and opportunity.  In school the kids can actually learn about world events from a perspective that takes into account the world as seen from a variety of perspectives....not a world where their dictator was like a God and every textbook praised him and required complete obedience.   

For those reasons and so many more I am proud to be here and I have realized that on that day, ten years ago, part of me knew that I would be more connected to that event than I realized I would at that time.  For the rest of this post I am going to do it in pictures.  There are a bunch but it was such an honor to have the opportunity to fly flags over our headquarters here in a combat zone.  Each flag was marched out to the pole, raised properly with Soldiers saluting and after a time was lowered with honor while Soldiers saluted.  Then it was folded in the proper manner and marched from the area.  This was a great day!

      This is our headquarters building for the 478th Human Resources Company

                                Presenting the flag to the Soldier that will be raising it.

                             Not necessarily in order but this is my raising one of the flags.

                                                             Lowering the Colors.

                                Luckily 4 of us there were Eagle Scouts.  That came in handy today!

                                                    Raising another flag

                               I love these last three pictures. They capture the day for me perfectly!

THE COMBAT PATCH

                                   77th Sustainment Brigade "Lady Liberty" Combat Patch

About a week and a half ago our supply sergeant came around and gave us a patch as well as a memorandum from the commander stating that we were now authorized this deployment patch.  There is a history to the Brigade that this symbol represents and to be honest I don't know it at this time.  I will look it up soon, but not this moment.  It is my combat patch.  This patch goes on the right sleeve of the uniform jacket.  Until a Soldier deploys this sleeve remains bare.  When you get out of AIT and head to your first unit you get a unit patch that goes on the left sleeve.  This makes you feel like you are no longer a worthless, snotty private and now part of a real Army unit.  It isn't long though until you realize that there is something special about the right sleeve.  The right sleeve represents unspoken struggles, hardships, lessons learned, moments of excitement, deep friendships and friendships lost and so much more.  Without the patch you are just a "slick-sleeve".....I was called that more than once.  Regardless of your experience in life, military bearing, level of physical fitness, ability to "beat up" (couldn't resist that one) the person with the combat patch, you are still just not "one of them".  There are a plethora of combat patches out there.  Some represent the historic campaigns that have become the face of WWII such as the 101st "eagle" patch with the word "airborne" over it.  This particular patch however, the "Lady Liberty" is what I get to wear.  Its weight is so little that you can't tell if it is on or off physically, but psychologically it weighs a ton!  It means I am here in Iraq doing my part in the fight on terrorism.  Yesterday we were reminded just how much the fight is still on as our whole bodies shook and compressed as large artillery shells were launched outside the wire.  It is funny that one patch can mean and represent so much but that is how it works.  When you return home you become one of "those guys".  Those guys that deployed and now can look down on the "slick sleeves".  My good buddy Phinney said it right though, slick sleeve or not....plenty of Soldiers that have deployed are still dirt bags and don't know any more about being a Soldier than a "slick sleeve".  He is correct, but that is a topic for a different day.  For today, this is about the patch and I love it.  There is a bond that happens with those that have been "down range".  I feel that now and I look forward to what this deployment will bring.   

KUWAIT TO IRAQ AND AROUND IRAQ

This post I am going to show a bunch of pictures from here to give you all an idea of what life is like here. 

 Loading up and getting ready to get on a C-130 to head to Iraq

 Best part was getting to finally wear our performance tops.  They are way better when wearing the body armor.

 This is my bed.  You will notice the Captain America blanket...  :)

 I love this picture.  American Flag flying in a combat zone. 

 These are the bunkers all over base.  When the alarm sounds for mortar or rocket attacks we are supposed to get into one if we are out in the open. 

 All of our buildings are fortified by these concrete barriers. 

 Sand is everywhere.  There is no escaping it!

 I am still getting used to seeing Arabic writing everywhere.

 All over base there are bunkers left over from the Saddam Hussein days. 

 Another shot of a bunker and some of the "scenery".

 Just another day heading off to the office.....  It was actually about 110 degrees outside so it was REALLY hot with my body armor on!!

We live in these little trailers.  There are 4 of us in each one. 

From New Jersey to Kuwait

My goal for this posting is to include a lot more pictures.  These pictures will highlight my time traveling from Fort Dix, NJ to Kuwait.  Some of these pictures represent the "inside" look into what it takes to get to the Middle East for a Soldier. 

 loading up to get ready.  This pic is a little staged.....

 This was only the duffel bags.  On the other wall are all the ruck sacks and personal bags

 At the airport waiting to check in.  Originally we were told that the flight was over booked and we may have to wait another week to fly.  Luckily that was not the case. 

 Sitting in the terminal waiting a military flight.  It really felt like the deployment was actually going to happen. 

 On the plane. 

 Sitting in Germany. Really tired at this moment.  We had been flying all night with no real food to eat. 

 We landed in Kuwait and had to sit on 100 degree heat from about 9pm to 1am to then leave for our base. 

 4am at our base.  We had a briefing and then unloaded our gear just to load it on another truck to go to another base.  No sleep yet.  But at least it was more like 90 degrees at this moment. 

Home sweet home???  In a large tent with 25 other guys.  At least the air conditioning got the room down to 80 degrees.