Irony

I was functionally living in close to the same time zone as I was back home by virtue of my night shift hours. And yet, I'm pretty sure this trip back is going to completely mess up my system and leave me with some jet lag. We'll see how it works out.
I planned ahead this time and packed some MREs in my bag to take with me for the flight. I also brought my headset to use for the noise instead of foamies so I wouldn't have to stick anything in my ears for long hours. In theory it was a good idea, but my ears got sweaty and it made lying down uncomfortable. Live and learn.
I guess I should probably prepare some type of grand summation post as this experience draws to a close, but the only thing really ending right now is my own personal immediate involvement. I'll think more about it and share more once I get back and there is less time context to my musings.
Since I've been asked via email and know I'll be asked again, President Bush's assertions regarding the current status of Al Qaeda in Iraq and its relationship to the Al Qaeda organization that lay people think about are accurate. Poorly articulated, but accurate. If I couldn't back that up with open source reporting, I wouldn't be posting it.
I'm not claiming that Al Qaeda had a foothold in Iraq pre-2003 or absolving our poor planning of being an enabler. I'm just talking about the situation as it stands now. That said, as you can see in the news, the AQ Iraq franchise is not doing so well anymore. Great irony of ironies I guess is that the very organization that was initially able to grow due to our own naivete/incompetence is now the very lever we are using to bring groups back together.

I can't help myself

Every time I make some training plans, no matter how reasonable, they fall apart. The bureaucracy is slow and incompetent when rapid action is needed. Funding isn't there. Something.
But I'm trying again anyway. I've gotten course schedules, word that funding is there, and that the schools are now authorized. I've found dates that can get me to most without major interference with my schoolwork. Now I'm just waiting for the plan to be sabotaged. Still, it will all come, if not necessarily on the ideal schedule or my terms, it will come. Of that I am now confident.
I remember back in college watching a movie with the lovely young woman who would become my wife and some friends. Well, my wife didn't watch because she hates war movies. Anyway, I mentioned in conversation that I'm going to work with the people depicted in that movie. I'm just about there. I've worked for some of them, but with the training, I'll actually be able to work with them.
To avoid any guessing as to what movie it was, let us say it was the Barry Bostwick classic "Megaforce."
If you're curious, the man responsible for preventing my training this past year has managed to get himself to yet another training school. Apparently money and slots only exist for him. This will catch up with him. Everyone in the community will know that he is a selfish badge-chasing hack. Hopefully it will come out before he is forced to deploy (I'm sure that is one opportunity he'll hide from as long as possible) and gets someone hurt.

Loose Ends

Finally got a chance to clean the weapons I shot. I brought my own cleaning kit as an afterthought. It turned out to be a good idea. I got both the pistol and rifle really clean. I don't think the pistol had been cleaned in a while--though they don't need it as often.
This past range visit was less productive than planned due to an ammunition mix up. We don't own the range and are therefore supposed to bring our own ammo from our unit. Last time I went it was with someone from the unit that owns that range so they let it slide. Oh well.
We still got to shoot and now we know. Ammo, as you can imagine, is plentiful, just need to pull from a different supply. It's fair.
I still learned some good drills and go to shoot new and improved M4 variant. Not a total loss.

I tried watching some of the You Tube debate on CNN, but got annoyed after a bunch of people used the words "UN Peacekeepers" and "immediate action" in the same sentence regarding Darfur. Then someone recommended a standing UN Peacekeeping force. I'd first ask the candidates how effective highly trained western peacekeepers were at Srebenica, then ask them who will donate these blue hatted impotent wonders. Finally, I'd ask them why it is they can advocate choosing sides in that civil war, but not in the the civil war they see in Iraq.
Don't get me wrong, dead Janjaweed would be fine with me. Some people just need to be shot and they are firmly on that list. But personal satisfaction aside, there needs to be a coherent plan. You'd think we'd realize that by now.
I decided to watch "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" on the movie channel instead. It could have been a Harry Potter movie and would have been more realistic.

Range Again

Back to range soon. Free ammunition, range time, and weapons make for better training opportunities than I'm likely to find as a traditional Guardsman. On top of that, I get to shoot with some of the best, which makes for learning opportunities that can't be missed.
Shooting really is a small part of my job, but when it is needed, being good is rather important.
This time again I've chosen the old-school M-4. It only has the basic iron sights, no scopes, batteries, lasers, or other gadgets. Just fundamentals. It's funny that not having all sorts of toys tacked to my rifle is different now.
They're available and I could double the weight of the weapon with accessories, but that's not my goal at the moment.
I understand that people back home are trying to guess at various clues as to when I'll be home. Good luck. I'm making plans but even I can do no more than make an educated guess. I'm pretty sure when I'm leaving this place though.

Coined

I got coined. It was a great honor after my brief one night that the commander told everyone the he wanted to be sure to give me a coin to recognize my work. Sure enough, during this last shift he came over shook my hand, gave me his coin, and said I was one of the best weathermen he's ever had. Now that tells me that either he says it to everyone or hasn't had many weathermen, but it felt good just the same.
People in this community, especially with the commander's background, aren't too prone to hyperbole or empty compliments though, so I'm proud of it. The coin is more meaningful and personal than any medal or decoration I'm going to get.
Weather isn't my passion, but it is the specialty I ended up with and I'm glad I was able to contribute period.

I can't get over the irony that if I had remained on active duty then I would still be sitting in a stateside office supporting stateside training with no growth potential for two more years. In the past year I've had opportunities that few will ever have or even know about.

I was glad to hear that my unit back home did well at our recent inspection. Also found out that the training we've been waiting on will be available. We'll see if it happens.

So there I was...

There I was in the bathroom, minding my own business, when I heard it. That unmistakable whining buzz that only grows louder as it approaches. When you hear it, it's too late.
Yes. A mosquito.
It got me just as I was flossing. Right in the middle of my back. I tried to slap at it, tearing my floss in the process and cutting off circulation to my fingers, but missed. I'll survive.

I saw my neighbor on the news at a press conference. That's always fun. My neighbor was asking an official with hair an 80's rockstar would envy a question. I don't remember if it was answered. Words were spoken, but that's about it.

Lou Dobbs makes me sad. If I could just drink the kool-aid and believe him when he blames all my problems on figureheads and "others," I'd be in a better mood.
They really need to change the channel in here.

Salute

I saw on the news that Gen. Wayne Downing died. A former commander at multiple levels of the Ranger Regiment, JSOC, and USSOCOM, his contributions were many. It's unfortunate that it has gotten so little coverage. RLTW.

Not much new on my end. Staying focused, though it takes more effort than at the beginning. We made some good calls and got some ops going. It is a good feeling that they will hold or launch on my word. Sure the weather guy is an easy target,
but the trust is there.

One thing is making me very nervous. Almost scared. My wife has not only named the kittens she found living in our backyard, she has given them knicknames for their names, and sent me pictures of them in which I can clearly see the bowl of food she put out for them.

One day closer...

Another day down. Trying so hard not to count, but failing. Oh well. Once I get home, I will have put in about 250 days away from home in a 365 day period. Nothing next to the 12-15 month rotations big Army is doing, but rough just the same.
It'll be nice to be home for an extended period during the school year. Still probably going to be in and out some, but that is the nature of the beast.

I finished my law school book. I probably should have brough my T.E. Lawrence book so I could polish it off too. When I get home I'll have to finally kill it off.

Is this news?

OK, so this is unfair and all since I only saw the headline on CNN (volume was off), but it was "Gunning for Bin Laden." Is that new or are they doing a greatest hits or rerun series?
One amenity here that I don't have at home station is free range time, unlimited ammunition, and top quality instruction available on demand. Finally got to take advantage of it. Met up with a buddy after my shift (he, of course, was able to do this DURING his shift) and off we went. It's a bit sad that this was the first and only time to put on all my battle rattler, but so it goes.
Technically, I didn't need to wear my armor, etc. But I really don't plan on getting in any gunfights over here without it, so may as well be used to it. Granted, I don't really plan on getting in any gunfights working this position, but training and muscle memory are always good.
I also got to shoot an AK. Nothing too exotic or fancy, but it was my first opportunity. It was everything I thought it would be. Functional, ergonimcally unfriendly but easy enought to operate. Very rugged. It says something about the weapon that the first setting from safe is automatic as opposed to semi-automatic.
I'm no expert, but I prefer the M4. The ergonomics are better, though the AK is easier for me to control on automatic.
I haven't had to tote any of them on patrol, but there's a reason we've stuck with that M16 variants.
That said, there are new variations on the M-16 that incorporate design elements from the AK series to take advantage of its strenghts. A purist would argue, but it's a good enough lay explanation. I don't think most of you reading this care about the details or that particular tool in our tool box.

Who like short shorts?

I like short shorts. They are suprisingly comfortable for PT. I just thought I'd share. In local parlance they are known as "Ranger Panties" or "Catch me, [insert expletive] me shorts." They may not be stylish, but very functional. Also cheap when bought on base.
I've been away for many holidays and important events this year. I've missed both my anniversary and my wife's birthday--if you didn't call her, you should feel bad about yourself. All things considered, things worked out very well for us though. We live in a very supportive community that has rallied around her even though we are new.
I never cease to be amazed by the oddly fortuitous series of events that got us where we are. Had I deployed out of my last Active Duty assignment, I wouldn't be doing anything near as interesting and important. My wife would have had much less of a community to rely on as well. Funny how things can work that way.

It's about time...

My dad finally got to commenting. Sweet. As for the food issue, that is sort of the exception that proves the rule. It took a long time to get me my food, but I'm more impressed that they got it period. They keep everyone fed and supplied all over the world. They're pretty good at it. It's a cheap shot, especially when you consider where special MREs rate on the priority scale.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to see we have three branches of governemnt again. I'm very concerned that the current commander-in-chief is more about the title than the related responsibilities and does not seem to understand that you can delegate authority but not total responsibility.
That said, the plan articulated by Gen Petraus is one that should have been implemented four years ago, and it involves nothing particularly revolutionary or surprising. I guess common sense isn't so common and a degree in history in no way implies an understanding of it.
And I will pore plenty of wrath on the current congress because they deserve it too. It is by coincidence that I'm blogging with an incompetent Democractic congress with spineless leadership. The last congress gave me plenty of material too.
Deadlines are all great, but deadlines are only useful if they are attainable. Deadlines constructed to make the people that see Michael Moore movies as their twisted pornography happy are not useful to anyone. It doesn't matter if a Democrat or a Republican wins in 2008, this mess won't be legislated away neatly by 20 January 2009.
In short, pull out a map and tell me how far it is by helicopter from Kuwait to Baghdad, Iraq. I'll be nice, start right at the border. Look up on janes.com the speed and range of a helicopter. Tell me how long that trip would take and how many refuelings you'd need just based on the open source information. Now explain to me why the idea of small reaction force or counterterrorist force in Kuwait tells me that few in congress are serious about created real alternative plans.
I am way too inexperience to call myself an expert or even particularly knowledgeable about these matters. I do know enough to know that the plans being voiced are absurd political compromises with no basis in reality.

I had a funny moment at work where I had to explain some weather stuff to another weather guy. I used technical terms properly and was able to explain them in lay language. Who knew?

Professionals vs Amateurs

There is an old cliche about how amateurs discuss strategy while professionals discuss logistics. Congress, if it wasn't painfully obvious already, is full of amateurs. Although I think things went wrong the first time we put a Burger King in a deployed location (eating MREs all the time may not be fun, but it keeps you focused--and yes, I've been eating MREs much of the time, this isn't just bluster), the fact that we have Burger Kings in deployed locations should be an indicator as to how built up they are in some places.
If you really think all of that can be taken down even in ideal circumstances by an arbitrary political deadline in the spring, you should be judged legally incompetent.
And some other hard truths: increases in gas/oil prices are due to supply and demand, outsourcing is not the cause of all evil, and we consumers are responsible for the rise of Chinese exports. Really.
I could go on, but if you don't realize that Hannity and Colmes consists not of talk about issues, but circular whining about how it's not wrong that my guy did it because your guy did it too, then you won't get it anyway.

Work is interesting. Nothing quite like looking over your computer to see the boss and deputy walking directly to you to get you focused. I get asked a question, give an answer, and am brought to their desks. Boss makes a phone call, forwards what I told him, and says that I just launched (insert number) of troops. Go me.
They kicked some bad guy butt. Yes, I'm very sure they were bad guys. We don't inflate or misrepresent these things in our shop. It would be counterproductive.

Home on the Ritz!

Young Frankenstein was on AFN movies. I don't know who picks the movies, but the mix is funny. I guess with Al Gore concerts (Celebrity hot air is so far my favorite proposed solution to Global Warming), they went with a weather theme. Primetime movies were The Day After Tomorrow and then some movie about floods in Texas. Then Young Frankenstein, of course. You see the connection.
Thursday will start the four nights of Harry Potter.

Kiss my ring!

Being a weatherman can cause one to be the subject of many jokes. Me being me, I'd be the subject of many jokes anyway. One day a commander thanked me for improving the weather. I told him he better be nice or I'll make it bad again, I'm a powerful man. It is unwise to cross me. This resulted in the group consensus that only Microsoft has been more successful by screwing up than meteorologists. I think I made my point. Yeah.
The other funny moment came while chatting with a buddy. Apparently he spent much of his last shift watching "The Good Shepherd," which was apparently not very good. I guess if you're in the business, you expect more from such movies. I expressed my sympathy, reminding him that war is hell. He said that war is the most boring thing he's experienced in his career. I guess it depends on your specialty. Everyone has their slow periods.

Valhalla

Our flag is at half staff.
I had selfishly hoped the inevitable would not occur while I was here. It did. We lost some guys on a mission. I've waited to post about until I was sure next of kin were notified and that it had been released, even though I'm not going to get in to any specifics.
The night after it happened, a summary was briefed. The individual briefing it kept it simple. Do not mourn them, he said. They were warriors. And so we paid our respects to them by continuing on with the missions.
Still, these men are not easily replaced. Most people back home have no idea how fortunate they are that our country can produce men like them. It may be cliche to say that freedom is not free, but their lives is the price we pay for it.
You did not know them, you did not even know of them. But please remember them.

I'm there.

Ayman Zawaheri issued a call to all to come to the fields of Jihad. We answered, even if he's worried no one else has. An address would be helpful, but we'll find it eventually.
My prediction, or hope anyway, is that he accidentally got photographed by the google maps van as drove around Karachi and some British immigrant will notice it while planning a trip home. That would just be great.

Work continues. The weather is funny that way. Right now I'm trying to coordinate hitting the range with a buddy for some training. A variety of weapons, unlimited free ammo, and the best trainers in the world. An opportunity not to be wasted. Picture my mom's face right now. Please. I am. Anyway, we're on slightly different shifts and trying to find a time that is minimally intrusive on our sleep cycles. Good stuff.

If you get a chance, read David Broder's article in the Washington Post from 5 July. Well put. I could insert a tirade about the short sighted pandering involved in essentially scuttling the trade deal with Colombia, but I won't. I'll keep it simple: YOU WHO DID IT AND SUPPORTED IT ARE IDIOTS. I'm tempted to say they have blood on their hands for the support they have now given the FARC, but that is a bit far. They are more useful idiots than directly aiding and abetting.

Eurospam?

On the phone with my father, he mentions that there was a comment in Spanish to my blog. I just checked it, and it appears to be Portuguese, not Spanish. But using what I remember of my Spanish, it is an invitation to view his blog showing off personalized t-shirts. I can even post pictures of my own personalized shirt there. Outstanding.
Today I had to stay late after work to conduct some extra training. It's a little funny because it will be irrelevant to the rest of this tour, but will be useful when I hand off to the next person and may pay off for the next time. If nothing else, it is some nice gee whiz knowledge.
I've always been a fan of gee whiz knowledge anyway. When I have time on my shift I like to cruise the various intel reports and the like. I remember taking a tour of NYC once and the tour guide compared the city to an onion, with all it's layers. Ogres are like that too, I've heard. So is this.
Two dissappointents today. For some reason Glenn Beck was on it Olberman's slot on AFN news, followed by O'Reilly. What a waste. I hope it doesn't last. Olberman is funny. Glenn Beck is a minor league O'Reilly, and O'Reilly, well, I have nothing good to say about him or his show.
The other disappointment was from an op-ed in teh Washington Post by a law professor from Columbia about how we have abdicated our role as the defenders of International Law and Laws of Armed Conflict in general. I'm not going to defend indefensible positions and truly foolish self-defeating statements made by our leadership, but the accusation as a whole is unfair. I'm not going to claim everything is perfect and fine, but there is very little to hide and there is great emphasis at all levels on following the rules.
It's funny how at the tactical level there are commanders who use overly strict interpretations of rules of engagement and the law to tie their own hands in order to cover their butts, while at the top a sense of disdain for the existing frameworks has hurt us strategically.
Hubris and Irony.
So it goes...

Hmmm

Happy Birthday JJ! Be sure to call him and wish him a happy birthday. All of you.

I guess I'm officially in the military because I went to the clinic and left with bag full of 800mg Motrins. They cure everything from muscle aches/strains to cancer and violent amputations. It's like at summer camp where it didn't matter if you complained of a sore throat, you'd leave on crutches.
It was nothing serious, don't worry.

Something I just realized was funny... there is a sign in the bathroom that says not to discuss troop movements. Get it?

Another $3.50...

Another day down. No funny stories or anything, though good work was done. I'm continuously impressed by the people I work with and support. I can't say it enough.
I'm trying to care about the commutation of Scooter Libby's sentance, but it's not working. So he's not going to jail, but he's still a convicted felon.
If principle is what is important, then no one should be satisfied with this. Fortunately, that rarely seems to be an issue.

Anyway...
Two years. Wow. In typical fashion, both of us almost forgot and neither of us is home. But I'm looking forward to many more.

Forrest Gump Moment

Had a Forrest Gump moment after my shift. We had to move a bunch of heavy equipment on to the roof. One of the guys praised me effort, saying I would have made a good NCO. It reminded me of the scene in the movie when the drill sergeant said he'd recommend Gump for Officer Training if it wasn's such a waste of a fine enlisted man.

Work wise, not much else to report. People ask me about seasonal weather patterns, I give them an answer based on climatology and what I've learned from others who have been out here before me, but always have to qualify it. It's funny how people both make fun of us for being wrong half the time and getting paid and expect us to have absurdly exact answers about obscure things. So it goes.

It's a little nuts in that I'm still out here and I haven't even started school yet, but I'm already trying to plan next summer. Provided I don't do anything incredibly stupid (always a possibility) before I leave, they'd be happy to have me work with them again. I'm just trying to figure out training schedules right now. It's annoying because I need to advance in my tactical training, but any kind of planning on that front seems mostly useless due mostly to the inept bureaucracy of the Guard Bureau. Not funding issues (the funding is always and always will be an issue), not equipment issues, not anything you see on TV. It is purely incompetence and unprofessional behavior. In the mean time, I do have the ability and opportunity to share the burden with my brothers and sisters over here and in many other locations. I've got time to decide, but need to get the ball rolling now if I'm to have any hope of getting something figured out by the end of the calendar year.