We are turning the JOC into a garage gym.
I like the think that I inspired it, in part. When I go to the bathroom, I hit the pull-up/dip tower for a few sets. It's on the way. No matter what happens to my morning or evening PT time, I get at least those sets in.
One of the guys saw me doing it and decided it was a good idea. But having to walk outside was inconvenient.
So he is working with our engineers to have pull-up/dip tower put in on the JOC floor. He also found a stash of kettlebells that appeared to be collecting dust. Another guy found some extra gym mat material lying around too.
It's all government property so it is not stealing. We are simply reallocating resources in order to be more efficient with what the tax payers have so graciously given us.
It could of course end in disaster.
Army, Navy, and Air Force guys... public forum... PT... competitive nature... it will be fun to watch.
I, of course, won't be sucked into any immature contests. Not me. Not as one of the token Air Force guys and representative of the Special Tactics community. Nope.
It's a healthy outlet.
And it is not all meatheaded games in the JOC. One of the SEALs is watching a Discovery Channel documentary series about the Earth. He's actually taking extensive notes and making a test on it.
He may actually give us the test.
At first he was being made fun of... but now everyone is watching over his shoulder.
Baby grizzlies are cute. And Snow Leopards are awesome. Apparently that footage from Pakistan was the first time they were ever filmed in the wild.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Watch Out Coach
Michigan Football is not in the top 25 going in to this season.
Last season their record was worse than it has ever been before.
The season hasn't even started and their are apparently reports that last season's success and this season's expectations were built on a practice and workout regime that exceeded NCAA maximums.
There is a very experienced SEAL here who is even less amused about this than I am.
He points the finger straight at the head coach for changing everything before even trying to figure out what worked. Now the coach has quite possibly killed recruiting for the next few years on top of the current damage done to the program.
I don't know. A lot of players and staff jumped ship before giving Rodriguez a chance.
At least that is our ill-informed understanding of events.
But all is not lost here in Iraq.
One guy has been taking a lot of heat for his silly mustache. In fact, he inspired me to grow a silly mustache.
To strike back at his tormentors he drew a mustache on one of their ID cards. Now the mustachioed vigilante's ID card has been stolen and hidden.
The cycle of violence continues... will we ever learn?
I will say that he was right about the mustache. Even the must mudane social interactions are funnier.
Last season their record was worse than it has ever been before.
The season hasn't even started and their are apparently reports that last season's success and this season's expectations were built on a practice and workout regime that exceeded NCAA maximums.
There is a very experienced SEAL here who is even less amused about this than I am.
He points the finger straight at the head coach for changing everything before even trying to figure out what worked. Now the coach has quite possibly killed recruiting for the next few years on top of the current damage done to the program.
I don't know. A lot of players and staff jumped ship before giving Rodriguez a chance.
At least that is our ill-informed understanding of events.
But all is not lost here in Iraq.
One guy has been taking a lot of heat for his silly mustache. In fact, he inspired me to grow a silly mustache.
To strike back at his tormentors he drew a mustache on one of their ID cards. Now the mustachioed vigilante's ID card has been stolen and hidden.
The cycle of violence continues... will we ever learn?
I will say that he was right about the mustache. Even the must mudane social interactions are funnier.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Green is Unbecoming...
I admit it. I'm jealous of my counterpart in Afghanistan. He'll complain about being stuck working in a Operations Center too.
But he isn't.
Most of the time he's working a desk. But he also gets to go out and play somewhat regularly. His complaints about staff work ring hollow when he is just coming back from a mission.
One of the enlisted guys was teasing me about it, saying that I'm an officer and that I should embrace it.
I told him that he's right, but that my narrow window in my career to gain real field experience is closing. He knows, and said that I'll join the ranks of many other officers who don't really know how things are supposed to be and that my NCOs will quietly clean up any messes I make in my ignorance before anything really bad happens.
He made me feel much better.
I do like the big picture officer stuff. I like being responsible for the training and readiness of my team. I like putting it all together.
But one of my goals as a leader is to be ready, willing, and able to go whereever I may have to send my guys or my team mates. Unfortunately the actual opporunity to physically lead from the front seems to be eluding me.
So it goes.
It's also a funny time here. Some of the new guys aren't so new anymore and so they are hitting the initial wall. Now they are very comfortable with their jobs and are realizing that they will be doing that same thing every day over and over and over and over.... it's no longer new and exciting and so their morale is taking a slight hit.
It's a pretty normal pattern. One guy was comparing the daily routine to prison. There are big fences. Guards. Set work hours and details.
I told him that prisons have indoor plumbing, you can get alcohol (ok, so it was brewed in a toilet-still...), and your family can visit.
Me and the NCO that was boosting my morale, we are flying home on the same bird out of here. So soon, yet so far away. Now that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, time seems to be stopping some.
Also pretty normal, I think.
Must have just been one of those days for everyone.
Every now and then I guess the repetive nature of things here gets to be a little much. But we have warm food, running (if not necessarily potable) water, hot showers, beds, roofs, and there really aren't that many people trying to kill us at the moment. It's really not that bad.
It's just a bunch of sheepdogs stuck in a cage I guess. And we don't like it. But it's our job and we'll do it to the best of our abilities like any other mission.
But he isn't.
Most of the time he's working a desk. But he also gets to go out and play somewhat regularly. His complaints about staff work ring hollow when he is just coming back from a mission.
One of the enlisted guys was teasing me about it, saying that I'm an officer and that I should embrace it.
I told him that he's right, but that my narrow window in my career to gain real field experience is closing. He knows, and said that I'll join the ranks of many other officers who don't really know how things are supposed to be and that my NCOs will quietly clean up any messes I make in my ignorance before anything really bad happens.
He made me feel much better.
I do like the big picture officer stuff. I like being responsible for the training and readiness of my team. I like putting it all together.
But one of my goals as a leader is to be ready, willing, and able to go whereever I may have to send my guys or my team mates. Unfortunately the actual opporunity to physically lead from the front seems to be eluding me.
So it goes.
It's also a funny time here. Some of the new guys aren't so new anymore and so they are hitting the initial wall. Now they are very comfortable with their jobs and are realizing that they will be doing that same thing every day over and over and over and over.... it's no longer new and exciting and so their morale is taking a slight hit.
It's a pretty normal pattern. One guy was comparing the daily routine to prison. There are big fences. Guards. Set work hours and details.
I told him that prisons have indoor plumbing, you can get alcohol (ok, so it was brewed in a toilet-still...), and your family can visit.
Me and the NCO that was boosting my morale, we are flying home on the same bird out of here. So soon, yet so far away. Now that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, time seems to be stopping some.
Also pretty normal, I think.
Must have just been one of those days for everyone.
Every now and then I guess the repetive nature of things here gets to be a little much. But we have warm food, running (if not necessarily potable) water, hot showers, beds, roofs, and there really aren't that many people trying to kill us at the moment. It's really not that bad.
It's just a bunch of sheepdogs stuck in a cage I guess. And we don't like it. But it's our job and we'll do it to the best of our abilities like any other mission.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
My Iraqistache
One of the guys here has a mustache. He grew it just for this trip. He was smart and did the embarrassing act of growing it while at home and in-transit.
Now he just has to deal with the embarrassing part of, well, having a mustache.
I think since Teddy Roosevelt we've had a shortage of officers who can pull off a mustache.
I am not one of them.
But I'm gonna do it anyway.
Why not? I have no one to impress here and it seems like something fun to do. The guy with the mustache says it will improve my morale. Everytime I look in the mirror I'll laugh. Everytime someone looks at me, they'll laugh (more so).
Win/win.
It also seems like a nifty way to celebrate my last few weeks here.
I announced it in the JOC. I got my wife's blessing. I'm posting it here.
Guess I have to follow through now.
Now he just has to deal with the embarrassing part of, well, having a mustache.
I think since Teddy Roosevelt we've had a shortage of officers who can pull off a mustache.
I am not one of them.
But I'm gonna do it anyway.
Why not? I have no one to impress here and it seems like something fun to do. The guy with the mustache says it will improve my morale. Everytime I look in the mirror I'll laugh. Everytime someone looks at me, they'll laugh (more so).
Win/win.
It also seems like a nifty way to celebrate my last few weeks here.
I announced it in the JOC. I got my wife's blessing. I'm posting it here.
Guess I have to follow through now.
What horse are you?
One of the guys got a haircut today. This made it apparent to all that there weren't that many hairs to be cut.
In defense of balding warriors everywhere, he felt the need to recite a list of bald characters that no one would mess with.
Bruce Willis is bald. He even played a bald SEAL.
Sean Connery, who may have played a former member of the British Special Boat Service (roughly speaking, a British SEAL) in The Rock, is bald or at least has played balding characters.
Ed Harris, though he played a Marine in that movie, made his list.
And Vin Diesel also played a SEAL in The Pacifier.
It was quickly pointed out that those were all fictional characters. One of the larger Special Forces guys pointed out that our real balding SEAL is too long and lean to be legendary.
The Special Forces guy said that if the SEAL would start lifting more, the SF guy would do more aerobic. They'd meet in the middle.
The SEAL took umbrage. He said he was strong enough to do whatever he needed to do and didn't want to sacrifice endurance.
Eager to be helpful, I egged each guy on.
First the SEAL claimed to be a racehorse. Then he was told he was more of a greyhound.
Somehow I went from being a little Clydesdale to a Shetland Pony.
According to wikipedia, "Shetland ponies have heavy coats, short legs and are considered quite intelligent. They are a very strong breed of pony, used for riding, driving, and pack purposes."
So I guess it's mostly a complement, or at least in keeping with the small Clydesdale metaphor, unless he was calling me hairy.
Other major developments of the day include the revelation that there is only one type of fresh water seal (the aquatic mammal, not the Frogman variety). It apparently lives in a lake in Russia. The largest lake in the world.
It was also decided, while the freshwater seal was being researched on the World Wildlife Federation web page, that Pandas aren't cool. They are helpless when born, even by human standards, have a crappy diet, and won't reproduce to save themselves.
Koalas, however, are cool cause they nature's stoners getting high of eucalyptus while they chill in the trees.
In defense of balding warriors everywhere, he felt the need to recite a list of bald characters that no one would mess with.
Bruce Willis is bald. He even played a bald SEAL.
Sean Connery, who may have played a former member of the British Special Boat Service (roughly speaking, a British SEAL) in The Rock, is bald or at least has played balding characters.
Ed Harris, though he played a Marine in that movie, made his list.
And Vin Diesel also played a SEAL in The Pacifier.
It was quickly pointed out that those were all fictional characters. One of the larger Special Forces guys pointed out that our real balding SEAL is too long and lean to be legendary.
The Special Forces guy said that if the SEAL would start lifting more, the SF guy would do more aerobic. They'd meet in the middle.
The SEAL took umbrage. He said he was strong enough to do whatever he needed to do and didn't want to sacrifice endurance.
Eager to be helpful, I egged each guy on.
First the SEAL claimed to be a racehorse. Then he was told he was more of a greyhound.
Somehow I went from being a little Clydesdale to a Shetland Pony.
According to wikipedia, "Shetland ponies have heavy coats, short legs and are considered quite intelligent. They are a very strong breed of pony, used for riding, driving, and pack purposes."
So I guess it's mostly a complement, or at least in keeping with the small Clydesdale metaphor, unless he was calling me hairy.
Other major developments of the day include the revelation that there is only one type of fresh water seal (the aquatic mammal, not the Frogman variety). It apparently lives in a lake in Russia. The largest lake in the world.
It was also decided, while the freshwater seal was being researched on the World Wildlife Federation web page, that Pandas aren't cool. They are helpless when born, even by human standards, have a crappy diet, and won't reproduce to save themselves.
Koalas, however, are cool cause they nature's stoners getting high of eucalyptus while they chill in the trees.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Paperwork
Today's grand accomplishments involved paperwork.
I resubmitted supply paperwork with the proper signatures. Now it can be passed around, signed by more people, and then hopefully passed to the guy with the purchasing authority.
I foolishly thought I'd have the equipment in hand by now when I was told it would be no problem a few weeks ago. Now I'll be lucky if we have it before I leave.
This led to a bunch of us complaining about the silly supply and budget bureaucracies in the military. You can use this ammo, but not that ammo because that ammo was purchased from a different type of funds. You can buy this more expensive jacket with these funds, but not the cheaper just as effective one because it's part of a different program that needs different funds.
It's a dark art.
I'm still waiting for the paperwork to get bounced back to me again because something isn't right. Which would be mildly amusing because I've had two different supply guys look over my shoulder while I filled it out, and the guy who would be bouncing it back this time is one of those two.
I also re-learned that valuable lesson of always going to the man who is actually in charge and not the man formally in charge. In most military organizations, that is the operations senior NCO. He will tell you who to go to and tell the boss if it is something that must be done.
One of my projects got stalled waiting in the operations officer's inbox. I forwarded it to the NCO.
Then magic happpened.
I am pretty confident that the NCOs get more crap dumped on them and more junk filling their inboxes than the officers they shelter. But they seem to get through it all a lot faster.
Generally speaking, any positive adjective used to describe an officer is really a description of the NCOs working damn hard to make that officer look good.
Not that there aren't some true winners in the NCO corps. Just like there are some complete morons earning officer pay... the jury still being out on this one.
But as a whole, if an officer can provide the necessary top cover, command direction, and then get out of the way... the NCOs will get the job done, and do it well.
Which I guess brings me back around to the supply NCOs I've been working with. Most of my problems are probably the result of not being as smart as I should be on their voodoo. Yes, a weatherman just called someone else's job voodoo. They definitely know their stuff, manage multiple systems, and none of them have been arrested to the best of my knowledge.
Still, I want my stuff.
And in my world, an easy purchase involved going to a store or website, throwing something in my cart, and checking out. It doesn't involve a staffing sheet that needs the commanders of multiple sections to sign it. It doesn't involve writing a justification memo for yet another person to sign. And it definitely doesn't involve doing that all twice.
And so I complained about supply.
But all is forgiven because they manange to maintain an endless supply of cookies 'n cream.
I resubmitted supply paperwork with the proper signatures. Now it can be passed around, signed by more people, and then hopefully passed to the guy with the purchasing authority.
I foolishly thought I'd have the equipment in hand by now when I was told it would be no problem a few weeks ago. Now I'll be lucky if we have it before I leave.
This led to a bunch of us complaining about the silly supply and budget bureaucracies in the military. You can use this ammo, but not that ammo because that ammo was purchased from a different type of funds. You can buy this more expensive jacket with these funds, but not the cheaper just as effective one because it's part of a different program that needs different funds.
It's a dark art.
I'm still waiting for the paperwork to get bounced back to me again because something isn't right. Which would be mildly amusing because I've had two different supply guys look over my shoulder while I filled it out, and the guy who would be bouncing it back this time is one of those two.
I also re-learned that valuable lesson of always going to the man who is actually in charge and not the man formally in charge. In most military organizations, that is the operations senior NCO. He will tell you who to go to and tell the boss if it is something that must be done.
One of my projects got stalled waiting in the operations officer's inbox. I forwarded it to the NCO.
Then magic happpened.
I am pretty confident that the NCOs get more crap dumped on them and more junk filling their inboxes than the officers they shelter. But they seem to get through it all a lot faster.
Generally speaking, any positive adjective used to describe an officer is really a description of the NCOs working damn hard to make that officer look good.
Not that there aren't some true winners in the NCO corps. Just like there are some complete morons earning officer pay... the jury still being out on this one.
But as a whole, if an officer can provide the necessary top cover, command direction, and then get out of the way... the NCOs will get the job done, and do it well.
Which I guess brings me back around to the supply NCOs I've been working with. Most of my problems are probably the result of not being as smart as I should be on their voodoo. Yes, a weatherman just called someone else's job voodoo. They definitely know their stuff, manage multiple systems, and none of them have been arrested to the best of my knowledge.
Still, I want my stuff.
And in my world, an easy purchase involved going to a store or website, throwing something in my cart, and checking out. It doesn't involve a staffing sheet that needs the commanders of multiple sections to sign it. It doesn't involve writing a justification memo for yet another person to sign. And it definitely doesn't involve doing that all twice.
And so I complained about supply.
But all is forgiven because they manange to maintain an endless supply of cookies 'n cream.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Homestretch
I realized that we're entering the homestretch here. The shift is subtle as we start making contact with our replacements, we start getting their arrival dates, and our discussions are more about transition planning than our own current work.
I know my replacement. It'll be an pretty easy hand-off since he's been here before.
I always talk about how small this community is but every now and then I still get surprised. The titles seem to change but the names really don't.
Right now on one of my projects I am coordinating with two people back home. One of them I worked with pretty often in his last job and even went to a training course with him. The other guy I've also worked with before pretty extensively in his last job and am now doing some planning work for him again.
It's a mixed blessing, but I think I've got a good working relationship with both of them. If not, it's real easy to ruin your reputation because everyone knows everyone. One stupid mistake and it will unfortunately follow you forever.
Deadly serious adult games governed by middle school playground politics.
Lest you think I'm joking, last night in the JOC one of the Air Force ground warfare guys hid an Air Force pilot's stash of Diet Pepsis. The pilot, a fighter guy who has mostly worked air to air combat in the past, does not have a lot of experience working with us ground guys. He dared the Air Force NCO to throw out the hidden Pepsis.
He actually double dog dared him.
Really. Those exact words.
So the NCO threw out the Pepsis. I'd have done the same thing.
The only reason I found out about it was that the pilot was impressed and wanted to buy the NCO a beer. But we are in Iraq and while we are trusted to limitless ammunition we are not trusted with even limited amounts of alcohol.
So the pilot, showing the resourcefulness and outside-the-box thinking we demand of our leaders, burried the NCO's desk in cans of near-beer.
Most of us on the day shift had no idea why there were so many Coors Cutters on this particular NCO's desk. The cryptic note left by the pilot was our only assurance that the NCO wasn't planning on drinking 30 near beers in the hope that he'd get buzzed by the cumulative effect of the .03% alcohol content.
I have no doubt some Private has almost blown out his bladder trying that.
Also, on the way back from dinner an experienced Army Special Forces Senior NCO and a Navy SEAL officer essentially reenacted the scene from Forty Year Old Virgin where two of the characters went on riff explaining how the knew the other, um, preferred the company of men.
Sleep well knowing that we are safeguarding your freedom.
I know my replacement. It'll be an pretty easy hand-off since he's been here before.
I always talk about how small this community is but every now and then I still get surprised. The titles seem to change but the names really don't.
Right now on one of my projects I am coordinating with two people back home. One of them I worked with pretty often in his last job and even went to a training course with him. The other guy I've also worked with before pretty extensively in his last job and am now doing some planning work for him again.
It's a mixed blessing, but I think I've got a good working relationship with both of them. If not, it's real easy to ruin your reputation because everyone knows everyone. One stupid mistake and it will unfortunately follow you forever.
Deadly serious adult games governed by middle school playground politics.
Lest you think I'm joking, last night in the JOC one of the Air Force ground warfare guys hid an Air Force pilot's stash of Diet Pepsis. The pilot, a fighter guy who has mostly worked air to air combat in the past, does not have a lot of experience working with us ground guys. He dared the Air Force NCO to throw out the hidden Pepsis.
He actually double dog dared him.
Really. Those exact words.
So the NCO threw out the Pepsis. I'd have done the same thing.
The only reason I found out about it was that the pilot was impressed and wanted to buy the NCO a beer. But we are in Iraq and while we are trusted to limitless ammunition we are not trusted with even limited amounts of alcohol.
So the pilot, showing the resourcefulness and outside-the-box thinking we demand of our leaders, burried the NCO's desk in cans of near-beer.
Most of us on the day shift had no idea why there were so many Coors Cutters on this particular NCO's desk. The cryptic note left by the pilot was our only assurance that the NCO wasn't planning on drinking 30 near beers in the hope that he'd get buzzed by the cumulative effect of the .03% alcohol content.
I have no doubt some Private has almost blown out his bladder trying that.
Also, on the way back from dinner an experienced Army Special Forces Senior NCO and a Navy SEAL officer essentially reenacted the scene from Forty Year Old Virgin where two of the characters went on riff explaining how the knew the other, um, preferred the company of men.
Sleep well knowing that we are safeguarding your freedom.
Monday, August 24, 2009
I have a problem
I can't put a good book down. Or even a mediocre book with an interesting story.
Last night I figured I'd read a quick chapter of The Shadow of the Wind, the book my cousins sent me, after work before I went running. 250 pages later I finished the book, but it was a bit late to run.
Back home I read a lot of non-fiction, news, and history. Over here I tend to blow through more fiction.
I guess I like really good historical fiction. Sometimes it does a better job of capturing an era than anything else. Unfortunately, I'm not as well read into the horrors of the Spanish Civil War and Franco's Spain as maybe I should be. So this book was an intriguing story but I can't vouch for its historical accuracy.
I heard that my cousin looked beautiful at her wedding and that it was a great time for all.
They had cocktail weinies. That's how you know it's a real party.
I had a great time at my wedding, the food was incredible, but I am still a little bitter that we didn't have cocktail weinies.
There, I said it.
I'm not sure whether to be proud or depressed that some staff paperwork I predicted would get bounced back did, in fact, get bounced back to me.
Our awards packages have been resubmitted. One day I hope to be the guy I described in my award package. He sounds like a beast.
I hate writing my own award.
After a while words like lead, developed, exceptional, unparalleled, groundbreaking, streamline, spearhead, irreplaceable, and the like tend to lose their meaning. But if this thing goes through, which it looks like it will, then I will be officially awarded for applying the currently fashionable power terms to other actions, events, and impacts in the proper manner.
That, my friends, is how wars are won.
Even though he specifically told me to, I still don't like that I submitted my NCO for a lower award than what I submitted for myself.
In the original package I sent up for both of us, I even used the same citation as a template because my summary of our jobs is that overnight he cleans up every mess that I make during the day.
He wants it this way, everyone here is cool with it, so there it is.
Last night I figured I'd read a quick chapter of The Shadow of the Wind, the book my cousins sent me, after work before I went running. 250 pages later I finished the book, but it was a bit late to run.
Back home I read a lot of non-fiction, news, and history. Over here I tend to blow through more fiction.
I guess I like really good historical fiction. Sometimes it does a better job of capturing an era than anything else. Unfortunately, I'm not as well read into the horrors of the Spanish Civil War and Franco's Spain as maybe I should be. So this book was an intriguing story but I can't vouch for its historical accuracy.
I heard that my cousin looked beautiful at her wedding and that it was a great time for all.
They had cocktail weinies. That's how you know it's a real party.
I had a great time at my wedding, the food was incredible, but I am still a little bitter that we didn't have cocktail weinies.
There, I said it.
I'm not sure whether to be proud or depressed that some staff paperwork I predicted would get bounced back did, in fact, get bounced back to me.
Our awards packages have been resubmitted. One day I hope to be the guy I described in my award package. He sounds like a beast.
I hate writing my own award.
After a while words like lead, developed, exceptional, unparalleled, groundbreaking, streamline, spearhead, irreplaceable, and the like tend to lose their meaning. But if this thing goes through, which it looks like it will, then I will be officially awarded for applying the currently fashionable power terms to other actions, events, and impacts in the proper manner.
That, my friends, is how wars are won.
Even though he specifically told me to, I still don't like that I submitted my NCO for a lower award than what I submitted for myself.
In the original package I sent up for both of us, I even used the same citation as a template because my summary of our jobs is that overnight he cleans up every mess that I make during the day.
He wants it this way, everyone here is cool with it, so there it is.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Round and Round
It's been an interesting few days. One of my projects suddenly gained momentum and and may be ready to execute early this week. Another one is gaining steam.
I am getting more involved in the planning processes here which will both spread the load and be a great learning experience for me. My technical specialty may be environmental impacts, but I'm enjoying the broadening opportunity. As I progress forward I can either pigeon-hole myself or become more of general expert on operations.
I also was told that they pulled our awards packages so that they could be resubmitted for the higher level award per my request. I was told I need to re-write the packages to make them stronger. It shouldn't be too hard because when I first wrote them we had pretty much just gotten here and hadn't accomplished much. I chose to write fluff rather than make stuff up and risk being awarded a medal we deserved but with a citation full of things that didn't happen.
I'm really not that big into awards. It's not like you get a free toaster and are submitted into a raffle for a cruise upon getting your fifth Joint Commendation medal. But I wanted my NCO to get an award commensurate with his work...
...and this morning, after fighting to have the packages pulled, he told me he actually preferred the lower level award. The award itself isn't that big of a deal. He doesn't need the promotion points. He's never gotten the Joint Achievement medal and figures that a longer list of medals and one more ribbon on the ribbon rack will look better on the wall when he retires shortly.
Now comes the question of what to do about my award package. I dont' like the idea of submitting myself for a higher level award than my NCO. But I do think I've earned the higher level award, especially when compared to other guys who've gotten it.
I'm also reluctant to set a precedent because then the next guy's award will default to the lower award and he'll have to work harder to justify the commendation medal.
We'll see. I'll check with some people I trust here for guidance.
I touched base with my replacement. This means that my replacement exists and is coming. This is a very positive development.
Fittingly, for whatever reason, chow hall chatter yesterday was about burn out and missing family events.
We were counting missed birthdays, missed anniversaries, missed holidays, and other missed events.
This trip, on top of the missed birthdays, missed anniversary (I've only been home for one and we were moving between assignments at the time), and missed holidays, I seem to be missing weddings.
In a few hours, my cousin will be getting married. I got to chat with her briefly on-line a few days ago and found out that the family craziness was pretty much as expected.
She is the first girl cousin on this side of the family to get married. She is the only person in the family to have asked my advice about joining the Marines... she didn't, but I could actually have pictured her--the Natural Resources and Environment Student--doing it.
They have a great Civil Affairs program. I have no doubt she do an incredible job teaching some Pashtun farmer about more efficient use of the Helmand River's limited resources. But then she'd probably shoot him for not letting his girls go to school and beating his wife. This would probably undermine her plans to revitalize the region, or it would gain grudging compliance.
And the reliance on millions of plastic water bottles here would drive her nuts.
So maybe it's better that she didn't join. And the uniform in XS-Short would be too big.
Besides, her efforts and expertise are needed just as badly here, in Israel, and anywhere else they choose to go.
Unfortunately, I haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting her soon to be husband. I hear that he is an engineer. An unreformed and unrepentant engineer who hasn't run away from it at a full sprint like I did. I guess we need people like that. Otherwise budding patent attorneys would have no one to leech off of and exploit. Or assist.
He was apparently also smart enough to do his time in the Navy and then get out. That's not an inter-service joke. I have lots of Navy jokes. I can't share most of them here. I find that a military career can sometimes be like an abusive relationship between the service and the service member. It can take real strength and courage to say I've served and I'm done.
I do have a friend who went to BUD/S (SEAL training) because hours of surf torture in 55 degree Pacific waters and sleepless trips around the world in a small boat were preferable to another night as the watch officer in the Surface Navy. Rumor has that there is a SEAL there and probably some other current/former Navy guys, so hopefully someone gets the reference and can explain it.
My friend's experience did give me a whole new respect and appreciation for my Navy peers out on ships, not boats, ships. I don't want to be the guy that has to tell the skipper that due to rough seas, we were able to refuel but we were unable to replenish our dwindling ice cream stocks.
I'd make a nuke joke, but all I know about subs I learned from movies. Actual nuke guys are quiet, a little weird, and glow in the dark. And apparently they speak Russian with a Scottish accent.
So maybe I can't help myself. I'm a small and petty person with the geekiest job in all of SOF ops.
I wish I could be there, as hollow as that may sound given that technically I volunteered for this rotation. I miss everyone and wish them the best.
To my cousin and her new husband, I know that you are both smart enough to realize that the wedding is just one silly and crazy day.
You are probably getting more than enough useless advice based on people projecting their relationship dynamics on to yours.
Do take the time to eat something. The food is very expensive and probably very good. My wife is still mad at me for eating when I should have been socializing, but she missed out.
I am getting more involved in the planning processes here which will both spread the load and be a great learning experience for me. My technical specialty may be environmental impacts, but I'm enjoying the broadening opportunity. As I progress forward I can either pigeon-hole myself or become more of general expert on operations.
I also was told that they pulled our awards packages so that they could be resubmitted for the higher level award per my request. I was told I need to re-write the packages to make them stronger. It shouldn't be too hard because when I first wrote them we had pretty much just gotten here and hadn't accomplished much. I chose to write fluff rather than make stuff up and risk being awarded a medal we deserved but with a citation full of things that didn't happen.
I'm really not that big into awards. It's not like you get a free toaster and are submitted into a raffle for a cruise upon getting your fifth Joint Commendation medal. But I wanted my NCO to get an award commensurate with his work...
...and this morning, after fighting to have the packages pulled, he told me he actually preferred the lower level award. The award itself isn't that big of a deal. He doesn't need the promotion points. He's never gotten the Joint Achievement medal and figures that a longer list of medals and one more ribbon on the ribbon rack will look better on the wall when he retires shortly.
Now comes the question of what to do about my award package. I dont' like the idea of submitting myself for a higher level award than my NCO. But I do think I've earned the higher level award, especially when compared to other guys who've gotten it.
I'm also reluctant to set a precedent because then the next guy's award will default to the lower award and he'll have to work harder to justify the commendation medal.
We'll see. I'll check with some people I trust here for guidance.
I touched base with my replacement. This means that my replacement exists and is coming. This is a very positive development.
Fittingly, for whatever reason, chow hall chatter yesterday was about burn out and missing family events.
We were counting missed birthdays, missed anniversaries, missed holidays, and other missed events.
This trip, on top of the missed birthdays, missed anniversary (I've only been home for one and we were moving between assignments at the time), and missed holidays, I seem to be missing weddings.
In a few hours, my cousin will be getting married. I got to chat with her briefly on-line a few days ago and found out that the family craziness was pretty much as expected.
She is the first girl cousin on this side of the family to get married. She is the only person in the family to have asked my advice about joining the Marines... she didn't, but I could actually have pictured her--the Natural Resources and Environment Student--doing it.
They have a great Civil Affairs program. I have no doubt she do an incredible job teaching some Pashtun farmer about more efficient use of the Helmand River's limited resources. But then she'd probably shoot him for not letting his girls go to school and beating his wife. This would probably undermine her plans to revitalize the region, or it would gain grudging compliance.
And the reliance on millions of plastic water bottles here would drive her nuts.
So maybe it's better that she didn't join. And the uniform in XS-Short would be too big.
Besides, her efforts and expertise are needed just as badly here, in Israel, and anywhere else they choose to go.
Unfortunately, I haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting her soon to be husband. I hear that he is an engineer. An unreformed and unrepentant engineer who hasn't run away from it at a full sprint like I did. I guess we need people like that. Otherwise budding patent attorneys would have no one to leech off of and exploit. Or assist.
He was apparently also smart enough to do his time in the Navy and then get out. That's not an inter-service joke. I have lots of Navy jokes. I can't share most of them here. I find that a military career can sometimes be like an abusive relationship between the service and the service member. It can take real strength and courage to say I've served and I'm done.
I do have a friend who went to BUD/S (SEAL training) because hours of surf torture in 55 degree Pacific waters and sleepless trips around the world in a small boat were preferable to another night as the watch officer in the Surface Navy. Rumor has that there is a SEAL there and probably some other current/former Navy guys, so hopefully someone gets the reference and can explain it.
My friend's experience did give me a whole new respect and appreciation for my Navy peers out on ships, not boats, ships. I don't want to be the guy that has to tell the skipper that due to rough seas, we were able to refuel but we were unable to replenish our dwindling ice cream stocks.
I'd make a nuke joke, but all I know about subs I learned from movies. Actual nuke guys are quiet, a little weird, and glow in the dark. And apparently they speak Russian with a Scottish accent.
So maybe I can't help myself. I'm a small and petty person with the geekiest job in all of SOF ops.
I wish I could be there, as hollow as that may sound given that technically I volunteered for this rotation. I miss everyone and wish them the best.
To my cousin and her new husband, I know that you are both smart enough to realize that the wedding is just one silly and crazy day.
You are probably getting more than enough useless advice based on people projecting their relationship dynamics on to yours.
Do take the time to eat something. The food is very expensive and probably very good. My wife is still mad at me for eating when I should have been socializing, but she missed out.
Friday, August 21, 2009
The Great American Hero
I saw someone special in the chow hall today.
It was a civilian, though he may have been prior military. I'm still not sure whether to be in awe of him, jealous of him, or even disgusted.
On his plate, one of the three-sectioned plastic picnic plates, were buttered noodles, rice (which here is over-salted and probably over-buttered), and fries covered in cheese/cheez (I think this delicacy is with a "z").
Lest you worry, he also had a bowl of salad. In that bowl were a lot of olives, cheddar cheese, and some crispy chow mein noodles.
I didn't stay to check on his desert.
I have to assume that this is a unique meal, even for this guy. Either that or he is training for an Ironman Triathlon. He was fat, but not the fattest.
Of course, a few more meals like that and he could quickly make up the frightening couple hundred pounds he needs to be the fattest civilian on Balad.
I know that some people have no access to healthy foods do the a lack of supermarkets in their area and the cheapness of unhealthy alternatives. Exercise takes time and some people are too busy working multiple sedentary jobs, fueled on Value Meals, to make time for it. Many aren't taught better.
Fine.
This dude likely knows better. At the very least, he's bombarded by AFN commercials telling him how to live a healthier life.
He has gym access.
I really hope it was some kind of one-time thing and not his regular meal.
The alternative just makes me mad.
I'm off now to pick up my laundry, verify that my forecast of hot weather is true, and then maybe play on a mini-bike or ATV because I can.
It's, um, sustainment training.
It was a civilian, though he may have been prior military. I'm still not sure whether to be in awe of him, jealous of him, or even disgusted.
On his plate, one of the three-sectioned plastic picnic plates, were buttered noodles, rice (which here is over-salted and probably over-buttered), and fries covered in cheese/cheez (I think this delicacy is with a "z").
Lest you worry, he also had a bowl of salad. In that bowl were a lot of olives, cheddar cheese, and some crispy chow mein noodles.
I didn't stay to check on his desert.
I have to assume that this is a unique meal, even for this guy. Either that or he is training for an Ironman Triathlon. He was fat, but not the fattest.
Of course, a few more meals like that and he could quickly make up the frightening couple hundred pounds he needs to be the fattest civilian on Balad.
I know that some people have no access to healthy foods do the a lack of supermarkets in their area and the cheapness of unhealthy alternatives. Exercise takes time and some people are too busy working multiple sedentary jobs, fueled on Value Meals, to make time for it. Many aren't taught better.
Fine.
This dude likely knows better. At the very least, he's bombarded by AFN commercials telling him how to live a healthier life.
He has gym access.
I really hope it was some kind of one-time thing and not his regular meal.
The alternative just makes me mad.
I'm off now to pick up my laundry, verify that my forecast of hot weather is true, and then maybe play on a mini-bike or ATV because I can.
It's, um, sustainment training.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
So close...
We hit 119F (48C) today. I've been waiting for 120. Everyone tells me about 120. Oh, Iraq is so hot it hits 130 in the shade...
No. It doesn't.
119 is plenty hot. Don't get me wrong. But I want 120. It's an admittedly arbitrary threshold, but it's a threshold all the same. I just want to say that we hit it.
It's like fast-roping from a CV-22 (a tilt-rotor aircraft, takes off and can hover like a helicopter, flies like an airplane). I just want to do it once. I know it will be uncomfortable and scary because the rotor wash pushes the rope to an odd angle. But I still want to experience it.
Once.
Aside from failing to hit 120 yet again, the day was a mixed bag. Some days it feels like a bad treasure hunt where every clue on a certain project just leads to another clue.
Who is the right person to ask? Never the person I'm asking, and probably not the person that they then direct me to, but maybe the next troop I get referred to... or maybe not. One search actually brought me full circle.
Though when completely that particular personnel loop, I was able to give the confused person at the beginning/end of the search a phone number for someone that he is now supposed to call.
Tag. He's it.
One of my other projects is having better luck. Someone emailed me not only the information I needed, but they sent it as part of an entire filled out packet that I thought I'd have to remake myself. Sweet.
I refuse to be frustrated. There are lots of ways to still have fun here.
I'm not on the list next time we have dedicated range time to qualify on the Mk-19, a machine gun that fires grenades.
I now have access to mini-dirt bikes that I can cruise around on if I so choose. And some ATVs.
Why not?
May as well make the most of it.
No. It doesn't.
119 is plenty hot. Don't get me wrong. But I want 120. It's an admittedly arbitrary threshold, but it's a threshold all the same. I just want to say that we hit it.
It's like fast-roping from a CV-22 (a tilt-rotor aircraft, takes off and can hover like a helicopter, flies like an airplane). I just want to do it once. I know it will be uncomfortable and scary because the rotor wash pushes the rope to an odd angle. But I still want to experience it.
Once.
Aside from failing to hit 120 yet again, the day was a mixed bag. Some days it feels like a bad treasure hunt where every clue on a certain project just leads to another clue.
Who is the right person to ask? Never the person I'm asking, and probably not the person that they then direct me to, but maybe the next troop I get referred to... or maybe not. One search actually brought me full circle.
Though when completely that particular personnel loop, I was able to give the confused person at the beginning/end of the search a phone number for someone that he is now supposed to call.
Tag. He's it.
One of my other projects is having better luck. Someone emailed me not only the information I needed, but they sent it as part of an entire filled out packet that I thought I'd have to remake myself. Sweet.
I refuse to be frustrated. There are lots of ways to still have fun here.
I'm not on the list next time we have dedicated range time to qualify on the Mk-19, a machine gun that fires grenades.
I now have access to mini-dirt bikes that I can cruise around on if I so choose. And some ATVs.
Why not?
May as well make the most of it.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Out of Touch
I was able to check in with one of my officers at my home unit today. It was a good opportunity to see how everyone is doing in general, what's new in our planning cycle, etc.
Between being deployed and being in a Guard unit with everyone dispersed around the world, it is surprisingly difficult to stay on top of everything. Deployment plans change. People who were talking about volunteering for a trip a few months ago have changed their minds. People get married. People, sadly, get divorced. People get new jobs or have trouble at work.
Plus, they have their military duties. Technically, that's the only part in which we have an official role to play. But between the fact that the unit is a family of sorts and the fact that everything can and does impact a troop's readiness, we find ourselves as leaders being guidance counselors, educational advisors, financial planners, and anything else in addition to our official roles.
It's an odd dynamic. You are never really off duty.
I think it's worth it. My unit has a proud legacy and it is a really great feeling when one of the guys we worked to train truly excels downrange. And, without fail, my guys have done great work.
Unfortunately, I've been relegated to staff purgatory on this trip, though most of my team, or at least the team I'm augmenting, is out kicking butt.
I am smarter in the ways of staff work and pushing paper. It's not fun, but like budgeting and logistics planning, is key to getting the mission accomplished.
I'm pretty convinced that the higher pay for officers is like the higher pay some data entry positions earn. After all of our fun running and gunning training, officers--even in SOF--end up doing mostly staff work and admin stuff as once they become mid-ranking Captains (or the Lieutenants for the Navy). I guess the pay is supposed to compensate for that.
Sure, there is the whole command responsibility thing too.
Between being deployed and being in a Guard unit with everyone dispersed around the world, it is surprisingly difficult to stay on top of everything. Deployment plans change. People who were talking about volunteering for a trip a few months ago have changed their minds. People get married. People, sadly, get divorced. People get new jobs or have trouble at work.
Plus, they have their military duties. Technically, that's the only part in which we have an official role to play. But between the fact that the unit is a family of sorts and the fact that everything can and does impact a troop's readiness, we find ourselves as leaders being guidance counselors, educational advisors, financial planners, and anything else in addition to our official roles.
It's an odd dynamic. You are never really off duty.
I think it's worth it. My unit has a proud legacy and it is a really great feeling when one of the guys we worked to train truly excels downrange. And, without fail, my guys have done great work.
Unfortunately, I've been relegated to staff purgatory on this trip, though most of my team, or at least the team I'm augmenting, is out kicking butt.
I am smarter in the ways of staff work and pushing paper. It's not fun, but like budgeting and logistics planning, is key to getting the mission accomplished.
I'm pretty convinced that the higher pay for officers is like the higher pay some data entry positions earn. After all of our fun running and gunning training, officers--even in SOF--end up doing mostly staff work and admin stuff as once they become mid-ranking Captains (or the Lieutenants for the Navy). I guess the pay is supposed to compensate for that.
Sure, there is the whole command responsibility thing too.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
High Culture
Being able to read a foreign language has enabled me to learn that the death of Michael Jackson was front page news in Israel.
I got an amazing package in the mail yesterday from a bunch of my cousins. It was truly incredible in the way that every part represented a lot of thought and effort in to what I would enjoy and it was also very clear who gave each piece.
There were newspapers, some high-brow readings, excellent candies, cookies, and a CD documenting a family event (one of way too many this trip) that I missed.
It is rare that anything beats out cookies, especially cookies that involve white chocolate chips, but the CD was really special.
Don't get me wrong, a non-pop novel, issues of Foreign Affairs, Harper's Weekly, and an Economist are very much appreciated. Very very much. I guess I'm old fashioned but nothing beats actual pages in the hand.
But between all the of the major events in the lives of my friends and family that I've missed these past few months, and will be missing over the next few, the CD helped fill a little void.
Thank you.
Back in the war, we've entered a particularly slow period in the season for me. It's not quite the rainy season, but the dust season is coming to an end. It does give me time for other pursuits.
My biggest project right now is at a phase where I am trying to avoid reinventing the wheel. I know parts of it have all been done before, but the institutional knowledge has been lost. It's like a treasure hunt right now.
Otherwise, it's the usual routine. Nothing too exciting to share.
I got an amazing package in the mail yesterday from a bunch of my cousins. It was truly incredible in the way that every part represented a lot of thought and effort in to what I would enjoy and it was also very clear who gave each piece.
There were newspapers, some high-brow readings, excellent candies, cookies, and a CD documenting a family event (one of way too many this trip) that I missed.
It is rare that anything beats out cookies, especially cookies that involve white chocolate chips, but the CD was really special.
Don't get me wrong, a non-pop novel, issues of Foreign Affairs, Harper's Weekly, and an Economist are very much appreciated. Very very much. I guess I'm old fashioned but nothing beats actual pages in the hand.
But between all the of the major events in the lives of my friends and family that I've missed these past few months, and will be missing over the next few, the CD helped fill a little void.
Thank you.
Back in the war, we've entered a particularly slow period in the season for me. It's not quite the rainy season, but the dust season is coming to an end. It does give me time for other pursuits.
My biggest project right now is at a phase where I am trying to avoid reinventing the wheel. I know parts of it have all been done before, but the institutional knowledge has been lost. It's like a treasure hunt right now.
Otherwise, it's the usual routine. Nothing too exciting to share.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Keeping the Faith
Over the past few years I've begun wondering if this creaping disillusionment was what members of the Roman Legions felt as their complacent people and utterly out of touch leadership watched their world crumble.
I don't really subscribe to the whole sky is falling, American is collapsing, alarmism that is out there. I think they overestimate the strenghts of other countries, underestimate their weaknesses, and overplay our own issues because of an intimate familiarity with them.
I'm sure I suffer from all of those issues too.
Be that as it may, I've still been incredibly disappointed in our leaders, our media, and us as a nation because we get the government we deserve in a democracy and we get the media we deserve as consumers.
In short, it's been very easy for me to conclude that we have chosen to be fat, dumb, and lazy as a society. In both the intellectual and physical sense.
Even college jeopardy is being dumbed down these days.
So my lunch with one of our interpreters came at a perfect time.
He told us all about growing up here. When he was a young teenager he would negotiate deals on random goods like soccer balls and then re-sell them in the street. He actually made a good amount of money doing it, but spent it all on movie tickets or gave it away to friends.
He distinctly remembers going to see some Jackie Chan movie eight times in Baghdad near the end of the Iran-Iraq War.
At 18, after Desert Storm, he and some friends stole a few rifles from Ba'ath Party offices in the Southern part of the country and joined the Shia Revolt. He did not wear any kind of mask and so Saddam's forces were able to identify him. His mother, fearing for his life, forced him to flee the country.
He spent a few years stuck in various refugee camps before being one of the lucky few allowed to to go to the US. He told the interviewer that he didn't want to go to Texas because he was afraid of Cowboys.
All he knew of the US was what he'd been told and what he'd seen in movies. Even so, he knew that his best future would be in America.
He described New York City as another planet after growing up mostly in rural Iraq. Not knowing the language or what any of the traffic signs meant, he almost got hit by more than a few cabs and buses.
But he's not a shy individual. He listened. He would ask any passer-by what a work meant or for directions. And people helped him.
One time in DC, he was asking someone for directions and got into a friendly conversation with some guy. The guy asked him where he was from. The interpreter told him he was from Iraq. So the guy asked what he was doing in DC.
The interpreter said, "I'm a terrorist."
The guy said, "No, no you're not."
The interpeter said "No, no. Really. I'm a terrorist."
The guy explained the difference between tourist and terrorist. This was in the late 90's when people could still admit to having a sense of humor about such things.
The interpreter agreed that he was, in fact, a tourist.
Incidentally, despite his fears of being caught up in the Indian Wars raging in Texas, the interpreter did end up witness a drug dealer getting murdered while in DC. Yeah. He said that he'd seen war, he'd fought the Iraqi Army, be he'd never seen something like that before. Not a good story, not something we are proud of in our nation's capital... but I love the irony and had to include it.
When the we invaded Iraq this time around, the interpreter was eager to help. He loathed Saddam with a passion. He has spent a few years, on and off, working with SOF as an interpreter. He's been wounded and he's come back.
This interpreter, an immigrant and new citizen, has done more to serve our country than most Americans can possibly realize.
Most importantly, it was incredible to see the opportunity that America can represent through his eyes.
Where else can an Iraqi refugee meet and marry a Guatemalan wife and from nothing earn a middle-class living for their new family?
As we walked back to the JOC, the SEAL I was eating with and I were pretty much speechless.
We had nothing. We've led easy and sheltered lives.
------------
Back at the JOC, I'm excited by the progress in my various projects. The only downside is that I think I'll leave everything primed for when my replacements get here. Then they'll get to do the fun final steps of implementation.
I'm also looking into getting certified to operate a fork lift. Why not?
I don't really subscribe to the whole sky is falling, American is collapsing, alarmism that is out there. I think they overestimate the strenghts of other countries, underestimate their weaknesses, and overplay our own issues because of an intimate familiarity with them.
I'm sure I suffer from all of those issues too.
Be that as it may, I've still been incredibly disappointed in our leaders, our media, and us as a nation because we get the government we deserve in a democracy and we get the media we deserve as consumers.
In short, it's been very easy for me to conclude that we have chosen to be fat, dumb, and lazy as a society. In both the intellectual and physical sense.
Even college jeopardy is being dumbed down these days.
So my lunch with one of our interpreters came at a perfect time.
He told us all about growing up here. When he was a young teenager he would negotiate deals on random goods like soccer balls and then re-sell them in the street. He actually made a good amount of money doing it, but spent it all on movie tickets or gave it away to friends.
He distinctly remembers going to see some Jackie Chan movie eight times in Baghdad near the end of the Iran-Iraq War.
At 18, after Desert Storm, he and some friends stole a few rifles from Ba'ath Party offices in the Southern part of the country and joined the Shia Revolt. He did not wear any kind of mask and so Saddam's forces were able to identify him. His mother, fearing for his life, forced him to flee the country.
He spent a few years stuck in various refugee camps before being one of the lucky few allowed to to go to the US. He told the interviewer that he didn't want to go to Texas because he was afraid of Cowboys.
All he knew of the US was what he'd been told and what he'd seen in movies. Even so, he knew that his best future would be in America.
He described New York City as another planet after growing up mostly in rural Iraq. Not knowing the language or what any of the traffic signs meant, he almost got hit by more than a few cabs and buses.
But he's not a shy individual. He listened. He would ask any passer-by what a work meant or for directions. And people helped him.
One time in DC, he was asking someone for directions and got into a friendly conversation with some guy. The guy asked him where he was from. The interpreter told him he was from Iraq. So the guy asked what he was doing in DC.
The interpreter said, "I'm a terrorist."
The guy said, "No, no you're not."
The interpeter said "No, no. Really. I'm a terrorist."
The guy explained the difference between tourist and terrorist. This was in the late 90's when people could still admit to having a sense of humor about such things.
The interpreter agreed that he was, in fact, a tourist.
Incidentally, despite his fears of being caught up in the Indian Wars raging in Texas, the interpreter did end up witness a drug dealer getting murdered while in DC. Yeah. He said that he'd seen war, he'd fought the Iraqi Army, be he'd never seen something like that before. Not a good story, not something we are proud of in our nation's capital... but I love the irony and had to include it.
When the we invaded Iraq this time around, the interpreter was eager to help. He loathed Saddam with a passion. He has spent a few years, on and off, working with SOF as an interpreter. He's been wounded and he's come back.
This interpreter, an immigrant and new citizen, has done more to serve our country than most Americans can possibly realize.
Most importantly, it was incredible to see the opportunity that America can represent through his eyes.
Where else can an Iraqi refugee meet and marry a Guatemalan wife and from nothing earn a middle-class living for their new family?
As we walked back to the JOC, the SEAL I was eating with and I were pretty much speechless.
We had nothing. We've led easy and sheltered lives.
------------
Back at the JOC, I'm excited by the progress in my various projects. The only downside is that I think I'll leave everything primed for when my replacements get here. Then they'll get to do the fun final steps of implementation.
I'm also looking into getting certified to operate a fork lift. Why not?
Thursday, August 13, 2009
I've Lost My Mojo
I need to get my mojo back.
I was somewhat aware of the passage of time until I ran in to one of the troops responsible for planning our return trip. She told me a number. A number that was slowly getting smaller. A number that I refused to think about.
The days we have left.
Now it's out there, hovering over my work. Daily annoyances are a little less annoying yet that trivialness makes them that much more frustrating at the same time.
An excellent example would be our near-futile quest to get a program un-installed and re-installed on our computer. For some reason, after many years, this program stopped working. It's not vital, but it is very helpful.
I call our computer people since they control what goes on the network. They tell me that the program is not approved.
I ask to talk to the guy in charge. He's not in. When does he get in... they tell me and promise he'll call in the evening. This is after my night guy was told he didn't get in until the morning.
So I call back in the evening. Oh, he's at dinner. He's the only guy authorized to determine that a program that has been on the network for years, that is on pretty much every weather guy's computer here, that was developed by and for the Air Force, is not authorized.
It's brilliant really. I'm not going to yell at his underlings. It's not their fault.
I can't yell at him. He is apparently a ghost.
I can create a paper trail and find his boss, but that is so unsatisfying and impersonal.
I want to yell at him. I'm very nice to be people who do their jobs. I'm even nice to people who are clearly making an effort here.
This will be fixed by the end of my shift tomorrow.
So I'm looking to my little projects, outside of my little vendettas, to re-motivate me. Some have made small but good progress. Others are stalled. Sadly none will really be done by the time I leave, but at least they will be primed for my replacement.
I'm also breaking in my new running shoes. That's always fun. A short 2 miles this evening because my legs were still sore from my first night back at one-legged squats. I'll probably be back into a really good routine just in time to leave.
This time I need to really bring it home with me. I have all the tools I need at the house.
I was somewhat aware of the passage of time until I ran in to one of the troops responsible for planning our return trip. She told me a number. A number that was slowly getting smaller. A number that I refused to think about.
The days we have left.
Now it's out there, hovering over my work. Daily annoyances are a little less annoying yet that trivialness makes them that much more frustrating at the same time.
An excellent example would be our near-futile quest to get a program un-installed and re-installed on our computer. For some reason, after many years, this program stopped working. It's not vital, but it is very helpful.
I call our computer people since they control what goes on the network. They tell me that the program is not approved.
I ask to talk to the guy in charge. He's not in. When does he get in... they tell me and promise he'll call in the evening. This is after my night guy was told he didn't get in until the morning.
So I call back in the evening. Oh, he's at dinner. He's the only guy authorized to determine that a program that has been on the network for years, that is on pretty much every weather guy's computer here, that was developed by and for the Air Force, is not authorized.
It's brilliant really. I'm not going to yell at his underlings. It's not their fault.
I can't yell at him. He is apparently a ghost.
I can create a paper trail and find his boss, but that is so unsatisfying and impersonal.
I want to yell at him. I'm very nice to be people who do their jobs. I'm even nice to people who are clearly making an effort here.
This will be fixed by the end of my shift tomorrow.
So I'm looking to my little projects, outside of my little vendettas, to re-motivate me. Some have made small but good progress. Others are stalled. Sadly none will really be done by the time I leave, but at least they will be primed for my replacement.
I'm also breaking in my new running shoes. That's always fun. A short 2 miles this evening because my legs were still sore from my first night back at one-legged squats. I'll probably be back into a really good routine just in time to leave.
This time I need to really bring it home with me. I have all the tools I need at the house.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Party Plans
One of my friends is getting ready to leave. We are trying to figure out the best way to celebrate.
Over dinner, it hit us....
Near-Beer Float.
One can of Coors Cutter (or the better German fake beer) plus one scoop of vanilla ice cream.
It was a flash of brilliance. I can't wait to try it.
Expect a full report.
On a not completely unrelated to work, I must share my disappointment in the criticism of the nutjob in New Hampshire that showed up outside the President's town hall meeting with a gun and a sign paraphrasing Jefferson.
Everyone has jumped on the complete lack of sense involved showing up at a Presidential appearance armed and apparently threatening violence.
Sadly, no one seems to be critiquing the ridiculous set up he was rocking. A thigh holster has it's place. The idea is generally to lower the holster below the belt line when wearing armor so that the armor does not interfere with the drawing motion. The idea is to have the pistol has high as possible while still allowing for a smooth draw.
This idiot had his pistol mounted somewhere near his knee. That would be a horrible inefficient drawing motion. It also wastes extra energy while walking around with the weight mounted lower on the leg.
It was not only a poorly conceived demonstration, but it was also poorly executed.
Oh well. At least he can keep the healthcare he has until the government gets its grubby hands on his Medicare. Or something.
I guess the good news is that no matter how badly I botch a forecast, I can simply watch the news from home and feel smart again.
Stay Classy, America.
Over dinner, it hit us....
Near-Beer Float.
One can of Coors Cutter (or the better German fake beer) plus one scoop of vanilla ice cream.
It was a flash of brilliance. I can't wait to try it.
Expect a full report.
On a not completely unrelated to work, I must share my disappointment in the criticism of the nutjob in New Hampshire that showed up outside the President's town hall meeting with a gun and a sign paraphrasing Jefferson.
Everyone has jumped on the complete lack of sense involved showing up at a Presidential appearance armed and apparently threatening violence.
Sadly, no one seems to be critiquing the ridiculous set up he was rocking. A thigh holster has it's place. The idea is generally to lower the holster below the belt line when wearing armor so that the armor does not interfere with the drawing motion. The idea is to have the pistol has high as possible while still allowing for a smooth draw.
This idiot had his pistol mounted somewhere near his knee. That would be a horrible inefficient drawing motion. It also wastes extra energy while walking around with the weight mounted lower on the leg.
It was not only a poorly conceived demonstration, but it was also poorly executed.
Oh well. At least he can keep the healthcare he has until the government gets its grubby hands on his Medicare. Or something.
I guess the good news is that no matter how badly I botch a forecast, I can simply watch the news from home and feel smart again.
Stay Classy, America.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Car Chase
Maybe work has made us a little warped.
I think we just a bunch of dudes watching TV.
There was yet another California car chase on the news. In the middle of everything else going on, we all stopped to watch.
We cheered on the cops. We critiqued their performance. We laughed when the guy pulled out of his car, which was not in park, and as the car slowly rolled back into an empty cop car...
It was particularly funny to me because I forgot to put our vehicle in park during a training exercise a while back. We were doing a react to contact drill. To simulate our vehicle being disabled by an IED there was a loud boom created by an instructor and then I, as the drive, was supposed to stop and put the vehicle in park.
Well, I swerved as I stopped to create better cover for our retreat from the vehicle. We dismounted, returned fire, and... the car kept rolling.
Fortunately it rolled into another vehicle, which stoppped it. Just like the criminal's vehicle rolling pretty harmlessly into a nearby cop car.
It ended better for me than the criminal on the news. He got arrested. I just owed a round of beer that night.
With the chase over, we went back to work.
My other great accomplishment for the day was filling out my application for the New GI Bill. After reviewing everything, I think I'm eligible for at least 60% of the full time benefit, but maybe up to 100% depending on how they count my first years of active duty service.
It they count those years as pay back for my ROTC scholarship, then I should still get the 60% for my various Active Duty periods as a Guardsman. If they simply count that time as cumulative Active Duty time, then I should get 60%.
Either way, it's a great deal and a major jump up in my VA benefits for school.
Thank you Senator Webb.
I think we just a bunch of dudes watching TV.
There was yet another California car chase on the news. In the middle of everything else going on, we all stopped to watch.
We cheered on the cops. We critiqued their performance. We laughed when the guy pulled out of his car, which was not in park, and as the car slowly rolled back into an empty cop car...
It was particularly funny to me because I forgot to put our vehicle in park during a training exercise a while back. We were doing a react to contact drill. To simulate our vehicle being disabled by an IED there was a loud boom created by an instructor and then I, as the drive, was supposed to stop and put the vehicle in park.
Well, I swerved as I stopped to create better cover for our retreat from the vehicle. We dismounted, returned fire, and... the car kept rolling.
Fortunately it rolled into another vehicle, which stoppped it. Just like the criminal's vehicle rolling pretty harmlessly into a nearby cop car.
It ended better for me than the criminal on the news. He got arrested. I just owed a round of beer that night.
With the chase over, we went back to work.
My other great accomplishment for the day was filling out my application for the New GI Bill. After reviewing everything, I think I'm eligible for at least 60% of the full time benefit, but maybe up to 100% depending on how they count my first years of active duty service.
It they count those years as pay back for my ROTC scholarship, then I should still get the 60% for my various Active Duty periods as a Guardsman. If they simply count that time as cumulative Active Duty time, then I should get 60%.
Either way, it's a great deal and a major jump up in my VA benefits for school.
Thank you Senator Webb.
Monday, August 10, 2009
New Shoes!!!
Today my new running shoes came in the mail. They are everything I hoped for. Very light, but supportive where they need to be and fit with a Superfeet insert.
They'll need a little breaking in and then it will be like running in slippers. My preference in a running shoe is for it to be firm. I don't want to run on pillows. These trail runners are right in the sweet spot where I can feel the road but excess shock is absorbed.
Unfortunately there is a lot of shiny neon yellow on the shoe. Soon it will be brown. Everything here turns brown.
Other people were excited when I got my shoes too. Shoes and boots are a major topic of discussion.
My sister also made a variety of cookies and sent them to us. We love cookies. We really love peanut butter cookies.
We may take some of the peanut butter cookies to the chow hall, zap them, and top them with vanilla ice cream.
I really do mean "we" in the plural too.
The other news is that my beautiful and brilliant world-saving wife is now back in the US. Now I can more easily bother her while she is at work via G-mail chat.
This is an outstanding development.
She won't really get a chance to unwind and re-adjust because she has two weddings to attend in the next two weeks. Those will be the second and third weddings I've missed on this trip.
Not cool. I am really sorry and do wish I could be there.
I can also call the nearest base and have them connect me to her phone. Oddly, due to her cell phone number not being a local call from our house, I have to call the base nearest where she grew up to have them connect us.
On the work front, well, processes are evolving for the better. It's actually fun to be a part of it. It reminds us that the enemy is actually a very bad human and not, say, Microsoft Office 2007.
We get confused sometimes.
Oh, and if any of you read GEN McPeak's Op-Ed about the F-22 in the Wall Street Journal, I apologize. He was one of the leaders of the great Fighter Mafia, the man who decided chest hair needed to be visible in our blues uniforms, and brought the world Total Quality Management (only Scott Adams benefited from this because it fueled an infinite number of Dilbert strips).
F-22's are really cool. Really really really cool. They have incredible capabilities and can truly dominate the air war. But once we've used our stealth assets to destroy the enemy air defenses, or degrade them sufficiently, in the beginning of a conventional war... why can't we then use lots of cheaper and less stealthy aircraft for many of the lower-threat follow on missions?
We have only one Ranger Regiment that in part exists to kick in the door so the rest of the force can come in behind. No one in the Army is arguing that every unit needs to be the Ranger Regiment.
It's an imperfect metaphor, but close enough to make the point.
They'll need a little breaking in and then it will be like running in slippers. My preference in a running shoe is for it to be firm. I don't want to run on pillows. These trail runners are right in the sweet spot where I can feel the road but excess shock is absorbed.
Unfortunately there is a lot of shiny neon yellow on the shoe. Soon it will be brown. Everything here turns brown.
Other people were excited when I got my shoes too. Shoes and boots are a major topic of discussion.
My sister also made a variety of cookies and sent them to us. We love cookies. We really love peanut butter cookies.
We may take some of the peanut butter cookies to the chow hall, zap them, and top them with vanilla ice cream.
I really do mean "we" in the plural too.
The other news is that my beautiful and brilliant world-saving wife is now back in the US. Now I can more easily bother her while she is at work via G-mail chat.
This is an outstanding development.
She won't really get a chance to unwind and re-adjust because she has two weddings to attend in the next two weeks. Those will be the second and third weddings I've missed on this trip.
Not cool. I am really sorry and do wish I could be there.
I can also call the nearest base and have them connect me to her phone. Oddly, due to her cell phone number not being a local call from our house, I have to call the base nearest where she grew up to have them connect us.
On the work front, well, processes are evolving for the better. It's actually fun to be a part of it. It reminds us that the enemy is actually a very bad human and not, say, Microsoft Office 2007.
We get confused sometimes.
Oh, and if any of you read GEN McPeak's Op-Ed about the F-22 in the Wall Street Journal, I apologize. He was one of the leaders of the great Fighter Mafia, the man who decided chest hair needed to be visible in our blues uniforms, and brought the world Total Quality Management (only Scott Adams benefited from this because it fueled an infinite number of Dilbert strips).
F-22's are really cool. Really really really cool. They have incredible capabilities and can truly dominate the air war. But once we've used our stealth assets to destroy the enemy air defenses, or degrade them sufficiently, in the beginning of a conventional war... why can't we then use lots of cheaper and less stealthy aircraft for many of the lower-threat follow on missions?
We have only one Ranger Regiment that in part exists to kick in the door so the rest of the force can come in behind. No one in the Army is arguing that every unit needs to be the Ranger Regiment.
It's an imperfect metaphor, but close enough to make the point.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Enough
One of the civilians I've met is a retired Special Forces Medic. He served over thirty years in uniform and continues to serve today.
He is a very soft-spoken guy, but can be very talkative. He'll stop by my desk and we'll chat about running shoes, random war stories, getting old, dirt medicine tips, etc.
He's going home. One of his family member's is sick. He called the company he works for and told them he has to quit the contract early. For so many years, he put the mission and country ahead of everything.
It is his family's turn.
Fortunately, many of the people he works for are retired military guys who know exactly how he feels. They are willing to hold his space for a few months in case he can come back later.
I also found out that The Spin Doctors are playing Balad. Well, not the Spin Doctors, but their lead singer and his new band.
I was never a Spin Doctors fan in the early 90's. But it's free, I've never been to a USO show, and there's something novel about seeing some band that was big when I was in middle school.
It was fun. They played in the movie theater. It had a small club feeling similar to some of the shows one of my friends took me to back home.
The band gave out CDs and signed autographs for anyone who wanted one after the show. We got our picture taken with the band cause why not?
It was great of them to come out here. Even though most of the audience was barely walking when the band, or at least the lead singer, first hit it big, every one was appreciative and got in to it.
And yes, when I did the math and realized that most of the audience was still in diapers when the Spin Doctors hit MTV (back when MTV played music, I know, wow), I felt old.
He is a very soft-spoken guy, but can be very talkative. He'll stop by my desk and we'll chat about running shoes, random war stories, getting old, dirt medicine tips, etc.
He's going home. One of his family member's is sick. He called the company he works for and told them he has to quit the contract early. For so many years, he put the mission and country ahead of everything.
It is his family's turn.
Fortunately, many of the people he works for are retired military guys who know exactly how he feels. They are willing to hold his space for a few months in case he can come back later.
I also found out that The Spin Doctors are playing Balad. Well, not the Spin Doctors, but their lead singer and his new band.
I was never a Spin Doctors fan in the early 90's. But it's free, I've never been to a USO show, and there's something novel about seeing some band that was big when I was in middle school.
It was fun. They played in the movie theater. It had a small club feeling similar to some of the shows one of my friends took me to back home.
The band gave out CDs and signed autographs for anyone who wanted one after the show. We got our picture taken with the band cause why not?
It was great of them to come out here. Even though most of the audience was barely walking when the band, or at least the lead singer, first hit it big, every one was appreciative and got in to it.
And yes, when I did the math and realized that most of the audience was still in diapers when the Spin Doctors hit MTV (back when MTV played music, I know, wow), I felt old.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
The Size of the Fight in the Dog
So she may be small. She may only weight 110 lbs. But when she rolls over and all of her weight is on the knee that pinches your tricep against the ground... it hurts.
Now the marks on my left arm match my right.
For the final evaluation in the Level I Comabtives course, each of us played grappling dummy for the other students. We all passed.
We also found out that two of us had been practicing one of the escape from a choke drills wrong. Good to know.
Part of the final eval was demonstrating a clinch--charging into someone who is punching you, closing the distance, and essentially putting them into a bear hug of sorts. The instructor had on boxing gloves and we wore head gear.
One of the goals of the drill is make sure everyone knows what it is to be punched in the head. I've been punched in head a few times. I didn't like it. But it's a necessary evil for the drill.
In real life, your opponent won't help you lock him up and beat him either. In real life, you'll probably have to take a few hits. But if you are agressive and don't fear getting a hit a couple times then you will get the clinch in faster and take fewer hits. If you are not agressive then you keep getting hit.
Getting hit is bad. It hurts.
Of course, my head doesn't hurt, but I did tweak my kneck in the first round of clinch drills. Technically, I didn't do it. The instructor did by whacking the side of my head. Or maybe it was forcing my head into his hip to push him off balance. I dunno.
I do know that many Motrins later, I have partial mobility again.
I'm going to go to bed early tonight. My partner even came in a little early so I could get out and get to bed sooner. That was really nice of him.
The class was great, but didn't mesh too well with my usual sleep cycle. I had to hit the chow hall for coffee, which led to the discovery that our chow hall now has iced coffee. It's way too syrupy, but does the job.
Two of my projects are making slow progress. It's annoying because a lot of the moving pieces are out of my control so it takes much longer than I would like.
I know it is better to do it right the first time. I know that people rushing it is why some of these things have been stalled and gotten nowhere in the past.
Still, it's frustrating.
At least the other guys here all have similar attitudes. We can complain about annoying staff stuff. And we can work on making it better.
It's nice to be around people who always want to make it work better.
Now the marks on my left arm match my right.
For the final evaluation in the Level I Comabtives course, each of us played grappling dummy for the other students. We all passed.
We also found out that two of us had been practicing one of the escape from a choke drills wrong. Good to know.
Part of the final eval was demonstrating a clinch--charging into someone who is punching you, closing the distance, and essentially putting them into a bear hug of sorts. The instructor had on boxing gloves and we wore head gear.
One of the goals of the drill is make sure everyone knows what it is to be punched in the head. I've been punched in head a few times. I didn't like it. But it's a necessary evil for the drill.
In real life, your opponent won't help you lock him up and beat him either. In real life, you'll probably have to take a few hits. But if you are agressive and don't fear getting a hit a couple times then you will get the clinch in faster and take fewer hits. If you are not agressive then you keep getting hit.
Getting hit is bad. It hurts.
Of course, my head doesn't hurt, but I did tweak my kneck in the first round of clinch drills. Technically, I didn't do it. The instructor did by whacking the side of my head. Or maybe it was forcing my head into his hip to push him off balance. I dunno.
I do know that many Motrins later, I have partial mobility again.
I'm going to go to bed early tonight. My partner even came in a little early so I could get out and get to bed sooner. That was really nice of him.
The class was great, but didn't mesh too well with my usual sleep cycle. I had to hit the chow hall for coffee, which led to the discovery that our chow hall now has iced coffee. It's way too syrupy, but does the job.
Two of my projects are making slow progress. It's annoying because a lot of the moving pieces are out of my control so it takes much longer than I would like.
I know it is better to do it right the first time. I know that people rushing it is why some of these things have been stalled and gotten nowhere in the past.
Still, it's frustrating.
At least the other guys here all have similar attitudes. We can complain about annoying staff stuff. And we can work on making it better.
It's nice to be around people who always want to make it work better.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Living Vicariously
I've been reading some reports from the rest of my team in Afghanistan and am incredibly proud to be associated with those guys.
The troops out with teams are really doing some incredible things and demonstrating what it means to be a technically competent weather guy and a tactictally proficient SOF troop.
These guys are not only collecting environmental data and sending it up, but are being trusted to lead patrol elements and clear areas. It is the way it should be, but the way it always has been.
Sweet.
It's great cause my job, in general, is to make sure they are ready and have what they need to do it. A little sad cause I don't I'm stuck in the JOC while they do it.
So it goes.
That said, my hare-brained scheme is working. Manufacturers are responding to my requests for test and evaluation samples of their equipment for some members of my unit back home.
We may have a new radio pack and new field uniforms to test during the next pre-deployment train-up. One of my guys will be hitting a variety of exercises and I may tag along on one or two.
We will take pictures and document the performance of the equipment in the field. My plan is for us to compare it to similar but more expensive equipment in use by some of the Active Duty units.
If it is truly up to par, then we'll be recommending it to everyone. If it is close, then due to budget constraints, we may just buy it for our unit as a stop-gap for now. Unfortunately, it may mean spending more in the long run to replace it, but we'll see.
However, my prediction is that the equipment will be equal in quality but just different in some subjective features.
While the companies are hoping this turns into a large sale, they are both very eager to suppor the end users in the military community.
The reps I've dealt with are fomer military members themselves. They want sales, but they also want feedback so this can be win-win.
The troops out with teams are really doing some incredible things and demonstrating what it means to be a technically competent weather guy and a tactictally proficient SOF troop.
These guys are not only collecting environmental data and sending it up, but are being trusted to lead patrol elements and clear areas. It is the way it should be, but the way it always has been.
Sweet.
It's great cause my job, in general, is to make sure they are ready and have what they need to do it. A little sad cause I don't I'm stuck in the JOC while they do it.
So it goes.
That said, my hare-brained scheme is working. Manufacturers are responding to my requests for test and evaluation samples of their equipment for some members of my unit back home.
We may have a new radio pack and new field uniforms to test during the next pre-deployment train-up. One of my guys will be hitting a variety of exercises and I may tag along on one or two.
We will take pictures and document the performance of the equipment in the field. My plan is for us to compare it to similar but more expensive equipment in use by some of the Active Duty units.
If it is truly up to par, then we'll be recommending it to everyone. If it is close, then due to budget constraints, we may just buy it for our unit as a stop-gap for now. Unfortunately, it may mean spending more in the long run to replace it, but we'll see.
However, my prediction is that the equipment will be equal in quality but just different in some subjective features.
While the companies are hoping this turns into a large sale, they are both very eager to suppor the end users in the military community.
The reps I've dealt with are fomer military members themselves. They want sales, but they also want feedback so this can be win-win.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Defenseless
The AF needs to think about second and third order effects before releasing PR footage. Little news stories that are supposed to inform the public and our fellow servicemembers about Airmen can actually make our life much worse.
I guess the AF was doing some type of silly PR stunt having a bunch of Airmen play with guns. I'm all for Airmen using guns and being very familiar and competent with weapons.
But the conventional Air Force has bred an attitude amongs most Airmen where the reaction to seeing a gun is "OH MY GOD! A GUN!"
And the reaction to the idea of using that gun in combat is that it is some one else's job... despite the large number of Airmen securing bases and running convoys in-lieu of Army personnel.
So I guess the Air Force, trying to show how hardcore it can be, had some Airmen hit a range at Balad. They record it. They make a little story about it for the Pentagon Channel. It airs on AFN. We see it in the JOC.
Oh. No.
Everyone looks at me to explain what the Air Force is trying to show and what training is being accomplished in this piece.
I have no idea.
Why are they firing a sniper rifle on a 25M range?
I have no idea.
I just shook my head and said I had nothing.
But today was a good day. I got to work and found an email waiting for me that said one of the manufacturers I'd contacted about equipment tests is going to put in me in touch with their National Guard sales rep so that we can work it. Awesome.
Tonight we are doing our review ahead of the Level I Combatives Assessment. This means that we will do all the drills over and over, talking each other through each step, so that the test is easy.
We'll finish with either a round-robin series of 2 minute grapple-for-position/submission or each of going up against the instructor. The instructor is feeling a little beat up so I wouldn't be surprised if he supervises the students fighting tonight.
The fights are a great test of endurance and force you to remember the drills. It is a lot like chess as you anticipate where your opponent will be moving various pieces and try to set him up... but you don't want to sacrifice any pawns in the process. It hurts.
I guess the AF was doing some type of silly PR stunt having a bunch of Airmen play with guns. I'm all for Airmen using guns and being very familiar and competent with weapons.
But the conventional Air Force has bred an attitude amongs most Airmen where the reaction to seeing a gun is "OH MY GOD! A GUN!"
And the reaction to the idea of using that gun in combat is that it is some one else's job... despite the large number of Airmen securing bases and running convoys in-lieu of Army personnel.
So I guess the Air Force, trying to show how hardcore it can be, had some Airmen hit a range at Balad. They record it. They make a little story about it for the Pentagon Channel. It airs on AFN. We see it in the JOC.
Oh. No.
Everyone looks at me to explain what the Air Force is trying to show and what training is being accomplished in this piece.
I have no idea.
Why are they firing a sniper rifle on a 25M range?
I have no idea.
I just shook my head and said I had nothing.
But today was a good day. I got to work and found an email waiting for me that said one of the manufacturers I'd contacted about equipment tests is going to put in me in touch with their National Guard sales rep so that we can work it. Awesome.
Tonight we are doing our review ahead of the Level I Combatives Assessment. This means that we will do all the drills over and over, talking each other through each step, so that the test is easy.
We'll finish with either a round-robin series of 2 minute grapple-for-position/submission or each of going up against the instructor. The instructor is feeling a little beat up so I wouldn't be surprised if he supervises the students fighting tonight.
The fights are a great test of endurance and force you to remember the drills. It is a lot like chess as you anticipate where your opponent will be moving various pieces and try to set him up... but you don't want to sacrifice any pawns in the process. It hurts.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Our Secret Weapon
I know now why we are destined to win this long struggle against totalitarian militant murderous pedophiles and misogynists that hide behind Islam.
It is not because we are better people than the bad guys, though we are. Really. "Bad guys" isn't just a generic term for the enemy. They are really very bad people.
It's not because of superior resources. Though we have access to resources and logistics that are almost beyond the imagination.
It's not because of tenacity or staying power (see Rep. Obey's comments about deadlines for OEF).
It is because we are masters of Powerpoint.
Embedded animations.
Linked documents.
Gen Pershing had to resort to crude efforts like dipping bullets in pork fat and burrying terrorists with pigs because Powerpoint didn't exist yet.
Us? We have the newest versions.
We can't lose.
Well, we do have one fatal flaw. Apparently we are all drunk drivers that are addicted to chewing tobacco that ride motorcycles without proper protective gear and keep forgetting to volunteer for the service bands.
But courtesy of AFN commercials, we are reminded constantly and so we will be saved.
Every time the commercials come on, a buddy of mine complains that AFN is telling him how to live his life.
I told him that if he would start freaking listening for once, maybe they'd stop nagging him.
Maybe I didn't say "freaking."
It was actually very funny at the time, but you probably had to be there, and had to have been here day after day after day after day after day....
That happened at lunch. When we got back my buddy found his slides had been tampered with. All the mission names had been switched to various references to G.I. Jane.
The great SEAL vs Green Beret movie war continues.
It is not because we are better people than the bad guys, though we are. Really. "Bad guys" isn't just a generic term for the enemy. They are really very bad people.
It's not because of superior resources. Though we have access to resources and logistics that are almost beyond the imagination.
It's not because of tenacity or staying power (see Rep. Obey's comments about deadlines for OEF).
It is because we are masters of Powerpoint.
Embedded animations.
Linked documents.
Gen Pershing had to resort to crude efforts like dipping bullets in pork fat and burrying terrorists with pigs because Powerpoint didn't exist yet.
Us? We have the newest versions.
We can't lose.
Well, we do have one fatal flaw. Apparently we are all drunk drivers that are addicted to chewing tobacco that ride motorcycles without proper protective gear and keep forgetting to volunteer for the service bands.
But courtesy of AFN commercials, we are reminded constantly and so we will be saved.
Every time the commercials come on, a buddy of mine complains that AFN is telling him how to live his life.
I told him that if he would start freaking listening for once, maybe they'd stop nagging him.
Maybe I didn't say "freaking."
It was actually very funny at the time, but you probably had to be there, and had to have been here day after day after day after day after day....
That happened at lunch. When we got back my buddy found his slides had been tampered with. All the mission names had been switched to various references to G.I. Jane.
The great SEAL vs Green Beret movie war continues.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Odd
Periodically we get care packages from various organizations back home. It is a very nice effort and we do appreciate it.
But sometimes we are a little surprised by what's in the box.
The usual random snacks and books are great. The cans of refried beans we got recently were a little questionable. I was also confused by a bag of sample toiletries. Travel size shampoos and stuff are a great addition but someone actually took the time to not only collect these samples from various hotels, but to put them in a sealed plastic bag.
Also, I think some of the shampoos were already open.
There was a toothbrush too. It was not in any packaging. We don't know if it was used but I think most people here will assume it was just to be safe.
I also discovered a novel invention.
On my main rig I have my primary first aid kit with all my major trauma tools and a spare tournequet (the main one being attached to my vest via rubber bands so I or my buddy can access it immediately). On my belt kit I have a little ouchie kit with some band aids, etc. Some how, without noticing it, I acquired some knuckle band aids when I went digging through that pouch today.
That's right. They make band-aids specifically for knuckles.
Genius.
It won't necessarily help my skinned knuckles heal this week, but it will keep them from bleeding on the punching pads during the last few combatives class sessions.
I also taught myself how to repair an ACU zipper since one the zipper pulls got pulled right off my sparring uniform. Good as new now.
But sometimes we are a little surprised by what's in the box.
The usual random snacks and books are great. The cans of refried beans we got recently were a little questionable. I was also confused by a bag of sample toiletries. Travel size shampoos and stuff are a great addition but someone actually took the time to not only collect these samples from various hotels, but to put them in a sealed plastic bag.
Also, I think some of the shampoos were already open.
There was a toothbrush too. It was not in any packaging. We don't know if it was used but I think most people here will assume it was just to be safe.
I also discovered a novel invention.
On my main rig I have my primary first aid kit with all my major trauma tools and a spare tournequet (the main one being attached to my vest via rubber bands so I or my buddy can access it immediately). On my belt kit I have a little ouchie kit with some band aids, etc. Some how, without noticing it, I acquired some knuckle band aids when I went digging through that pouch today.
That's right. They make band-aids specifically for knuckles.
Genius.
It won't necessarily help my skinned knuckles heal this week, but it will keep them from bleeding on the punching pads during the last few combatives class sessions.
I also taught myself how to repair an ACU zipper since one the zipper pulls got pulled right off my sparring uniform. Good as new now.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Fearless Men, Who Jump and Die
Today we had a memorial ceremony of one of our brothers who died in Afghanistan.
The chaplain said a few words and then the command element spoke as we all stood in formation to remember CW2 Douglas Vose.
He was a leader of warriors, a devoted husband, and father of four.
At the close of the ceremony, SSGT Barry Sadler's "Ballad of the Green Berets" was played. The song is from a different time, a time that may not have actually existed and, if it did, it was ending even as the song was released, when certain values of selfless service and patriotism were respected rather than cynically mocked, exploited, and rarely thought to be genuine.
It was first sung by a man who burried too many of his friends during Vietnam, and every verse rings true today, none more so than this one:
Back at home a young wife waits
Her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed...
Afterwards the flag, from half staff was raised to the top of the pole and then lowered. Bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" as the flag was folded and placed over the empty boots that stood by the fallen soldier's picture.
On TV it is cliche.
In real life it never is.
I have not stood in many of these ceremonies. But I have stood in enough and I will probaby stand in more.
Tonight we also marked the anniversary of the death of another fallen comrade. Three years ago today AO2 Marc Lee, a SEAL, fell to enemy fire during a mission in Ramadi.
There are no words to describe the quality of these men, the sacrifices they and their families made, or any grand pithy statement to sum it up.
Just remember them.
Remember that they volunteered to serve. Volunteered for the most rigorous training. Volunteered to be Special Operators.
Remember them. Remember their families.
Be proud that we can still produce people like them.
The chaplain said a few words and then the command element spoke as we all stood in formation to remember CW2 Douglas Vose.
He was a leader of warriors, a devoted husband, and father of four.
At the close of the ceremony, SSGT Barry Sadler's "Ballad of the Green Berets" was played. The song is from a different time, a time that may not have actually existed and, if it did, it was ending even as the song was released, when certain values of selfless service and patriotism were respected rather than cynically mocked, exploited, and rarely thought to be genuine.
It was first sung by a man who burried too many of his friends during Vietnam, and every verse rings true today, none more so than this one:
Back at home a young wife waits
Her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed...
Afterwards the flag, from half staff was raised to the top of the pole and then lowered. Bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" as the flag was folded and placed over the empty boots that stood by the fallen soldier's picture.
On TV it is cliche.
In real life it never is.
I have not stood in many of these ceremonies. But I have stood in enough and I will probaby stand in more.
Tonight we also marked the anniversary of the death of another fallen comrade. Three years ago today AO2 Marc Lee, a SEAL, fell to enemy fire during a mission in Ramadi.
There are no words to describe the quality of these men, the sacrifices they and their families made, or any grand pithy statement to sum it up.
Just remember them.
Remember that they volunteered to serve. Volunteered for the most rigorous training. Volunteered to be Special Operators.
Remember them. Remember their families.
Be proud that we can still produce people like them.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Combatives, Night Two
So second night of my combatives class is done.
One knuckle bleeding, though I'm missing skin from all of them. I should have brought my Krav Maga wraps with me.
I think I'll have my partner start working over my left arm because my right arm is mostly bruises and finger marks from the elbow up.
Kneck stretches beforehand are key. Glad I did them tonight.
Coaching someone into putting you in a weird naked choke is an odd sensation. As I told my partner, this is the last time I'm going to help him choke me because he needs to feel confident in being able to apply such a choke to someone.
Next time, game on.
I also need to drink more water, maybe some Gatorade or some fruit, if I'm going to run after work but before this class. Two-minute grapple-for-dominance drills are a terrible time for your leg to start cramping up.
I often joke about certain injuries by saying that's why God gave you two of them (knees, eyes, liver?). Some things come in two and are quite vulnerable when bodies and knees are rolling all over the floor.
But fight through it. Walk it off after you win the fight. You might not be walking anywhere if you lose.
Even so, it's a lot of fun. Great training and great PT. It emphasizes being a balanced athlete. Too much lifting and you get smoked early, technique will overcome brute strength.
But I'm also glad the course is only a week long. If they can continue the sessions, I'll try to hit it at least once a week to sustain and improve these skills. Unfortunatley the instructor's shift hours are a little different than mine so keeping this schedule daily is a bit much.
One knuckle bleeding, though I'm missing skin from all of them. I should have brought my Krav Maga wraps with me.
I think I'll have my partner start working over my left arm because my right arm is mostly bruises and finger marks from the elbow up.
Kneck stretches beforehand are key. Glad I did them tonight.
Coaching someone into putting you in a weird naked choke is an odd sensation. As I told my partner, this is the last time I'm going to help him choke me because he needs to feel confident in being able to apply such a choke to someone.
Next time, game on.
I also need to drink more water, maybe some Gatorade or some fruit, if I'm going to run after work but before this class. Two-minute grapple-for-dominance drills are a terrible time for your leg to start cramping up.
I often joke about certain injuries by saying that's why God gave you two of them (knees, eyes, liver?). Some things come in two and are quite vulnerable when bodies and knees are rolling all over the floor.
But fight through it. Walk it off after you win the fight. You might not be walking anywhere if you lose.
Even so, it's a lot of fun. Great training and great PT. It emphasizes being a balanced athlete. Too much lifting and you get smoked early, technique will overcome brute strength.
But I'm also glad the course is only a week long. If they can continue the sessions, I'll try to hit it at least once a week to sustain and improve these skills. Unfortunatley the instructor's shift hours are a little different than mine so keeping this schedule daily is a bit much.
Popularity Contests
First, the family of Captain Michael Speicher can finally have closure. Capt. Speicher was shot down early in the Gulf War and his body has finally been found and identified.
I'd like to think this is a major news story back home.
In addition to this development, our movie/TV/music drive is back on-line. Morale is high.
The current great debate in the JOC is whether SEALs or Green Berets have been cooler in movies.
Air Force SOF really only have Tyrese in the Transformers movies. Technically some PJs (Pararescuement) were portrayed in Black Hawk Down, but you have to know the back story to know which guys weren't soldiers.
The Army can claim John Wayne.
The Army maintains that John Wayne can't be topped.
I'm inclined to agree.
The Navy has Charlie Sheen. And lots of great cheesy lines to quote from the Navy SEALs movie. They had Bruce Willis, but as movie SEAL we think he put his team at risk to get the girl more than to save a bunch of refugees.
I won't mention which motive has more appeal to Team guys at this point in the deployment...
Navy SEALs got their butts kicked in The Rock.
However, we are fairly certain Magnum P.I. was a former SEAL. If you don't get that refrence, you are either too young, were raised in a communist country (but should have been watching bootleg versions), or you are a bad person.
But, then the Army can counter with Rambo. OK, so sure he destroyed a small town in the Pacifc Northwest... but as John Rambo points out... they drew first blood.
And then Rambo singlehandedly re-fought and decisively won the Vietnam War, kicked the Soviets out of Afghanistan, and killed every bad guy in Burma. No movie SEAL has done that.
Unfortunately for the SEALs, while G.I. Jane did prove that a bald woman doing one-armed push-up can be incredibly attractive, the overall plot and portrayal of Naval Special Warfare doesn't earn any cool points.
It's not a sexist thing, just a cheesy plot thing.
So right now, Green Berets beat SEALs in the movie department.
The Air Force is in a distant third, and formal Marine participation in SOCOM is too new to have any movie representation.
There are probaly movies about Recon Marines, but that Daman Wayans movie where he plays a teacher erases any cool points they may have.
Sorry guys.
And in another small world moment, I ran in to one of the guys from my Company at Airborne School.
In case you are curious, out of all my various projects and day-to-day efforts, my lasting contribution to CJSOTF-AP will be:
Merino Wool T-shirts.
Yes, Terramar Merino Wool shirts available through Sierra Trading Post in close to desert sand color. I found them first. People keep asking me about them and buying them.
I started my first trend.
The other trend we discuss occasionally is the disfunctional awards system.
A lot of the guys can't help but compare their awards to what their parents and grandparents received in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
One guy commented that his father had five medals after his time with 82nd Airborne in WWII. The guy, with many rotations all over the world in the SF community, has many many medals but still isn't sure if his achievements compare to what his father had to do.
There is also the constant annoyance at the Bronze Star Medal. There are two Bronze Stars. There is the Bronze Star that functions as a Meritorious Service Medal in a War Zone and then there is the much less common but more well known Bronze Star with Valor for heroism in combat.
There are chow hall managers with multiple Bronze Stars that look real impressive on paper. And there are guys with multiple combat rotations that have never gotten more than an Commendation Medal.
They really need to scrap the Bronze Star as a staff medal and keep solely as a combat award. It confers a certain aura that is often undeserved, even if the person did to an excellent job. That was our conclusion.
I have issues with the Air Force processing SOF awards through conventional chains as well. It takes too long and ends up with clueless people making unfair determinations.
I've been fortunate to work in Joint positions in my rotations, but some of my guys are still waiting on their hard-earned awards from rotations a few years back.
I'd like to think this is a major news story back home.
In addition to this development, our movie/TV/music drive is back on-line. Morale is high.
The current great debate in the JOC is whether SEALs or Green Berets have been cooler in movies.
Air Force SOF really only have Tyrese in the Transformers movies. Technically some PJs (Pararescuement) were portrayed in Black Hawk Down, but you have to know the back story to know which guys weren't soldiers.
The Army can claim John Wayne.
The Army maintains that John Wayne can't be topped.
I'm inclined to agree.
The Navy has Charlie Sheen. And lots of great cheesy lines to quote from the Navy SEALs movie. They had Bruce Willis, but as movie SEAL we think he put his team at risk to get the girl more than to save a bunch of refugees.
I won't mention which motive has more appeal to Team guys at this point in the deployment...
Navy SEALs got their butts kicked in The Rock.
However, we are fairly certain Magnum P.I. was a former SEAL. If you don't get that refrence, you are either too young, were raised in a communist country (but should have been watching bootleg versions), or you are a bad person.
But, then the Army can counter with Rambo. OK, so sure he destroyed a small town in the Pacifc Northwest... but as John Rambo points out... they drew first blood.
And then Rambo singlehandedly re-fought and decisively won the Vietnam War, kicked the Soviets out of Afghanistan, and killed every bad guy in Burma. No movie SEAL has done that.
Unfortunately for the SEALs, while G.I. Jane did prove that a bald woman doing one-armed push-up can be incredibly attractive, the overall plot and portrayal of Naval Special Warfare doesn't earn any cool points.
It's not a sexist thing, just a cheesy plot thing.
So right now, Green Berets beat SEALs in the movie department.
The Air Force is in a distant third, and formal Marine participation in SOCOM is too new to have any movie representation.
There are probaly movies about Recon Marines, but that Daman Wayans movie where he plays a teacher erases any cool points they may have.
Sorry guys.
And in another small world moment, I ran in to one of the guys from my Company at Airborne School.
In case you are curious, out of all my various projects and day-to-day efforts, my lasting contribution to CJSOTF-AP will be:
Merino Wool T-shirts.
Yes, Terramar Merino Wool shirts available through Sierra Trading Post in close to desert sand color. I found them first. People keep asking me about them and buying them.
I started my first trend.
The other trend we discuss occasionally is the disfunctional awards system.
A lot of the guys can't help but compare their awards to what their parents and grandparents received in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
One guy commented that his father had five medals after his time with 82nd Airborne in WWII. The guy, with many rotations all over the world in the SF community, has many many medals but still isn't sure if his achievements compare to what his father had to do.
There is also the constant annoyance at the Bronze Star Medal. There are two Bronze Stars. There is the Bronze Star that functions as a Meritorious Service Medal in a War Zone and then there is the much less common but more well known Bronze Star with Valor for heroism in combat.
There are chow hall managers with multiple Bronze Stars that look real impressive on paper. And there are guys with multiple combat rotations that have never gotten more than an Commendation Medal.
They really need to scrap the Bronze Star as a staff medal and keep solely as a combat award. It confers a certain aura that is often undeserved, even if the person did to an excellent job. That was our conclusion.
I have issues with the Air Force processing SOF awards through conventional chains as well. It takes too long and ends up with clueless people making unfair determinations.
I've been fortunate to work in Joint positions in my rotations, but some of my guys are still waiting on their hard-earned awards from rotations a few years back.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Joint Operations Officer
We have lots of acronymns. It's its own language, really. In that spirit, I have a new knickname.
I am the Joint Operations Officer. The J.O.O.
I'll give you a minute with that.
It started with a Southpark episode where Cartman spells "Jew" wrong. And then it worked so nicely as an acronymn that it became a thing.
And true to stereotype, right now I'm working on finding discount equipment. It's for my team. My unit's budget is not what it should be and we often get caught in the middle while the National Guard Bureau and the Active Duty command we fall under when mobilized fight over who should pay for what.
So my latest idea is to equip some of us by calling the manufacturers and seeing if they will give us some samples to test and evaluate. They get some exposure with the opportunity for more sales in the future (plus they can advertise that their stuff is used by military special operators... it works for The Perfect Push-Up). We get some needed equipment to test before investing limited dollars on everyone.
My first test will be field uniforms. Out active duty peers have a specific field uniform that is designed in a pattern that is more effective than the issued uniforms and tailored specifically for current needs. What works for the larger conventional force doesn't always work for us and we have a little more flexibility to pick and choose.
It is the uniform that one of my guys will be expected to have on some upcoming events and I don't want him to have to borrow someone else's like I did during my train-up. He won't be able to borrow it downrange and he should have what he needs before he deploys.
Since I'm stuck at headquarters right now, it's less of an issue for me. My counterparts in other theaters have gotten to go out on missions so it could be an issue for next time.
I'm also looking into some hiking boots and field packs. Military boots have gotten better, much better, over the years. But for the most part they are way behind civillian hiking boots. For field use, my guys can use better and shouldn't have to pay out of pocket for it.
The last is a new pack design that some of the teams have issued. It was designed specifically around our radios and to fit over armor.
It probably won't work. But asking is free.
I now have to go change in to a dirty uniform. I got off shift, went to the gym for a quick run, and now back into a uniform for the first combatives class.
Should be fun.
I am the Joint Operations Officer. The J.O.O.
I'll give you a minute with that.
It started with a Southpark episode where Cartman spells "Jew" wrong. And then it worked so nicely as an acronymn that it became a thing.
And true to stereotype, right now I'm working on finding discount equipment. It's for my team. My unit's budget is not what it should be and we often get caught in the middle while the National Guard Bureau and the Active Duty command we fall under when mobilized fight over who should pay for what.
So my latest idea is to equip some of us by calling the manufacturers and seeing if they will give us some samples to test and evaluate. They get some exposure with the opportunity for more sales in the future (plus they can advertise that their stuff is used by military special operators... it works for The Perfect Push-Up). We get some needed equipment to test before investing limited dollars on everyone.
My first test will be field uniforms. Out active duty peers have a specific field uniform that is designed in a pattern that is more effective than the issued uniforms and tailored specifically for current needs. What works for the larger conventional force doesn't always work for us and we have a little more flexibility to pick and choose.
It is the uniform that one of my guys will be expected to have on some upcoming events and I don't want him to have to borrow someone else's like I did during my train-up. He won't be able to borrow it downrange and he should have what he needs before he deploys.
Since I'm stuck at headquarters right now, it's less of an issue for me. My counterparts in other theaters have gotten to go out on missions so it could be an issue for next time.
I'm also looking into some hiking boots and field packs. Military boots have gotten better, much better, over the years. But for the most part they are way behind civillian hiking boots. For field use, my guys can use better and shouldn't have to pay out of pocket for it.
The last is a new pack design that some of the teams have issued. It was designed specifically around our radios and to fit over armor.
It probably won't work. But asking is free.
I now have to go change in to a dirty uniform. I got off shift, went to the gym for a quick run, and now back into a uniform for the first combatives class.
Should be fun.
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