In The Beginning....

So many things to be able to blog about. I have stared creating a list. Decided that I should start in the beginning, and no the rest of the story does not go ....God created.... This in the beginning is about by arriving in Kuwait.

What happened was. There I was traveling to Kuwait everything was going great. Then we arrived and I begin to think about duffles that were locked and trunks that were locked so I reached to my side where my keys normally hang on my belt loop (which either makes me a geek or a rebel because I am violating some regulation for wearing them there).

Mean while back at the ranch. So I reach to ensure that my keys are in place and what do I feel NOTHING!!!!! Panic, flash backs to 6 years ago to when I left my 700.00 video camera on the bus in Kuwait and realizing it after I get on the plane back to Iraq after R&R. I HATE Kuwait (I know hate is a four letter word. When you hear the words I hear all day you would consider that mild). Lost a camera here now no keys arghh.

So thus as the picture above reveals I had to use the giant master key in order to get to my stuff. It seems just about the time you get all proud of yourself God has a way of humbling you. Nothing more humbling then being a Major and the Brigade Chaplain asking for bolt cutters because you are not responsible enough to maintain a set of keys to your own locks.

If you think this is great, tune in next time when you here me saying, "Nope don't have it we have to turn around!"

Life in the Army... or Navy... or Army

Sorry no pictures with this blog today. The place I went has some tight OPSEC or Operational Security rules.

This week as I continue through the transition with the unit we are replacing my counter part has set up with the battalion chaplains that I will be taking over as their brigade chaplain to take me on tours of their area of operations (AO). My first tour this week was with the 164th Transportation Battalion out of Massachusetts. CH Durkee not only has large trucks in her unit but she is also the chaplain for four boat companies. This simply means she is responsible for the chaplain coverage of four boats.

Now these are not small boats they are a decent size. The thing to understand is these are not Navy personnel that operate these boats. They are Army personnel. So for a short time I was a Squid (don't tell my Navy buddies they will never let me live it down). I am told that the Army has more boats then the Navy.

I have to admit it was kind of cool to be on the boats. They are used to transport various equipment around the theater. They have offered that if I want to bring some Soldiers over they will take us out in the gulf and we can do some fishing and BBQ. Hmmm maybe I should stay on shore. That may be considered a cruise and since it has been De'Dee's dream for 23 plus years may not be a good idea.

While there the thought went through my head of the recruit at the Army recruiting station who has just made a decision to join the Army and as he signs the contract suddenly realizing that the job the recruiter talked him into was going to have him not spend his life in the Army but he might as well be in the Navy. Kind of like the Air Force forward observer who helps call in the air support for the Army. He joins the Air Force to spend the rest of his career in the Army.

The conversation home to their family has to be funny. Spent my day on the boat. Boat I thought you were in the Army. I am. But it was a boat the Navy has boats are you sure you joined the Army. Well I think so. My uniforms say so Army, but now I am not sure. LOL

On their own boat they can have an Army / Navy game between them. Must cause many to have split personality.

None the less it was a good visit and the first time in 26 years of service that I was on a boat the was not owned by the Navy.

Doom, Despair, and Agony on me.

These are the pictures you don't always want people to see. The terrible living conditions and struggles the Soldier must endure.

When people see such horrible living conditions they run screaching in anger as they realize that not all Soldiers are still living in the mud and taking showers only once a week.

I have deployed to what is officially known as Arifjan and what we affectionately call Arifjail. This is my home for the next year. Well actually these pictures show my temporary residence since my permenant temporary home is still being occupied by the out going unit.

Now before you begin to think that there is going to be much improvement there won't. Showers are almost a football field away fortuantely the latrine (Bathroom, restroom, head, and for my Air Force buddies the powder room) is out my front door of my building. Which when I move will be that much further away.

Now that I have lost all pity let me see if I can gain some back. I the chow hall is at least a quarter mile down the road. Oh the pain and agony. Hmmm no tears or comforting sorrow. Did I say it was hot and to live in these conditions I have to endure going from the heat outside that is going to just get hotter and endure sub-freezing tempertures inside. It is such a hard price.

Picture 1: The outside of my area. We have taken a couple of blankets to make a curtain with 550 cord and gives us some privacy.

Picture 2: Looking down the building to my "room".

Picture 3: Entering my "room".

Picture 4: My space. Recently got the trunks out of the connex that was shipped over ahead and so have not put away my sleeping bag from when I first got here.