Payday... :) I only say that because this one was nice.. :) Since I arrived in country (they call it BOG - Boots on Ground) on 30 May.. I am entitled to the whole month of May tax free.. :) woohoo.. :) so, this was a nice chunk of change, altho - I will say - it came at a brilliant time because there is ALOT going on at home.
The kids are out of school this week and fly to MS on Thursday. The boys will be there for about 6 weeks and Katrina will be there for about 3. I have to fly her back early so that she doesn't miss too much cheer practice and get kicked off the team..
My parents are driving up to Oregan to close up their house and bring ALL of their belongings (officially move) to the house.. so - when Katrina flies back early.. she will be staying with one friend for about 2 weeks.. then another for another 2 weeks, while waiting on Grandma and Papa to get home.. ITs a busy month for everyone I suppose and the preparations are in full force right now.. :)
As far as today.. it was a slow day.. good for my fellow service members!
I did get a new barracks room today.. the down fall is that there is only 2 lockers - vice 3 - and there are 3 of us in there.. I made do.. I bought a plastic dresser from the little Exchange (trailer) we have here and will suffice. The good news is.. both my roommates leave in a few weeks.. I will get more.. but when they leave.. i will get to move to the single bed.. vice being on the top rack of the bunk bed!
I am still in awe about the senior leadership here. I work just a few doors down from the Col that runs USFOR-A and a few doors down from that the Generals.. Its crazy.. I don't think I have seen so many stars this close up before.. :) I have to laugh.. because I used to just hear names on TV.. now I see them in person and its crazy.. lol
Beyond that, just got off the phone with my mom tonight. We always chit chat for about 40 minutes each night after I get off the phone. Its very nice and makes me feel closer to home, thats for sure! I am very grateful at how advanced we are technologically - which makes this possible!
I am still a bit preturbed at the sense of entitlement some of these people here have.. and Im not talking about the O6 and above.. Im talking just some of the O4s and O5s.. and to be honest.. most of those with that mentality.. are reservists, that were activated.. that have simply just been reserve long enough to put on O4/O5..
We all have to earn our keep... nothing is entitled to us.. we are in a war zone. Everyone is 3 to a room.. no matter who you are.. (okay.. maybe the generals get their own living quarters.. but they've earned it.. I think they've been in longer than I have been alive!! LOL)
I look out beyond the wires today (outside the compound) and can see the mountains and houses up on the hill in Kabul. I am not sure if that is a cool site.. or scary.. I tend to find myself looking to any sign of snipers... lol I shouldn't laugh.. because anything is possible!
Everynight at about 2000 they play their music (in Kabul..the Afghans) extremely loud so that our compound can hear it clearly.. I am sure they do this on purpose - and whats worse.. they do it all throughout the night too.. lol you can wake up at 2 am and hear Afghani music over some stupid loud speaker in their city.. and our compound is just overtaken by it.. I mean.. its not blaring.. but.. its there.. in the back ground.. no matter where you are on this base.. you will hear it.. and they know it..
I have met some really cool people here.. and some not so much..
I do miss my BBF (Battle Buddy Forever - Michelle!! :)).. she is over in IRAQ now.. but doing a pretty awesome job and I think having fun with it..
I have yet to see Donovan.. hopefully soon (HINT HINT) since he is just a little bit up the road at a different compound..
I have taken some pics today and will upload them when I can..
Gonna go see if my new roomies are in and make sure everything is kosher!
More tomorrow..
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Monday, 14 June 2010
Today was yet another busy day for me. I was in the office by 0700 for shift turnover and started learning how to process the reports. This will help my team greatly, by being able to contribute. I have 2 E7's and 2 E6's and 1 E5s working for me. They are all Air Force. I like them, so far! LOL.. It looks like I have a pretty good team.
I learned how to do the process and started helping this morning. It is nice, and I feel like I am contributing. Now, I am the OIC - but we are so undermanned that I can't NOT help. The funny part is, the LTC from Kuwait emailed me today telling me that as the OIC I should not be processing.. But see, he is at an advantage - as the OIC there.. he has a staff of atleast 18 people, working 8 hour shifts in 3 sections.. with atleast 1 person from each shift off every night. I do not have that luxury. I explained to him that I only have 5 people working for me in my cell.. and they need my help.. Besides, How can I be a good manager if I don't know how the process works. I should know how to do everything they are doing, so that when I QA - I know what the hell I am doing!
Anyhow, I was on the list tonight for permanent berthing ... I went and picked up my key and moved 2 of my seabags to my room. EACH room will house 3 people.. they used to only house 2 - so there are alot of people NOT happy about having a 3rd person move in.. lucky me. I am living in a ROB - so its not the hard bldg stand up barracks.. its the ones that look like containers.. its nice enough.. it will work.. but i get back from work tonight with a note on the top bunk telling me that my bed is broken and I can't sleep on it (apparently its missing 4 bolts) - and of course, the billeting office is closed.. apparently they went to billeting to tell them, so the guy moved me to a different ROB (4 doors down) but failed to contact me before they closed so that I could get a key and move in.. errggh..
I just want to get settled. I just want to unpack my seabag with the things I need and use and start my routine. I can't workout becuase I have 1 set of PT gear right now.. the others are in the bottom of a seabag that is stored in my bosses ROB while I was in temp berthing..
Anyhow - I am just tired of the Temporary tent and am ready to get settled. I want to be able to go "home" at the end of the day.. and home being a container that I have unpacked and a locker that has my stuff in it.. rather than living out of this damn sea bag for the last month!
Not much else going on tonight. Its an early night, I may just go watch a movie (back in the temp tent) before I go to bed.. I have plenty of work to do.. but.. its not going anywhere.. so it will keep me busy during the days.
I start my night shift on Friday, woohoo.. Time to get in a routine.
I hate feeling unsettled.
More tomorrow...
I learned how to do the process and started helping this morning. It is nice, and I feel like I am contributing. Now, I am the OIC - but we are so undermanned that I can't NOT help. The funny part is, the LTC from Kuwait emailed me today telling me that as the OIC I should not be processing.. But see, he is at an advantage - as the OIC there.. he has a staff of atleast 18 people, working 8 hour shifts in 3 sections.. with atleast 1 person from each shift off every night. I do not have that luxury. I explained to him that I only have 5 people working for me in my cell.. and they need my help.. Besides, How can I be a good manager if I don't know how the process works. I should know how to do everything they are doing, so that when I QA - I know what the hell I am doing!
Anyhow, I was on the list tonight for permanent berthing ... I went and picked up my key and moved 2 of my seabags to my room. EACH room will house 3 people.. they used to only house 2 - so there are alot of people NOT happy about having a 3rd person move in.. lucky me. I am living in a ROB - so its not the hard bldg stand up barracks.. its the ones that look like containers.. its nice enough.. it will work.. but i get back from work tonight with a note on the top bunk telling me that my bed is broken and I can't sleep on it (apparently its missing 4 bolts) - and of course, the billeting office is closed.. apparently they went to billeting to tell them, so the guy moved me to a different ROB (4 doors down) but failed to contact me before they closed so that I could get a key and move in.. errggh..
I just want to get settled. I just want to unpack my seabag with the things I need and use and start my routine. I can't workout becuase I have 1 set of PT gear right now.. the others are in the bottom of a seabag that is stored in my bosses ROB while I was in temp berthing..
Anyhow - I am just tired of the Temporary tent and am ready to get settled. I want to be able to go "home" at the end of the day.. and home being a container that I have unpacked and a locker that has my stuff in it.. rather than living out of this damn sea bag for the last month!
Not much else going on tonight. Its an early night, I may just go watch a movie (back in the temp tent) before I go to bed.. I have plenty of work to do.. but.. its not going anywhere.. so it will keep me busy during the days.
I start my night shift on Friday, woohoo.. Time to get in a routine.
I hate feeling unsettled.
More tomorrow...
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sunday, 13 June 2010
My day started at 0500 so that I could be in the office by 6am today. We had some work done on the base last night which required the power to be out.. if the power was not back on or our network not up - I would have had to walk over to ISAF again (outside the wires) to set up shop for the day there.. BUT FORTUNATELY, everything was in good working order and I jumped right in. Implemented some new check sheets to ensure we are on the same page as Kuwait (where we send our data) and jumped into verifying records.. I stayed busy all day. It was nice.
I have now met all but 1 of the guys that work for me. Tomorrow night at our turnover we will have a pow wow and I will set down some of my expectations.
I actually enjoy the job here so far. We definitely stay busy - we are undermanned, in my opinion of junior enlisted personnel. I have never been to a command or a base - let alone a Code itself that is soo top heavy. Its a good thing this base is cover optional - altho the only saluting going on is to the generals and above - you will still stay busy saluting.. It is rediculous. The thing about my code is that we have plenty of officers - with made up/created jobs and not enough enlisted to get our job done. Kuwait CAC has almost 4 times the crew I have.. so I will definitely stay busy and in the weeds in this job. I don't mind staying busy, but it would be nice to have a little more help than what we have now.
Anyhow, I will tell you - I (except for RIMPAC.. ) have never seen soo many foreign military working together.. and I mean TOGETHER in an office.. Italian, Australian, British, Turkey, I could go on and on, but it's pretty neat to see all the joint forces working together (and it was pretty cool listening to that Italian army guy talk on the phone in Italian yesterday, too...) I have to admit, thats kinda hot.. lol
Anyways, I will start my nights this week which is good.. becuase that means I will get this Friday off. :)
Today was the Bazaar.. found lots of cool things.. things I will eventually buy.. gift ideas, etc.. but will have to manage my time.. the Bazaar is here every Sunday and I have atleast 49 more to attend before leaving here.. :)
I did make a promise to a guy today that I would be back next week to buy something he had.. (a gift..) but today was just a day for me to look and see what was out there and how much you can talk the prices down.. some of these guys are crazy here.. and yet some.. really good prices.. movies.. $2.00 a peice. DVD Series Sets.. and I mean like seasons 1-5 or all seasons.. anywhere from $20-30 MAX.. I can see it already.. I will have boxes of movies to send home before I leave here.. :)
Thats about it for the happenings today.
Oh.. I pisst a marine MAJ off today that works in with my boss.. see.. here's the deal
My boss wants me to go to Camp Julien - its an overnight trip - for some training. I wouldn't mind the training (altho I think I got it in Camp Virgnia) - can't really talk about that part.. BUT - here's the problem.. I read about the Convoy that was attacked a couple weeks ago on their way to Camp Julien. 2 Vehicles blown away.. several casualties.. (and by casualties.. I don't just mean injured.. ) I read the reports today... (after being told yesterday about this course).. I happened upon some reports today (I had no idea..) and after reading them I told my boss there is no way I am going that far and OMG.. no.. I don't want to be in one of my own reports.. Besides, I honestly think I had the training already.. Anyhow, the Marine MAJ was mad when I said I was scared and dont want to die.. lol It literally pissed him off.. he said I should give up my hazardous duty pay.. okay. .seriously dude.. its $100 fucking dollars extra a month.. really? We should be getting paid a whole lot more than that for where we work! Come on.. its okay to be scared! Obviously, if I got ordered to go, I would; but - if I had my choice, I would rather not! This guy was like - "Just up your insurance" - my boss defended me "She has kids to think about" his reply: "You have kids? How many" I said: "Three" He said: "I have 5. I just upped my insurance" - OKAY mister Macho Marine guy.. you be tough.. I will continue to be fearful of my life.. becuase your complacency.. will get you killed.. my fears - will keep me alert and alive!
errghh..
Then i felt bad becuase I didn't want this guy pisst at me.. (altho I am allowed to feel how I feel) its not good to piss off the other officers on your 2nd day at work..LOL
Owell.. just got off a 14 hours shift.. gonna go chill for the night and maybe watch one of the movies I bought today. :)
More tomorrow..
I have now met all but 1 of the guys that work for me. Tomorrow night at our turnover we will have a pow wow and I will set down some of my expectations.
I actually enjoy the job here so far. We definitely stay busy - we are undermanned, in my opinion of junior enlisted personnel. I have never been to a command or a base - let alone a Code itself that is soo top heavy. Its a good thing this base is cover optional - altho the only saluting going on is to the generals and above - you will still stay busy saluting.. It is rediculous. The thing about my code is that we have plenty of officers - with made up/created jobs and not enough enlisted to get our job done. Kuwait CAC has almost 4 times the crew I have.. so I will definitely stay busy and in the weeds in this job. I don't mind staying busy, but it would be nice to have a little more help than what we have now.
Anyhow, I will tell you - I (except for RIMPAC.. ) have never seen soo many foreign military working together.. and I mean TOGETHER in an office.. Italian, Australian, British, Turkey, I could go on and on, but it's pretty neat to see all the joint forces working together (and it was pretty cool listening to that Italian army guy talk on the phone in Italian yesterday, too...) I have to admit, thats kinda hot.. lol
Anyways, I will start my nights this week which is good.. becuase that means I will get this Friday off. :)
Today was the Bazaar.. found lots of cool things.. things I will eventually buy.. gift ideas, etc.. but will have to manage my time.. the Bazaar is here every Sunday and I have atleast 49 more to attend before leaving here.. :)
I did make a promise to a guy today that I would be back next week to buy something he had.. (a gift..) but today was just a day for me to look and see what was out there and how much you can talk the prices down.. some of these guys are crazy here.. and yet some.. really good prices.. movies.. $2.00 a peice. DVD Series Sets.. and I mean like seasons 1-5 or all seasons.. anywhere from $20-30 MAX.. I can see it already.. I will have boxes of movies to send home before I leave here.. :)
Thats about it for the happenings today.
Oh.. I pisst a marine MAJ off today that works in with my boss.. see.. here's the deal
My boss wants me to go to Camp Julien - its an overnight trip - for some training. I wouldn't mind the training (altho I think I got it in Camp Virgnia) - can't really talk about that part.. BUT - here's the problem.. I read about the Convoy that was attacked a couple weeks ago on their way to Camp Julien. 2 Vehicles blown away.. several casualties.. (and by casualties.. I don't just mean injured.. ) I read the reports today... (after being told yesterday about this course).. I happened upon some reports today (I had no idea..) and after reading them I told my boss there is no way I am going that far and OMG.. no.. I don't want to be in one of my own reports.. Besides, I honestly think I had the training already.. Anyhow, the Marine MAJ was mad when I said I was scared and dont want to die.. lol It literally pissed him off.. he said I should give up my hazardous duty pay.. okay. .seriously dude.. its $100 fucking dollars extra a month.. really? We should be getting paid a whole lot more than that for where we work! Come on.. its okay to be scared! Obviously, if I got ordered to go, I would; but - if I had my choice, I would rather not! This guy was like - "Just up your insurance" - my boss defended me "She has kids to think about" his reply: "You have kids? How many" I said: "Three" He said: "I have 5. I just upped my insurance" - OKAY mister Macho Marine guy.. you be tough.. I will continue to be fearful of my life.. becuase your complacency.. will get you killed.. my fears - will keep me alert and alive!
errghh..
Then i felt bad becuase I didn't want this guy pisst at me.. (altho I am allowed to feel how I feel) its not good to piss off the other officers on your 2nd day at work..LOL
Owell.. just got off a 14 hours shift.. gonna go chill for the night and maybe watch one of the movies I bought today. :)
More tomorrow..
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Saturday, 12 June 2010
Well one full day down... and its just the beginning.. :) I have officially checked in and received my email address.. tanya.r.zinn@afghan.swa.army.mil for those interested.
I have a few things about today. I was kinda rushed and think I left out a few things... about yesterday, so as I remember them, I will include them in my blogs..
As far as today goes.. I had to go outside the wires today... walking... Mind you, we are SMACK in the middle of Kabul.. We are in the heart of the city. So my boss and I put on our battle rattle and had to go across the way (only a few blocks, crossing the busiest intersection in Kabul, to get my Badge..) Yes.. I know.. sounds crazy, but let me tell you, it was even crazier to do it. According to my boss - he has to go over about once a week..
Anyhow, okay, so we gear up, and start heading to our gate.. I actually load my 9 MM and ensure there is a bullet in the chamber.. yes.. locked, cocked, and ready to be rocked (only the safety on).. and then we walk out of our compound. Our security holds traffic for us on our side (yes.. only 2 of us.. but they hold traffic..) I'm sure that pisses off the afghans whom, already most of them hate us, I'm sure.. And we begin our couple block journey to safety.. lol
He walks ahead, leading the way.. and I am behind him.. hand on my weapon, ready to pull.. and as we walk the sidewalk.. I end up with one afghan guy on my port bow.. lol yea I said it.. port bow... about 30 degrees to my left side about and seriously within touching distance.. (30 degrees to port basically... and then one behind him.. about 20 meters and off my 210 (for those of you familiar with ship terminology - you can visualize.. ) just behind me in my perifial vision.. yeah.. here I am, literally surrounded by 2 Afghans.. and who knows.. they could be the two that hate us most and see a small American.. thinking they can take her.. lol... YES a million different thoughts ran thru my mind.. from my self defense methods I learned in Camp Virginia, to hey.. I have a loaded 9M.. with my hand on it.. It was definitely scary. Now - in defense of my boss.. he could see me and the front guy in his perifial vision.. but he had to watch the front.. as well.. so - we were both taking up the 360 trying to maintain our safety.. Now - no, its not like there are Afghani's running around with machine guns 24/7 trying to kill every american military they see... but in some places.. they would!
We are fortunate that we are in the heart of the city with several compounds around us.. we would demolish anyone for trying to attack us going from compound to compound..
It also helps that we have the American Embassy just down the road too.. YES - today, I was on US Soil.. :) I walked around the Embassy to see what it looked like.. pretty interesting.. not to mention, they have a pool.. mmhmmm.. they have solid building barracks that look 100 times better than ours.. for that matter.
Anyhow, We got my badge and toured around the compounds, in all the shops, before gearing back up to head back to NKC.. the way back.. was kinda sucky.. as we were walking down the side walk.. i got caught on the razor blade barbed wire (just caught on my uniform momentarily) BUT.. you don't want to be caught for anymore time than necessary to expeditiously walk back inside the safety of the compound! You don't stop for anything!! so.. that was a freaky few seconds.. unhooking myself.. but.. that few seconds.. felt like minutes.. LOL.. maybe overreacting.. but, you never know who is out there, watching and waiting to pounce!
BUT alas, we made it back safely.. mission accomplished..
I could really never go back outside the compound and be okay with that.. :)
That was about the most exciting thing that happened today.. Oh besides talking to Don.. He is at a camp not far from me.. so I may actually get to visit with him during his tour (since his is shorter than mine). <------ TOUR TIME, DON... TOUR TIME.. :) LMAO
I did look at the schedule today, looks like I will work days all next week 0700-1900 and then start nights the following week 2200-1000 - with Fridays off. :)
Thats it. Thats what my year will be like. The good part is that I will be on the same cycle/schedule as the kids..
Now, I am sitting at the USO - on my laptop - enjoying the down time, and trying to get photos uploaded. :)
Will write more later as I get a chance! Thank you to all who follow me in my journey.. it definitely helps! More later..
Friday, June 11, 2010
Friday 11 Jun 2010
So I made it! I am finally in Kabul, with quite the story to tell...
So continuing on from the last time, I stayed the night at the Air Base, expecting to be on the next flight to Bagram at 1230, so it was definitely a ground hog day - but atleast I was plenty rested and felt a little better!
I started my morning by lugging all 4 of my seabags back to the tent 1 - in preps for the flight that afternoon... So after waiting and waiting, its about 1130 - the time for roll call for the flight.. and they announce that our flight is being rerouted and the next flight would not be until 1930 - but it was for R&R passengers and they had priority.. so, OMG.. I am pisst.. lol and hot and tired.. again.. this heat wears you out! So I finally hook up with the NAVY LNO where I find out I am actually with a group of about 6 other Navy personnel (only 36 hours after I arrive...mmhmm.. shitty communication on their part!) so - they tell us they can try to get us on the next flight, but plan on us staying until the next day becuase it doesn't look likely..
SO - I, instead of moving all 4 seabags, grab one small bag of overnight necessities and take my self back to my little tent.. to take a nap. I finally fall sleep (resigned to the idea of going thru this ALL OVER AGAIN - to be woke up by one of the guys in my group telling me we were on.. we got on the flight! SO -I round up my stuff, head out to the mustering location and sure enough, we are mustered and getting ready to finally leave!
WOOHOO! I just wanted out of the heat.
So - we get loaded on the busses, and head to the run way.. where we hear - they aren't ready for us - errghh.. so I think the same thing is going to happen that happened yesterday.. BUT it didn't. They just needed another 20 minutes or so, so we hung out there on the busses waiting to load!
We loaded into a C130 - the center of the plan was our seats. 4 rows.. 2 facing eachother... and seriously, the space between them... your knees were in someone else's crotch.. yes.. no kidding.. that is how close we were. PLus we had our carry ons that had to be on our laps, becuase there is not luggage area and we were definitely squished in.. BUT - we were headed to Bagram! Finally.. so we dealt with it!
The plane ride was 6 hours long.. we arrived in Bagram about 2 am I think.. something like that.. and was immediately wisked off (the 7 navy) to the inprocessing center.. where (at 230 in the morning we listened to a PPT brief, filled out some paperwork and were told that we would be leaving in a few hours.. we had to option to go to temporary berthing.. but, we just decided to hang out at the USO.
within a few hours we were mustered and told that we would be taken by CONVOY.. not by plane as originally planned (for whatever reason) to Camp Eggers... Are you kidding me?This was not what I was expecting nor desiring to be honest.. I had a fear in me that you would not understand. AND the worst part - I couldn't call my mom and tell her "Hey, plans changed, we are leaving by convoy soon.." becuase I didn't want her to worry... I was worried enough for us all.
So - Go time.. we load up in MRAPS (I have several pics I will upload later) and start our journey. Every bump, every ditch, scared the hell out of me.. I could not believe I was in Bagram Afghanistan, taking a Convoy to my base.. I was praying the whole time, as well as taking pictures..
I have lots of pics to upload, rather than just describe, but I will tell you - some areas were just tents, some looked like mud shacks and others were bldgs that looked run down. It was very reminiscent of Panama living conditions.. Those of you that went on deployment with me, will know what I mean, especially once you see the pics.
So we arrived - and my boss picked me up.. we stopped and picked up my ammo, and then headed to my area, where I saw my office, and my temporary berthing tent.. ONE tent, 20 bunkbed racks, no lockers and space hoggers.. yes.. space hoggers.. 2 of my seabags my boss took to his room to hold.. there would be no way to fit all 4 of mine in there..
I took a much needed shower, called my parents and then went to bed. I was out by about 8pm and woke up about 5 am this morning.
BTW - all my battle buddies are here! :) It was sooo nice to see familiar faces at dinner last night (Steak and Lobster..btw) - I feel much better now that I am with people I know!
Gotta go get checked in and start the process.. looks like I will be working the 2200 to 1000 shift. Will write more later when I can and upload pics..
So continuing on from the last time, I stayed the night at the Air Base, expecting to be on the next flight to Bagram at 1230, so it was definitely a ground hog day - but atleast I was plenty rested and felt a little better!
I started my morning by lugging all 4 of my seabags back to the tent 1 - in preps for the flight that afternoon... So after waiting and waiting, its about 1130 - the time for roll call for the flight.. and they announce that our flight is being rerouted and the next flight would not be until 1930 - but it was for R&R passengers and they had priority.. so, OMG.. I am pisst.. lol and hot and tired.. again.. this heat wears you out! So I finally hook up with the NAVY LNO where I find out I am actually with a group of about 6 other Navy personnel (only 36 hours after I arrive...mmhmm.. shitty communication on their part!) so - they tell us they can try to get us on the next flight, but plan on us staying until the next day becuase it doesn't look likely..
SO - I, instead of moving all 4 seabags, grab one small bag of overnight necessities and take my self back to my little tent.. to take a nap. I finally fall sleep (resigned to the idea of going thru this ALL OVER AGAIN - to be woke up by one of the guys in my group telling me we were on.. we got on the flight! SO -I round up my stuff, head out to the mustering location and sure enough, we are mustered and getting ready to finally leave!
WOOHOO! I just wanted out of the heat.
So - we get loaded on the busses, and head to the run way.. where we hear - they aren't ready for us - errghh.. so I think the same thing is going to happen that happened yesterday.. BUT it didn't. They just needed another 20 minutes or so, so we hung out there on the busses waiting to load!
We loaded into a C130 - the center of the plan was our seats. 4 rows.. 2 facing eachother... and seriously, the space between them... your knees were in someone else's crotch.. yes.. no kidding.. that is how close we were. PLus we had our carry ons that had to be on our laps, becuase there is not luggage area and we were definitely squished in.. BUT - we were headed to Bagram! Finally.. so we dealt with it!
The plane ride was 6 hours long.. we arrived in Bagram about 2 am I think.. something like that.. and was immediately wisked off (the 7 navy) to the inprocessing center.. where (at 230 in the morning we listened to a PPT brief, filled out some paperwork and were told that we would be leaving in a few hours.. we had to option to go to temporary berthing.. but, we just decided to hang out at the USO.
within a few hours we were mustered and told that we would be taken by CONVOY.. not by plane as originally planned (for whatever reason) to Camp Eggers... Are you kidding me?This was not what I was expecting nor desiring to be honest.. I had a fear in me that you would not understand. AND the worst part - I couldn't call my mom and tell her "Hey, plans changed, we are leaving by convoy soon.." becuase I didn't want her to worry... I was worried enough for us all.
So - Go time.. we load up in MRAPS (I have several pics I will upload later) and start our journey. Every bump, every ditch, scared the hell out of me.. I could not believe I was in Bagram Afghanistan, taking a Convoy to my base.. I was praying the whole time, as well as taking pictures..
I have lots of pics to upload, rather than just describe, but I will tell you - some areas were just tents, some looked like mud shacks and others were bldgs that looked run down. It was very reminiscent of Panama living conditions.. Those of you that went on deployment with me, will know what I mean, especially once you see the pics.
So we arrived - and my boss picked me up.. we stopped and picked up my ammo, and then headed to my area, where I saw my office, and my temporary berthing tent.. ONE tent, 20 bunkbed racks, no lockers and space hoggers.. yes.. space hoggers.. 2 of my seabags my boss took to his room to hold.. there would be no way to fit all 4 of mine in there..
I took a much needed shower, called my parents and then went to bed. I was out by about 8pm and woke up about 5 am this morning.
BTW - all my battle buddies are here! :) It was sooo nice to see familiar faces at dinner last night (Steak and Lobster..btw) - I feel much better now that I am with people I know!
Gotta go get checked in and start the process.. looks like I will be working the 2200 to 1000 shift. Will write more later when I can and upload pics..
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Wednesday, 9 Jun 2010
Travel day...
It started the night before, where, because my body is not quite used to changing sleep schedules, I did NOT sleep Tuesday night. So, I stayed up watching movies until it was time to get up and moving. I headed to the bus for the airport early in the morning - knowing only what time I needed to muster (who, what, where, etc.. UNKNOWN) - yeah...
So - we get dropped off at the airport.. and I mean dropped off. Thats it. I am on my own (I say we, because there were a few other people heading to the airport, as well). SO - we get there and I take all (4) of my seabags off the bus and set them aside. We are told to check in at blah blah and so I did, where they scanned my ID and that was that. From that point on - there was NO guidance for me.. NONE. I had no idea where to check in, who to talk to, and everyone seemed to give me different stories of what I needed. Yeah - the LNO Afghan desk.. NO HELP! Thank you very much!
So I finally find the right place, move all my bags, and am where I need to be atleast for the next few hours..
When the ROLL call comes for my flight, my name is NOT called.. so I (at this point, tired, hot and hungry) get upset and go to the counter where they tell me I am in a different category - but on the flight.. go to the next counter... so I go to the other counter and sure enough.. I am booked.. (WAS ANYONE GOING TO LET ME KNOW THIS???) okay.. so - I find out I'm on.. now.. just a couple more hours and we muster again.. The next time we muster its time to take out bags over to be palletized. At this point I met COL Bruzese, who, with the help of Master Sergeant - helps me with my bags and informs me she is also at NKC..So, she fills me in on NKC and instantly takes me under her wings.. She was also on this flight. SO - bags are palletized, we are bussed over, where we find out there is mech probs and there will be a 2 hr delay!! OMG.. so we get bussed back to tents.. to wait.. I sleep.. yes.. finally.. a couple hours of rest..
1830 rolls around and we are briefed that our flight is canx. OMG.. the fiasco starts.
First off, there is no food over here.. (well.. okay.. vienna sausages.. pizza with no flavor (which you have to pay $11.00 for) BUT plenty of warm water and gatorade!!
So - flight canx.. now what.. I am told to go to this counter, nope wrong counter, go back to other counter, nope.. back to LSO counter.. OMG.. can someone please give me a straight fucking answer? I need to know what to do, where can I eat.. where do I sleep.. SOMETHING people!! FUCK!
At this point, I am soo tired, hot and frustrated, I called my mom and the minute I heard her voice, I just broke down crying. Crying out of frustration, you name it. I could NOT get ahold of any of the 3 POCs I had to rebook my flight to Thurs.. no one was giving me answers.. no one was helping.. PLUS we had to now DEpalletize our bags and drag them somewhere else.. AGAIN! I am in a foreign country, and in unfamiliar circumstances. I have never felt more ALONE than I did on this day.. I think I have said I felt alone, but yesterday, completely on my own in a foreign place, and not knowing where I was going to sleep or when I would actually get out of here.. it hit me. I broke down like a baby with my mom for about 20 minutes.. I just cried.. cried so much I couldn't talk.. it was rediculous.. but much needed.. before I WENT OFF on the multiple people I got NO help from yesterday. INCLUDING soldiers walking right by me, seeing me try to carry 2 seabags at a time - weighing as much as me.. and taller than me.. without offering to help. (Fortunately at one point there was 1 guy that helped me carry 1 of my seabags across to another tent earlier in the day..) - NOT that I am saying they are douche bags for not offering.. I know.. equality and such.. but.. chivalry, ehh? what happened to it..
Anyhow, ERRGH.. COL to the rescue. Her and MSGT helped again, then she took me to the billeting tent to get overnight billeting.. and then we all 3 went to the DFAC to eat.. then planned to meet at 0800 Thurs for the morning brief.
So - FINALLY.. I get a little rest. I was woke about every 2 hours, but it was sleep none the less and a SHOWER! Yes, MSGT helped carry my bags to my tent.. THANK GOD for the two of them!! OMGosh!! THANK GOD for them!
AS far as Thursdays travel.. well, its all yet to be determined.. I have gotten a hold of everyone and hopefully had everything changed.. so.. we will see.. will blog about it later!
It started the night before, where, because my body is not quite used to changing sleep schedules, I did NOT sleep Tuesday night. So, I stayed up watching movies until it was time to get up and moving. I headed to the bus for the airport early in the morning - knowing only what time I needed to muster (who, what, where, etc.. UNKNOWN) - yeah...
So - we get dropped off at the airport.. and I mean dropped off. Thats it. I am on my own (I say we, because there were a few other people heading to the airport, as well). SO - we get there and I take all (4) of my seabags off the bus and set them aside. We are told to check in at blah blah and so I did, where they scanned my ID and that was that. From that point on - there was NO guidance for me.. NONE. I had no idea where to check in, who to talk to, and everyone seemed to give me different stories of what I needed. Yeah - the LNO Afghan desk.. NO HELP! Thank you very much!
So I finally find the right place, move all my bags, and am where I need to be atleast for the next few hours..
When the ROLL call comes for my flight, my name is NOT called.. so I (at this point, tired, hot and hungry) get upset and go to the counter where they tell me I am in a different category - but on the flight.. go to the next counter... so I go to the other counter and sure enough.. I am booked.. (WAS ANYONE GOING TO LET ME KNOW THIS???) okay.. so - I find out I'm on.. now.. just a couple more hours and we muster again.. The next time we muster its time to take out bags over to be palletized. At this point I met COL Bruzese, who, with the help of Master Sergeant - helps me with my bags and informs me she is also at NKC..So, she fills me in on NKC and instantly takes me under her wings.. She was also on this flight. SO - bags are palletized, we are bussed over, where we find out there is mech probs and there will be a 2 hr delay!! OMG.. so we get bussed back to tents.. to wait.. I sleep.. yes.. finally.. a couple hours of rest..
1830 rolls around and we are briefed that our flight is canx. OMG.. the fiasco starts.
First off, there is no food over here.. (well.. okay.. vienna sausages.. pizza with no flavor (which you have to pay $11.00 for) BUT plenty of warm water and gatorade!!
So - flight canx.. now what.. I am told to go to this counter, nope wrong counter, go back to other counter, nope.. back to LSO counter.. OMG.. can someone please give me a straight fucking answer? I need to know what to do, where can I eat.. where do I sleep.. SOMETHING people!! FUCK!
At this point, I am soo tired, hot and frustrated, I called my mom and the minute I heard her voice, I just broke down crying. Crying out of frustration, you name it. I could NOT get ahold of any of the 3 POCs I had to rebook my flight to Thurs.. no one was giving me answers.. no one was helping.. PLUS we had to now DEpalletize our bags and drag them somewhere else.. AGAIN! I am in a foreign country, and in unfamiliar circumstances. I have never felt more ALONE than I did on this day.. I think I have said I felt alone, but yesterday, completely on my own in a foreign place, and not knowing where I was going to sleep or when I would actually get out of here.. it hit me. I broke down like a baby with my mom for about 20 minutes.. I just cried.. cried so much I couldn't talk.. it was rediculous.. but much needed.. before I WENT OFF on the multiple people I got NO help from yesterday. INCLUDING soldiers walking right by me, seeing me try to carry 2 seabags at a time - weighing as much as me.. and taller than me.. without offering to help. (Fortunately at one point there was 1 guy that helped me carry 1 of my seabags across to another tent earlier in the day..) - NOT that I am saying they are douche bags for not offering.. I know.. equality and such.. but.. chivalry, ehh? what happened to it..
Anyhow, ERRGH.. COL to the rescue. Her and MSGT helped again, then she took me to the billeting tent to get overnight billeting.. and then we all 3 went to the DFAC to eat.. then planned to meet at 0800 Thurs for the morning brief.
So - FINALLY.. I get a little rest. I was woke about every 2 hours, but it was sleep none the less and a SHOWER! Yes, MSGT helped carry my bags to my tent.. THANK GOD for the two of them!! OMGosh!! THANK GOD for them!
AS far as Thursdays travel.. well, its all yet to be determined.. I have gotten a hold of everyone and hopefully had everything changed.. so.. we will see.. will blog about it later!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Monday, 7 June 2010
Work, was work. Another 8 hour shift.. somewhat slow night.. slow just means less than 10.. give or take.. it definitely gives me the "look" into what kind of casualties we are seeing out here in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait. Very sombering. Very sobering.
Can't talk too much about it, but needless to say, the news does NOT report everything. Only what they want people to see or believe.. its quite sad to be honest. The only thing on the news is what ever could be considered con traversal. Its really sad for those that are losing their lives over here, and all you get to see... is things that make us look bad.. what they are NOT showing is the constant stream of IEDs, snipers, and ambushes our guys are facing, on even the most simplest of tasks. We take for granted driving down a highway in the states, being defensive drivers to those we think are not paying attention. Over here.. driving down a street is a nerve racking experience. Anything.. ANYTHING can be an IED..anyone can be guilty.. someone paying TOO much attention, and you never know.. and you can never be sure..and if you find an IED, of those that are found, there are those that are not... most of them are traps. If you found an IED, before it detonates, its usually because they want you to feel as if you found it.. and you may let your guard down for 1 sec.. 1 mm of a second.. and thats all it takes.. the real IED.. the real one, not meant to be discovered, is waiting for you to turn around, or take one more step, or one more rotation of the tires on your HMMV thinking you found it... Thats all it takes. I am telling you, even here in the so called green zone.. my drive here was definitely nerve racking and as I get closer to getting to Afghanistan, it scares the hell out of me. Some of the guys here were TAD to Khandahar when a Rocket hit. They were less than 100 meters from the incident.. I can NOT even imagine..Its a scary fucking place.. period.
and it really pisses me off that the news doesn't show you what really takes place here. I have seen some news that makes us look like gorillas.. (not always.. I know) people here... are just tryin to stay alive. Just trying to help those that are in need, those that are injured, or stuck, or ambushed.. and they are put in impossible situations. I'm sorry.. but if it were anyone of them, and it came down to it.. and their life was on the line.. if they had to choose to shoot the shooter or be shot... they would shoot the shooter.. if they say they wouldn't.. they are lying or simply stupid (my opinion).. I have to tell you.. I want to go home. I will do what it take to go home alive.. not in a box. They don't train us to be killers, they train us to stay alive.
Even still, no amount of training will prepare you for watching someone die in the vehicle in front of you. I feel for each and everyone of our guys that have had to face that, each and everyone of those family members that have lost their loved one over here. Simple missions, turn into blood baths. It a sad reality and its happening.
This is our reality.
I was lost in the haze and thought, well, I work in a building. Not on the front lines. Not in convoys.. not outside the wires. Maybe I am safer where I am at.. but.. tell that to the others, in other locations that are being rocketed, or bombed, mortared, ambushed, and they aren't outside the wires. I won't say much more than that.. I have done some google searches - with no results, so until then I will reserve what I am really pisst about.
Yesterday was a baking 124 degrees. Today was probably the same.. but included a sand storm all day. It felt as if you were walking into a blow dryer blowing fine sand in every crevice of your face... with no "cool air" button to push. It was hot. It is 5 am and has cooled down considerably.. (probably only about 100) - but I am sure by the time I wake up.. it will be nice and HOT again..
Thats really all I have for tonight.. I'm tired. Tomorrow is a day off for me.. finally.. a day to myself..
Can't talk too much about it, but needless to say, the news does NOT report everything. Only what they want people to see or believe.. its quite sad to be honest. The only thing on the news is what ever could be considered con traversal. Its really sad for those that are losing their lives over here, and all you get to see... is things that make us look bad.. what they are NOT showing is the constant stream of IEDs, snipers, and ambushes our guys are facing, on even the most simplest of tasks. We take for granted driving down a highway in the states, being defensive drivers to those we think are not paying attention. Over here.. driving down a street is a nerve racking experience. Anything.. ANYTHING can be an IED..anyone can be guilty.. someone paying TOO much attention, and you never know.. and you can never be sure..and if you find an IED, of those that are found, there are those that are not... most of them are traps. If you found an IED, before it detonates, its usually because they want you to feel as if you found it.. and you may let your guard down for 1 sec.. 1 mm of a second.. and thats all it takes.. the real IED.. the real one, not meant to be discovered, is waiting for you to turn around, or take one more step, or one more rotation of the tires on your HMMV thinking you found it... Thats all it takes. I am telling you, even here in the so called green zone.. my drive here was definitely nerve racking and as I get closer to getting to Afghanistan, it scares the hell out of me. Some of the guys here were TAD to Khandahar when a Rocket hit. They were less than 100 meters from the incident.. I can NOT even imagine..Its a scary fucking place.. period.
and it really pisses me off that the news doesn't show you what really takes place here. I have seen some news that makes us look like gorillas.. (not always.. I know) people here... are just tryin to stay alive. Just trying to help those that are in need, those that are injured, or stuck, or ambushed.. and they are put in impossible situations. I'm sorry.. but if it were anyone of them, and it came down to it.. and their life was on the line.. if they had to choose to shoot the shooter or be shot... they would shoot the shooter.. if they say they wouldn't.. they are lying or simply stupid (my opinion).. I have to tell you.. I want to go home. I will do what it take to go home alive.. not in a box. They don't train us to be killers, they train us to stay alive.
Even still, no amount of training will prepare you for watching someone die in the vehicle in front of you. I feel for each and everyone of our guys that have had to face that, each and everyone of those family members that have lost their loved one over here. Simple missions, turn into blood baths. It a sad reality and its happening.
This is our reality.
I was lost in the haze and thought, well, I work in a building. Not on the front lines. Not in convoys.. not outside the wires. Maybe I am safer where I am at.. but.. tell that to the others, in other locations that are being rocketed, or bombed, mortared, ambushed, and they aren't outside the wires. I won't say much more than that.. I have done some google searches - with no results, so until then I will reserve what I am really pisst about.
Yesterday was a baking 124 degrees. Today was probably the same.. but included a sand storm all day. It felt as if you were walking into a blow dryer blowing fine sand in every crevice of your face... with no "cool air" button to push. It was hot. It is 5 am and has cooled down considerably.. (probably only about 100) - but I am sure by the time I wake up.. it will be nice and HOT again..
Thats really all I have for tonight.. I'm tired. Tomorrow is a day off for me.. finally.. a day to myself..
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