Moving, of course, this is a PITA. Though, this process has proven itself to be much less of an issue than I had anticipated. When I was here last August, living conditions where deplorable. We were packing 20 men into 20 man tents. While this doesn't sound like a big deal, these 20 man tents are great for sleeping but provide very little storage space when packed 20 men to a tent. Envision 20 men in 10 bunk beds and each with an array of A, B, C and carry-on bags. We were also the "invading group", so we didn't get an opportunity to get bottom bunks and we were not very well treated by our hosts. Also, it was here that I had some of my personal equipment stolen. Being apprehensive about coming to live here again is putting it generously.
Read More......Sunday, April 10, 2011
Moving from Camp Deh Dadi II to Camp Marmal
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Saturday, April 9, 2011
Should Actors Be Accountable For Their Known/Anticipated Effects
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Friday, March 25, 2011
2011 PT Test
I took my PT test this morning. I got myself all hyped up on energy
drinks early (just after i rolled out of bed I took my first drink).
I did my pre-PT test ritual (I'll leave out the details) and was out
at the assembly area for 0545. Wow, was today ever windy. I'm
actually surprised that they gave the go-ahead for taking the test.
Anyway, the PU & SU went well, as expected. I did 43 PU and 59 SU.
Once the SU event was over and I was done holding the feet of the next
soldier to test, I took my "insurance" shot. I had a 5-Hour Energy
drink that I was saving for this. It was then that I took it. That
gave me about 15-20 minutes for it to kick in and then it was start
time for the run.
When we assembled at the start line, I was pleased to find that the
line I was using for the start was wrong. Therefore, I started the
run with a little more confidence. The line I was using was about 25m
longer. Previously in the week I was doing 2 mile training runs.
Tuesday's run was a nice 16:35 time. However, I did that without
doing any PU or SU before hand. Also, I found out that I shorted the
track by a couple 10's of meters. Then on Wednesday I gave myself a
complete mock test. I did my PU & SU (42 & 52 respectively) and set
out for my run. Knowing this time that I had shorted the day before,
I ran the correct distance (plus my longer start line) and came in at
a scary 18:37. That certainly didn't help my confidence.
Anyway, today I approached the line and I was riveted. I was ready to
go. It was interesting, I was the first off the line. Though, I was
passed quickly by a over-adventurous younger soldier. Within 50m I
caught him. He burned himself pretty quickly. So, I kept my pace.
After I regained the lead of the pack, I held it for quite a time. I
was approaching the 3/4 mile mark before I was overtaken. I was
surprised that I held it for that long. Granted, I wasn't running
with the entire company, just the PT failures and overweight
population. I was only one of a few that were taking a record test
because the others were just a diagnostic. Their record tests will be
next month.
The course we ran was a U shape and caused us to have some pretty
funky effects due to wind. So, once I made the second turn to toward
the 1 mile mark, I had the wind at my back and all was going well. I
was shocked when I got to the turn. I had covered the first mile in
just 7:45. That is about 45 seconds faster than my typical pace. It
was at this point that I had a clear impression that I was going to
pass.
I was the 3rd person to the turn. On the way back to the wall, we had
the wind at our face. It was just sheer will that I pushed thru. It
was at about the 1 1/2 mile mark that I hit my "wall". My legs wanted
to give in; my lungs were screaming; I wanted to stop. But, I knew
that I just needed to survive another 1/2 mile in order to lock in a
passing grade. I pushed thru. When I reach the point of having
approximately 400m to go, I opened my stride. I tried to suck wind as
quickly as possible. I wanted to sprint from there. I knew if I did,
I'd kill it, so I didn't. I held off and it was good that I did.
When I reached the 100m mark I felt that I was close on time. There
was a runner in front of me that was being paced by others. I heard
someone say something about "17 minutes". However, I ignored that and
pushed on, hoping against hope.
The last 100 meters were hell. I wanted to stop, I felt like I was
about to puke, my legs were burning, they were feeling very heavy. My
breathing was rapid, I was at my peak heart rate (or so). It was pure
desire that got me over the line. When I crossed the line all I heard
was the second. "34". "34" what? 17:34? 16:34? I had to ask my
grader. He gave me the news and it was good. I crossed the line with
26 seconds to spare. 16:34! I punched my arms in the air and tried
to yell, but the best I got was a gaspy squeak. Apparently it was an
ambiguous sound because my peer (B Co 44th ESB C&E Maint NCOIC) came
over to see if I were ok and if I was victorious or defeated. I was
pleased to tell him it was a "GO".
So, after the test was completed, I hung around encouraging the others
that were going to their knees and all after crossing the line. We
had a couple of people puke, myself almost being one of them. I was
lucky, mine was just a burp. :) Anyway, after the finish line started
to break-up, we headed over to the TOC to weigh in. I am at the max
weight for my height and age (age 32, 5' 8 1/2", 183 lbs). If I were
to put on any additional weight, I will have to get tape measured to
confirm that I'm below some body mass index value in the 20's. I
think 22 for active duty and 24 for NG.
So, my next objective is to drop some weight. I'm not sure how, but
it is on my focus list. 15-20lbs drop would be awesome.
I have been told that the E6 promotion list comes out in May. I
expect that is when I'll finally get to wear my rocker. Today I
passed my PT test which will certainly keep me as a go for my
promotion. I think it is just a matter of biding my time and it will
come.
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Friday, December 24, 2010
Poetry?
You all know that a poet I am not. However, while I was walking to work this evening [just a hair under a 1/2 mile], I had the start of a thing just come to me. I didn't try to make it rhyme or force on it any specific pentameter in mind. Not being an expert on the subject, it is possible that it is within some standard form. Anyway, it is just a little something:
Here I sit waiting for the phone to ring.
To whom do I await such a call, but no one.For a silent phone means that all is wellIt is Christmas morning and far away I sit.
I wish that everyone else is happy and well.I hope that my sacrifice is appreciated by all.It is my hope that everyone should know what they have.
Have and hold; See and surround them.Their creature comforts to all of their freedoms.I serve my country to preserve our rights.
To maintain what we have and provide it to others.Why can't they see how this can help them?
I'm not sure I exactly like it or feel that it is even complete. But it is what I have at this time and I wanted to share.
Read More......
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Thursday, December 16, 2010
The Pillars of the Earth
When you begin to read your first book from an author new to you, the relationship always starts tentatively. This one was especially tentative since the author admitted to be branching out of his comfort zone. Between this admission and the discussion about writing about churches and cathedrals, I was concerned. In fact, despite the fact that I had received 2 very strong and credible recommendations about this book, I held my reservations about the topic and delayed the commencement of reading for a couple of weeks. It happened to be a trip to another camp which spurred me into cracking into the book.
WOW! I will start off by saying that I am SO glad that I was gifted this book AND I took the time to read it. Even with such an interesting motivation for the author, the story and breadth of the subplots was masterfully written. This book was interesting from page one and it never quit. There was never a lull in the story which gave you an opportunity to disengage. The characters are very well rounded and they develop so quietly that, before you know it, you could swear that you knew them personally. During the climatic events, you are not just drawn in as a spectator, but feel that you ARE there and genuinely share in the feelings of the characters. All thru the book, during the ups and the downs, the captivation did not end; except, of course, when the book ended. Even then, you finish wanting more.
As for the cathedral aspects of the story, I recommend that you have your favorite dictionary or dictionary website handy (or just Google Image Search) so that you will be better able to imagine the details of the building as it is intended. Quite frequently there are concepts that are introduced that are not immediately made clear as to what they are. Unfortunately, much of the Google images search capabilities are crippled on the Army communications network. There will be concepts which you may think you are familiar with, but seeing them makes a world of difference. For example; what does a cloister look like? For me, the word brings to mind the concept of protection. Well, what protection are they talking about in the building of a church or cathedral? Well, the walkways of course. The monks, priests, and bishops don't want to have to be exposed to the elements when they are walking from their refectory or quarters to the church. However, if you don't see images of this construct while you are reading the book, it will certainly ruin the image which the author is trying to create. Even with my internet access being severely limited and filtered, I found another, albeit, unlikely source of reference material. Around the time that I began reading The Pillars of the Earth, I started to play Assassin's Creed. Assassin's Creed happens to be within the same approximate time period. While I was playing the game, I started to notice the construction techniques and concepts which were presented in the book. I would occasionally find myself saying, so that is what the cloister could look like or the flying buttress or otherwise. I found the parallel to be quite interesting.
I am pleased that I have also been gifted the sequel. I am very much looking forward to be sucked back into the medieval world of Ken Follett contained within the pages of World Without End.
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Sunday, December 5, 2010
Challenge Coins
- Guards shall not modify their tower in any way
- Guards shall not vandalize their tower
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Thursday, December 2, 2010
Combat Zone PT Test
- 9:45
- 20:30
- 33:02
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Blog Updates
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