Sunday, April 10, 2011

Moving from Camp Deh Dadi II to Camp Marmal

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.

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Saturday, April 9, 2011

Should Actors Be Accountable For Their Known/Anticipated Effects

I'm not going to voice an opinoin to the already present discord.  Instead, I'm just going to provide you with this link to stir your thoughts.
 

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.

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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.

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 well

It 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.

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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!

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

The Challenge Coin is a small and interesting part of the military eco system.  Wikipedia has a full description of the coins and their history.  Anyway, the reality of these coins during my service has been that the coin represents an impromptu award for recognition of actions taken but without the formal award process.  Coins are typically marked with the rank of the person handing them out.  In my career, I have now earned 3 such coins.  Two of them are from the battalion level [LTC/CSM] and the other is from division [Major General].

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Thursday, December 2, 2010

Combat Zone PT Test

Welcome to combat in the 21st century.  This is a time when typical garrison activities are carried forward to the war zone.  In my short time as a forward soldier I have been exposed to some activities which are typically assumed to be limited to garrison.  I sometimes wonder if the chain has forgotten that we're at war and in a combat zone.  I have been instructed on some camps to salute, wear a reflector belt after dark (isn't it an objective to stay concealed at night?), stand in formation, be subject to in-ranks inspection, attend a board, and even put vehicles "on line".  I do understand the purpose of C2 [Command & Control] and some of these things are safety related or traditional or developmental activities, but the one that I find most frustrating is the PT test, albeit a diagnostic.
 
I can respect the fact that PT is a required activity and is pushed heavily by the chain.  I acknowledge that the chain has to push because otherwise soldiers are going to be lazy and attempt to sham out of it, unless they are really into lifting and/or body building.  I am not a fan of either, yet I respect the fact that I need to maintain my physical fitness or my ass will get fat again [and not really my ass, but aside the point].  Also, if I fail to maintain my training, I will slide backward in my pursuit of maintaining a level of training which commiserates with the requirements of the APFT [Army Physical Fitness Test].  I have test failures which haunt my army career and I wish to quash any further shortcomings.

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Blog Updates

Any and all of my readers which have returned with me, thank you.  I appologize for my log absence, but I have a very valid reason for it.   As most of you know, I'm not at home, not even close.  Instead, I am 9.5 hours ahead somewhere in Afghanistan doing my part to contribute to the efforts of OEF.  My unit is moving from the state of installation to the state of sustainment.  Therefore, things should begin to become more regular around here.  Regularity will produce predictability, particularly where internet access is concerned.  I hope that this will be the start of regular updates thru the duration of my deployment.
 
Up to this point, internet access has been available if you are able to find a laptop which is unlocked at the TOC or have the time to visit MWR.  I was visiting MWR frequently for a while and found that their 30 minute limit to be frustratingly short.  It got to the point that by the time that I was done checking my e-mail and backlog of FB updates that my limit would be over.  Then I would have to stand in line again if I wanted to do any shopping or would like to respond to e-mails or stuff on FB.  Then, there is the army network.  Unless you have been fortunate to be provided a machine and a connection, obtaining network time during business hours is about impossible.  On top of that, FB and many other resources which I would love to use is blocked on the army network.  The site blocking system just so happens to include Blogger (blogspot.com) by Google as a forbidden site.  The only way that I'm even able to post this update is via e-mail.
 
So, as of this point, please check back at a regular interval as I hope that I'll have posted some new content!