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.

So, moving to Camp Marmal seemed very overwhelming and oppressive thing to have to do. Getting here was a pain, but that was to be expected. I had to pack up all of my worldly possessions to prepare to relocate. In the process of packing, I was able to leave two very full bags behind (ruck sack and duffle bag). These contained winter or other gear that I will not need for the rest of the deployment and were left in my team connex.

I still have left behind three boxes, a medium sized black footlocker, small green footlocker, and my monitor. I'm not sure how my footlockers are going to rejoin me, though; I think they both weight less than 70lbs each so the guys on DDII could use the army mail system and move them for me for free. But the monitor will travel with a set of equipment that I have packed and ready to return to their owner. I'm most certainly looking forward to taking receipt of my monitor so I can setup my game system again.

I moved with a large green footlocker, backpack, and my mammoth bag. You should have seen me trying to get this stuff on the bird. Especially the footlocker, it was not something that someone could move by ones self. Even now, with it partially unpacked, it is a beast to move around.

Once I get my other boxes in hand, I will have to start the chess/tetris game. We're only permitted to carry so much stuff home. From what we've heard, only 4 bags each. This includes our carry-on item. Anything else will have to be packed into a connex or mailed home at our own expense. Therefore, I will get to start managing what equipment will go into what container and what will stay to the end and what goes home early. My medium sized black footlocker is already packed for home. However, I will have to swap the contents of that box with my largest footlocker or reorganize things drastically. Here is the rub. Anything mailed home has a maximum weight of 70 pounds. I understand the 'why' for the restriction; I just get frustrated when that weight limit leaves huge gobs of space open in my box. Additionally, the large footlocker we were issued here is not permitted to go into a connex and not likely on the plane home. Therefore, I'll certainly have to mail that one home and likely first.

I realize that I was going to have to ship some things, like my monitor, out of my own pocket. However, I wasn't expecting to have to foot the bill for anything of the equipment I came with. Oh well, at least I can claim the mail expenses on my travel voucher and get the money back later.

So, now that I'm back here, I seemed to luckily score myself the cream of the crop of living conditions. I've got a bottom bunk and a back corner. The rear corner bunks are the most coveted because they provide the most privacy and you only need to have 2 walls to create that privacy. The reality of the situation is that by walls, I really mean curtains. I'm currently using my poncho liner as my primary curtain. The rest of the space is covered by a towel at one end and a wall locker at the other. Don't get me wrong, this is a great setup, though, it doesn't compare to what I had kicking when I was at DDII. I have a feeling that as time goes on, I'm going to acquire more materials so that I can improve my living space. So, it seems that the next few months are not going to be the as much torture as I had previously anticipated.

For those of you that are interested, my new address is the same as my first address. I will be sending out an e-mail with this address, just in case it has been misplaced. If you do not receive this message, ping me through some means and request it. I'm sure if you want my address that you know a way to find me.

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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.

 

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/freedom-to-inflame/?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=thab1

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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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