Well, lets see, since my last post, not a whole lot has changed.  I think I heard a nasty rumor of some form of water that falls from the sky in droplet form, but have yet to verify.

Just been going between my bases.  I wish that yall Hooahs would make up your freaking minds as to what to do when.  One base says have your ID visible at all times.  Other says you can't have it out.

And oh my God, is basic knowledge or comprehension of the English written language only taught to those above Specialist?  Here at the Q...theres some new f%^ktarded unit that is running things.  They are treating the place like it is back stateside, much to my pain and misery.  They have uniform gestapo running around yelling and berating anyone who isn't up to snuff to their all knowing evil eyes.

Well, I pretty much stand out like a sore thumb.  I'm just about the last person on FOB with DCUs.  Their standard routine has been...you're out of uniform...why do you have a arm ID badge holder, where is your reflective belt...yada yada yada.  Its a NEW requirement they made up that your ID has to be in your right sleeve pocket and your reflective belt in your lower leg pocket.

So after these two garritroopers (garrison + trooper = garritrooper = someone close enough to fighting to look tough, but so deeply connected to the rear to be a TOCroach...its originally a WWII term) get done telling me all that was wrong...they went too far..they said I wasn't wearing military issue boots.

Up til that point, I was playing nice with these two soon-to-be-yelled-at-corporals...but when they say that Corcoran Jump Boots aren't military issue...(these are the desert ones)..thats the last straw!  I remind these two clowns that Jump boots have been kicking ass and taking names since 1941.  Yeah they might not be as high speed as their combat nikes, but these boots have a history, and 50 years from now I'll be able to show my grandkids their granddaddys Corcorans...

Then I tell them to read to me outloud exactly what the tape on the left side of my nametape says...they then say US Air Force. I respond with something profanity laced that pretty much said how in the hell then can you say that I'm not up to Army Regs when I'm NOT IN THE ARMY?  How the hell do I put my ID in my sleeve pocket if DCU's dont have those pockets?  How to I carry a reflective belt without leg pockets?

Argh...just when I was about to get calm...I get word of the Sargent Major's plan.  Apparently, this new unit sees their #1 priority in Iraq to be building themselves a VIP conference room in the DFAC.  Well, SGM thinks he needs to get started.  He gets some Joes and some Hajis to start offloading lumber and to get to work.

I get wind of this plan and find the SGM.  He says he is doing what the Col said to do.  I remind him that he has no authority to construct anything in the DFAC without approval...pretty much MY approval (I'm over here with the agency that oversees KBR and the places they operate, like the DFAC).  he says who am I to tell him no, hes the SGM and he doesn't take no for an answer!  I tell him that I'm a Captain, and that construction in the DFAC doens't take place without myself, the Contracting officer, or KBR knowing about it, oh and by the way, the answer to building in the DFAC isn't no, its F$%k no.

He then asks who's my commander.  I tell him that he's an O-6 who works every day with some guy called the CENTOM commander, and if he doesn't believe me telling him no, he can call him himself.  I then tell the King Garritrooper that if any of his troops so much as bring a nail into the DFAC without my approval, I'd find a way to start handing out Article 15's like the docs issue motrin.

So, needless to say, theres no conference room in the DFAC.

Here's some pics I snapped

Me in front of a UH-60 i was riding in

Sitting on a MiG-21 wing...wonder if I could fire rockets like this?

final pic...Edge of the wire at sunset.  everything on the other side is Indian Country

Should be headed home in a few...anyone of yall who is around Dayton Ohio are more than welcome to stop on by when I get back.  I've got two weeks to do nothing but drink beer, chase girls and shoot new guns! 

Fighters are our salvation, But BOMBERS alone provide us with the means of VICTORY! - Winston Churchill

"Hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women are deployed across the world in the war on terror. By bringing hope to the oppressed, and delivering justice to the violent, they are making America more secure. "
George W. Bush

Congrats on almost being done!  Countdowns are a beautiful thing.  Stay safe.

Blacksmith Six

"I'm normally not a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman!"  -Homer Simpson

Been listening to a few stories from a kid I work with, who just got back recently from his second tour there. Seems there is a very distinct difference between the pogues and the ones who have to go outside into the real Iraq (and not the recreation of the US some seem to think they must have)... Pissed him off pretty bad coming back into an FOB to the point he would stay out as much as possible despite the dangers that are ever present.

SMSB

"Let's Go Downtown" - Flight of the Intruder
 

http://www.327infantry.org/second/c_co 

Same Mud Same Blood - NBC documentary filmed 1967 RVN, chronicle Frank McGee

I took the road less traveled and that made all the difference.......

mazzi (10/14/2006)

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Pm me when you are back in town.  I can buy you a few beers in Yellow Springs 

I'm going to Fairborn for Thanksgiving. I p,lan on staying at the Best Western on Broad Street just a hop skip and a jump from the main gate of WPAFB. If you're still "chillin" in Dayton then I'll be glad to toast you a round or two. The hotel has a bar or the base has an O club I'm sure.



Gold Class 92-03

The Warrant Officer – an officer appointed by the Secretary of the Army based on a sound level of technical and tactical competence. The Warrant Officer is a highly specialized expert and trainer who by gaining progressive levels of expertise and leadership operates, maintains, administers, and manages the Army’s equipment, support activities, or technical systems for an entire career.

WTF? Who's Mr. Pillow Pants? - Clerks 2