So, today was a relatively easy day--all classroom work--whereas the last few days this week have been very physically demanding--so much so that upon getting back to the barracks, eating chow and taking a shower, I was out like a light...
But, today was just sitting in class and then going outside and learning about some of the heavy weapons we will shoot tomorrow (50 cal, 240Bravo, M2 grenade launcher--very exciting!). Oh yeah, we picked up our chem-bio suits too--protection from the omnipresent WMD. And then, at the end of the day, the drill instructors decide we have to have another formation and yell at us about the state of r barracks--not clean enough! Just part of the military game, no big deal, but the point is: no time for a run before dinner...
Couple of good e-mails from work and home (exciting happenings in the world of influenza surveillance and the kids grades--exciting, but not in a good way...). And then (Finally!!!), someone in the barracks wanted to play chess--not easy to find a chess partner--intellectual stimulation!! Next thing I know it is 2200--lights out!! I have to grope my way through the darkness to bed and set the alarm (early day tomorrow on the range shooting those heavy weapons) and get to bed.
As soon as the head hits the pillow, there is no chance of sleeping--no exercise, exciting info from NHRC and home to ponder, and my brain amped up on chess... As these things slosh about my brain, slowly seeps in the sound of snoring... I am surrounded by it--weird thing is there are only racks to my left and across from me--I am at the end of the room. But, the sonorous snoring sounds are coming from all around--Dolby Digital chainsaws--echoes galore... I put fingers in my ears, put a pillow over my head and am about to put earplugs in.... but thought I would write this first...
goodnight...
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Big Swooping Mahalo...
Thanks to the Yen's for bringing dinner over to my family last Friday night--in fact, I believe one or two of the Faix kids weren't there because they were out at various school/social events. But, the fact that Peg was driving during her standard "cooking time" makes the dinner that much more valuable.
Anyway, guess we'll keep them on the Christmas list!! ;-)
Anyway, guess we'll keep them on the Christmas list!! ;-)
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
1 AM...
Watch standing is great... for young sailors and soldiers that need to learn responsibility. But, I am sure that I have learned that lesson many times over (although some may disagree!). Anyway, it is 1AM right now, and as part of this wonderful Army training I am standing the watch in our barracks--because we have M9 Beretta pistols and M16 rifles.
Let me digress...
As promised, we left Norfolk at 0800 Saturday on four chartered Greyhound buses heading out for Fort Jackson--we drove through rain, sleet and snow... slowly, because the bus I was on had a speed regulator on it that made the engine cut off every time the driver went over 69 mph. So the other buses took off and then waited for us at the Burger King half way down (we were about 45 minutes behind). all in all, the trip took almost ten hours--I don't think I had been on a Greyhound bus since I left for college--I hadn't forgotten why, but this was affirmation.
Upon arrival we filled out paperwork and were assigned to barracks. I was assigned to an open squad bay barracks with about thirty other O4s (mostly Navy lieutenant commanders and one Air Force major). The next day was Sunday, and we didn't have to muster until 1230, so I went for a nice long run on the sand trails that meander through the woods here on the camp--there is some nice running here!
But, on Monday we were assigned weapons and lots of other gear; the process consists of waiting in many different lines all day long--each line adds to the burden of equipment you are expected to carry around until you finally collapse under the weight of it all (sleeping bag, Gortex suit, long under wear, boots--two pairs, knee pads, M16 rifle, M9 pistol, jacket, rain suit--different than Gortex suit, camelback, knee pads, helmet, helmet covers, body armor and plates, gloves, socks, and a hundred other things that I cannot recall). All OD green (olive drab) and/or the new Army digital cammo pattern.
Most of the stuff I won't use in theater at all (from experience!), but we have to sign for it and are responsible for turning in the gear in Kuwait in our way home--the idea that I might be held up returning home is anathema to me--so, take the gear, keep it in a bag and return it I will. I just hope my back can handle carrying the stuff from here to there and back again!
Yesterday we learned how to field strip the M16 rifle and the basics of shooting the rifle and pistol.
Today we practiced firing the weapons (all with no bullets) and moving about tactically with 75 pounds (!!!) of armor on your back/shoulders and trying to carry a weapon and look scary to whoever wants to shoot you. It is tough, tiring work. I don't know how the guys that really do this for a living are able to manage... awe inspiring.
Me in full battle rattle...
Anyway, part of the joy of having these weapons is that we have to be responsible for them, so we need to buddy up and always be watching them. At night, this means one person in the barracks has to be awake to make sure no "bad guys" come and take our weapons while we are sleeping. we have decided to rotate on one hour shifts during the night... thus, at 1AM I am up writing this... hope you enjoy it!!
the barracks at Camp McCrady, Fort Jackson
Let me digress...
As promised, we left Norfolk at 0800 Saturday on four chartered Greyhound buses heading out for Fort Jackson--we drove through rain, sleet and snow... slowly, because the bus I was on had a speed regulator on it that made the engine cut off every time the driver went over 69 mph. So the other buses took off and then waited for us at the Burger King half way down (we were about 45 minutes behind). all in all, the trip took almost ten hours--I don't think I had been on a Greyhound bus since I left for college--I hadn't forgotten why, but this was affirmation.
Upon arrival we filled out paperwork and were assigned to barracks. I was assigned to an open squad bay barracks with about thirty other O4s (mostly Navy lieutenant commanders and one Air Force major). The next day was Sunday, and we didn't have to muster until 1230, so I went for a nice long run on the sand trails that meander through the woods here on the camp--there is some nice running here!
But, on Monday we were assigned weapons and lots of other gear; the process consists of waiting in many different lines all day long--each line adds to the burden of equipment you are expected to carry around until you finally collapse under the weight of it all (sleeping bag, Gortex suit, long under wear, boots--two pairs, knee pads, M16 rifle, M9 pistol, jacket, rain suit--different than Gortex suit, camelback, knee pads, helmet, helmet covers, body armor and plates, gloves, socks, and a hundred other things that I cannot recall). All OD green (olive drab) and/or the new Army digital cammo pattern.
Most of the stuff I won't use in theater at all (from experience!), but we have to sign for it and are responsible for turning in the gear in Kuwait in our way home--the idea that I might be held up returning home is anathema to me--so, take the gear, keep it in a bag and return it I will. I just hope my back can handle carrying the stuff from here to there and back again!
Yesterday we learned how to field strip the M16 rifle and the basics of shooting the rifle and pistol.
Today we practiced firing the weapons (all with no bullets) and moving about tactically with 75 pounds (!!!) of armor on your back/shoulders and trying to carry a weapon and look scary to whoever wants to shoot you. It is tough, tiring work. I don't know how the guys that really do this for a living are able to manage... awe inspiring.
Me in full battle rattle...
Anyway, part of the joy of having these weapons is that we have to be responsible for them, so we need to buddy up and always be watching them. At night, this means one person in the barracks has to be awake to make sure no "bad guys" come and take our weapons while we are sleeping. we have decided to rotate on one hour shifts during the night... thus, at 1AM I am up writing this... hope you enjoy it!!
the barracks at Camp McCrady, Fort Jackson
Monday, January 14, 2008
Processing...
I am pretty sure the military invented the concept of "hurry up and wait"...
So, as I tried to leave San Diego early Sunday morning I wasn't surprised that my plane was two hours delayed...
The layover in Chicago was supposed to be two hours, but even with my plane being late it ended up being 4 hours...
This sets the right tone for the coming weeks; one week of processing in Norfolk (medical, dental, administrative preparation to deploy)--one day of activity stuffed into 5 days; three weeks of Army training... just like Stripes!! Good news is that it looks like I will still be in the country for the Superbowl!!
And that wasn't the only good news today-- I found out that this weekend we get to take a bus from Norfolk, VA all the way to Columbia, SC for the Army Training... that's something to look forward to... nothing but the best for those about to deploy!!
So, as I tried to leave San Diego early Sunday morning I wasn't surprised that my plane was two hours delayed...
The layover in Chicago was supposed to be two hours, but even with my plane being late it ended up being 4 hours...
This sets the right tone for the coming weeks; one week of processing in Norfolk (medical, dental, administrative preparation to deploy)--one day of activity stuffed into 5 days; three weeks of Army training... just like Stripes!! Good news is that it looks like I will still be in the country for the Superbowl!!
And that wasn't the only good news today-- I found out that this weekend we get to take a bus from Norfolk, VA all the way to Columbia, SC for the Army Training... that's something to look forward to... nothing but the best for those about to deploy!!
Friday, January 04, 2008
I'm Back!!!
Well, I am not all the way back yet... but, I am going back to Iraq for 8 fun-filled months...
A month ago, while in Thailand just after Thanksgiving (gallery.mac.com/dfaix for pics) I received an e-mail that said: we have a request for a Preventive Medicine doctor to go to Iraq, but don't worry, you aren't going to go
Three weeks ago I received a phone call that said: orders have come out for the PMO to go to Iraq, and your name is on them; but, don't worry because it is a mistake and you won't be going
One week ago I was told: we are still trying to change the name, but you might want to get ready just in case
Last night I was told: pack your stuff, you are going to Iraq
so, I am on my way...
If I wasn't such an optimist I might be bitter about "getting" to go to Iraq again wile others haven't gone yet... but, the Navy has often (usually!) sent me where I didn't want to go, and it has always turned out to be a great experience. I just hope the trend continues!
There will be some benefits to this deployment:
* I will get to run a lot--last time in Iraq I was in the best running shape of my life--maybe a PR marathon IS in my future
* I get to write this blog again--I have been missing it (although since I spend most of what used to be my free time with Izzy, it seems a fair trade off that I don't blog anymore!)
* Iraq is a wonderful weight-loss program--in anticipation I did nothing but indulge my every gastronomic desire during the last few weeks (Peg is too good of a cook!)
A month ago, while in Thailand just after Thanksgiving (gallery.mac.com/dfaix for pics) I received an e-mail that said: we have a request for a Preventive Medicine doctor to go to Iraq, but don't worry, you aren't going to go
Three weeks ago I received a phone call that said: orders have come out for the PMO to go to Iraq, and your name is on them; but, don't worry because it is a mistake and you won't be going
One week ago I was told: we are still trying to change the name, but you might want to get ready just in case
Last night I was told: pack your stuff, you are going to Iraq
so, I am on my way...
If I wasn't such an optimist I might be bitter about "getting" to go to Iraq again wile others haven't gone yet... but, the Navy has often (usually!) sent me where I didn't want to go, and it has always turned out to be a great experience. I just hope the trend continues!
There will be some benefits to this deployment:
* I will get to run a lot--last time in Iraq I was in the best running shape of my life--maybe a PR marathon IS in my future
* I get to write this blog again--I have been missing it (although since I spend most of what used to be my free time with Izzy, it seems a fair trade off that I don't blog anymore!)
* Iraq is a wonderful weight-loss program--in anticipation I did nothing but indulge my every gastronomic desire during the last few weeks (Peg is too good of a cook!)
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