That's one week down and too many to count to go. My day off yesterday was good for me. The night before, my roommate invited me to a small gathering at the Embassy. It was my first visit to an embassy of any type. It was just a bunch of people gathering, nothing official, but it was nice to kind of get off the base. The Embassy is colocated with our base, so not a tough drive. In fact, it is walking distance.
I spent a couple hours on line yesterday and that was relaxing except for the 30 minutes it took to renew my engineering license on line. At least it's done. Carey and I did go to the bazaar. I did a very nice thing by bringing my bodyguard a Pepsi, which he appreciated. I also bought something useless from his shop (table) and a dvd from his brother's table. He then had the chutzpah to ask for more money than the standard amount at the end. He is so getting fired.
The job is going all right. I like my boss, the deputy director, so far. He is laid back and doesn't have us do inane things or force his opinions on us in any way. He doesn't waste our time either. As a fourth generation artillery officer I think he knows what is important. Tomorrow I am travelling to the US base for a meeting and hopefully a stop by the exchange (the place we buy military stuff and sundries). I expect to see two of my friends there, Alec and Drew. The AFGHAN 5 went their separate ways after Bagram, so I am always looking for the chance to meet up with the members of Club 3916. I got an email from Mark the NCIS guy and he told me his mom has started reading the blog. So, a big shout out to her! No matter what your son says, we are friends, especially if I get into some trouble. My friend Greg has also checked in from Kansas (I imagine his group can't stop saying you know what). I don't think we'll be bumping into each other too much as he has a serious mission elsewhere in the country. I am thinking about him and wish him the best.
My next goal with the blog is to post some pictures. I tried the other day with the address, but it took a long time to load and then failed in the end. I have some pictures of my friends and the Kuwait area that you should see. Let's hope it works.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
My Address
For those of you who were asking, here is my mailing address. Use just my first and last name in the Name spot, no title or rank.
Name
US NSE
HQ ISAF
APO AE 09356
Name
US NSE
HQ ISAF
APO AE 09356
Monday, February 25, 2008
I don't know, but I'm on my way...
For those of you who remember, of course, that is the reply by Stymie when asked, "Where ya going?" on two Little Rascals episodes. For some reason it came to mind here. The other line that came up through my training was when I asked for a cutlass...What kind of cutlass?...I want a veal cutlass.
So, here are the very basics of my job. My title is ANSF Branch Chief. ANSF stands for Afghan National Security Force. It is comprised of the ANA (Afghan National Army) and the ANP (Afghan National Police). All I can say is that I have to keep track of what is going on with things. I may be a branch chief in title, but I can't figure out if anyone works for me, perhaps they are good at hiding. Apparently, I attend about a hundred meetings, working groups, and conferences a week. Not the most exciting stuff in the world. I work in an office type environment using a lot of Microsoft Office and presenting briefs on a regular basis. These are all the things I've trained for in the navy of course. We all carry our weapons still as a rule, now with ammunition. No big deal, just a way of life here.
I am done with my inprocessing and indoctrination type briefings. So, I guess the real work has started. The time here is a lot like the movie Groundhog Day. Everyday is about the same. I guess it will be the same for me for the coming months. People do just about anything to change the pace. My change of pace so far consists of trying to get a good place to get on line. Right now I am at a cafe on the lanai using the free wireless connection on my computer. If this keeps as a good connection, I'll be here most nights. I'm also watching some movies and stuff on my computer in my room, but tend to fall asleep doing it since I watch from my bed. It's no big deal since I don't have any grading to do or tests to make up.
I'm sure you all saw that Penn beat Lehigh in wrestling. That's about all the good news for Penn sports as we choked against Cornell costing us the Ivy title. Oh well, I suppose I have other things to worry about here. Things have been safe here on base and I think I'll only be leaving for local meetings at an adjacent base (actually walking distance) and some other minor, safe stuff.
We're allowed to have two beers or two glasses of wine per night (with many rules attached). I haven't had any yet, but might on Thursday, which is the only weekend night here where you can sleep in. I honestly don't remember the last time I had a drink. The food has been good, very European.
On Fridays we have a bazaar adjacent to the base. Local merchants come in and we can buy all kinds of things real cheap from the locals. The haggling and bargaining is pretty cool. What a different world this is. Carey showed me around, we hired two local kids who have family running tables to carry the stuff we buy. They start the kids young here and they were hysterical (they are 8-10 years old). They are already working on their skills. We call them our bodyguards. The kid I hired was named Jaw-ed, nice kid. He put on a show at the end for more money saying he was hungry and that he couldn't eat because business was so bad that day. It was all worth the two bucks I gave him. Next time, he's doing push-ups.
Like I said, it is Groundhog Day, so I don't know how exciting my updates will be, but I'll do my best. Remember, the highlight of my day is email/posts from you all. If I can remember to bring my mailing address, I'll post it here.
So, here are the very basics of my job. My title is ANSF Branch Chief. ANSF stands for Afghan National Security Force. It is comprised of the ANA (Afghan National Army) and the ANP (Afghan National Police). All I can say is that I have to keep track of what is going on with things. I may be a branch chief in title, but I can't figure out if anyone works for me, perhaps they are good at hiding. Apparently, I attend about a hundred meetings, working groups, and conferences a week. Not the most exciting stuff in the world. I work in an office type environment using a lot of Microsoft Office and presenting briefs on a regular basis. These are all the things I've trained for in the navy of course. We all carry our weapons still as a rule, now with ammunition. No big deal, just a way of life here.
I am done with my inprocessing and indoctrination type briefings. So, I guess the real work has started. The time here is a lot like the movie Groundhog Day. Everyday is about the same. I guess it will be the same for me for the coming months. People do just about anything to change the pace. My change of pace so far consists of trying to get a good place to get on line. Right now I am at a cafe on the lanai using the free wireless connection on my computer. If this keeps as a good connection, I'll be here most nights. I'm also watching some movies and stuff on my computer in my room, but tend to fall asleep doing it since I watch from my bed. It's no big deal since I don't have any grading to do or tests to make up.
I'm sure you all saw that Penn beat Lehigh in wrestling. That's about all the good news for Penn sports as we choked against Cornell costing us the Ivy title. Oh well, I suppose I have other things to worry about here. Things have been safe here on base and I think I'll only be leaving for local meetings at an adjacent base (actually walking distance) and some other minor, safe stuff.
We're allowed to have two beers or two glasses of wine per night (with many rules attached). I haven't had any yet, but might on Thursday, which is the only weekend night here where you can sleep in. I honestly don't remember the last time I had a drink. The food has been good, very European.
On Fridays we have a bazaar adjacent to the base. Local merchants come in and we can buy all kinds of things real cheap from the locals. The haggling and bargaining is pretty cool. What a different world this is. Carey showed me around, we hired two local kids who have family running tables to carry the stuff we buy. They start the kids young here and they were hysterical (they are 8-10 years old). They are already working on their skills. We call them our bodyguards. The kid I hired was named Jaw-ed, nice kid. He put on a show at the end for more money saying he was hungry and that he couldn't eat because business was so bad that day. It was all worth the two bucks I gave him. Next time, he's doing push-ups.
Like I said, it is Groundhog Day, so I don't know how exciting my updates will be, but I'll do my best. Remember, the highlight of my day is email/posts from you all. If I can remember to bring my mailing address, I'll post it here.
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Eagle Has Landed
Or more precisely, the silver oak leaf. What a travel experience. I don't remember exactly when we left Kuwait, maybe Tuesday night?, but the latest sandstorm had just subsided when the roads could be cleared so we could take busses to the airfield. We got loaded on the back end of a C-17 and sat in jump seats for the 4 hour flight to Bagram, Afghanistan. We flew over night, leaving around 0130 and getting in around 0700 local time, losing 1.5 hours (I am now 9.5 hours ahead of the east coast, until clocks change for you).
Bagram is a nice/secure air base. They have a USO named after Pat Tillman, the NFL player turned Ranger. From there, the six of us who were good friends (not counting the guys headed to Iraq) split up to go our separate ways. I felt a bit alone, but there were still a small group of navy personnel left continuing the trip to Kabul. Our flight left the next morning on time. We flew on a C-130 in even more uncomfortable jump seats than the last plane. This flight was only 25 minutes in the air, about an hour total in cramped seats in full battle rattle (all our armor). After we boarded, a bunch of marines got on too. After the flight, I found out the Commandant of the Marine Corps was one of them. That is quite unusual to say the least. He is the senior officer in the Corps, a four star general. He could have taken his own jet, but he flew with us.
At KAIA, the international airport, it was like no one ever heard of us before. For the first time since I left home, there were no travel arrangements and we were left to fend for ourselves. There was no transportation set up and we could not arrange any after calling the base numerous times. The nine of us who needed to get there received no support. We just had to ask convoys as they let people off if they could take us back. I've never been so ignored in my life, not anywhere. If we were just a bunch of real junior enlisted, we could have been left out there for days not knowing how to get back. Eventually, we found convoys that could take a few of us. The last four, myself included, were lucky enough to find a group to go with. Being our first real convoy, we were a little nervous, but my friend Eric is a devout Catholic and said a few prayers and had his Rosary out, so I was confident. Of course, I said the Sh'ma for good measure, we had all angles covered. There were a few things to watch out for, but we made it on base all right. I met a few of the people I'll be working with and one of them, Carey, has been showing me around. He is an army Lt Colonel and a great guy.
I'll let everyone know more details about the job as I can. I am in a temporary room, for a month perhaps, so that is not good. No Internet access there. We work 6+ days a week. Fridays are the day off/light day to match what people over here do. The work day seems to be around 10-12 hours, but it varies depending on what is going on.
I don't have my mailing address handy, but Stacey has it and I can start to receive regular mail. Remember to just use my first and last name, no rank or title. The address is an APO and it is the same cost as sending something in the US. I hear it can take 2+ weeks to get here, but I do love receiving mail.
That's it for now. I'm happy to be here finally and will update as I can.
Bagram is a nice/secure air base. They have a USO named after Pat Tillman, the NFL player turned Ranger. From there, the six of us who were good friends (not counting the guys headed to Iraq) split up to go our separate ways. I felt a bit alone, but there were still a small group of navy personnel left continuing the trip to Kabul. Our flight left the next morning on time. We flew on a C-130 in even more uncomfortable jump seats than the last plane. This flight was only 25 minutes in the air, about an hour total in cramped seats in full battle rattle (all our armor). After we boarded, a bunch of marines got on too. After the flight, I found out the Commandant of the Marine Corps was one of them. That is quite unusual to say the least. He is the senior officer in the Corps, a four star general. He could have taken his own jet, but he flew with us.
At KAIA, the international airport, it was like no one ever heard of us before. For the first time since I left home, there were no travel arrangements and we were left to fend for ourselves. There was no transportation set up and we could not arrange any after calling the base numerous times. The nine of us who needed to get there received no support. We just had to ask convoys as they let people off if they could take us back. I've never been so ignored in my life, not anywhere. If we were just a bunch of real junior enlisted, we could have been left out there for days not knowing how to get back. Eventually, we found convoys that could take a few of us. The last four, myself included, were lucky enough to find a group to go with. Being our first real convoy, we were a little nervous, but my friend Eric is a devout Catholic and said a few prayers and had his Rosary out, so I was confident. Of course, I said the Sh'ma for good measure, we had all angles covered. There were a few things to watch out for, but we made it on base all right. I met a few of the people I'll be working with and one of them, Carey, has been showing me around. He is an army Lt Colonel and a great guy.
I'll let everyone know more details about the job as I can. I am in a temporary room, for a month perhaps, so that is not good. No Internet access there. We work 6+ days a week. Fridays are the day off/light day to match what people over here do. The work day seems to be around 10-12 hours, but it varies depending on what is going on.
I don't have my mailing address handy, but Stacey has it and I can start to receive regular mail. Remember to just use my first and last name, no rank or title. The address is an APO and it is the same cost as sending something in the US. I hear it can take 2+ weeks to get here, but I do love receiving mail.
That's it for now. I'm happy to be here finally and will update as I can.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
We few, we happy few,
We Band of Brothers.
Well, not exactly like Henry V or the HBO series, but you get the point. As the hours are winding down where we are, I want to give a shout out to my friends, the Commanders of Club 3916 - a truly great group of guys who all got along with each other under less than optimal conditions. Some I've mentioned here before. I don't have the time or space to tell you about all of them, but they are unique, professional, and a load of fun. The laughs don't stop, especially from Mark who is a NCIS agent in civilian life and a former teacher. He says he has ADD. He thinks I might have it too. He says he has ADD.
Doug is an instructor at the Naval War College, he has taught me more than just what a scapular is. He lives in Newport and I'm certain the family and I will venture up there for a visit some time. Rich is a character, a former Marine and now a senior executive with the IRS - he says he is on our side though, an advocate for us. He folded my laundry this morning, how many people can say an IRS agent did that? Jeff, Alec, Drew, and Bob will be with me in the 'Stan, but at a different base. Hopefully, we'll bump into each other once in a while. Drew is the ultimate Supply Officer, he finds the parts, knows how to solve a problem, and is always pulling something out of his bag of tricks. While we are eating MRE's and sand in the desert, he has a pizza and Starbucks delivered. No one can figure it out. Buck is another one, he separated from us a week or so ago and is probably poolside in Bahrain. Many of the guys work or drill out of DC, we are looking forward to seeing each other when we get back. For the rest of the guys, training, meals, downtime, everything seems more enjoyable in your company - I am proud to serve with you. We're in the navy and therefore will all meet up again sometime down the road.
Well, not exactly like Henry V or the HBO series, but you get the point. As the hours are winding down where we are, I want to give a shout out to my friends, the Commanders of Club 3916 - a truly great group of guys who all got along with each other under less than optimal conditions. Some I've mentioned here before. I don't have the time or space to tell you about all of them, but they are unique, professional, and a load of fun. The laughs don't stop, especially from Mark who is a NCIS agent in civilian life and a former teacher. He says he has ADD. He thinks I might have it too. He says he has ADD.
Doug is an instructor at the Naval War College, he has taught me more than just what a scapular is. He lives in Newport and I'm certain the family and I will venture up there for a visit some time. Rich is a character, a former Marine and now a senior executive with the IRS - he says he is on our side though, an advocate for us. He folded my laundry this morning, how many people can say an IRS agent did that? Jeff, Alec, Drew, and Bob will be with me in the 'Stan, but at a different base. Hopefully, we'll bump into each other once in a while. Drew is the ultimate Supply Officer, he finds the parts, knows how to solve a problem, and is always pulling something out of his bag of tricks. While we are eating MRE's and sand in the desert, he has a pizza and Starbucks delivered. No one can figure it out. Buck is another one, he separated from us a week or so ago and is probably poolside in Bahrain. Many of the guys work or drill out of DC, we are looking forward to seeing each other when we get back. For the rest of the guys, training, meals, downtime, everything seems more enjoyable in your company - I am proud to serve with you. We're in the navy and therefore will all meet up again sometime down the road.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Training Concluded
We just got back from the Range. Two nights and three days of living on the floor, bad food (but high quality for MRE's), no running water, and shooting and convoys. We learned a bit and tried not to irritate each other too much. The shooting was a bit more advanced than at our previous course. We did run and shoot and shot in teams and had to turn and shoot. It's kind of dangerous if you're not careful. No one got hurt, so all is well.
I met another old acquaintance here, Jeff from Department Head School. We remembered each other from 15 years ago. He is still active and doing well. We were in the back seat of our convoy truck having just a wonderful time. Our job was to get out when we stopped and secure the area (make sure it is safe). This was actually amusing since we only had 9mm pistols and we are old commanders. It would normally be done with an M16 rifle by people who are hopefully more qualified than we are. While spending hours out in the desert we saw a load of camels, goats (or sheep, who knows), some wild dogs, some people, no trees or any other plant life except for weeds. They really made the convoy training realistic with local people involved, mock up houses and other things. Our group did very well.
Talking about old acquaintances, 15 years is not the limit. I also met up with Alec who I don't think I mentioned. We were in the same dorm freshman year. He joined up after college and we haven't seen each other in about 25 years. He is doing well too.
We should find out in the next few hours when we leave. After that, our schedules will change a few times and then we'll be on our way. I want to get to New York sometime this month.
I met another old acquaintance here, Jeff from Department Head School. We remembered each other from 15 years ago. He is still active and doing well. We were in the back seat of our convoy truck having just a wonderful time. Our job was to get out when we stopped and secure the area (make sure it is safe). This was actually amusing since we only had 9mm pistols and we are old commanders. It would normally be done with an M16 rifle by people who are hopefully more qualified than we are. While spending hours out in the desert we saw a load of camels, goats (or sheep, who knows), some wild dogs, some people, no trees or any other plant life except for weeds. They really made the convoy training realistic with local people involved, mock up houses and other things. Our group did very well.
Talking about old acquaintances, 15 years is not the limit. I also met up with Alec who I don't think I mentioned. We were in the same dorm freshman year. He joined up after college and we haven't seen each other in about 25 years. He is doing well too.
We should find out in the next few hours when we leave. After that, our schedules will change a few times and then we'll be on our way. I want to get to New York sometime this month.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Home on the Range
Tomorrow we travel to Udairi for Close Quarters Maneuvers and convoy operations. We will shoot shoulder to shoulder as well as move and shoot. We'll also get more training on travelling in convoys. The camping part gets more intense. We'll be in sleeping bads on the ground of a tent. Each tent holds around 30 or so. No showers, no plumbing, only MRE's to eat. I almost feel guilty getting paid to do this.
Today we did HEAT training, which means Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer. It's like a Disney ride. Five of us get into a humvee that is able to rotate/roll on a machine. We are in the four seats and have a gunner that is standing, half out of the vehicle. They start to roll the vehicle simulating an accident. We are in seat belts, except for the gunner who we try to hold inside as he hits the deck. They rotate us around about three times, stopping with all of us upside down. We have to get the doors open, get out of our belts (upside down) and get out. I was in the back left and my door doesn't open, so I hung upside down until everyone got out and I got out the driver's door. Glad we didn't have to do it under water.
The weather here has been great, nice during the day and chilly at night. I can't imagine the people who go through this in the summer or during rainy times. We sure are lucky there. The food is good and we aren't harrassed too much. We'll get back sometime Sunday afternoon and will hopefully travel to our final destinations no later than Tuesday. I will miss the friends I've made who are going to Iraq, but hope to see them someday when we all return to the States. That's just how it is in the navy, you make friends quickly, you may not see each other for years, but then you don't miss a step when you get back together.
That is all. I doubt I'll be able to post again until we get back. Hopefully, I'll have some nice responses to read. Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!
Today we did HEAT training, which means Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer. It's like a Disney ride. Five of us get into a humvee that is able to rotate/roll on a machine. We are in the four seats and have a gunner that is standing, half out of the vehicle. They start to roll the vehicle simulating an accident. We are in seat belts, except for the gunner who we try to hold inside as he hits the deck. They rotate us around about three times, stopping with all of us upside down. We have to get the doors open, get out of our belts (upside down) and get out. I was in the back left and my door doesn't open, so I hung upside down until everyone got out and I got out the driver's door. Glad we didn't have to do it under water.
The weather here has been great, nice during the day and chilly at night. I can't imagine the people who go through this in the summer or during rainy times. We sure are lucky there. The food is good and we aren't harrassed too much. We'll get back sometime Sunday afternoon and will hopefully travel to our final destinations no later than Tuesday. I will miss the friends I've made who are going to Iraq, but hope to see them someday when we all return to the States. That's just how it is in the navy, you make friends quickly, you may not see each other for years, but then you don't miss a step when you get back together.
That is all. I doubt I'll be able to post again until we get back. Hopefully, I'll have some nice responses to read. Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!
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