eat, sleep, work, repeat

Well, a lot has happened since the last time I wrote. Sorry I haven't updated but I've been very busy. I try to call home on skype as often as possible but with my current schedule I seem to only get about ten minutes at a time. The job I'm doing is very taxing, and I find myself more and more tired. The paperwork is more tiring than the physical aspect. My workout schedule is shreds, I haven't had the time to get in a rhythm, so I guess it will have to wait until I get back to El Paso. Until then I'll do what I can. The days melt together like gummy bears in the microwave. Not sure how to separate them. I know one day a week is maintenance, and after that we should have the rest of the day off. My guys get a little rest, but the rest of the day for me is spent in meetings and briefings. Part of the job I guess. There's been some long days and nights here lately. In other news, I put down a deposit for a rental house in El Paso yesterday, its very nice and close to where I work. I think I'll enjoy staying there. It will be great to have somewhere to go when I return, rather than a hotel or my buddy's garage. Also got myself put on a waiting list for a German Pinscher puppy. I'm looking forward to having a puppy around the house, it'll be fun. I'm about ready for a vacation. I need to get some real food, have some real fun, and get some real rest. I can't wait to get out of here. I've got a lot of plans for when I get home, a lot of big changes.I'm really looking forward to getting home. If I could hurry it along, believe me I would.

Attention to Orders

aaaaand its official. I'm now a 1LT. Nice pay raise, new black bar, life's good. I'm working my rear end off trying to do all the work that is involved with the STT. Right now I'm planning training for the IA BDE at end of the month that involves a leader's reaction course, troop leading procedures, IED defeat, squad movements, reconnaissance, knocking out a bunker, room clearing, detainee operations, tactical questioning, tactical site exploitation, and a stress shoot all in one culmination of training. I've got my work cut out for me. Good times, and good experience though.

In other news, I've started P90X and I'm currently on Day 2. I've watched all the dvds, and tried them all out leading up to the program, and they're not easy. I have a feeling I'm going to be pretty smoked for the next 270 days. There are three programs. The first for me, X Doubles, is the hardest of the three programs. I figure this will get me where I need to be with the best results to begin. After that I'm planning on doing the X Lean program, which is another 90 days but more cardio based. My final phase will be the X Classic. With everything I've read into this, I think it will work. The science makes sense, and the workouts are tough. I've set goals for myself and I'm gonna stick with it until I reach those goals.

Its 2325 and I've got more work to do... sleep's a crutch. Drink water, drive on.

quick update

So two weeks? It all runs together, sorry. Here goes. Work with the MiTT team is complete, our transition to the STT is in full swing. I've effectively taken over the responsibilities of 4 captains and two majors, although I'm not sure if I will be as effective as al of them together. I'm sure we'll get by though, we'll get the work done and thats all that matters. I think I'll be working a little harder than usual though. We still haven't moved yet, its a couple days away and I'm still trying to figure out how we're going to accomplish the move with everything going on as well. There is an Iraqi Squad Competition that we've planned for a few days from now, which should be lots of fun and a very unique experience. It will last four days and cover everything from sector sketches and marksmanship to individual movement techniques and battle drills. Its a challenge, and its the first time most of my guys have had an opportunity to teach these things. Most of them have only been in the army a couple of years, if that long. Still, I am proud of them for what they are doing and the efficient manner in which they do it. I couldn't ask for a better platoon. We've also got our patrols, KLEs, and other tasks, and then I've got my meetings, then more meetings, then additional reports, etc. Its a busy schedule. I love it though, it actually feels like we're doing something worthwhile out here. It has really helped the morale of the guys doing this, even though we're working more than we were before. In other notes, I've started planning for redeployment. The date of my return is screaming closer a mile a minute. With days running together like this, it will be over before I know it. I can't be unprepared. Working on budgeting, trying to find a house, all the little things that have to be set up when I get back. I want to get my plan in order now so that when my guys have problems I can help them without having to worry about my own. I'm looking for another 3 bed 2 bath to settle into when I get back. I realize rent will be higher but I'm not too worried about it. I like having some space, especially if I'm going to have visitors. All for now, got work to do!

Another week down

I think I can probably manage at least one post a week now. Things are going well, I'm enjoying the new job and working with my Iraqi counterparts. Outside the wire every day, working with the Iraqi Army. There's a lot going on here in Iraq, but I'll stay out of the details as much as I can. Just know I'm busy working, doing what I do day in and day out, and I love my job. I've started running again, and believe me its been a rough start. I hate running. I'll find excuses not to run. I'm good and fast if its a short distance, but I hope I never HAVE to run very far. I'm not so good at distance. The army still uses a 2 mile PT test, so I guess I'll conform to the masses and just deal with it until they come up with a sprint test or something. Or until I'm old enough all I have to do is show up to pass. Still, I've started running again. Someone once told me the only way to get better at running is to run more, so I've started. Besides, its probably good for me anyway. Still working on the diet, no results thus far. No progress. I've got more time in the evenings now, so its easier to get to the gym. About the beginning of May or so I'll start a P90X program, and try to maintain it for the full 90 days. We'll see how that goes. It will be right after we move to the new complex, so I'm hoping the location change will be what I need to amp up the schedule. Got my sister a birthday present today, hopefully I'll get it in the mail and shipped home before she leaves for Georgia. Got a little something for my mom as well. I miss being at home. Looking forward to the day I get out of here and get to go home for a while. Thats all for now, back to work.

Easter in Iraq

Happy Easter to all those at home! I'm really missing home today. Wish I could be with my family. I just got back from my Easter dinner here in Kirkuk... a square fish patty, broccoli, a dinner roll and grape juice. Not exactly the best but at least edible. I broke down and had a mountain dew as well. Church was nice, but a very short service. Overall its been a busy day today. Everyone in squadron had a holiday, but my day was filled with all the things I've been neglecting to do the rest of the week. Got most everything done early; haircut, laundry, cleaned my room, took out the trash, sent some documents to the burn pit, and started packing for my move to the complex. After that I took some time to relax, sit back and read a couple magazines, dream about hot rods, and make a couple phone calls. My room mate took the day to catch up on the sleep he's missed out on the past couple weeks. I don't blame him... his schedule has been pretty hectic here lately, especially post-election. For once I'm much more relaxed. Its simple really, I know I'll go out every day in the morning, and I'll come back sometime later that afternoon or evening. Going out every day is much better and much more manageable than the possibility of going out every day at a moments notice. In the end it means more time outside the wire and on the road than before, but at the same time its better because I can plan it, and plan around it. Tomorrow's back to work, business as usual.

Transitioning

We are a full week into transitioning from the Mobility Platoon to the STT/MiTT, and I have to say its going pretty well. Looks like we'll move to the new complex in less than a month from now. We're calling it Ligerville. There's a big back porch and a common room, with personal and shared rooms inside. Must say I'm looking forward to that. Far better than the shipping container I'm in now. So far we've been to the Brigade headquarters and each Battalion in Kirkuk, and its been interesting getting to know my new Iraqi counterparts. I have a feeling I've got my work cut out for me, and I know it will be overwhelming at times, but I'm pretty sure we'll do fine. Its a lot of responsibility. With the current drawdown and withdrawal plan, I may be the last American these Iraqi Officers have the opportunity to work with. That in itself is a huge burden, as we are the example that the future of Iraq will follow. At the same time its like being a part of living history, a legacy unlike any other. Not many officers, much less Lieutenants, get the opportunity to do something like this. Positions such as these are usually reserved for senior Captains and above. I am embracing the assignment though, and will work my hardest to do it right. In the end I know it will pay off. Its not the cool, kick down doors blow stuff up shoot shoot shoot assignment from the movies, but its effects will long outlast the tracer burnout of offensive operations. Right now its what the country needs to be able to pull out of a more stable Iraq, and I aim to see that when we leave, the country of Iraq can be self sufficient. Despite what you hear on the news, they are well on their way. Sure they have a few kinks to work out.... We as the United States took over 100 years to work out our differences, I don't expect Iraq to be any different. The Iraqi Officers and NCOs I'm working with now are very professional and welcoming. I've only been here for a week and already I feel welcomed as I walk in. They all know me by name already. You wouldn't believe where I work now. Its one of Chemical Ali's homes. When you walk in there is a spiraling marble staircase atop three arabian arches, all marble floor and tin ceilings. It is in disrepair, but I'll bet it was a sight back in its prime. In front of the building are ancient sumerian ruins, just south of Kirkuk city. Thats all for now, more later.

Dust-cloud of stuff

Well y'all, it’s been over a month since I've updated, and there has been a world of change since my last post. I've been home on leave, the elections are over in Kirkuk and the results have been announced. We've begun the process of changing over to the MiTT team as well. We've all been busy, and it’s been a lot of work but I know its been worthwhile.

It felt great to get home for a while! I flew out of Kirkuk in early march, to Balad, then Kuwait, then Ireland, and onward to Atlanta and Greensboro. The whole process took about 4 or 5 days. That whole thing kinda runs together. The flight was long and tiring. Anyone who has tried to sleep in an aircraft seat will agree with me... they aren't the most comfortable seats in the world. Much better than an MRAP seat though. Had a great burger in Ireland... cost me a fortune but it was great. Irish cheddar and bacon, hand cut fries... it was good to have real food not made in a DFAC for the first time in 5 months. You can't imagine how good it felt to land in Greensboro. It was so good seeing my mom and dad at the airport. The relief of finally making it home, the things that go through your head, the first things you think of when you get there. Soldiers talk about what they're going to do on leave for months, planning out each detail that gets forgotten within moments of stepping off the plane. Thinking about leave is something that keeps you going from day to day out here. You spend half your deployment thinking about leave and the other half thinking about redeployment. I tried for weeks to plan out my leave, but I eventually settled on planning to do nothing and see how it goes from there. It worked out for the best. On the flight from Atlanta I thought about all the things I had missed the most while I was in Kirkuk; my family, my friends, Cubby (the sweet, spoiled-rotten miniature pinscher/yorkshire terrier that has commandeered my pillow since leaving), good BBQ, good food in general, driving my truck, grass, a real bed, cheerwine, true sleep, silence, I could go on all day! I was able to spend some much needed time with my family, which meant more to me than anything else, but I got to have a lot of fun too. I bought a truck the morning after I arrived in North Carolina. I had found it online while at Taji a few weeks back, and after speaking with the dealer I was able to get them to hold it for me until I was able to get home. After a test drive, I knew it was just what I needed; a silver and black 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 with a Flex Fuel V8. It’s not the top of the line but it’s everything I need, and the flex fuel option is great! E85 is hard to come by, but I was able to test out a tank of it and I was very impressed. It’s much cheaper too; almost by a dollar. When I got the truck it had a little over 700 miles, I'm pretty sure I tripled that while I was home. I was able to make it home for my little cousin's birthday; he's growing like a weed! I gave him a teddy bear that plays the army song, and gave my other little cousin a big stuffed camel. I think my aunt has her hands full with those two. The smallest one has just discovered that the most fun places to get in trouble are just beyond the baby-gate. The other little one is already too smart for her age. It was good seeing Nana and Papa, even in the hustle and bustle of a little one’s birthday party. I spent the next day with Poppy, my other grandfather. I wish you could see the look on his face when I walked in and surprised him… it was priceless. I really missed my family a lot, even though I’m not very good at taking the time to tell them so through cards and letters. I stay pretty busy out here, and it’s hard enough for me to take the time to write in this thing, much less anything else. I should do better to keep in touch with them while I’m away. Had dinner with my sister at the Dairi-O while I was home, and she told me all about her plans for Valdosta in the fall. I think she’s really looking forward to it, and I hope she does well though. I think she’ll enjoy Valdosta, if she can stand the summer below the gnat line. Lord knows it gets a bit warm down there, and pretty humid too. I took a few days and went down to Georgia. I had to drop my mom off in Atlanta for a conference for work, but it was fun having a five-hour road trip to hang out with her. Had a great time catching up with old friends from college and walking around in the small town square of Dahlonega where I spent the better part of five and a half years. Not much has changed in Dahlonega, but there’s a good bit of construction going on at the college... lots of new dorms, new buildings. They’re tearing down the building I lived in for most of my college years and putting up a new two story dining facility. Spent a little while talking with Chief, seems like the military program is still running strong. He has been and always will be a huge influence in my life and leadership style. I owe a lot to Chief, he put in a lot of time and effort into molding me into the officer I am today and words cannot express how much he is appreciated. Went out to Cullowhee while I was in the area to see a friend of mine I hadn’t seen in a while. He’s like a brother to me, and while I was up there found out he’s getting married! Got to see the ring and everything. He told me he was gonna wait to pop the question on his upcoming trip overseas, but I was willing to bet he wouldn’t make it that long. Turns out I was right, its all over facebook now and he’s not headed out there ‘til May. Did a lot of driving up in the mountains while I was home. I missed the curves, the trees, the sound of water over the rocks, the feel of torque and acceleration in a pickup truck. Felt good to be sitting in the drivers seat with the windows down again. Went up to hanging rock with mom and dad while I was home. The drive, the lake, the trees, everything about that day was beautiful. I'm starting to see how much I take for granted. You don’t realize how much you take for granted until you don't have it or can’t go there anymore. Well, I could go on for days about the fun I had on leave, probably more days than I actually spent on leave… as a matter of fact I probably should have posted more than once this month. Wish I had, now that I think about it. Gotta run, lots of work to do. More later.