"Letters From The Wastland"
Hello all of you shaker’s, mover’s, sinner’s and grinner’s…Here is your letter from the Wasteland.
My purpose on Taji is to train and assist an Iraqi Security Force and advise a US Army Lieutenant Colonel and an Iraqi Brigadier General on Security Matters at an Iraqi Army Depot. Originally I was supposed to serve as the Detachment First Sergeant, but, with the addition of the Security Position my Commander decided to place me into that position. I figure because I’m the Combat Minded guy. I’m not an MP, but, I pretty much serve as one. So far I’ve not put the MP sleeve on, and personally, I don’t want to. I’ve kept my position quiet because it can change and you civilians will give me the “I thought you were doing this…” line. Things change. At one time I was supposed to teach an Infantry Platoon SGT Course, and, I was looking forward to that. Things changed, though.
Is this job dangerous? It is at night. The bad guy’s know we are here and there are all kinds of goodies inside. We can’t let our guard down. I’m wanting to introduce a motto for the Security Force and I’m thinking about borrowing my Family Motto…“Simper Vigilans”, but, in Arabic of course. Also one of the Iraqi Guards could freak out and shoot me. But, they have better weapons discipline compared to much of what I’ve heard. When I get done with them it will be even better.
I’m also the NCO in charge(NCOIC) of an Escort Team, which liaisons and guides Contracted Convoy’s through the Base. I have three guy’s there, one a former 11M(Bradley Driver) and one a 19D(Cavalry Scout) the other has a good head on his shoulders. So, if something was to go down, they would know what to do and not have their arms flailing in the air screaming “What do we do?”. One is from right down the road from me. He was in the Airport the day I left home.
Both my Commander and myself have been on ground ahead of the rest of the Detachment for about two weeks preparing for their arrival. I’ve kept quiet about that because some things should only be posted in past tense. Now everyone is here safe and sound. So, with this in mind I will not post but about so much of what I do. Simper Vigilans.
As I draft this it’s the evening of the 26th of June. My 38th Birthday. I had to remind myself today. In celebration I ate a cup of Pudding in the CSM Cooke DFAC. I also learned today that I’m some what going to be a Grandfather through my Stepson from my previous relationship, I’m not ready for that. I really don’t know what to think about it.
In a couple of hours I have to go out and check the Security. Shut up. If you read this I survived. I won’t get much sleep tonight. My walls are thick, my Air Condition works (it didn’t the first night) and my mattress is firm, so, I can catch up pretty well. There’s people getting less than me. I’m fortunate in that case.
A lot of you’ll are wanting pictures. When it works out I’ll get some posted.
Open Note to Twister: I have the Arm Chair General July 2006 issue. When I get around to working the interactives, I’ll give you my solutions. RLTW!
I’m going to do something besides type now. An hour or so to kill.
Aut Pax Aut Bellum,
The Appalachianist
My purpose on Taji is to train and assist an Iraqi Security Force and advise a US Army Lieutenant Colonel and an Iraqi Brigadier General on Security Matters at an Iraqi Army Depot. Originally I was supposed to serve as the Detachment First Sergeant, but, with the addition of the Security Position my Commander decided to place me into that position. I figure because I’m the Combat Minded guy. I’m not an MP, but, I pretty much serve as one. So far I’ve not put the MP sleeve on, and personally, I don’t want to. I’ve kept my position quiet because it can change and you civilians will give me the “I thought you were doing this…” line. Things change. At one time I was supposed to teach an Infantry Platoon SGT Course, and, I was looking forward to that. Things changed, though.
Is this job dangerous? It is at night. The bad guy’s know we are here and there are all kinds of goodies inside. We can’t let our guard down. I’m wanting to introduce a motto for the Security Force and I’m thinking about borrowing my Family Motto…“Simper Vigilans”, but, in Arabic of course. Also one of the Iraqi Guards could freak out and shoot me. But, they have better weapons discipline compared to much of what I’ve heard. When I get done with them it will be even better.
I’m also the NCO in charge(NCOIC) of an Escort Team, which liaisons and guides Contracted Convoy’s through the Base. I have three guy’s there, one a former 11M(Bradley Driver) and one a 19D(Cavalry Scout) the other has a good head on his shoulders. So, if something was to go down, they would know what to do and not have their arms flailing in the air screaming “What do we do?”. One is from right down the road from me. He was in the Airport the day I left home.
Both my Commander and myself have been on ground ahead of the rest of the Detachment for about two weeks preparing for their arrival. I’ve kept quiet about that because some things should only be posted in past tense. Now everyone is here safe and sound. So, with this in mind I will not post but about so much of what I do. Simper Vigilans.
As I draft this it’s the evening of the 26th of June. My 38th Birthday. I had to remind myself today. In celebration I ate a cup of Pudding in the CSM Cooke DFAC. I also learned today that I’m some what going to be a Grandfather through my Stepson from my previous relationship, I’m not ready for that. I really don’t know what to think about it.
In a couple of hours I have to go out and check the Security. Shut up. If you read this I survived. I won’t get much sleep tonight. My walls are thick, my Air Condition works (it didn’t the first night) and my mattress is firm, so, I can catch up pretty well. There’s people getting less than me. I’m fortunate in that case.
A lot of you’ll are wanting pictures. When it works out I’ll get some posted.
Open Note to Twister: I have the Arm Chair General July 2006 issue. When I get around to working the interactives, I’ll give you my solutions. RLTW!
I’m going to do something besides type now. An hour or so to kill.
Aut Pax Aut Bellum,
The Appalachianist
posted by Hill Billy Rave | Thursday, June 29, 2006
8 Comments:
Hey, good to hear from you. Also good to hear you got an AC and a decent bunk. 3 hots and a cot, that's all you need.... or something like that.
Happy Birthday Old Man. Gee, almost a Grandfather and you're younger than I was when I became a father!
Thanks, Murf. I got home the day before my birthday last year. But,I'm mostly home.
Gun Trash who aint sigened in, Yep, I'm pretty fortunate. Not to shabby at all.
Sage, I'm not an old man. Heck, I don't know what I am. I was thinking I could have kids later in life...The boy is moving across states though. I'm a semi sora grandfather. It is hard for me to imagine that people I went to school with have 20 year olds. I wasn't their tep father until I was 29. Well, it's some one else to love.
A baby has a way of making a man out of his father and a boy out of his grandfather....
~Angie Papadakis~
I love your words of " Well, its someone else to love." So sweet.
AI, I finally get a chance to see DBT. Coming to town opening for The Black Crowes and someone else. The moment I have waited for. Too bad I'll be working.
Did the next best thing, though. I rented their concert video off of Netflix. Whoa. WE AIN'T NEVER GONNA CHANGE seems like an even more dangerous song when you realize how much those guys (and gal) look as normal as the folks in the trailer next door.
I watched JARHEAD to try to get a feel for what you're goingt through. Hopefully, you're better off than them guys. They was nekkid areound each other a little too much, I thought. From the sound of your post, you indeed have it a little better than that.
Glad you're safe. I am concentrating on other stuff and don't post much. I'm a lurker, though. I see you've been drive-by blogging at my site too. I understand, brother... just not enough hours in the day.
5 letters. Thanks.
Keep your head down.
Ramblin' Ed
Oh, I missed your birthday! I hope you had a good one.
I was just stopping in to see if you are around.
I hope you have a very safe and happy Fourth!
~xo
Thanks for spotblogging me Ed and Lee Ann. Hope you'l enjoyed the fourth as well.
Right! I have got to get a subcription to that and Strategy and Tactics (better historical-wise and they come with a in-magazine game option-more expensive but the games are worth it-got quite a few).
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