Leaving Phoenix-again
My adopted Norman-awesome kid
Lots-o-bling
BAF accomodations
Chinook gunner
Here's your sign
Luncheon and end of the line for the goatI can tell the difference between five different helicopters and five different MRAPs by sound.
I can determine whether the mortars are inbound or out bound by the sound of the thud. I also know what kind of damage an RPG will do when aimed properly.
I smell good compared to the general population over here.
There are some people that genuinely appreciate us being here and I hope that is contagious.
Taliban are not easy to pick out of a crowd. Taliban are also spineless pieces of fecal matter. The horror they inflict on their own people is quite disturbing.
Goat meat tastes like…steak (you thought I was going to say chicken).
Our interpreters are under rated. They work long hours for what would be peanuts to us. I have learned more from them then I thought possible.
IEDs are non-discriminating regardless of race, religion, age or sex.
MRAPs do exactly what they are designed to do. Let’s hope this continues.
Afghanis are extremely hospitable and very loyal. Their word is as good as a contract and they expect the same in return.
Most Afghanis drive everywhere like it’s a life or death situation. Sometimes it is; they just don’t know it’s theirs.
My CST training at Ft. Riley was not a total waste of time. Friends you make at training become family.
Afghanistan children can throw rocks like nothing I have ever seen before with great accuracy. This talent is usually displayed after telling them you don’t have any candy.
Afghanistan is the leading opium producer in the world yet they refuse to prescribe pain medication to patients that desperately need it.
Inshallah (God willing) is really a way of life over here…with everything!
Weapon safety is not a high priority with the Afghan Army, but blinging their truck, tractor, trailer, or weapon out is.
If you don’t like tea when you get here you will by the time you leave.
On top of being badasses, ODA guys throw an awesome BBQ and they can make a 15ft deep pool out of a fuel bladder, complete with heater and filter system.
Every person that “plays” professional sports needs to donate their salary from one game to one of the gunners, route clearers, or EOD guys over here.
Anyone that says they like to deploy and they don’t miss their family needs to have their head examined, or they don’t like their family. Not a second goes by that I don’t think about mine and how much this sucks being away from them.
Sounds like it's been an incredible learning experience already. Julien's jealous of the goat dinner. He missed his chance in Iraq. But I gotta ask, why do they need a sign asking you not to wash your feet in the sink???
ReplyDeleteThat sign was posted at one of the smaller FOBs I have been at and they have a large population of locals that work there. Every day they have call to prayer five times. Each time they have to clean their feet before they pray.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting what you have. I was searching to find out the location where my best friend was deployed to this week and came across your blog. Thanks for posting the pics, thanks for sharing your stories as it gives me a clearer picture of what his life will be like and how I can support him (with care packages).
ReplyDeleteI will probably not talk to him for awhile as he gets used to his first deployment ever but now that I know care packages are an important thing for him I'll send it on. I cannot believe how you guys sleep though. Its amazing to this civilian and prissy new yorker how much you all sacrifice for us.
Next week, as the bells chime to honor those who fell on 9/11 I will think of you and will say an extra prayer so that you too may have a quick, easy and safe deployment. I have been doing that for my buddy nightly since he left.
Looking forward to reading you, cause I already love your blog.
God Bless!