Familiar . . . Different

As I type this, I find myself in a location all too familiar to me. The base we traveled to last night, and where I'm currently located, is one of the bases I frequented on my last deployment, nearly 4 years ago. There have been a lot of changes in my life, changes to this post, and changes around this country. Despite all of these changes, everything about my being here has a very familiar feel to it.

I found it to be quite eerie that I could remember where the dining facility and PX were on a post that I hadn't visited in 4 years, and even then, only a handful of times. I knew right where to drive my truck to get fuel, to stage and go to sleep. . .yet, everything about this post has changed. No longer do we sleep on cots in a tent without air conditioning. Gone is the old dining facility which was essentially a large air conditioned tent. It seems as if everything has been replaced by something newer . . . something better. I suppose that's just one of those facts of life, but it shows progress all around.

This time around, I'm a Non-Commissioned Officer, violence in this country has diminished to where people are nearly able to lead a normal lifestyle, and all of the improvements on post . . .this all leads me to believe that progress, however insignificant, is still occurring here, which gives me a reason to be believe that things really can get better over here. At least I've been able to see progress in the four years I've been gone.

Anyway, that's enough reminiscing and wandering thoughts for one post. I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather that fall brings, I know I am! Until next time. . .

Live From Kuwait

Well, as this year goes on, and I count down the days, weeks, and months until I step on that big bird home, I can't help but wonder what I should do when I get home. To be more specific, I definitely think a vacation or a road trip is in order. That being said, I think I'm going to post some sort of an informal poll on the page to see what everyone else thinks about where I should go to relax. I have a few ideas in mind, but maybe I'll get a more creative suggestion about where to go.

For my two weeks leave, I'm going to be spending a week of it in Disney World, so . . .that one will be off limits. I'll brainstorm a little, and put up the poll :-) Happy voting.

Staying Busy

It's been awhile since my last post, but very little has changed. Things are starting to pick up for us, and in my mind, that's a good thing. Life here can be quite miserable when we're not on the road. You would be surprised with how many small tasks pop up for us to do around this place. From guard duty, to cleaning up our motor pool, to just basic maintenance on our trucks. Yes, life on the road is more preferable.

This last mission saw a few changes in the role I play on our convoys. Before, I was responsible for overseeing and supervising the TCN's (Third Country Nationals) that we escort to the bases in Iraq. Now, I am the LVC (Lead Vehicle Commander), responsible for leading the entire convoy to the different bases we go to. It's quite a different job, but one that I thoroughly enjoy. Well, that's all I have for now. I wish everyone the best, and I hope you're enjoying the cooler weather that fall brings. It's barely started to cool off here in Kuwait, we're finally starting to see low 100's as highs, so that's a positive.

~Wildcat~ <----- New job, new callsign

Pictures and Updates

Before I get into the pictures, I just want to let everyone know that I made it back safely from a 9 day mission. We left on the 5th, and we got back on the 14th. It was a long and tiring run, but the time seems to fade away much faster when we're on the road. Before I left for this mission, I purchased a new computer online. I purchased this computer for the specific purpose of using it on the road. I's the Acer Aspire One ( A google search will reveal more info about it) It's a tiny (8") screen that allows me to have an ultra mobile pc instead of lugging around my EXPENSIVE MacBook Pro everywhere. At $399, I think it will be a worthwhile investment. In fact, I'm typing this blog from the little PC right now.

Now, on to the good stuff. I promised pictures, and I won't disappoint. Rowdy was VERY busy this mission. I don't know if I could have done it without her :-)



Rowdy wanted to help pack, how can I say no?



Just waiting around to go to our trucks the first day



Rowdy, sitting atop her perch.



For some reason, Rowdy wanted to drive the bus to the motor pool



I told her "NO!" and instead, I let her drive my HET



The first truck is the one I had this mission.



Rowdy was too busy driving all day, she got tired quickly.



Most of CLP Knight 2-2 in front of our truck



Okay, it wasn't MY idea, but my driver's a HUGE KU fan, so we had to take the picture. If anyone has a K-State flag. . .feel free to send that my way!



Rowdy and I were both tired after a long mission. She says it's time to go to sleep.

Road Warrior

You may or may not know, but I have been on the road for the past six days. I've had the chance to travel through much of the country of Iraq, and I am on my way back south again. (there will be pictures, I promise) It seems to me like life on the road is significantly better than living life back at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. While I'm on the road, things seem to go by more than twice as fast than when I'm stuck working on my truck in the motor pool EVERY day.

Something that's really started to get to me lately is the fact that I'm not in school. With the weather starting to cool off, and the calendar starting to get top heavy, I just feel like I should be sitting in a classroom, flying a plane, or working in Salina. I'm really starting to miss school :-x I can't believe I actually said it, but I did. Oh well, I suppose there's always next fall!

Ciao