Another Visit!

Last night Bri got to visit me again. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go off post so we "dined" at the Pizza Hut in the food court. Even though the surroundings were less than desirable, it was great to see him. He brought some of the cards that friends and family have sent so I had a chance to look through them. He also brought a little plaster cast of Lexie's paw print. That's when I lost it... unbelievable how much I miss my dog. Brian and I had a good chat about everything going on back in the hood and how him and Lyndsey are adapting to my absence. From the sounds of it, Lyndsey has really stepped up with cleaning her room and washing her clothes. If I had only known that's what it would take to get her to clean, I should have deployed sooner! (just kidding, peanut girl!)

Today, I reported to the range to fire my M4 with the Close Combat Optics (CCO). I LOVE my M4! However, with all of my new equipment and having to wear my ballistic eye wear with inserts, it took longer than usual for me to lock in a good iron site zero. I feel like a turtle in this body armor especially with the shoulder pieces. I can hardly lift my arms to put on my helmet so I have to remember to put my helmet on first. I've forgotten a couple of times and than I have to ask for help or start the process all over again.

Speaking of shoulders, my small pox shot never amounted to anything but some of the Soldiers have these nasty, swollen, oozing sores. They are suppose to let them "air out" so they walk around with their sleeve rolled up to expose the site. Gross!

Private First Class (PFC) Stedman AKA: Cannonball and PFC Wiebold showing off their guns!


Our Company Commander: Major David Riha

A Day At Work

My routine from home is way off. I didn't get a chance today to run to the commissary to buy more milk for my Grapenuts tomorrow. I haven't worked out a single day since I've been here. I hardly get any sleep. I've only practiced my guitar once. I've had two cold showers in the last three days and I REALLY HATE COLD SHOWERS!!!! At least I've had my Starbucks coffee with my coffee press every morning. (Sorry, Neils) I thought I would be in some kind of routine by now but with the training that is occurring and ensuring that our Soldiers get trained, it doesn't leave much time in the day for much else.

The last couple of days have been especially busy. I attended a Safety Officer course during the day, meetings at night with follow on training in the evening, back to the office to work on training schedules and rosters for training. Tonight Protocol SME (Subject Matter Expert)...that would be me, gave a class to another unit. Their Soldiers will be working the guard shack for an upcoming exercise and since there are a lot of officers walking around, the command wants to ensure their Soldiers know what to do when an officer approaches them.

Last night, I went to Preliminary Marksmanship Training (PMT) for the M9 pistol. Mom, you will be happy to know that I get to carry both my M4 and M9. Unfortunately, you still can't send me a pistol with a pearl handle. :(

There is a flip side to being so busy: the days are going by very fast and I can hardly believe the month is almost done. Hopefully, the rest of the time will go by just as fast.

Bring on the HEAT!

Once again, I'm impressed with the training! Tonight about a third of our company went to Highly Mobile Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) Egress Assistance Trainer (HEAT) training. It's to prepare us for potential roll-overs in our vehicles. Classroom instruction was first and then we bused to a site for a hands-on experience. Four of us sat in a HMMWV that had no wheels and was mounted like a chicken being roasted on a rotisserie. We had Soldiers in each seat with their seat belts on and the gunner sitting in the turret. The instructors explained the importance of exiting the vehicle and how to help your teammates out in the event of a roll-over. The program began by turning the vehicle to a 25 degree angle and then a 30 degree angle. This was to demonstrate the degree vehicles could potentially roll-over. Shortly after the entire thing went upside down as we yelled, "Rollover, Rollover, Rollover"! Then we had to get out, hanging upside down. After we exited, we loaded the vehicle again and spun around with the vehicle ending up positioned on its side. I had an easier time upside down. I pray I never experience that when driving.


The HEAT Trainer


Soldiers crawling out the gunner's turret after being flipped around 1 and 1/2 times.


The 3 Amigos and Sergeant First Class Carmichael!

Valentine Gift???

Today we went to the warehouse to draw our Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI) issue. Unbelievable, is all I can say! Brian, you can't bitch anymore when I bring two suitcases on a trip! I now have four duffel bags with one large ruck sack of gear. The warehouse guys made sure everything fit from our gloves, to helmets to the new Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV). The Soldiers got a laugh at my expense when one station was handing out sports bras and I had to state what size I wear with everyone standing there. Last time I shop here for bras!

Trying on our new helmets.


Sporting my "Marianne the Librarian" glasses


Sergeant First Class Brice Horning as Vanna. The Soldiers thought it was funny that I laid all my stuff out to take a picture of it. However, they all wanted a picture after it was all said and done...go figure.


Really cool Army shirts!

The Big Arrival

Back in Minnesota, the remaining troops mobilized on February 10th. A departure ceremony was held for all the troops and their families at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium with a steak dinner provided by the St Paul local businesses. There was upwards of 8000 dinners served for Soldiers and their families. Since I wasn't there, here's a website to read more about it:

http://www.mndaily.com/2009/02/09/red-bulls-receive-sendoff

The ADVON party rehearsed receiving all of these Soldiers to ensure it was a seamless event once they landed. I would have taken pictures of the Soldiers disembarking the 747 but taking pictures of the flight line is worth a $10,000 fine. It was really great seeing everyone and now it actual feels real as opposed to an Annual Training at a distant location.

They flew two large groups over two days. On the second day, I was tasked to pick up four Colonels since I have my prior protocol experience. Colonel Hodd, a fellow Signal officer, had to give me some ribbing and stated that he likes his coffee black. I have a feeling I might see more protocol opportunities in my future....coffee girl, baggage girl, etc.

Visitor!

I got a visit from Hubby today. Washington is part of his territory so he stopped by for a few hours. It was great to see him and he was amazed with our living conditions. In fact, his first comment as he walked through the bay was, "You've got to be kidding?" I won't write what he said after that but it wasn't very nice. I had to remind him that Fort Polk was far worse and this was really a step up and it sure beats a tent.

I've included some pictures of the outside of the buildings but the point of interest is the smokers in the middle. The area between the buildings is called the "Mall". I paced it off and it's 100 meters by 30 meters. The square in the middle is the smoker's area and measures 2 meters x 3 meters. It's humorous to see upwards of 20 Soldiers standing in this small area. I'm really glad I never took up the habit since I can't imagine feeling compelled enough to stand in a square to smoke.

It wasn't any easier saying goodbye again.

The Human Pin Cushion

It's shot day today and I hate shots. I'm not afraid of needles but I always break into a sweat and feel nauseated before I even get stuck. And I especially hate how I feel after whether I can't move my arm at all, or I get the body aches and pains. I knew I was in for it today since it is mandatory for all Soldiers to receive an anthrax shot. Number one of a 5 shot series. I was also required to have typhoid and small pox shots. I had the small pox shot as a kid (Mom had the shot given on my hip so as to not scar my arm - thanks, Mom!). This time around, I received it in the arm. The best part about this shot is the oozing pus that is suppose to occur in 7-8 days. Can't wait for that to happen. We have to be very careful with caring for the site until the scab falls off and they don't want us to wear contacts until that time occurs. Great, another added bonus! They drew blood for a pregnancy test even though I got "fixed" a few years back. I have to receive another pregnancy test before I depart. Too funny...that would certainly be an act of God on a number of accounts.

A long with the shots, we went through different stations such as finance, legal, dental, medical and family services. While we were there, there were other groups returning home, going through the same process. All in all, it went very smooth and I'm a "GO" at this station.

The Weekend

The first week went by fast. Our job as ADVON (advance party) is to prepare for the larger group to arrive. Some of the tasks include: unloading and setting up equipment, coordination meetings, planning training events and logistical requirements. It's important to work out the details before everyone else arrives. It's pretty incredible what goes into moving a group of Soldiers and taking care of them once they arrive.

Personally, the bonuses for leaving early are: knowing where everything is before everyone else arrives, adapting to the time change before having to jump into training, not having to attend a departure ceremony, no crowds in the latrine, picking the sleep number bed of your choice, etc...

The parts that are less desirable: leaving your family early (sucks), missing out on attending the steak dinner after the departure ceremony (I heard it was very nice), high expectations to ensure everything is taken care of prior to the larger group arriving, etc. This last one is a killer since it's easy to place blame on the ADVON group even if we have no control of the situation.

Saturday evening we (20 Soldiers) went to a place called Jake's for dinner and some really good beer. This will probably be the last beer for a very long, long time which is OK since I did quite a bit of socializing with family and friends prior to leaving.

On Sunday, we had most of the day to ourselves to do laundry, run to the PX or nap. Myself and a few other friends drove to Seattle to have dinner and walk around on the pier. We dined at the Crab Pot and even hit Pirate's Plunder for some pirate novelty's. I'll be sure to post some pictures as the deployment wears on of my eye patch!


Chief Mankowski riding the pig at the fish market.


This wall is covered entirely by gum.


Captain Neumann and I sharing a pot of seafood! I was so hungry by this time but it ended up being too much food. Awesome food!

Lexie "LuLu"

Our hunting dog with Lyndsey, Grandpa and Brian.

We lost our family member today. It's amazing how attached you can become to a pet. I grew up with dogs as a kid but none of them have compared to her and her personality. I had purchased her as a birthday gift for Lyndsey when Brian was in Sturgis (without telling him). So it was a big surprise to him when he got home. I hadn't done a lot of research of Scotties and after purchasing her, I bought a book, read about Scotties being aloof and wondering how can a dog be aloof. We certainly found out soon enough when she would sit on the other side of the room and just stare at you if you called her. Most of the time she was a lovable pet and wanted to be sitting right next to you or on you. For such a short dog with short legs, she could jump up on our high bed. When we had dinner parties, and if we had an extra chair, she would want to sit on the open chair....just to sit there and be with us. I can't imagine her not being there when I get home.

Fort Lewis, Washington

I haven't been to a lot of bases but this post is one of the nicest I've seen except where I'm living...go figure. When it isn't cloudy, Mount Rainier is a spectacular sight. South fort is similar to driving through east end Duluth or Summit Ave in St. Paul. There are a lot of amenities on post from a movie theater, roller skating rink, fast food restaurants and coffee shops (even my favorite: Starbucks)!

The barracks are a lot to be desired. It's not crowded right now but when the main body arrives we'll be tripping over each other in the latrine. It reminds me of a funny list: 40 Ways to Prepare for a Deployment. I've listed a few that pertain now.

#1 Sleep on a cot in the garage. (I'm not sleeping on a cot but the mattress has a lot to be desired).
#3 Two hours after you go to sleep, have your significant shine a flashlight in your eyes and mumble, "Sorry, wrong cot."
#5 When you take showers, wear flip-flops.
#15 Set your alarm clock to go off at random times during the night. When it goes off, jump out of bed and get to the shower as fast as you can. Simulate there is no hot water by running out into your yard and breaking out the garden hose. (Haven't had any issues with not having enough hot water, however, the alarms start going off as early as 0430 and don't stop until 0600. Plus everyone is moving around at all hours of the night whether they are coming back from a late meeting, having a smoke, or using the latrine). Brian's snoring just doesn't seem that bad now with at least 3-4 women who could easily compete with any man.

I really haven't settled in yet since we will be moving to different barracks. Let me clarify; not better only a different location. No sense in unpacking only to repack in a few days.

Our Signal (Communication) Soldiers set up wireless in the area. It's good to be a part of Signal since we always have electricty and communications. I tried Skyping the family and that worked well. Seeing their faces makes it a little bit easier being away.


The sleep number beds!


Really nice porcelain sinks with lighted mirrors!


Mount Rainier

Ground Hog's Day

How appropriate that I would be leaving on Ground Hog's Day.

Before heading out the door, I held my Scottie for the last time. Lexie "LuLu" was diagnosed with lymphomic sarcoma-cancer in the lymph nodes seven days prior. Talk about bad timing. She was beyond surgery and chemotherapy and so for the past week we have had her on prednizone to help increase her appetite and thirst. However, the vet said she wouldn't be with us for long.

The parents, Brian and Lyndsey brought me to the airport. Hugged all of them; multiple times, took some pictures, cried some tears and got on the plane. Wow, that sucked.

Arrived at Fort Lewis, Washington. My new home for a while. World War II barracks with open bays. At least it's better than a tent.


Holding my LuLu.


Dad, Mary Lou, Brian and I

Superbowl

I spent the day finishing my packing. Unbelievable the "stuff" you have to bring per the packing list. I really wonder if I'm going to use the sleeping mat that I've only used twice in my career. I packed my remaining duffel bag, ruck sack, carry-on, one box for shipment to Fort Lewis and one box for Iraq. In the boxes, I packed lots of comfort kinds of things from Starbucks coffee and Grapenuts to sheets, pillows, books, photos and my IPod docking station. If only I could pack good milk for the box to Iraq.

Some of the neighbors stopped by to wish me well. It was hard saying goodbye to friends who are just like family. I should mention that one of our friends, who stopped by, recently became a US citizen. A really great reminder that there are people that want to be part of this great nation.

Mom and Bradley, Dad and Mary Lou spent the night with us. It was great having the parents so close before my departure. Unfortunaely, I would have liked to watch the game but I only ended up watching about the last 10 minutes. I hardly slept that night. It was surreal to think I would not see my family and friends or be in my home for over a year.