3 Stikes and I'm Out!

A few days ago, we were preparing for some of our Soldiers and their equipment to arrive. The flight was suppose to come in during the wee hours of the morning (about the same time Cooper's Bar on Hwy 3 in Eagan closes down on a weekend night). Unfortunately, being up at this time wasn't the same since I hadn't had any beer nor had I gotten to hang with my friends. So I got up, met some other Soldiers and we drove to flight ops.

Before going inside the building, I had to clear my weapon at the clearing barrel. I dropped the magazine, placed it on the sandbag and proceeded to clear my weapon. While I was doing this, the magazine fell to the ground and then a sandbag fell on top of my magazine. I went to pick up the sandbag and the entire contents of sand dumped onto my magazine....nice. STRIKE 1!

I proceeded to the control center and as I'm walking in the sergeant says to me, "Oh Ma'am, we were just going to call you. The flight is delayed and it won't be in until this afternoon." STRIKE 2!

I go back my room to try and sleep until 0515, however, I had my first cup of Starbucks coffee from the sergeant major when I thought I would be up for a while. Well, that cup of Starbucks obviously was stronger than what I was used to so sleep wasn't happening. I finally get up to take a shower. I had just gotten done putting conditioner in my hair and soaping myself up when I turned the water back on to rinse. "What the Hell?!!" The water is only coming out in a trickle less than the diameter of a straw. STRIKE 3! Just try to rinse your hair when it's as long as mine with a trickle. I'm beginning to think shaving my head would be a good option.

Even though I had a cool shower today, there were no issues with the pressure. I heard the guys didn't have any water when it was their turn in the shower trailer. Sucks to be them!

Which brings up another point. I didn't know we had let so many men into the Army that can't read or tell time. EVERY morning, some guy walks in when it's the female hours for showers. Hours are posted on the doors for both males and females. One of our own Soldiers was telling a story how he had gotten into the shower and someone else had gotten into the one next to him. Even after he was ready to leave, this same person was still in the shower even though the shower had been off for a long time. As he was leaving, she poked here head out and he realized his mistake. Of course, when he was telling the story, we were laughing till tears were coming out of our eyes. I'm just glad it wasn't me!

The European style of bathrooms is taking a bit to get used to as well. The stalls all have doors that run to the floor but it still is weird coming out to wash your hands and a guy is standing there brushing his teeth. The leadership actually taped off the urinals after a few days; I'm sure there was some male Soldier who couldn't read the sign that clearly states: Coed Latrine. Don't Use The Urinals!

My days have been busy with my first meeting starting at 0730 and my last one ending after 2000 (8pm). As part of the Torch party, we have been coordinating the arrival of the Soldiers and their equipment. The best way I can describe it: Go to a foreign country you have never been to and plan for a very large group of people to arrive. Coordinate transportation and lodging for everyone to include gift baskets (laundry bag in our case). Plan for each person to be carrying at least 4 very large suitcases and smaller bags as well. Plan transportation for any vehicles they decided to bring and multiple pallets of stuff. Give them a presentation about the sights in the area and any rules that apply. Do all of this without having a cell phone, limited vehicles and personnel. This is what it is like for me right now.

When I was at the airfield, I spoke to one of the forklift operators- He'll teach me to drive one. All I have to do is set the date! Can't wait...It's a home-run!

BTW, my mailing address is posted to the right!