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.