Saturday, August 28, 2010
still here..
Just a quick update to say that all is going well down here. I think I've figured out a way to get around the bandwidth issue, and I intend to (hopefully) begin updating this blog soon. I'd also like to say thanks to everyone that has emailed/called since the article about my platoon was published a couple of weeks ago in the Des Moines Register. Your support is overwhelming. Thanks, Lee.
Monday, August 16, 2010
dm register article.
I'm sure most of you already saw it, but here's the link in case you missed it.
giving up for awhile...
Submitting posts to this blog is becoming a real challenge due to lack of bandwidth. Just a heads up that you may see some inactivity for awhile..apologies. Lee
"don't waste your life."
I finally finished this book (from my reading list) a few days ago. It took me longer than expected. Partially because of workload, but mainly because I found it a difficult read (Jess warned me). However, aside from the Bible itself, the content of the book is unparalleled to any others I have read. And the timing was perfect (and likely not coincidental). Some of the highlights for me included:
Pg 46. The author (John Piper) retells a story that he saw in Readers Digest years ago…he writes “I will tell you what a tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life. Consider the story from the February 1998 edition of Reader’s Digest, which tells about a couple who took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30 trawler, play softball and collect shells. Picture them before Christ at the great Day of Judgment: “Look, Lord. See my shells.” That is a tragedy. Don’t waste your life.”
Talk about making a guy rethink all of his goals/ambitions in life.
There were also some comforting excerpts and scriptures that I found very timely, given my current “situation.”
Pg 76. Piper references what Jesus said to Paul when Paul was in pain…“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:8) Paul responds to Christ…”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, HARDSHIPS, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10) Piper elaborates that “Love is not Christ’s making much of us or making life easy. Love is doing what he must do, at great cost to himself (and often to us), to enable us to enjoy making much of him forever.
I found this timely. This is the attitude Jess and I took towards this mobilization, and it is comforting to see this validation…which is that Christ is doing what he must do in order to ensure that his plan is fulfilled. Hence, my deployment is all part of the plan, and I am in no position to question it.
So how is it that my deployment is part of the plan? I believe I have been placed in a unique position from which I have the ability to affect others for the good of Christ. The following versus, which are referenced in the book, speak very directly to this…
Pg 35 references…“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Also referenced in the book…“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.” (Proverbs 10:11)
Further validating this is what I feel is the best chapter in the book. Chapter 8 is dedicated to the argument that not all are called to be pastors, missionaries, etc. Most of us are called to secular occupations, and are to affect the world through those occupations with hard and honest work, and lives that are Godly examples. How else is such a secular world to see and hear the truth? Followers of Christ must be intertwined within the world, not segregated. This does not mean that I will never hear such a calling, it just means that to this point in my life, I have not heard such a call. I am confident that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
Pg 46. The author (John Piper) retells a story that he saw in Readers Digest years ago…he writes “I will tell you what a tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life. Consider the story from the February 1998 edition of Reader’s Digest, which tells about a couple who took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30 trawler, play softball and collect shells. Picture them before Christ at the great Day of Judgment: “Look, Lord. See my shells.” That is a tragedy. Don’t waste your life.”
Talk about making a guy rethink all of his goals/ambitions in life.
There were also some comforting excerpts and scriptures that I found very timely, given my current “situation.”
Pg 76. Piper references what Jesus said to Paul when Paul was in pain…“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:8) Paul responds to Christ…”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, HARDSHIPS, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10) Piper elaborates that “Love is not Christ’s making much of us or making life easy. Love is doing what he must do, at great cost to himself (and often to us), to enable us to enjoy making much of him forever.
I found this timely. This is the attitude Jess and I took towards this mobilization, and it is comforting to see this validation…which is that Christ is doing what he must do in order to ensure that his plan is fulfilled. Hence, my deployment is all part of the plan, and I am in no position to question it.
So how is it that my deployment is part of the plan? I believe I have been placed in a unique position from which I have the ability to affect others for the good of Christ. The following versus, which are referenced in the book, speak very directly to this…
Pg 35 references…“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Also referenced in the book…“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.” (Proverbs 10:11)
Further validating this is what I feel is the best chapter in the book. Chapter 8 is dedicated to the argument that not all are called to be pastors, missionaries, etc. Most of us are called to secular occupations, and are to affect the world through those occupations with hard and honest work, and lives that are Godly examples. How else is such a secular world to see and hear the truth? Followers of Christ must be intertwined within the world, not segregated. This does not mean that I will never hear such a calling, it just means that to this point in my life, I have not heard such a call. I am confident that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
the toc.
Just a quick post of where I work...the Tactical Operations Center. Not sure what to say...lots of computers and the latest in battlefield technology, all inside a tent. As advanced as everything is, we still have our issues. Nothing funnier than watching 3 crusty Colonels and a Sergeant Major argue amongst themselves on how to put toner in the copier.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
training.
Yesterday, I was able to participate in some actual training. I suppose I should explain…Yes, our Brigade came down here to TRAIN for Afghanistan. However, when you are an officer assigned to the Brigade Headquarters Company (which I am), opportunities to participate in training is limited. Instead, you are tasked to ensure that everyone else is receiving their training. And when you do have the opportunity to train, it’s more of an “executive” version that tends to not be too strenuous.
MRAP
HMMWV (HUMVEE) Roll-over trainers
Video of the MRAP Roll-over trainer
Yesterday was an exception. I was randomly selected to participate in a vehicle roll-over class. During the first few years following 9-11, fatalities from vehicle roll-overs in Iraq and Afghanistan were very high. To mitigate this, the Army began a roll-over training program aimed at reducing roll-overs, and how to respond to them. Statistics over the last 5 years show an 80% drop in fatalities due to the program.
This training has always been of importance to me. When I was in Afghanistan in 2004, a unit that was traveling to our forward operating base had a vehicle roll-over within a mile of our front gate. The unit radioed us to advise that the turret gunner had sustained serious injuries. We assisted the unit, and coordinated for a helicopter to evacuate the soldier to a field hospital. Unfortunately, the soldier died 10 minutes prior to the helicopter’s arrival. That experience has not been forgotten.Our class yesterday began in the classroom with recommendations on how to prevent a roll-over, followed by a “hands-on” portion that included motorized vehicle roll-over trainers. My initial thoughts on the second portion of this training, even though it was important to me, was that it was not going to be very realistic, and I figured I would go through the motions to get it over with.
I was wrong. The trainer was very realistic, and gave us the unique perspective of how violent and confusing a roll-over can be. Once upside down, equipment begins falling everywhere, and you quickly become confused as to which way is up. In sequence, you are told to brace your feet to the floor and your hands to the ceiling of the vehicle. Next, you push your helmet into the ceiling, remove your hands, and release your seat belt. You then attempt to pull the door handle in the correct direction to open the door (harder than you may think), and adjust yourself so that you’re right side up before exiting the vehicle…all this while also holding on to the turret gunner, who would otherwise be bouncing around inside the truck. To add to the realism of the trainer, the vehicle compartments are unbearably hot, and they are particularly cumbersome when wearing your helmet and body armor.Our day ended with a range of reactions and opinions to the training. Many soldiers (including myself) were experiencing vertigo, and some became short of breath due to claustrophobia. Eye-opening training to say the least and worth every taxpayer dime invested into it.
A couple other items of note. My access to the internet is not what it was a few days ago. With all our units now here, the amount of bandwidth available for my air card is significantly reduced. I guess that what happens when 3500 extra people are vying for one cell phone tower. Also, I still intend to post pictures of the MULTICAM. I will try and post those later in the week.
MRAP
(Mine Resistant Ambush Protected)
MRAP
HMMWV (HUMVEE) Roll-over trainers
MRAP Roll-over trainer
Video of the MRAP Roll-over trainer
Saturday, August 7, 2010
updates.
As most of you probably assumed, our pace has picked up in the past few days, hence the lack of recent posts. Our workload is and will remain, erratic and unpredictable.
For the most part, everything is going well. 2/34 Brigade soldiers and equipment continue to arrive from Iowa, and within the next few days, we should have everything here on the ground necessary to begin our training. I say for ‘the most part’, because there is the ever present chaos that seems to accompany such large operations as this. In the Army, we refer to this chaos as "Murphy" (I must admit, sometimes I wonder if Murphy and I are blood relatives…but that’s for another post).
A few highlights from the last few days include…
Our Company Headquarters was struck by lightning a few days ago. Guys inside the building said that they literally felt the hair on the back of their necks begin to stand up in the second prior to the strike. We’ve had quite a few thunderstorms in recent days, and many inches of rain.
Apparently, Brett Farve is here in town (Hattiesburg), going through his now familiar pre season ritual of throwing footballs to the local high school football team, while deciding whether or not to play another year in the NFL. No sightings of him here on Post yet.
Two mornings ago, I was shaving in the latrine (bathroom), and began to put my face down into the sink to rinse off my face when a huge beetle crawled out of the overflow hole in the sink. I managed somehow not to scream like a little girl, and a good friend (and new hero), MSG Mike Van Pelt, proceeded to smash the beetle with a bottle of bodywash. Thanks Mike!
Which leads into the next story…last night, I woke up at about 1am to, well, use the latrine. After opening the door to our barracks, I was a little paranoid about walking around without my shoes, given the beetles (which now seem to be everywhere, and are following me I think). I looked left, straight ahead, and then as I turned to the right, there was a skunk 3 feet away. It began to bristle up, and I quickly eased back into the barracks. Being that I was half awake and full of beetle paranoia, I decided to wait another 2 hours before daring to leave the barracks again.
One tragic story of note to pass along regarding a Christian doctor who was recently murdered. The story is a good reminder of the fear that continues to grip Afghanistan, and demonstrates the treacherous conditions that persist. These are stories that give our mission in Afghanistan additional meaning, well beyond killing terrorists and denying them the terrain they require for training and staging future attacks. It is my sincere hope that our mission/presence in Afghanistan has many other benefits, such as alleviating some of the dangers as depicted in this story.
Last note, we were recently issued our new equipment, which came in the newest camouflage pattern, MULTICAM. The camouflage was designed specifically for Afghanistan. I'll try to get some pics up soon.
For the most part, everything is going well. 2/34 Brigade soldiers and equipment continue to arrive from Iowa, and within the next few days, we should have everything here on the ground necessary to begin our training. I say for ‘the most part’, because there is the ever present chaos that seems to accompany such large operations as this. In the Army, we refer to this chaos as "Murphy" (I must admit, sometimes I wonder if Murphy and I are blood relatives…but that’s for another post).
A few highlights from the last few days include…
Our Company Headquarters was struck by lightning a few days ago. Guys inside the building said that they literally felt the hair on the back of their necks begin to stand up in the second prior to the strike. We’ve had quite a few thunderstorms in recent days, and many inches of rain.
Apparently, Brett Farve is here in town (Hattiesburg), going through his now familiar pre season ritual of throwing footballs to the local high school football team, while deciding whether or not to play another year in the NFL. No sightings of him here on Post yet.
Two mornings ago, I was shaving in the latrine (bathroom), and began to put my face down into the sink to rinse off my face when a huge beetle crawled out of the overflow hole in the sink. I managed somehow not to scream like a little girl, and a good friend (and new hero), MSG Mike Van Pelt, proceeded to smash the beetle with a bottle of bodywash. Thanks Mike!
Which leads into the next story…last night, I woke up at about 1am to, well, use the latrine. After opening the door to our barracks, I was a little paranoid about walking around without my shoes, given the beetles (which now seem to be everywhere, and are following me I think). I looked left, straight ahead, and then as I turned to the right, there was a skunk 3 feet away. It began to bristle up, and I quickly eased back into the barracks. Being that I was half awake and full of beetle paranoia, I decided to wait another 2 hours before daring to leave the barracks again.
One tragic story of note to pass along regarding a Christian doctor who was recently murdered. The story is a good reminder of the fear that continues to grip Afghanistan, and demonstrates the treacherous conditions that persist. These are stories that give our mission in Afghanistan additional meaning, well beyond killing terrorists and denying them the terrain they require for training and staging future attacks. It is my sincere hope that our mission/presence in Afghanistan has many other benefits, such as alleviating some of the dangers as depicted in this story.
Last note, we were recently issued our new equipment, which came in the newest camouflage pattern, MULTICAM. The camouflage was designed specifically for Afghanistan. I'll try to get some pics up soon.
Monday, August 2, 2010
SRP "GO"
Today, we went through our "SRP" lanes. SRP stands for Soldier Readiness Processing, and consists of a long series of stations that you must go through prior to deploying. Stations include finance, medical readiness, legal, administrative issues, etc. The only lane that was of concern for me was the medical portion, due to the erratic blood pressure readings that I have managed to produce every time a BP cuff has hit my arm/wrist over the past 12 years. Today, my readings were perfect, and I received a first time "GO," which now officially clears me for deployment overseas. All other stations went smoothly as well, and I'm now finding myself with more free time thus far than I had previously anticipated. I pray that I use the time in a way that God intends.
Jess and I have been able to speak on the phone nightly since I departed Iowa, and we are both doing very well with the separation so far. I know that it's only been a few days, but based off our past experience, this is probably the toughest part of the deployment from the separation standpoint, as no routines have yet been established on either side. As Jess stated in an email to me yesterday, there's only one reason for this, which is that it's a "God" thing. To be more specific, there is no doubt in our minds that this is a direct result of your prayers. I must admit, that I am not someone who has ever asked for much prayer support, and have thus not felt the direct results of a combined prayer effort. The feeling is comforting to both Jess and I, please don't let up!
That's all for now. Hopefully, I am able to spend a second straight night here in the same building, as some of the initial dust of our arrival appears to be settling.
Jess and I have been able to speak on the phone nightly since I departed Iowa, and we are both doing very well with the separation so far. I know that it's only been a few days, but based off our past experience, this is probably the toughest part of the deployment from the separation standpoint, as no routines have yet been established on either side. As Jess stated in an email to me yesterday, there's only one reason for this, which is that it's a "God" thing. To be more specific, there is no doubt in our minds that this is a direct result of your prayers. I must admit, that I am not someone who has ever asked for much prayer support, and have thus not felt the direct results of a combined prayer effort. The feeling is comforting to both Jess and I, please don't let up!
That's all for now. Hopefully, I am able to spend a second straight night here in the same building, as some of the initial dust of our arrival appears to be settling.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
moved.
Within an hour of my last post, we moved to a new building. I just finished unpacking (again). I'll leave the odds at 50/50 that we move again by Tuesday.
Changes...
One of the things that comes with being in the military is getting used to constant change, both for better and worse. After 15+ years, I have learned that being flexible is often not enough, as most times you must be fluid. And, when it appears that fluid is still too stiff, you must be gaseous. I suppose this is where I find myself today. A couple examples...
I was advised this morning that the "permanent" barracks that I moved into yesterday are now not so permanent, and we will be moving on Tuesday to another building. For the record, this "seasoned" Army veteran waited until yesterday evening to unpack his bags, thinking that a change could likely come my way. It wasn't until after I had unpacked my overstuffed assault pack, rucksack and duffel bags that I received the news of this change. Apparently, I was still in fluid mode.
The other change was not so surprising, although it will have a dramatic impact on my duties for the foreseeable future. The short version of the story is this...our Brigade operations section is divided into two sections: current operations and future plans. The chiefs of these two sections have been building their "teams" for weeks now, and I got caught up in the middle of a tug-of-war over which section I would be assigned. I have tried to keep a positive attitude throughout. I figure it's better to be fought over, than having people trying to get rid of you, which, yes, was the case here. However, I told them both to be careful what they asked for. Now that the dust has settled, I find myself in the future plans section.
So, my duties while deployed will now be very different from what I told many of you I thought they would be. I now anticipate one of my first assignments will be working on the plan for how to move our Brigade back to Iowa. It took us 2 years to plan how to get to Afghanistan, so it will likely take us a good 6-9 months to figure out how to get back to Iowa once we're there. I will still be assigned to Bagram Air Field (north of Kabul), so there will be no change with duty location.
I guess that's all from here for now. The fluid side of me wants to begin (re)packing my bags for Tuesday just to get it started. However, I think the gaseous side of me is winning out, and I'm going to wait. Knowing the Army, I give it a 50/50 chance that I even have to move. We'll find out Tuesday. Lee.
I was advised this morning that the "permanent" barracks that I moved into yesterday are now not so permanent, and we will be moving on Tuesday to another building. For the record, this "seasoned" Army veteran waited until yesterday evening to unpack his bags, thinking that a change could likely come my way. It wasn't until after I had unpacked my overstuffed assault pack, rucksack and duffel bags that I received the news of this change. Apparently, I was still in fluid mode.
The other change was not so surprising, although it will have a dramatic impact on my duties for the foreseeable future. The short version of the story is this...our Brigade operations section is divided into two sections: current operations and future plans. The chiefs of these two sections have been building their "teams" for weeks now, and I got caught up in the middle of a tug-of-war over which section I would be assigned. I have tried to keep a positive attitude throughout. I figure it's better to be fought over, than having people trying to get rid of you, which, yes, was the case here. However, I told them both to be careful what they asked for. Now that the dust has settled, I find myself in the future plans section.
So, my duties while deployed will now be very different from what I told many of you I thought they would be. I now anticipate one of my first assignments will be working on the plan for how to move our Brigade back to Iowa. It took us 2 years to plan how to get to Afghanistan, so it will likely take us a good 6-9 months to figure out how to get back to Iowa once we're there. I will still be assigned to Bagram Air Field (north of Kabul), so there will be no change with duty location.
I guess that's all from here for now. The fluid side of me wants to begin (re)packing my bags for Tuesday just to get it started. However, I think the gaseous side of me is winning out, and I'm going to wait. Knowing the Army, I give it a 50/50 chance that I even have to move. We'll find out Tuesday. Lee.
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