I'm going down to Baghdad, Baghdad, Baghdad...

Well all I am here and have some interesting pictures to share. First, here is where I am living. Just kidding. That's just one of Saddam's minor palaces and another cool building I found inside the safe zone. Here are my actual quarters.
Same stuff as usual. The tall concrete walls surround all the buildings including the tents, and the bathroom and shower trailers. It's like a maze in there and I got lost my first night because it is an unlit area. Completely dark. Almost slept outside because I couldn't find my way back. I am now awaiting further training and transport. I am also trying to avoid the wild jackals running around. Haven't seen them around yet, but you never know. As I am in the Cradle of Civilization (civilization started but got stuck in gridlock and never moved on), Mesopotamia, things are very muddy. Really thick clay mud that sticks to your shoes and makes each feel like a twenty pound weight. Luckily things have dried out and it is easier moving around. We walk everywhere around here. It is amazing how much more loosely your pants fit when you are averaging at least 5 miles walking a day. All is normal. I have found out more about where I am going, but I will not post it until after I get there. Sounds nice. If there is such a thing as nice in Iraq. Anyways, I will try and keep you all updated. Take care and keep blogging.

It's gettin hot in here...

Hello all. I am in lovely Kuwait and have some great photos for you. First of all, I am enjoying luxury accommodations. Here is my street and housing.
Luxury huh. Well, better than out at the Udairi range where we slept on the floor and had no showers for two days. I did have some neat training though. I got my HUMVEE operators license!!!!! If you thought I was dangerous before, watch out. We also got some weapons training and ran a simulated convoy, during which we were interrupted by a herd of wild camels. Check out these pictures.
All in all things have been OK. Rough living and waiting for transport. One thing though, the Dining Facility (or DFAC) is amazing. Main line, short order food line, salad bar, potato bar, sandwich bar and then a dessert bar with Baskin Robbins. EVIL!!! I am trying to keep from GAINING weight right now. The weather is nice though, daytime 70s, nighttime 50s. That is all for now. Gotta be careful not to post too much here. Security you know. Well, I will let you all know more as I know it. By the way, here is the address to the main unit I will be working for in Iraq. This unit will distribute us out to the army units, but I can get mail there and they send it on to me. It is called Joint Composite CREW Squadron-1 and the address is:

NMC-1/CJTF Troy/JCCS-1
Unit # 42007
APO AE 09342-1400

Well, that really is all for now. Take care and I will write again soon.

Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha gonna do!!!!

Hello all. Here are some pictures of our teams kicking down doors and stuff. I know, I know, I said I wasn't going to do that and I am not. This is just general training they give everybody who goes over. Worst case scenario stuff.

You like. I have some others but I am trying not to smother the blog. This is fun, though tiring, training. Tomorrow it is over here and I head to Kuwait for some more training and then to Iraq. I will post information as I get access and let you all know what is going on. Sorry for the short post but I am fighting a cold. I will talk to you all again soon.

Army Training sir!!!

Hello all. Just wanted to give you an update. I am finishing my first week of training at Fort Jackson, SC and I have a newfound respect for the Army Infantryman. After marching around with 100 extra pounds of weapons, body armor and other gear I realize how difficult it is. Here is a picture of me in full combat gear, or as the Drill Instructors (DIs) call it, "Full Battle Rattle". It is a sight to see. I have placed two pictures of me in shooting stances, prone and kneeling, and one with Seiko Okano. She went through Plebe summer at the USNA with me and is now going through this training, which sometimes feels like Plebe Summer all over again. I am making friends with all of us going to the same jobs so we have a good network. It is busy here with classroom training and weapons qualifications.
I am working hard and having as much fun as possible. I am trying to keep this updated as often as possible and hope to have some more good pictures for you. Well, that is all for now. I hope everyone is doing well and I hope to talk to some of you all before I go overseas. Take care.